You are here:

Comedy Movies/American reveiw of Monty Python-film

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/14/2005


Question
Hello, I am writing an asignment on the movie; Monty python and the holy grail, I need to find some american reviews from the time it was released, back in the 70'ties. Can you help me find those? any aditional information on the film would be appriciated...
Thanks...

Answer
Dear Peter:  I have some suggestions for you.  The first involve on-line resources where you can find reviews, including some from that time period.

1.  The Movie Review Query Engine.  Over 44,000 reviews of films from all time periods.  The problem is that not all are dated.

2.  The Internet Movie Data Base.  A comprehesive site on film--just type in the title, and on the side you'll see a listing of sub topics.  Go to the "External Reviews" and you'll get a listing.

3. Go to Inkpot.com/movie links for links to journal articles, reviews, etc. on films.

In addition, you can sometimes access reviews, even old ones, by going to a good search engine like google.com--type in the name of the film in quotations, and see what you get.  Or you can try Lexus-Nexus (for newspaper references) or EBSCO-host (for other periodicals).

Then there is the old fashioned way, depending on your level as a student, and where you are located.  If you are a college student in the U.S., go to your university library and check the Film/Literature Index (also available on-line), or the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature (look under "Films" or "Movies" for the time period you are interested in). A librarian should be able to help you with these resources. Then locate the periodicals (various magazines, newspapers, etc.)  You should be able to find the Reader's Guide in a local city library as well (in case you are a high school student).  If you are out of the U.S., local libraries may have similar resources, but perhaps not from U.S. publications.

Finally, you can ask your teacher or professor for help in finding resources.  Most I know are more than happy to assist students in their research projects and course assignments.

These are the suggestions I provide my own students.  I hope they help you.  

Comedy Movies

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

Past/Present Clients
My students

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.