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Film Studies Research Guide (Loudoun)

Guide created by Julie Combs & Eliza Selander. Direct comments to jcombs@nvcc.edu.

Film Criticism

Film criticism studies the interpretation and evaluation of a movie within a historical, social, political, or theoretical context. Film critiques are typically written by a scholar or expert in film studies and published in scholarly  or academic journals. Criticism may examine a particular film, or may look at a group of films in the same genre, or a director's or actor's body of work.

Search the Library Catalog

Library Catalog Search Tips

Search for books on your topic in the library catalog. 

  • Search by broader terms to include the cultural and/or historical context of the film. 
  • eBooks and streaming videos are accessible through the catalog. If you see any in your search results, click the 'Full-text available at' link to open.
  • Select 'Request Item' to have books from other NOVA libraries sent to Loudoun for pick up.
  • If your book is at Loudoun be sure to write down the call number in order to locate the book on the shelf.

Sample keywords include:

  • film criticism
  • film genre and criticism (film noir and criticism)
  • film title or director (Psycho or Alfred Hitchcock) and motion picture

Suggested Books & eBooks

Library Databases

The best way to locate articles is through the library databases.  Go to Databases by Subject and look under Communication Studies, Film, & Theatre (CST) to find a list of relevant databases. You can also perform a search in the databases below.

  • Do not enter complete sentences in the search box. Search by keyword, film/book title and/or name of director/author. 
  • Look for additional keywords or subjects offered.
  • Look for toolbars that provide print, email, and citation options.

Suggested Articles

Film Criticism eJournals