STAR TO WATCH: Mila Kunis

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

I made much of my disdain for Mila Kunis's shot at an Oscar nomination for her work in "Black Swan," thinking it an unfair diss to more deserving supporting actresses. But never did I mean to wish any ill will upon Kunis herself, as the black-haired stunner has a natural talent and a natural inclination for holding the camera's attention. In truth, she really didn't need that Oscar nod; her turn in "Swan" has catapulted her to the A-List. She's graced more magazine covers, made more TV appearances, turned more heads and sealed more deals in the past few months than she has in her entire career.

Known, of course, for her TV stints on "That '70's Show" and "Family Guy," Kunis, 27, has long been focused on comedy. Her first big film role beyond bit parts and straight-to-DVD fare came in 2008, when she starred opposite Jason Segel and Kristen Bell in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." She followed that with "Extract," Mike Judge's 2009 follow-up to "Idiocracy," continuing to play the busty babe in a male-dominated universe. In 2010, she aimed for more serious projects with "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic actioner with Denzel Washington, and "Swan." By year's end, she was a red carpet MVP and a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominee.

This year, Kunis will star opposite Justin Timberlake in "Friends with Benefits," the latest from director Will Gluck ("Easy A"). Much like "Swan" co-star Natalie Portman's recently released "No Strings Attached," "Friends with Benefits" is about...friends with benefits. It co-stars Woody Harrelson, Richard Jenkins and returning "Easy A" actresses Emma Stone and Patricia Clarkson. Kunis plays Jamie, who winds up torn between Timberlake's character and another man. The film isn't set to open until July, but if you can't wait that long for more Kunis, no worries -- just grab the latest issue of W magazine.