The Rating Scale Discussion Thread

[Derek]

http://thepirata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/gun_2_head.jpg

How's about we keep it in here so I don't have to begin another Saturday wishing I were Takeshi up there.

[Qrazy]

Haha I just posted something similar before I stumbled upon this.

[Spinal]

This is as good a place as any to ask people to stop changing the titles in their signature to include the phrase 'meh'.

[Ezee E]

This is as good a place as any to ask people to stop changing the titles in their signature to include the phrase 'meh'.
Even if used as a funny way to describe the title?

[Spinal]

Even if used as a funny way to describe the title?

No. I'm sorry. I know this must be hard to hear for some of you. But it's never funny.

[megladon8]

Derek, you're clogging the forums.

This thread was unnecessary.

Mods, please ban him.

[megladon8]

This is as good a place as any to ask people to stop changing the titles in their signature to include the phrase 'meh'.


I never use "meh" for comedic effect.

But I do find it to be the perfect word for how I feel about some things. "Mediocre" just doesn't cut it sometimes.

[Spinal]

I never use "meh" for comedic effect.

But I do find it to be the perfect word for how I feel about some things. "Mediocre" just doesn't cut it sometimes.

Tough love for you too, meg. 'Meh' is never the perfect word. Never. There's always a better word out there. In fact, 'meh' can barely be categorized as a word at all. At best, it is an unpleasant internet phenomenon, much like 'milf' or 'lolcats'.

[Ezee E]

No. I'm sorry. I know this must be hard to hear for some of you. But it's never funny.
You've gone soft Spinal, what do you know?

[Spinal]

You've gone soft Spinal, what do you know?

I would challenge this, but I'm too busy wiping away the tears.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Lately I've relented a bit and started adding letter grades to my capsule reviews.

[Spinal]

Four stars > 100 point scale > 10 point scale with half-points > 10 point scale without half-points > Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down > Five stars > Letter grades > Taking a sanctimonious stand against the concept of ratings because I dare not distill artistry into a mere integer

[megladon8]

Tough love for you too, meg. 'Meh' is never the perfect word. Never. There's always a better word out there. In fact, 'meh' can barely be categorized as a word at all. At best, it is an unpleasant internet phenomenon, much like 'milf' or 'lolcats'.


Meh.

[Qrazy]

Tough love for you too, meg. 'Meh' is never the perfect word. Never. There's always a better word out there. In fact, 'meh' can barely be categorized as a word at all. At best, it is an unpleasant internet phenomenon, much like 'milf' or 'lolcats'.

Meh and MILF are not originally internet phenomenons... unless you mean they've been co-opted by the internet. But lolcats is.

[Beau]

Taking a sanctimonious stand against the concept of ratings because I dare not distill artistry into a mere integer

That's me!

[Kurosawa Fan]

This is as good a place as any to ask people to stop changing the titles in their signature to include the phrase 'meh'.


No. I'm sorry. I know this must be hard to hear for some of you. But it's never funny.

:cry:

What the hell did I ever do to you?

[Qrazy]

Four stars > 100 point scale > 10 point scale with half-points > 10 point scale without half-points > Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down > Five stars > Letter grades > Taking a sanctimonious stand against the concept of ratings because I dare not distill artistry into a mere integer

Wrong, letter grades are above them all and your soul is ugly for thinking otherwise. Also the four star scale is shit. Five stars is clearly better.

[Spinal]

There's a lot of anger and resentment in this thread right now. That's good. Once we get it all out in the open, the healing will start.

[Kurosawa Fan]

There's a lot of anger and resentment in this thread right now. That's good. Once we get it all out in the open, the healing will start.

Take note of who it's aimed at.

[Spinal]

Take note of who it's aimed at.

I don't mind playing scapegoat. I'm tough enough to take it.

Oh, wait. No, I'm not. The tears are coming again ....

Damn you, Kristen Scott Thomas and your steely resolve!

[Dead & Messed Up]

Four stars > 100 point scale > 10 point scale with half-points > 10 point scale without half-points > Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down > Five stars > Letter grades > Taking a sanctimonious stand against the concept of ratings because I dare not distill artistry into a mere integer

Letter grades > three stars > 10 point scale > four stars > five stars > Spinal > thumbs up/down.

[Spinal]

You letter grade fans are living in a dream world.

[megladon8]

I don't like looking at movie ratings and being reminded of school report cards.

