REVIEWS
I've always had a problem with rating systems, and not just because the standard 'five star' system has become a muddled mess of ambiguity. The problem is that giving a movie or a book a single score requires the reviewer to base their reviews not simply on the quality of the work, but on its value as well. That is to say, if a movie sets out to be a meaningless, but pleasant waste of time, and achieves its goal perfectly, the reviewer has to decide whether or not the meaninglessness of the movie should count against it, or if they should judge it for what it aspired to be. With that in mind, I've come up with my own personal system.
Rating system
Enjoyability
This is a question of how good a particular book/movie/telivision show is in the moment, upon first watching, as it were. Was I twiddling my thumbs the whole time, or was I locked in my seat, face twitching uncontrollably with anticipation?
Staying power
How much did this get in my head? Did I flip off the t.v. (or set down the book) and move on without a backward glance, or did I find myself contemplating it a week later? Did I discuss it with friends, recommend it to strangers?
Rewatchability
Though rewatchability and staying power have some connection, there are definite exceptions. Some movies stay with you a long time, but the thought of a second viewing make you cringe, whereas other movies are light enough of a fare that you can watch them a dozen times without once contemplating their value or considering making someone else watch it with you.
Besides rating on three different scales, I should note that I am adjusting my rating system to an eleven point system. Why eleven points instead of ten? (No, I'm not going all Spinal Tap on you!) Well, I need the eleventh number so I can include the zero. One of the things that bothers me about most rating systems is that I'm never sure what two and three mean. I mean, if it's a five, that's good. A four star rating, that's good, but not quite as good as it could have been. One? That's bad. But a three, does that mean ambivalence? Is it halfway between good and bad, or does that mean, it wasn't as good as a four, but still enjoyable? And two, is that like getting a D in homeroom, not impressive, but passable, or is that just a way of saying, 'hey, it sucked, but I've seen worse, so I'm giving you one extra star.' No idea. So here's how I'm settling it: '5' means excellent, '0' is ambivalence, and of course '-5' really, really bad.
BOOKS
MOVIES
TV SERIES