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Curious about this year's foreign language Oscar winner Departures I finally remembered to check whether Mark Schilling reviewed it for the Japan Times. Here's the review.

Barmy wrote:Good to see the Cesars are just as blah as the Oscars.

So you've seen all the major Cesar winners and can comment authoritatively on them?

I've seen Seraphine and although it is not unworth seeing it is yet another "quality" biopic that the French toss off in their sleep. It will be completely forgotten within 2 years. Varda did deserve the best doc award, that's for sure.

Didn't know where else to put this, but here's Cahiers du Cinema's Best of 2008 List:

1. Redacted - Brian De Palma
2. Colossal Youth - Pedro Costa
3. Cloverfield - Mat Reeves
4. No Country for Old Men - Joel & Ethan Coen
5. Two Lovers - James Gray
6. Waltz with Bashir - Ari Folman
7. Dernier maquis - Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche
8. Hunger - Steeve McQueen
9. A Short Film About the Indio Nacional - Raya Martin
10. On War - Bertrand Bonello

Cahiers has gone the way of Sight & Sound in the last couple of years, unfortunately.

They are right about "On War". The rest of that list is rather sad.

Barmy wrote:They are right about "On War". The rest of that list is rather sad.

No, "Waltz with Bashir" deserves to be on it.

you mean that Israeli apologist cartoon?

Nothing wrote:you mean that Israeli apologist cartoon?

An apologist cartoon? That would be funny if it was even slightly accurate.

Matt wrote:Anyone know if Mesrine is going to get picked up for US distribution?

Why, yes, Matt-from-the-past. Music Box Films, currently raking in cash hand over fist thanks to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, will be distributing the films theatrically soon. Part I opens August 13 in NY, LA, and Chicago.