Finding Movie Reviews
Introduction
This guide is intended for the patron who wishes to locate reviews of feature-length movies often referred to as “motion pictures” that have been made and/or released in the United States.
Release Dates
Since the year of a film’s release is usually also the year when reviews first appear, it is important to have at least a general idea of the release date. As there is generally a lapse of a month or more before indexing becomes available, when searching for reviews of recently released movies, search one or more years of an index. For example, for a movie released in September 1992, reviews might appear for both 1992 and 1993.
The following sources provide release dates for movies:
International Motion Picture Almanac Ref. PN1993.3.I55
The Oxford Companion to Film Ref. PN1993.45.O9
Sadoul, Georges. Dictionary of Films Ref. PN1993.45.S3213
Print Sources
There are a number of Reference Books in Lovejoy Library that review or critique motion pictures. The most commonly used print resources are:
- Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature. (1900-.) Ref. Index Tables AI3.R4
Coverage includes reviews in general jouurnals. Between 1905-Feb. 1976, few reviews are indexed.
- Before 1977 – (volume 37 of Reader’s Guide) movie reviews are listed under the subject heading MOVING PICTURE PLAYS — CRITICISMS, PLOTS, ETC. PICTURE REVIEWS.
- 1977 – present movie reviews are located under the subject heading MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS.
Movies are listed alphabetically by the title, followed by a citation for a review.
For example:
“Motion pictures-Single works-Reviews.”
Gladiator (movie title)
People Weekly il. v53 no. 18 p.39 My 8 2000. L. Rozen
Rolling Stone il por no. 841 p 81-2 May 25 2000. P. Travers
- New York Times Index. (1851-.) Ref. Index Table AI 21.N45 1974-.
Coverage is bi-weekly with quarterly and annual cumulation. Movie reviews appear under Motion Pictures.
- The Motion Picture Guide. Ref. PN 1993.M433 Suppl. 1986-1999
- Magill’s Survey of Cinema. Ref. PN 1993.45.M34
- Magill’s Cinema Annual. Ref. PN1993.3.M3 1982
Each contains reviews of English and foreign language films released in the United States during the year. Citations for additional reviews are also provided.
- New York Times Film Reviews. Ref. PN 1995.N48 1913-.
Photographic reprints of reviews are presented as they appear in the newspaper.
- New York Times Index. Ref. AI 21.N45 1913-.
Reviews are located under the heading Motion Pictures (movie.)
- Wall Street Journal Index. (1955-.) Ref. Index Table HG 1.W26 1958-.
Coverage is monthly with annual cumulation. Reviews are included in Volume II – General New under the heading Motion Pictures – specific movie title.
Our Library Catalog
To locate books which review or critique movies, perform an Any Word Anywhere Keyword search in Our Library Catalog using any of these phrases:
- Motion Pictures Reviews
- Motion Picture Criticism
- Motion Picture History
- Motion Picture Themes
- Motion Picture Plots
To find materials about a specific movie, perform an Any Word Anywhere Keyword search by title; however, in most cases there will not be an entry for the title of a specific movie.
Databases
Many general and subject-specific electronic journal indexes and databases provide access to movie reviews. The search strategy for finding reviews may vary depending on the database. Electronic databases are accessible from the Library’s Journal and Newspaper Databases page at http://www.library.siue.edu/lib/research_tools/journal_and_newspaper_databases.htm. It may be possible to find articles that can be accessed online although many databases do not cover journals published prior to 1990.
- Academic Search Premier (EBSCOHost)
In Advanced search format type:
Shakespeare in Love (All fields)
AND Reviews (change All fields to Subject)
- Academic Universe (Lexis-Nexis)
Search General News. Also, News or Arts & Sports.
Keyword
Shakespeare in Love
Additional Term
Reviews
- Periodical Abstracts (FirstSearch)
Keyword
( Title of the movie ): American Beauty
Additional Terms
Motion Pictures
Reviews
Websites
There are literally hundreds of movie review sites on the Internet. However, although some are more authoritative than others, most are very opinionated. The majority of sites are constructed and maintained by average moviegoers, not critics or film scholars. A few of the more useful and reliable sites are:
- All-Movie Guide
http://allmovie.com
This site contains reviews and other information on current releases.
- Film.com
http://www.film.com
This site contains reviews, discussions, critics’ picks, and other pertinent information.
- The Greatest Films
http://www.filmsite.org/
This site contains comprehensive plot summaries of 100 “greatest” English language films along with excerpts from the scripts and poster reproductions. Two major sections are:
FILM REFERENCES – provides a list of other film related sites and
FILM SEARCHING – allows searching for information on a specific film.
- Internet Movie Database (Librarian’s Choice)
http://us.imdb.com/
This is one of the largest movie sites and provides basic information on film stars and production crews. To search the site click on the SEARCH tab and type in a title. For example, enter American Beauty in the search box and click on the Go button. From the results list select the title of interest. In the Awards & Reviews on the left column, choose External Reviews.
- ModernTimes: Classic Films Pages
http://www.moderntimes.com
This site contains reviews of films from the 1920s through the 1950s and includes essays, reviews, posters, stills, and movie sound bites.
- TV Guide Online: Movie Database
http://www.tvguide.com/movies/
This site contains costs, credits, and reviews for over 35,000 movies.
- Yahoo! Entertainment:Movies and Film:Reviews
http://www.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Movies_and_Film/Reviews
This site contains links to an extensive list of movie review sites, ranging from mediocre to great, that link to other sites that review films. Under the sections COLUMNS there are a number of movie review sites.
For additional assistance contact Lovejoy Library Information Desk (618-650-2615) or for further information contact Lydia Jackson, Instruction Librarian (ljackso@siue.edu or 618-650-2604).
|