If 2009 was a tumultuous year in our ‘real’ world, it surely reflected onto the big screen as viewers searched for relief inside darkened theatres. Early that year, Slumdog Millionaire made a sweep of the Oscars not only for being a gem of a movie, but also because it spoke of hope. In our first issue of 2010, we start with a look back at the BEST of 2009 (p12), and we round up the nominees of this year’s Academy Awards. See if you can guess the winners with our Oscar Scorecard (p10).

As we begin the new year, audiences continue to flock to features that reflect the current climate. The National Board of Review recently honoured George Clooney starrer Up in the Air, the story of one executive’s life changes following company cutbacks. Meanwhile, James Cameron took away the Best Film Golden Globe for his long-awaited Avatar, a powerful tale of right rising up against wrong (BUZZ p6). In our annual colossal feature – BIG in 2010, starting page 14 – you’ll read about the biggest attractions of the coming 12 months and you won’t have to look far to find those glimmers of hope. Heroes abound, from Denzel Washington’s warrior for truth in The Book of Eli, to Sylvester Stallone’s band of brothers in The Expendables, to that most iconic tale of the weak triumphing against the strong: Russell Crowe weilds a mighty bow in Robin Hood.

See you at the movies!

Anita Nasr anita@gulffilm.com