I find the 10 scale best for me. It's a simplified version of the 100 point scale, so it's both accurate and efficient.

[Dead & Messed Up]

See, this is why I sanctimoniously stopped posting ratings!

:P

[Qrazy]

I don't like looking at movie ratings and being reminded of school report cards.

I find the 10 scale best for me. It's a simplified version of the 100 point scale, so it's both accurate and efficient.

That's precisely why I like them, their meaning is familiar.

[Arthur Seaton]

At best, it is an unpleasant internet phenomenon, much like 'milf' or 'lolcats'.
The fuck?


http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordp ress.com/2009/05/funny-pictures-cat-threatens-to-kill-you.jpg

[ledfloyd]

letter grades don't work well for me. the plusses and minuses just confuse me. i think the 10 scale works a bit better than the four star scale. more points of articulation. 100 is going overboard.

[Mysterious Dude]

I've been using the four-star scale since 1998. I don't plan to change that.

[Qrazy]

letter grades don't work well for me. the plusses and minuses just confuse me.

Because?

[Spinal]

Meh and MILF are not originally internet phenomenons... unless you mean they've been co-opted by the internet. But lolcats is.

Wikipedia regarding MILF (and no, I did not just go edit the entry):

"The term was popularized by the Hollywood film American Pie (1999),[1] though the origin of the term predates this (the term was already used for years on the Internet)."

[Spinal]

To be fair, you seem to be right about 'meh', which seems to be a Simpsons thing.

However ...

total numbers of times in my life I have heard someone say it in person: less than 5

total number of times in my life I have encountered the word on the internet:
approaching 5 billion

[Ezee E]

People say 'meh' all the time, but it's not so articulate. It's more of a quick reaction. "Meh" followed by a shrug of the shoulders. The meh could easily be a mutter of nothingness.

[Spinal]

Oh, I forgot one ...

Letter grades > Using a 100 point scale to simulate letter grades and considering everything under a 60 a failure

[Spinal]

People say 'meh' all the time ....

Again, not people that I encounter in my life.

[Ezee E]

How about the 100 point scale in which it's really a 40-80 point scale?

[Watashi]

I say 'meh' on a daily basis.

[Derek]

How about the 100 point scale in which it's really a 40-80 point scale?

Significantly better since the average film should ideally be located near the middle of the scale not at the top. Having the top 80% of films in the top 20-30% of a scale is nonsensical.

[MacGuffin]

Significantly better since the average film should ideally be located near the middle of the scale not at the top. Having the top 80% of films in the top 20-30% of a scale is nonsensical.

I hope baby doll doesn't see this post.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Significantly better since the average film should ideally be located near the middle of the scale not at the top. Having the top 80% of films in the top 20-30% of a scale is nonsensical.

I love your sig right now.

[Watashi]

I think there needs to be a universally acceptable scale.

I think the whole "it was the best film of the last 10 years... I give it a 6.5" or "it's a bit overrated and not that good... I give it a 9" are both unacceptable.

[MacGuffin]

I think the whole "it was the best film of the last 10 years... I give it a 6.5" or "it's a bit overrated and not that good... I give it a 9" are both unacceptable.

That's a bit too extreme an example, I think.

[Watashi]

That's a bit too extreme an example, I think.
Heh. I was actually thinking of two current posters when typing that... but I'm not naming names.

[Spinal]

I say 'meh' on a daily basis.

And where do I encounter you? On the internet. Point proven!

[Watashi]

And where do I encounter you? On the internet. Point proven!
But I'm a person, dammit! :sad:

[MacGuffin]

An example of why I don't think I "get" the 100 point scale system. (http://leonardo.spidernet.net/Artus/2386/tor04.htm#tropical)

[Derek]

An example of why I don't think I "get" the 100 point scale system. (http://leonardo.spidernet.net/Artus/2386/tor04.htm#tropical)

How is that hard to "get"? No matter what scale you use, it's ALL RELATIVE to the person rating. If I see Raiders or Spinal give a film ***, I know they liked it a good deal. If I see Ebert give a film ***, I realize it could be barely passable entertainment for some small demographic he sees the film catering too. If I see a 75 from Madman, I know he disliked the film. I see a 75 from Rowland, I know he loved it.

I simply don't understand how that can be so confusing to otherwise intelligent human beings.

