A rating system for a review site is a necessary evil. Rating systems are only good as a reference, barometer, or compass. While the rating system is there as a guide, it is extremely important that you read the review because you may just miss out on something that you want to experience. Enjoy!
1 Star: Poor.
While even the worst movies are not incompetently made, this rating encompasses the idea that a film is considered “bad” due to its lack of finality in editing, dialogue, sound and/or music, cinematography, direction, etc. This, in turn, usually elicits the emotions associated with boredom, loss of interest, irritability, unoriginality, and/or the failure of originality.
2 Stars: Basic.
This is clearly a step up from a Poor rating. It must present success in effort and finality as a product. While overall it may not be a solid project, it will demonstrate beginning ideas and concepts that will ultimately grow to something more satisfying. This can include, but is not limited to, amateur school projects and amateur short films or documentaries.
3 Stars: Average.
Although it is important to not overuse a Brilliant rating (a full 5 stars), it is just as important to not undersell a product. As a result, the Average rating has the tendency to be used the most as an effective medium between the two opinions. For this rating, the product must exhibit definition and solid demonstrations of accurate knowledge of storytelling in film. This is not to limit a film in its ability to be stable. Rather, it sets the bar for what should be expected from a potential excellent or brilliant product.
4 Stars: Excellent.
The bar of quality has been raised and dually met. Not only does the product confirm a knowledge of the industry and its range of storytelling, it also highlights elements of the human condition. This appears through the excellent use of editing, dialogue, sound and/or music, cinematography, direction, etc. While great, it lacks the overall ability to overwhelm with constant emotion, intellect, director’s initiative, or lacks the correct pacing and/or timing.
5 Stars: Brilliant.
Astounding. The product manages to focus its purpose of the human condition through the art of storytelling in a clear, concise, and effective manner that has the potential to enrapture the majority to all of the audience. A slight caveat may ensue at this point. The audience may consist of very few people and/or many films are subjective in nature, which could vary the analysis of the piece as a whole. This is not also to suggest that 5 Stars leaves no room for potential growth, it merely affirms that a job has been well done and even exceeded expectations.
*This rating system is also applicable for television. A slightly revised version is available for other media forms like literature and music.
