Big appetites, small portions.

This essay surveys some recent trends in the reviewing of research-based books on cinema. The author traces a substantial rise in the number of film books from academic presses, which have taken up titles that trade presses would have issued at earlier periods. The essay goes on to consider the roles and aims of authors, review editors, and reviewers. The essay concludes with some recommendations for improving reviewing, principally through long-form reviews published online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]