[MacGuffin]

How is that hard to "get"? No matter what scale you use, it's ALL RELATIVE to the person rating. If I see Raiders or Spinal give a film ***, I know they liked it a good deal. If I see Ebert give a film ***, I realize it could be barely passable entertainment for some small demographic he sees the film catering too. If I see a 75 from Madman, I know he disliked the film. I see a 75 from Rowland, I know he loved it.

I simply don't understand how that can be so confusing to otherwise intelligent human beings.

Well, if 89 is the highest grade you've given a movie in eight years, you should probably consider a new hobby is all I mean. Sorry for calling out your precious "system".

[Derek]

Well, if 89 is the highest grade you've given a movie in eight years, you should probably consider a new hobby is all I mean. Sorry for calling out your precious "system".

I agree Theo's scale is a bit on the tough side, but he's one of the more intelligent writers on the net so dismehssing him based solely on that fact is extremehly short-sighted.

And this "system" isn't precious. I use ****s on my site and use the 100-point scale here to mix things up. Very little thought or care goes into the ratings despite when some people here may believe.

[Spinal]

Anger and resentment still happening ...

Not quite ready for the healing ...

Any minute now. I promise.

[MacGuffin]

I agree Theo's scale is a bit on the tough side, but he's one of the more intelligent writers on the net so dismehssing him based solely on that fact is extremehly short-sighted.

And this "system" isn't precious. I use ****s on my site and use the 100-point scale here to mix things up. Very little thought or care goes into the ratings despite when some people here may believe.

I wasn't dismissing him. I agree he is a good writer. I also look at your screening log on occasion and find the four star scale much more rewarding as far as instantly seeing how much you enjoyed any movie. I'm not trying to call you out like baby doll would if that is what you are implying.

[Watashi]

I remember liking monolith's 223 rating system the best.

[Watashi]

Derek's right. It's all about the person, not on the ratings. I'm real easy to please when it comes to movies, so you tend to see more high ratings from me. You can't sum up one rating system on one person's use of it.

[MacGuffin]

Derek's right. It's all about the person, not on the ratings. I'm real easy to please when it comes to movies, so you tend to see more high ratings from me. You can't sum up one rating system on one person's use of it.

Fair enough. I guess this all leads back to the "Ratings are fine, words are better" mantra.

[Watashi]

Ratings are a tricky thing because they can change so often over the course of the day or year. Movies that I will give *** too back in February will drop to **1/2 or ** in the lat months just upon reflection or some insight I find in a critical review (it's already happened twice this year for me). When I walk out of a movie, I generally apply a quick rating from my gut feeling and move on. I don't feel compelled to write about it unless I really feel strongly about it or if someone asks me.

Also, I'm not the one who views the **** rating as some coveted holy grail that should be unleashed on one or two movies a year because it makes me look like a tougher critic.

[Bosco B Thug]

Five stars is clearly better. Ew, the 5-star scale is for sub-Maltin movie guide writers.

I think it's safe to say that, no 5-star scalers here, right?

[MacGuffin]

Ew, the 5-star scale is for sub-Maltin movie guide writers.

I think it's safe to say that, no 5-star scalers here, right?

Well, I use it in my screening log. I like stars better than numbers, and it's just the 10 point scale in star format.

[Derek]

Also, I'm not the one who views the **** rating as some coveted holy grail that should be unleashed on one or two movies a year because it makes me look like a tougher critic.

I do it for the chicks.

[DavidSeven]

Never used anything other than a true four star scale.

When I see ratings in Spinal or Antoine's signatures, there is no ambiguity there. I can't say the same for various systems others have used (Rosenbaum four stars sans halves and D'angelo 100-scale being the worst, sorry). If it's just about communicating something to a typical movie forum reader then there is one scale that rules above all. But if you got other reasons for doing it your way, more power to you.

[Rowland]

I just use the system that feels right to me. I don't deliberate over it endlessly like it seems so many here do. A large part of it was that I felt bored giving out so many two-star to three-and-a-half star ratings, which is where I find most movies I watch tend to land. Just as I very rarely disliked a movie enough to give it one star, I very rarely loved a movie quite enough to give it four stars, especially after only one viewing. I don't see what's so pretentious about that. My number system allows me far greater means of differentiation, which I enjoy.

[D_Davis]

How many bears would it take to kill a T. Rex?

[Qrazy]

Wikipedia regarding MILF (and no, I did not just go edit the entry):

"The term was popularized by the Hollywood film American Pie (1999),[1] though the origin of the term predates this (the term was already used for years on the Internet)."

