Research Databases

Communication & Mass Media Complete

Communication & Mass Media Complete incorporates the content of CommSearch and the Mass Media Articles Index along with other journals in communication and mass media to create a resource with scope and depth encompassing the breadth of the communication discipline. CMMC offers complete indexing and abstracts for over 370 journals and select coverage of 230 more for a combined coverage of over 600 titles. Full text articles are available for more than 240 journals.
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Film Literature Index

- Z5784.M9 F45
The Film Literature Index indexes 150 film and television periodicals from 30 countries and 200 other periodicals selectively for articles on film and television. The periodicals range from the scholarly to the popular. More than 2,000 subject headings provide detailed analysis of the articles.
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General OneFile (formerly InfoTrac Onefile)

General OneFile, formerly called InfoTrac Onefile, is a large, multi-subject database, with records from 1980 to the present. More than 11,000 sources are indexed, most with full-text coverage. Sources include U.S. and international newspapers, popular magazines, academic journals, trade and professional publications, multimedia, and general reference sources.
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LexisNexis Academic

LexisNexis Academic is an extensive set of full-text electronic databases of news, business, company, and legal information. It contains major archives of federal and state case law, media transcripts, and other full-text material. For more information consult the LexisNexis Academic help documents and/or search tutorial.
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MLA International Bibliography

The MLA International Bibliography is a subject index for books, articles and websites published on modern languages, literatures, folklore, and linguistics. MLA International Bibliography dates back to 1925 and contains over 2 million citations from more than 4,400 periodicals and 1,000 book publishers. Subscription to the MLA International Bibliography also includes access to the MLA Directory of Periodicals database.
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Readers' Guide Abstracts

Contains bibliographic citations for nearly 400 popular periodicals published in the U.S. and Canada. Includes abstracts for many records (1984 to the present) and covers business, consumer's affairs, current events, education, fashion, fine arts, health and nutrition, and sports.
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Reference Materials

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

- PN1995 .O6 2003
The ultimate movie guide, detailing each genre of film, from romance to horror and sci-fi.
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Columbia Companion to American History on Film

- PN1995.9.U64 C65 2003
This resource provides a useful introduction to the major themes of American history on film from the American Revolution to baseball and American politics.
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Filmmaker's Dictionary

- PN1993.45 .S56 2000
From "A and B cutting" to "Z-smoke tablet" this book offers concise definitions of 5,000 technical and legal terms used in every aspect of filmmaking from script writing to production and distribution.
View:   In Print Annotation

How to Read a Film: the World of Movies, Media and Multimedia

- PN1994 .M59 2000
This definitive work discusses how film operates as a language and the various techniques and concepts that are responsible for eliciting audience responses.
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International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers

- PN1997.8 .I58 2000
This four volume set profiles over 600 major films and the people who created them. They include short biographical sketches and filmographies.
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International Index to Film Periodicals

- Z5784.M9 I49
This print index is created by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) and covers a number of primary film criticism journals and reviews.
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Magill's Cinema Annual

- PN1993.3 .M34
Each entry includes an essay-review of a noteworthy English-speaking or foreign-language film released each year.
View:   In Print Annotation

Motion Picture Guide

- PN1995 .N346
The only comprehensive encyclopedia of English-speaking and noteworthy foreign-language films. Each entry includes basic credits and a synopsis/critique of the film.
View:   In Print Annotation

New York Times Encyclopedia of Film

- PN1993.N465 1984
This 13 volume work is a reprint collection of facsimile articles that appeared in The New York Times between 1896 and 1979. Arranged chronologically, they give a view of film history as it happened.
View:   In Print Annotation

Web Sources

WebCat Search Hints

Searching Webcat can lead to a treasure trove of film criticism and works on film creation. A well-known film director and Calvin alumni, Paul Schrader, donated a portion of his personal film library to the Hekman Library a number of years ago. You can search for specific actors and actresses, directors and producers, screenwriters and editors.Try using Browse/Subject while searching the established subject headings, Motion pictures or Film criticism. Check out the subject heading, Motion Pictures--Aesthetics if you need to find information on the art of film making or go to Motion Pictures--History. Click on the "see related headings" line. There are a wide variety of film genres and other related subjects listed. Watch out for:

• Documentary films
• Film adaptations
• Historical films
• Biographical films
• War films
• Foreign films
• Gangster films
• Detective and mystery films
• Film noir
• Comedy films
• Western films
• Samurai films
• Horror films
• Religious films

Communication Arts and Sciences Subject Guide Librarian

Lewis, Francene Cataloging Librarian Contact Info: Hekman Library 309B (616)526-6308 flewisATcalvin.edu Office hours: W 2:00-4:00 pm