The Rating Scale

If I had it my way I wouldn't have a rating scale. It's there only to please the people who visit this site. For some reason, visitors think that having a quantifiable number associated with the quality of a film is a better way to judge how good it is. I tend to disagree but am without power on the issue. People have stated that they probably wouldn't visit the site without such a system, and therefore I have to include it. The trade-off is one that I'm willing to subject myself to.

Each film is given a rating according to the following scale:

10 - Divine Intervention - There is perhaps only one, maybe two, films a year in this catergory. These films are transcendental experiences, the type of film that could only have come from another plane of existence.

9 - Excellent - Films that treasure innovation as well as storytelling. They're engaging, thought-provoking, and transporting. The upper echelon of these will be remembered as classics.

8 - Thoroughly Pleasing - Captivating stories with stellar production values shown in all areas.

7 - Enjoyable - Films that are well worth the time and money spent seeing them.

6 - Just Miss - Films that have good traits but didn't click the entire time.

5 - Definition of Mediocrity - Films right in the middle: not bad, but not good either.

4 - Loss of Brain Cells - Critical mistakes cripple the project, making the viewing experience exhausting.

3 - Seriously Screwy - Everything is poorly done, making one wonder how it ever got financed.

2 - Give Medication - Those responsible should be taken to the gallows.

1 - Dead on Arrival - Not a beat of pulse to them. They emit the foul stench of decay.

People wonder why my ratings tend to be a little higher than the average critic. The answer is simple: I don't see every movie. If I know a film is going to be horrible, I don't see it. My money is worth more than that. I only see the films that I feel could have some redeeming value to them.