My grade school used it pre-internet. Although I suppose it could have been 'online' pre-consumer internet but who knows.

[Qrazy]

Well, I use it in my screening log. I like stars better than numbers, and it's just the 10 point scale in star format.

Exactly, 10 point scales make more sense to me than 8 point scales.

[Spinal]

My grade school used it pre-internet. Although I suppose it could have been 'online' pre-consumer internet but who knows.

You guys wanted to fuck mothers in grade school? Wild.

[Derek]

You guys wanted to fuck mothers in grade school? Wild.

It was more MWBILT* for me. Doesn't quite have the same ring though.

*Mom With Boobies I'd Like to Touch

[Arthur Seaton]

You guys wanted to fuck mothers in grade school? Wild.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1201/534279445_1e8dec2b13.jpg

[Derek]

Arthur, you do realize that Spinal can take away half of your rep points if you keep this up, right? ;)

[Duncan]

Subscribed. Can't wait to see where the discussion leads.

[Duncan]

How many bears would it take to kill a T. Rex?

What kind of bears are we talking about? Grizzlies? Pandas? I mean, how am I supposed to answer this properly without specifics?

[Ezee E]

I'm with wats on that my ratings will change throughout the year, up to a full star even.

[Boner M]

This thread is the match-cut equivalent of the inside of a bathroom stall.

[Qrazy]

You guys wanted to fuck mothers in grade school? Wild.

You say that like it's odd, you didn't? Or more to the point your grade school cronies buddies weren't spewing forth as much verbal filth as they could possibly come up with? I'm talking fifth/sixth grade here, so 1995-7 or so.

[Qrazy]

This thread is the match-cut equivalent of the inside of a bathroom stall.

Or rather the inside of the toilet inside that bathroom stall.

[balmakboor]

Whenever I start trying to rate films I always find myself giving far too many As and Bs or 9s and 10s. I'm either too easy of a grader or I only bother seeing really good movies. I'd rather just write what I have to say about the movie and let the reader conjure up his own idea of what my rating would be.

[Spinal]

You say that like it's odd, you didn't? Or more to the point your grade school cronies buddies weren't spewing forth as much verbal filth as they could possibly come up with? I'm talking fifth/sixth grade here, so 1995-7 or so.

Maybe by sixth grade, but that wasn't considered grade school where I grew up.

[Arthur Seaton]

Arthur, you do realize that Spinal can take away half of your rep points if you keep this up, right? ;)
Do you mean neg rape?

[Qrazy]

Maybe by sixth grade, but that wasn't considered grade school where I grew up.

Mine was K through 8th.

[Spinal]

Mine was K through 8th.

Cool. Yeah, my kid's school is like that. Kinda wish mine was. Middle school sucked.

[Derek]

This thread is the match-cut equivalent of the inside of a bathroom stall.

And with this thread, we can now keep the stench of ratings discussions in one confined place. I don't know which mod has janitorial duty in here, but he better have nose plugs handy.

[B-side]

Thread lacks passive-aggressive condescension.

[Duncan]

Who's that making foot signals in the stall next to me?

[Qrazy]

http://www.hbo.com/thewire/img/episodeguide/season03/ep29_bunny_mello_car.jpg

Hamsterdam... 'This place is hell itself'.

[Qrazy]

Thread lacks passive-aggressive condescension.
http://www.spotlight.com/hallfame/portraits/john_cleese.jpg

Ohhhh does it now??

[B-side]

http://www.spotlight.com/hallfame/portraits/john_cleese.jpg

Ohhhh does it now??

:lol:

[trotchky]

Hey guys, new rating system, see the sig for details.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I give this thread 14 out of 6 shillelaghs.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Cool. Yeah, my kid's school is like that. Kinda wish mine was. Middle school sucked.

Yes. Yes it did. Great name though. Perfectly captures exactly how I feel about it.

[trotchky]

Middle School sucked, High School sucked, Grade School sucked, school sucks in general.

[BuffaloWilder]

Hey, did you guys know they make ham with cheese already in it? It's just like regular ham, but with cheese stuck in it!

https://www.wegmans.com/prodimg/836/200/044700011836.jpg

I give it a 5.5, out of a scale of a possible 5.493459.

Wrap your heads around that one.

