Explanation of Ratings & Current Tallies

Here you’ll find pure “audience response” criticism (Pure what?).
Respectful? Absolutely. Reasoned? Always. Humble? Perhaps. Objective? Never.

77 Stars: Desert Island »

If forced to choose a handful of films for life, these make the list; I feel “due” to see them at least every few years (a few much more often, like months). Definitely holding a personal meaning, they are probably magnificently executed as well (though not required to be). Sometimes they creep up on me (An Education), other times I fall instantaneously (Inception). However it happens, it isn’t about like or dislike. It’s unconditional love. (Note: It seems like a lot, but it’s still only 5% of my total, so it can’t be said that I’m indiscriminate!)

5 Stars: Magnificent. »

Perfectly realized, and completely satisfying on whatever level it sought to be. (Does one “love” The Killing Fields? You get my meaning…) These I’ll watch at any opportunity, use as background instead of music (in the lighter cases, of course), and generally carry with me throughout life.

4 Stars: Great »

I really liked these ~ they were a terrific experience and I’ll happily see them multiple times.  I don’t carry them with me, but I’d sure hate to have to leave them behind.

3 Stars: Time Well Spent »

Solidly handled overall or possessing some notable feature. Most titles fall into this range, so I’ve broken it into ranges for clarity.

• High ~ For one reason or another just didn’t qui-i-ite make it to four stars. I’ll likely watch them again if they cross my path, or if I get a bug to watch a certain performance.
• Regular ~ Hitting dead center on my affections continuum. Almost no opinion, except that they were very fine films and I’m glad to have seen them.
• Low ~ Fine in their own rights, just vibe on a different wavelength than my own or lacked some requisite attribute. They were like a decent blind date ~ good guy, good time, but it won’t happen again.

2 Stars: Disappointing »

Some aspect is handled poorly enough that it gets in the way of an otherwise decent film. I really wanted to like these but just didn’t. Bummer. But I’m glad I tried.

1 Star: Accursed »

Either some aspects are so badly handled that the film actually irritates, or it contains a major betrayal of the rules of fiction. Very occasionally, I just loathed it for some reason of personal taste (e.g., Cry Baby). Behold, hours of my life I’ll never get back.