Film Criticism

Before starting: Keep yourself on track by using the Assignment Calculator at U of Minnesota Libraries.

Use iBistro to find out if MCC Library has the movie. (Search by Title of the movie - you may also find books about the movie). Can't find it here? Check other iBistro libraries or WorldCat. The Library can try and get a copy for you through Interlibrary Loan.

Remember to search iBistro using the name of the director of the film, the film genre, and/or the principal actors.

TIP:In order to adequately search for reviews and criticism, be sure to find the names of the major actors, the director, producer, and the year the film was released. In addition, you may want to note the date of the VHS and/or DVD release.

Internet Movie Database
The most comprehensive of searchable online movie databases (now owned by Amazon.com). Some reviews are available, however, be aware that many are not written by professionals, rather, they are submitted by the general public.

International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers 4th ed. 2000 in the Gale Virtual Reference Library (Library Database)

CRITICISM and REVIEWS What's the difference?

While these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference. Generally REVIEWS are written at the time the movie is first released, when the video or DVD is issued, or as part of a BEST FILMS or RECOMMENDED VIEWING list. Reviews tend to appear in newspapers and magazines.

CRITICISM can be done at any time after the film's release. It involves a more studied and in-depth approach to the movie. Criticism is more likely to appear in professional magazines and journals. Please note that the study of films as a scholarly endeavor really began in the mid to late 1960's.

The following can be used to locate criticism and reviews.

Bibliographies & Full-text Articles:Individual Films - from UC-Berkeley Library

Film Literature Index - from Indiana University's Digital Library Program. Covers criticism published from 1976-2001 only.

Academic Search Premier Library database

Biography Reference Bank Library database
Search for the name of the director or the actors.

British Film Institute Film Classics REF PN 1995 .B732 2003
Reprints the 50 volumes of the series British Film Institute Classics published between 1992 and 2000

Communications & Mass Media Complete Library database

The Encyclopedia of Novels Into Films REF PN 1997.85 .T54 2005

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Movies REF PN 1995.9 .S26 H38 2001

The Encyclopedia of Stage Plays Into Films REF PN 1997.85 .T544 2001

Encyclopedia of the Musical Film REF PN 1995.9 M86 G7

Encyclopedia of Westerns REF PN 1995.9 .W4 F27 2002
Covers the major and (many of the minor) westerns produced on film.

Film Noir: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference... REF PN 1995.9 F54 S74 1995

Guide to Critical Reviews: The Screenplay REF PN 1995 .S3
A multivolume set with lists of reviews from magazines and The New York Times.

History in the Media-Film and Television Library Database

JSTOR Library database

Lexis-Nexis Academic Library database
Best for newspaper articles back to the early 1980s.

MLA Bibliography Library database

Magill's Cinema Annual REF PN 1993.3 .M34 M345

Magill's Survey of Cinema - English Language Films REF PN 1993.45 .M3 1980
REF PN 1993.45 .M32 1981

Movie Review Query Engine
Can be used to locate movie reviews available on the general internet. Just be aware that many of the reviews listed are not necessarily by experts or professional movie reviewers. Some may be submitted by the general public.

New York Times website
The New York Times has just changed their policy about accessing articles on their website. It is still unclear how much you can get for free. You will have to register.
OR

Use New York Times (Historical- 1851-2004) Library database

Project Muse Library database

Selected Film Criticism REF PN S426 .S45
Contains reviews and criticism from 1896 - 1960. Many of the entries are reprinted in their entirety.

CHECK to see if MCC Library has a periodical by using this Periodical Title Finder.

IF you are having difficulty finding criticism on your film:
Reference Librarians are here to help!
Stop by the Reference Desk
Call us at 732 906-2561
Email us at refmcclibrary@yahoo.com
or Post a question on this Blog.