[trotchky]

Hey, did you guys know they make ham with cheese already in it? It's just like regular ham, but with cheese stuck in it!

https://www.wegmans.com/prodimg/836/200/044700011836.jpg

I give it a 5.5, out of a scale of a possible 5.493459.

Wrap your heads around that one.

What about ham with raisins? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNlSxTS81So)

[BuffaloWilder]

What about ham with raisins? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNlSxTS81So)

Dear god. I give it a 1. A 1 out of a scale of goddammit why would you do that to ham.

[origami_mustache]

My ratings are all completely and ridiculously arbitrary and most likely very hypocritical and I'm not afraid to admit it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

My ratings are inconsistent. So are my rankings. An example: recently I put There Will Be Blood in my top 100 for the Match-Cut consensus. A few weeks later, when redoing the 2007 Consensus ballots, I ranked Zodiac ahead of There Will Be Blood, even though the former didn't make my top 100.

I just don't care enough to keep track, and whatever strikes me at the moment is what I put down.

[B-side]

My ratings are inconsistent. So are my rankings. An example: recently I put There Will Be Blood in my top 100 for the Match-Cut consensus. A few weeks later, when redoing the 2007 Consensus ballots, I ranked Zodiac ahead of There Will Be Blood, even though the former didn't make my top 100.

I just don't care enough to keep track, and whatever strikes me at the moment is what I put down.

Yup. Same here.

[Dukefrukem]

I care a little. It all depends on how much I liked a film. If I really liked a film, I'll give it an initial rating, but then I need to go to my giant 2009 list and compare it to other films. If I notice there's a film on there that I'd rather watch over the one I just watched, I need to rate the film I just watched lower.

[MacGuffin]

****: 10, 9
***1/2: 8
***: 7
**1/2: 6
**: 5
*1/2: 4
*: 3
1/2: 2, 1
Zero: 0, obviously

[Sycophant]

Last Life In the Universe (Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, 2003) -7

I hope there's a space missing here.

[Derek]

****: 10, 9
***1/2: 8
***: 7
**1/2: 6
**: 5
*1/2: 4
*: 3
1/2: 2, 1
Zero: 0, obviously

Number of times Clipper Ship Captain has changed/abandoned rating scales: 10.

:)

[origami_mustache]

I hope there's a space missing here.

Yes, in fact I think I'll bump it a half point haha.

[MacGuffin]

Number of times Clipper Ship Captain has changed/abandoned rating scales: 10.

:)

Yes, indeed. Hope to hear your thoughts on the movie the Wu-Tang loves so much.

[Spun Lepton]

I was BORN on a ten-point scale!
I was RAISED on a ten-point scale!
I currently LIVE on a ten-point scale!
And I'm'a gonna DIE ON A TEN POINT SCALE!!

And get offa my lawn!

[Yxklyx]

I've very comfortable with the 10 point scale. After I watch a movie I know that it will be one of at most two adjacent points so I just need to make a single choice (between 7 and 8 for instance). To go to a 100 point scale I would have to compare the rating of a movie I just saw to my ratings of other movies from the same year and assign a corresponding value. Yuk.

[Spun Lepton]

10 -- Favorite
9 -- Excellent
8 -- Very good
7 -- Good
6 -- All right
5 -- Indifferent
4 -- Not so good
3 -- Bad
2 -- Very bad
1 -- I hate this movie

[BuffaloWilder]

On a more serious note, I think Trotchky's 'good-really good-etc.,' scale is the most readable. That's just me.

[Sycophant]

Here, I've developed a new scale:


Reprehensible
Worthless fluff
Passable entertainment
Minor work
Major work
Significant achievement

[Sycophant]

Also, a blast from the past! Use this report card to score your films!


Writing (Max 12 pts.)
Direction (Max 12 pts.)
Lead performances (Max 13 pts.)
Supporting performances (Max 8 pts.)
Editing (7 pts.)
Music (5 pts.)
Cinematography (8 pts.)
Locations (4 pts.)
Special effects (11 pts.)
Sound clarity (6 pts.)
Sound effects/surround niftiness (7 pts.)
Costume design (6 pts.)
Craft services (1 pts.)

[Derek]

On a more serious note, I think Trotchky's 'good-really good-etc.,' scale is the most readable. That's just me.

In that you find words more readable than numbers or stars?

[trotchky]

Thanks for the referral, Derek.

