I've devised my own film rating system of two categories and four scales. This suits me better than a simple and vague star rating system. Here's how to understand my ratings and use the system yourself:
First, determine the quality of the film on two separate scales. This has nothing to do with your personal interest or taste in the film. These elements should be based on knowledge of filmmaking, which comes from studying and/or watching many films. Try to be objective.
1. Quality of Artistry
Cinematography, Editing, Art Direction, Costumes, Makeup, Music, Set
0 = No quality/Awful
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
2. Quality of Theater
Scripting, Acting, Overall Story (sometimes adaptability)
0 = No quality/Awful
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
Second, add up the points so far to determine the Quality Score (Q).
Quality Scales Total (Sum of Scales 1 & 2)
0-3 = Lemon: Sour, needs sugar, doesn't really work on its own (Poor)
4-6 = Orange: Flavorful but abundant, would be better mixed or spiced up (Good)
7-8 = Pomegranate: Intricate, delicate, complex, rich and nutritious (Amazing)
Third, determine your personal reaction and interest in the film on two separate scales. This may not have anything to do with the Quality scales. In other words, these answers are subjective, your opinion, and naturally biased.
3. Personal Reaction
Did you believe the story? Did it make you think? Was the film confusing (or not)? Was the film witty? Did it make you laugh or cry? Were you impressed? Was it nostalgic? Was [whatever it is you deem important in a film] accomplished/successful?
0 = No reaction/Hated it
1 = Little reaction/Didn't like it
2 = Reacted/Liked it
3 = Good Reaction/Enjoyed it
4 = Great Reaction/Loved it
4. Personal Likelihood of Re-viewing
Whether you'd re-watch a film may say more about your reaction and tastes than answering any other kind of question.
0 = None/I'd never watch it again
1 = Slim
2 = Possible
3 = Likely
4 = Very Likely
Fourth, add up the points of this second set of scales to determine the Personal Score (P)
Personal Scales Total (Sum of Scales 3 & 4)
0-3 = Acorn: I don't want to eat that, leave it for the squirrels (Poor)
4-6 = Peanut: Good but abundant, would be better mixed or spiced up (Good)
7-8 = Pistachio: Addictively delicious & good for you (Amazing)
You now have several ways of reading/recording this information:
1. Just use the numbers:
Quality Score (Q) = _/8 & Personal Score (P) = _/8
AND/OR
Total Score = __/16 (not recommended to combine scores)
Why Not Example: Q=5/8 & P=6/8 - this says more about the rating than QP = 11/16.
2. Use the label chart:
On this blog I will use both numbers (the complete breakdown included) and labels.
How do my ratings equate to a "normal" 10 point scale?
Well, it doesn't really since there two distinctly different and separate scales. But here is a close guess:
Q=0 1
Q=1 1.5
Q=2 1.75
Q=3 2
Q=4 2.5
Q=5 3
Q=6 3.5
Q=7 4
Q=8 5
P=0 1
P=1 1.25
P=2 1.5
P=3 2
P=4 2.75
P=5 3
P=6 3.5
P=7 4.5
P=8 5
Add both numbers together for a rating on a 10-point scale. Examples: Q=6, P=7 would be 8/10. This is the "Comfy Standard" category, which seems appropriate since someone rating that way would really enjoy at film. Q=2, P=7 falls in the "Bad Movie Love" category--so, an awful film someone loves because it is bad. That would be 6.25/10, which is more than what most viewers of the film would rate it but still not high. Most films that I see and rate end up being "Average OJ" films which are Q=6, P=6 or Q=6, P=5. That equates to either 7/10 or 6.5/10.
