HOW CAN IT

almost be 2020? How? You know, it’s always been — at least in my mind — the year of hovercrafts and holograms and vacations to the moon, bucket and spade in hand. And here we are, closing out the second decade of this century, with a world that yes, is unrecognisable but possibly not in the ways that we imagined. What hasn’t changed, though: movies mean something. I’d argue that they mean more than ever. Little in our phone-buzzing, always-on world allows us the peace, immersion and the indulgence of cinema. The collective two and a half hours spent laughing and screaming with a room full of other people in the dark. It’s an experience that I treasure now more than I ever have done. And as we say ta-ra to a surprising and memorable 2019 (Endgame, Booksmart, The Irishman!) we stand poised to usher in what looks to be a year of more great movies. No Time To Die, Ammonite, Black Widow, Wonder Woman: 1984! Our 15-page 2020 Preview covers the beautiful big hitters headed our way over the next 12 months. But before they arrive, there’s still time to squeeze in some more absolute blinders — Oscar favourite Marriage Story (we speak to director Noah Baumbach on p88) and Little Women, which you’ll also find in the issue on p80. We were thrilled that Greta Gerwig took on the task of interviewing her stars for Empire. After reading it, I’d like to offer my services as the fifth Little Woman. I can bring my own bustle, Greta!

So admittedly, I might not be headed to the moon any time soon and my spade will have to be content in just sand, but I still get to travel to the furthest reaches of this universe and beyond. How lucky am I? How lucky are we?