This weekend, a nearly three-hour long movie called Cloud Atlas will open in theaters. Cloud Atlas is based on a book (that takes more than three hours to read) also titled Cloud Atlas. The film version stars a plethora of actors that you've heard of -- Tom Hanks (The Man With One Red Shoe), Halle Berry (Boomerang) and Hugh Grant (Mickey Blue Eyes) -- but, does that ensure your enjoyment of Cloud Atlas? As a service, we answer every question that you could possibly have about Cloud Atlas.

Q: If I haven't read Cloud Atlas, will I understand Cloud Atlas?

A: I have not read the book, yet I was never particularly more confused than I am during any other movie. (Full disclosure: I'm easily confused.)

Q: Is this the movie that Republicans like?

A: You're thinking of Atlas Shrugged (and, unrelated, Boiler Room).

Q: At nearly three hours, does Cloud Atlas feel like a three hour movie?

A: Yes, it does. Maybe a little longer.

Q: Does this mean that Cloud Atlas is boring?

A: No. Though, it is dense. I mean, there's a lot going on in this movie. It's actually one of the most remarkable films that I've ever seen. But just because something is remarkable doesn't necessarily mean that it's also an enjoyable experience.

Q: What are the chances that someone at Warner Bros. is thinking about using, "One of the most remarkable films that I've ever seen," as a pull quote?

A: 35 percent.

Q: Can you make a bad analogy that not at all relates to what we're discussing to explain what you mean by that?

A: Sure. A black hole is certainly remarkable. But the process of being spaghettified by that black hole once crossing over the event horizon is not an enjoyable experience. (I assume.)

Q: What is Cloud Atlas about?

A: Ha.

Q: Are you not going to explain the plot of Cloud Atlas?

A: Oh, you.

Q: OK, can you at lest summarize the plot of Cloud Atlas in less than 100 words?

A: Oh, good grief, fine. There are six stories that are all loosely related: A post-apocalyptic journey to a mountaintop; a late '70s journalistic investigation of a corrupt nuclear power plant; the process of composing the perfect piece of music; the freeing of a slave; an escape from a retirement home; and a futuristic clone's fight for freedom.

Q: You have 43 more words.

A: I'll pass.

Q: Well, who does Tom Hanks portray in Cloud Atlas?

A: It might be easier to explain who he doesn't portray. The actors in Cloud Atlas portray multiple roles.

Q: Was a good amount of your time watching Cloud Atlas spent thinking to yourself, Wait, who is THAT?

A: It's almost impossible not to play the "which famous actor is in the crazy makeup" game while watching Cloud Atlas.

Q: What did you assume that you would never see, yet you saw it in Cloud Atlas?

A: Hugh Grant wearing war paint on his face.

Q: What's the best thing about Cloud Atlas?

A: Jim Broadbent's escape attempt from a retirement home.

Q: What's the worst thing about Cloud Atlas?

A: An annoying creature of some sort that haunts Tom Hanks throughout the film.

Q: Hooch?

A: No. Hooch was a nuisance, but not particularly annoying. Hugo Weaving portrays a goblin, or something, that constantly taunts Hanks' post-apocalyptic character.