RS 350: Christianity in Film
Review Assignment
During the course of the semesters, each student is expected to review two films related to Christianity (in addition to the twenty films viewed in class). Students should choose from the list of films provided in class for each review.
The review should consist of three separate pages:
1) A basic overview of the background and plot of the film.
2) A theological analysis of the film, focusing especially on the portrait of Christianity that emerges from the film.
3) A bibliography of books, articles, and reviews associated with the film.
The paper should be double-spaced. You may single-space if you need like more room- remember, the background and plot summary should be on the first page, your analysis of the film’s religious themes on the second page. The due date for the first review is March 28 and the second review is April 16.
All material in the bibliography must be available for review by the professor (in other words, it should be readily available in the library, through the web, or in hard copy form if you obtained it from another library). Internet reviews should be avoided unless they are associated with a reputable newspaper, journal, or web site. Any critical essay on a director or film genre that spends significant time analyzing your film could also be included in the bibliography. Citations in the bibliography should use MLA format, though each citation should be single-spaced.
Research hints:
Step #1:
Look for books using the SMC catalog. While you will probably not find books on individual movies, you may find chapters or essays investigating your film within books that focus on a particular film genre or director. If you start your research early enough you can check other catalogs (UVM, Library of Congress) and order materials, especially review articles, through Inter Library Loan (ILL).
Step #2:
Search for scholarly articles or reviews on your subject.
The main indexes for scholarly material in Religious Studies are the online Religion Database and the
print Catholic Periodical Index (in the Index Room). These indexes are meant to be complementary-
you are not accessing available resources if you do not consult both.
Many film journals are indexed in the
Humanities Index . America:
History and Life and Historical
Abstracts may index articles about the historical significance of some films
in America and Europe respectively.
Step #3:
You can find primary sources for your topic area, particularly film reviews, by consulting several resources in the Reference Area of Durick Library. The film section can be found between REF PN 1990 and REF PN 2000. Particular guides of interest are the Film Review Index (PN 1995 .F513 1986), which list reviews for films before 1986, and the International Dictionary of Films and Film Makers (PN 1997.8 .I58 1996), which gives descriptions and bibliographies for many films and directors. Magill's Survey of Cinema provides general background and plot synopses for most films (though no bibliography). Magill's Survey is split into two series, one for Foreign Language Films (PN 1993.45 .M34 1985) and one for English Language Films (PN 1995 .M3 1981). Another guide by Magill's, Magill's Cinema Annual (PN 1993.3 .M34) gives descriptions and bibliographies for films since 1999.
Lists of reviews can also be found in the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature (AI 3 .R44). Check the subject index under "Moving Picture Plays- Criticisms, ..." for a list of films and review in the years before 1977 (volumes 1-36). For movies after 1977 (volume 37>), look under "Motion Picture Reviews" for films and their reviews.
The Catholic Periodical Index (in the Reference Area- REF BX 800 .C38) also has lists of reviews in Catholic journals. Look under the "Film Criticism" subject heading.
Reviews usually can be found in the same (or next) year that the film was released. However, there are many reviews that accompany the release of a classic film on video or DVD, so you may check those release years.
Step #4:
Students researching recent films or CD releases may consult Expanded Academic ASAP and ProQuest Research Library for journal articles, and Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe for newspaper articles. Remember, these databases cover more recent material and often have a more general audience in mind.
Step #5:
Some general Internet sites may be helpful, though the academic quality of some material accessed through these sites may be questionable:
General Websites for film information:
Internet Movie Database
Movie Review Query Engine
The Text
This Week: Movie Title Index
All-Movie Guide
Cinebooks (TV
Guide)
Rotten Tomatoes
European Cinema
Online Database
Film
Resources on the Web (Duke)
Film, Media, and Drama-
Online Resources (Oxford)
Some specialized sites:
Jesus: Real
to Reel
Celluloid Jesus- The Christ Film Web
Pages
The Greatest Films
Film Journals:
The Journal of Religion and Film
Local availability of films: