Rating System Change

 Rating System Change

 

 

 

 

 

I have struggled for some time now on how to rate the films I review. I chose to use the 4-star system that many major film critics use, but I feel there is some confusion on how those ratings are interpreted by my audience. For example, I've always intended for any good film to receive a rating of no less than three stars, but when you do the math, three out of four stars is 75% which in school would equal a C or C+, and that's not very good. So, from here on out I have decided to give the films I review a letter grade rating.

 

Film Critic Richard Roeper uses the letter grade system, and I believe it makes it easier for audiences to see what is amazing, great, good, fair, mediocre, poor, and horrible. I will also try and take the time to update all my previous reviews to reflect this new system. I hope this will help my readers to know how I truly felt about the films I review. Needless to say, any film that receives a "B" grade or better will be considered as a recommendation.  

Movie Review: "The Spectacular Now" Showcases The Talent Of Its Young Stars.

The Spectacular Now

Director: James Ponsoldt
Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Kyle Chandler.
Rated R for alcohol use, language, and some sexuality - all involving teens.

The writers of the wildly original (500) Days of Summer are back again to tell a younger and more serious love story in The Spectacular Now. Though the originality of (500) Days is lacking in this script, what sets this coming-of-age love story apart from the hordes of others is the honesty that these fully realized characters bring to the screen.

Movie Review: "Elysium" Is A Solid Sophomore Effort From Director Neill Blomkamp.

Elysium

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, and William Fichtner.
Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout.

In 2009, South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp put himself on the map with his wildly original take on the sci-fi genre with District 9. Now, his highly anticipated follow-up to his Oscar nominated debut comes to theaters this weekend. Elysium may be more mainstream than District 9, but nevertheless Blomkamp continues to show his strengths with tremendous visual effects, wholly imagined settings, and great action spectacle.