Lists, 11/28.

"While polling our contributors for their choices of the best films of 2008, we also asked them to nominate their choice for the DVD of 2008," note the editors of Sight & Sound. "The reasons given varied: some contributors simply welcomed the chance to see a favourite film again, while others based their choice on how well thought out and realised the DVD package was. As our results show, DVD distributors like Masters of Cinema and the BFI in the UK, and Criterion in the US continue to lead by example in this regard; a special mention must also be given to the UK's Second Run label which, on a perilously limited budget, continues to rescue wonderful films like Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, Rat-Trap and Marketa Lazarova from obscurity."

"DVD sales might have slumped recently, but you'd never know it from the super-duper collectors' editions and cunningly packaged boxed sets coming out this season, each seemingly more lavish than the last." Dave Kehr presents a list of "some of the most notable film-on-DVD releases, ranging from seasonal favorites through discs for the most dedicated cinephile."

Also in the New York Times: the 100 Notable Books of 2008; Michiko Kakutani's and Janet Maslin's 10 favorite books of the year; the art and architecture critics' favorites; children's books; and the music critics pick the classical recordings of the year.

Philip Horne and Serena Davies pick the "best DVDs of 2008" for the Telegraph.

"The great advantage of shopping for DVD packages as gifts is that the range of titles and of price is so huge." A guide from Andy Klein in the LA CityBeat.

The Times Literary Supplement rounds up writers' picks for the best books of the year.

Posted by dwhudson at November 28, 2008 5:04 AM