C306: Writing Media Criticism
The resources included in this research guide will help you conduct film and media research. It will assist you in searching for and finding film reviews and other sources of information about the film you have selected for your paper.
Film Research
It is important to have some basic information about the film and a solid understanding of the film's themes so you can narrow your research.
General Film Information/Plot Summaries
Use the resources below to find general information on the film you have selected you selected for your paper.
The Internet Movie Database - The most comprehensive film database on the Internet. It provides plot summaries and general film information and also includes plot keywords.
Film Reviews
Film reviews are an excellent source for finding additional information on films. They often provide information on the film's key themes.
Film Reviews in Popular Magazines
Good source for finding film reviews from popular magazines and newspapers such as the New York Times.
To find Film Reviews:
· Select Power Search from the General Search Screen in the top left hand corner of the screen (the default is easy search and is highlighted in red)
· In the "Add Index Terms" box, select "Subject" (below the search box and right above Select Source)
· A pop up windown will open. On the pop up window, click the "+" sign next to "Reports, Reviews & Sections".
· Select "Movie Reviews" and click the red button "OK-Add to Search" at the bottom of the pop up window.
In the Select Source box select "Major World Publications" or enter the name of a specific news source i.e. New York Times.
· Add the title of the film to the main search box.
**Hint** If the title of the film is a common word you may need to include the director's name in the search.
Ex. Chinatown and Polanski
Another good source for finding film reviews. Contains content similiar to Lexis Nexis.
To find Film Reviews:
· Select Search in the top left hand corner of the screen
· Select Search Builder
· Select Subject and click on the "+" next to Content Types
· Scroll down to "Review" and click on the purple arrow to add reviews to the search box
· Add the title of the film to the main search box.
**Hint** If the title of the film is a common word you may need to include the director's name in the search.
Ex. Chinatown and Polanski
American Film Institute Catalog - Provides general film information including plot summaries and includes index of film reviews.
Film Index International - Similar to American Film Institute Catalog but also contains information from the British Film Institute.
Film Criticism in Academic Journals
Film & Television Literature Index Online - A bibliographic database that provides access to nearly 700,000 citations to articles, film reviews and book reviews
International Index to Film Periodicals - Index to film/TV periodicals including the International Federation of Film Archives.
International Index to the Performing Arts - Covers the arts and entertainment industry, including dance, film, television, drama, theatre, stagecraft, musical theatre, broadcast, circus, comedy, storytelling, opera, pantomime, puppetry, magic, and more.
Communication and Mass Media Complete - CMMC incorporates "CommSearch" and "Mass Media Articles Index" plus additional journals in the fields of communication and mass media, over 200 journals available in full-text.
MLA International Bibliography - Indexes material in modern languages, literature, linguistics and folklore
Alt-Press Watch - provides a collection of newspapers, magazines and journals of the alternative and independent press
American Film Scripts Online - Contains 135 film texts by 201 writers from 1903 to 2002. Includes biographical information on writers.
Ethnic NewsWatch - Articles from newspapers, magazines and journals of the ethnic, minority, and native press in America on news, culture and history. searchable in English and Spanish
GenderWatch - Full text database with a focus on how gender impacts a variety of subject areas.
Film in IUCAT
To find criticism in books or journals use IUCAT, the library's online catalog.
To find Film Criticism:
- Select "Keywords Anywhere" from the drop-down under "Title" and enter the term "Criticism"
- Select "Keywords Anywhere" again from the drop-down under "Author" and enter the directors name or the film's name and the term "film" i.e. "Polanski and Film"
Historical & Cultural Research
America: History & Life - Covers the history of the United States and Canada from pre-history to the present, indexing more than 2000 journals published worldwide, dissertations and reviews.
Coverage: 1964-present
New York Times (ProQuest Historical Newspapers) - Good source for finding newspapers articles related to historical events.
**Hint** - Click on "Select Multiple Databases" to search the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times simultaneously.
