ah, women
Uma Thurman has always been one of my favorites, and she has actually played a number of diverse roles (think Cats and Dogs to Kill Bill). Why oh why did Gary Oldman divorce her? (or did she divorce him). She has done strange stuff like Only Cowgirls Get the Blues to awesome sci fi, Gattica. I think her first role was as VENUS in Gilliams Adventures of Baron von Munchausen.
Speaking of Gary Oldman, didn't a young Natalie Portman try to murder him in Leon the Professional? Ms. Portman is also a very talented versatile actress who is always a pleasure to watch, even if forced to work with the likes of Hayden Christensen. Anyone who can play a role like Matilda at age 12 and move up from there is great in my book. (also see Beautiful Girls, Anywhere but Here, Where the Heart Is, and of course Garden State)(and if you just want to see her look great see Closer)
Classic actress, I like Audrey Hepburn, who could both act (Wait Until Dark), and was a screen legend (Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffanys).
Up and coming, I have begun to notice Sarah Polley, shes done some interesting indie work (My Life without Me), and main stream stuff (Go, Dawn of the Dead 2004 version) Who'd a thought that the cherub in Gilliam's wild Baron Von Munchausen would grow up to be so pretty and resourceful? (ah, see it all ties together like a Seinfeld episode)
Former Queen of Indies: Christina Ricci, why have you stopped doing great stuff (The Opposite of Sex, Pecker, Ice Storm, even the Addams Family) and started doing films like Miranda, Anything Else and Cursed? (I haven't seen Monster or Prozac Nation yet, I am hoping she redeems herself)
well thats what I can think of at the moment