Best Picture

Hailed as the first movie to expose the true experiences of those fighting in the Middle East, The Hurt Locker depicts the life of soldiers in Baghdad from the troops' perspective. For Sgt. J.T. Sanborn, Spc. Owen Eldridge and their new leader, Staff Sgt. William James every mission is another brush with death. The bomb specialists are trained to dismantle Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which account for more than half of American hostile casualties. The high-pressure assignment leaves no room for error, and for these men who have only 38 days left in their tour of duty, every day is crucial.