Lists, 12/22.

"There were so many good films this year that picking just ten was hard, so I opted for ten pairs instead, all of films shown in Chicago in 2006 that I'd seen by mid-December." Jonathan Rosenbaum introduces his list, topped by: "Two masterpieces by Hou Hsiao-hsien, both profound meditations on the past and present: Caf� Lumi�re and Three Times." Further down that same page at the Chicago Reader is JR Jones's list. His #1: United 93.

And huzzah! Ronald Bergan's posted his list in a comment right here. His #1: The Death of Mr Lazarescu.

It's a big day for DVDs, or at least for DVD lists. Dave Kehr's got a list of "the year's most notable releases... And rather than simply concede the field to the Criterion Collection and Warner Home Video, which lead the pack in presentation and breadth of selection, I've tried to spread things out among several companies striving for quality, whether linked to major studios or operated as labors of love out of basements and back rooms." You'll want 'em all.

Glenn Erickson, DVD Talk's DVD Savant, got an eclectic list of the "Most Impressive DVDs of 2006," topped by a not-so-eclectic but nonetheless wise choice, Criterion's release of Pandora's Box.

Masters of Cinema is taking your vote for the "DVD of the Year Award," but you've got to get it to them by tomorrow.

The Guardian has opened up a special section collecting the major film-related stories of the year.

Meanwhile, Kim Masters assesses the Oscar race at Slate. Basically, it's still wide open.

Posted by dwhudson at December 22, 2006 5:13 AM