LibGuides: ENG 102: English Comp (Gillis): Eng 102 (Gillis)

Reviews vs Criticism

Film reviews are usually written by journalists around the time of the release of the film. They are written for the public and describe the characters and plot to help readers decide whether to see the film.

Film criticism is typically written by scholars who analyze the film in terms of the genre and the historical and cultural significance of the film. It may be written many years after the release of the film.

Film Studies Guide
A guide for students of Film Studies to access library resources and related websites.

Databases that might be helpful

Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)
Designed for academic institutions, this database is a leading resource for scholarly research. It supports high-level research in the key areas of academic study by providing journals, periodicals, reports, books and more. Of particular note for this assignment is access to Cineaste and Film Comment.
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Many pyschology journals have articles about films and film genres
SocINDEX with Full Text This link opens in a new window
Many sociology journals have articles about films and film genres
Religion & Philosophy Collection (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
The themes of films are sometimes religious or philosophical
New York Times (1985-Present) This link opens in a new window
Full text starting in 1995. Includes film reviews
Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new window
- Why search here?
  Gale Literature Resource Center provides researchers with literary resources to support their literary responses, literary analysis, and thesis statements through a diversity of scholars and critics that ensure all views and interpretations are represented. This database brings together materials that support interdisciplinary approaches, information literacy, and the development of critical thinking skills. Researchers with a literature, history, arts, gender studies, or cultural studies focus can use this resource to analyze authors and works throughout time.
- What's included?
  Researchers can find up-to-date analysis, biographical information, overviews, full-text literary criticism, and reviews on more than 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods, and from around the world in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, history, journalism, and more.

Searching Tips and Tricks

Put the title of the film or play in quotations marks to keep the phrase together "Shawshank Redemption"
Add the name of the director or an actor to your search if the title is a common word or phrase Mud + McConaughey
Every film or play does not have serious articles written about it or reviews, a film like "Grown Ups 2" may not have anything serious written about it.
If you cannot find anything about the film you may be able to find articles about the director that discuss her/his style
Know what year the film was made, that will help if you need information from that year

Having trouble finding anything? Contact me or any of the librarians:

shawj@middlesex.mass.edu

Useful Sources outside of MCC

Flipster and Browzine

Flipster
Current and past issues of Cinema Scope, Rolling Stone and other popular magazines are available through Flipster, the Digital Magazine Newsstand.

Film Criticism Journal
This link from Browzine allows you to 'Browse' the table of contents from Film Criticism Journal (an academic journal of film criticism) and links back to our databases to view the articles.
Film Studies Journals
Here are more journals in the Film Studies category in Browzine.