I'll re-post this here:


If perfection is non-existent there's no point in even thinking about it, much less reserving a score for it.

These are my thoughts on Dukefrukem's ratings scale, in which "no movie gets 100."

Note: I'm not saying perfection, as a concept, can't exist, but others are, and if it can't, then we are just tormenting ourselves by reserving this special place for something that cannot be.

Discuss.

[Russ]

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt79/englishmuse/ScarJo_popcorn.gif

[Ivan Drago]

The problem I run into with rating movies is tough to explain. Let's just say it results in an 8.5 for Frost/Nixon, and four months later I give an 8 to The Rules of the Game, and mass confusion ensues.

[Qrazy]

I have subjectified my scale...

Previous Scale:

A - Great
B - Good to Very Good
C - Mediocre to Decent
D - Very bad to Bad
F - Awful

New scale:

A - I loved it.
B - I liked or really liked it.
C - I had major criticisms, I was indifferent or I enjoyed it OK.
D - I disliked it.
F - I truly loathed it.

[Sycophant]

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt79/englishmuse/ScarJo_popcorn.gif

We need to keep this gif around.

[Ivan Drago]

Why not:

10 - Masterpiece
9 - Great
8 - Really Good
7 - Good
6 - Decent
5 - OK
4 - Poor
3 - Bad
2 - Really Bad
1 - Turd Sandwich
ZERO - Cinematic Abortion

[baby doll]

At least you enjoyed the new Indiana Jones though.A nine for Drag Me to Hell, but only a six for The Hurt Locker? Armond, is that you?

[Pop Trash]

A nine for Drag Me to Hell, but only a six for The Hurt Locker? Armond, is that you?

I'll defend him and say I thought DMtH was better than The Hurt Locker as well.

[baby doll]

I'll defend him and say I thought DMtH was better than The Hurt Locker as well.Well, I haven't seen Raimi's film, and it's all relative anyway, but I just think it's interesting that everybody's after Armond White for something that every one does all the time.

[soitgoes...]

Well, I haven't seen Raimi's film, and it's all relative anyway, but I just think it's interesting that everybody's after Armond White for something that every one does all the time.
But Drag Me to Hell and The Hurt Locker both have plus 90% ratings on RT. Both are accepted critically. Liking DMtH more than The Hurt Locker isn't the same as liking Death Race more than Hunger (or insert other critically acclaimed film).

[Kurosawa Fan]

A nine for Drag Me to Hell, but only a six for The Hurt Locker? Armond, is that you?

Let me guess, you haven't seen either film, and never will, but would love to argue over their quality?

[baby doll]

Let me guess, you haven't seen either film, and never will, but would love to argue over their quality?I saw The Hurt Locker, and it at least deserves a seven (meaning simply that it's worthy going out of your way to see it). A nine to me means it's best film of the year material.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I saw The Hurt Locker, and it at least deserves a seven (meaning simply that it's worthy going out of your way to see it). A nine to me means it's best film of the year material.

Congrats on creating a rating scale. You should be proud.

[soitgoes...]

I saw The Hurt Locker, and it at least deserves a seven (meaning simply that it's worthy going out of your way to see it). A nine to me means it's best film of the year material.
And? See the film you are questioning before dismissing it.

[baby doll]

Congrats on creating a rating scale. You should be proud.Well, I don't use the ten-point scale myself, but if you look at Michael Sicinski's web site, he'll only give out a nine once or twice a year. So unless you really, really, really like a film, keep in your pants.

[baby doll]

And? See the film you are questioning before dismissing it.I'm not saying it's a bad film, but I don't think Kurosawa Fan means to imply that it's a wrap for 2009, and this is the best film we can realistically hope to see this year.

[soitgoes...]

Well, I don't use the ten-point scale myself, but if you look at Michael Sicinski's web site, he'll only give out a nine once or twice a year. So unless you really, really, really like a film, keep in your pants.

Jesus Christ. I'm sure K-Fan thought that DMtH was just a shade above mediocre when he slapped a 9 next to it in his sig.

[baby doll]

Jesus Christ. I'm sure K-Fan thought that DMtH was just a shade above mediocre when he slapped a 9 next to it in his sig.Is that how you'd characterize L'Heure d'été (which I haven't seen either): a shade above mediocre?

[soitgoes...]

