Getting Started Guide: Film Reviews & Criticisms: Home

Use for books, articles and more

Use to expand your research; be sure to evaluate!

• You may need to look in more than one place.

• The older the film is, the more likely you will need to consult the print resources for reviews.

• You may also find it helpful to search for things like a director's name, an actor's name, or a genre of films.

• A broad topic such as Motion Pictures or Film may also be helpful depending on the type of article(s) you need.

• Know the date the film came out

• This will help you select places to search

• Know what you are looking for a review or a criticism

Reviews

• Provide opinions on the creativity, entertainment, social and cultural value of a film

• Designed to let a viewer know if the film is worth their time

• Usually fairly short, although in some cases they may be longer

• Are generally found in popular magazines, newspapers and websites

• Generally do not reflect on things like the film's place in a director's body of work or on specific aspects of the film such as lighting, music, and casting choices

Criticism/Critical Analysis

• Are more scholarly in nature

• Are more lengthy

• Discuss films in a broad context, such as the political, social, historical, or cultural significance of the film

• May compare films from the same director or within a particular genre

• May discuss the film in relation to the director's, actor's or script writer's body of work rather than as a single film

• May focus on specific aspects of the creation of the film including things such as lighting, music and casting choices