Flu, the shakes, the shivers, the shimmies, it’s that time of year and we’re all going through it. So maybe stay at home, stick on a DVD and doze yourself to freedom. But beware. In such sensitive fever-based situations, there are films to be avoided. And we’ve got the shortlist right here. Grab your seventh cup of tea, your pyjamas and least damp hankerchief and join us…

The last Monday in January is officially recognised as the most depressing day of the year. This year, the day psychologists have nicknamed “Blue Monday” falls on January 25th, which unfortunately is shuffling ever closer. There’s only one thing to do – take to the sofa with a carton of Ben and Jerry’s and some good old-fashioned escapism. Here we present you with the best fictional film characters to live vicariously through when the fateful day arrives.

We’re pleased to report that Up in the Air lives up to its press. This romance-comedy-drama from Juno director Jason Reitman is intelligent, soulful, keeps you laughing, keeps you guessing, and leaves you with that lump-in-your-throat feeling that you’ve experienced a truly lovely moment in cinema. Clooney’s emotionally detached jetsetter is perfectly (and surprisingly) matched by Twilight newcomer Anna Kendrick, and Reitman’s narrative expertly weaves witty comedy into beautiful moments of poignancy. If you only see one film this month, make it this one.

From Brit-grit gangsters in 44 Inch Chest to hard-hitting drama in Brothers, Best For Film looks at all the upcoming releases and lets you know what’s worth the price of admission. Also up this month we’ve got the hotly anticipated crime drama A Prophet, rom-coms from Sandra Bullock, The Book of Eli, Up in the Air and heist action in Armored.

Director Roman Polanski has today stated that he plans to sue the French media on a charge of invasion of privacy after a French journalist took a photo of him in his Swiss home.

If you’re one of the growing millions packing your suitcases, planning to jet far, far away from the misery of January, beware! There are many pyschological pitfalls to avoid whilst airborne. The films you watch on your journey to paradise significantly influence your sanity. Luckily, we’ve created a fool-proof guide of What Not To Watch. Adjust your seatbelt, put up your tray-table and join us in the skies…

3D films – exciting big screen trend or pointless use of technology? This week’s Face/Off swings the spotlight on this re-emerging technique currently embarrassing moviegoers at a cinema near you. Whack on your crazy specs and get ready for one crazy ride as we debate the ins, outs and “Ooh, it’s going to touch my face!”s of 3D.

We at Best For Film are probably in the majority if we say we’ve never seen Meryl Streep in a bad movie, so it’s not surprising that in safe, recession-era Hollywood, a rom-com with her name in top billing is one of January’s big releases. Add director Nancy Meyers of Something’s Gotta Give fame to the mix and you should have a surefire hit. But despite having all the hallmarks of a Meyers film, this fluffy romp still falls a little flat.

And so another decade comes to a close. Come with us down memory lane as we recall the snakes-and-ladders-esque ups and downs of Hollywood’s movers and shakers from 2000-2010.

2009 certainly brought us a few cinematic corkers, from sci-fi epic Avatar to comic-book crunching goodness from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight and Watchmen. But it wasn’t all wham, bam and explosions – will 2010 be a year of smarter movies? Judging this list… maybe.