I'm not saying it's a bad film, but I don't think Kurosawa Fan means to imply that it's a wrap for 2009, and this is the best film we can realistically hope to see this year.
How do you know? Are you Kurosawa Fan? Surely by now you've come to realize that your tastes aren't quite in line with others.

[soitgoes...]

Is that how you'd characterize L'Heure d'été (which I haven't seen either): a shade above mediocre?
Yes. If there were boobies, I'd have given it a ten.

[Rowland]

You know, I haven't seen ואלס עם באשיר yet, but a ***1/2? Really? Many of my trusted critical sources dimissed it as a shade above mediocre, and yet here you are scoring it higher than Allen's L'Barcelona d'Vicky Cristina.

[baby doll]

How do you know? Are you Kurosawa Fan? Surely by now you've come to realize that your tastes aren't quite in line with others.I don't have a problem with him liking (or even loving) the film; I'm just curious how passionate he is about it. If he only thinks it's a shade above mediocre, and gives it a nine, what score does he give a truly great horror film like Psycho or The Seventh Victim?

[soitgoes...]

It's not so much that he liked the film, I'm just curious how passionate he is about the film. If he only thinks it's a shade above mediocre, and gives it a nine, what score does he give a truly great horror film like Psycho or The Seventh Victim?
I used the phrase "shade above mediocre" as sarcasm. He never used it. Of course he likes it a lot. He gave it a 9.

If you want to read his thoughts, and his passion for the film, perhaps read them in the Drag Me to Hell thread?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well, I don't use the ten-point scale myself, but if you look at Michael Sicinski's web site, he'll only give out a nine once or twice a year. So unless you really, really, really like a film, keep in your pants.

Unlike you, I actually like to think for myself.

[baby doll]

Unlike you, I actually like to think for myself.I think that's a cheap shot. With any rating system, the key thing is learning to keep it in your pants. If you're whipping out nines and tens left and right, then when you give a movie an eight, it's like you're saying it's only pretty good. So a six for The Hurt Locker is what? Not really worth the time?

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think that's a cheap shot. With any rating system, the key thing is learning to keep it in your pants. If you're whipping out nines and tens left and right, then when you give a movie an eight, it's like you're saying it's only pretty good. So a six for The Hurt Locker is what? Not really worth the time?

I'm not wasting my time explaining my ratings to you. How many nines and tens have you seen in my signature? How many tens have you ever seen me hand out? The thing is, like every other time you decide to post, you run your mouth about subjects you aren't terribly familiar with, regurgitating other's educated opinions as your own.

I'll keep my rating scale how I like it, and you can stop paying attention to it if it bothers you. Because honestly, I couldn't possibly care less what you think.

[megladon8]

I don't feel guilty giving out 9's or 10's when I really, really love a movie. I don't give out nearly as many as I did, say, 4 years ago when I was on RT and still a relative newbie to the analysis of movies.

But really, who is anyone to criticize someone else's way of thinking about or rating movies? If I love a movie enough to give it a 9 and you didn't, well, I don't see why there should be any conflict from that. Or the other way - for example, I really can't stand anything I've seen by Godard. I think the highest rating I've given one of his films is a 5. Yet I know he's quite well-renowned and critically loved.

People are different. 'Tis what makes the world (and more specifically, our movie-related discussions) more interesting.

[Ezee E]

K-Fan is pretty legit in his rating of movies. I don't remember the last time I saw a 9 from him, and I don't even think I've seen a 10 from him.

It may be mind-blowing to baby_doll that he liked a movie that Drag Me To Hell got such a high score. But then again, he hasn't seen the movie, and I also doubt he read why K-Fan liked it so much.

In the end, rating scales are meant for readers to get interested in a certain movie. Right? That's the real purpose, for it to get somebody's attention so that they will also see the movie, and possibly understand their viewpoint if you read their thoughts. Would I see or be interested in a movie from a high score from baby doll? No. K-Fan? Yes.

[Ivan Drago]

I'm surprised I've been good about keeping 9s and 10s in my pants (I felt weird typing that) over the years. I remember when I was like 14 or 15 and just getting into movies when I was giving every movie I saw a 9 or 10. However I still feel like I like too many movies - there have been only 9 movies that I've first seen this year that I didn't like. But I'd rather watch something good than something like Disaster Movie just so I can see something bad.

[Sycophant]

Someone, sooner or later, is going to have to post something about wishing he had a 9 or a 10 in his pants to keep. If it doesn't happen soon, I guess I'll have to do it.