Ratings and Reviews Explained.

Ratings and Reviews are all highly subjective and can never be 100% correct. Music, Film and Live performances are all very different things but all involve similar factors when it comes to ratings and these are the factors that are considered when a film, live performance or studio music recording/video is analysed and reviewed.

1. Technicals. These are the cold non emotional aspects.
Film: it equals direction, acting, backdrop, scale, story/plot, characters, pace, detail, complexity, colour usage,  interaction, quality, lighting, camera work, script and much more.
Music: it equals vocals, music score, power, lyrics, delivery, timing, backing, scale, energy, note accuracy, choreography, lighting, backdrop, production.

2. Duration:  Length of movie/music, too short, too long or just right. A critical and sometimes overlooked element of music and film that can hinder or transform.

3. Depth. Film and Music. Script or lyrics and signs of complexity not relying on over repetition. Layering, are there many things happening within a scene/music single that would not show on a first or second watch listen, this is the depth factor and equals shelf life. With music traditionally layering equals layer 1 vocals, layer 2 percussion, layer 3 mid, layer 4 bass and thump. If these layers are expanded eg backing vocals, backing percussion , secondary base and extension, then this shows signs of layering complexity and depth. the more layers that are added the harder it is to combine them all as a musical whole. Depth varies with music genre and this is taken into account when reviewing. Depth and complexity transfers something from a 1D to 2D to 3D offering and equals a quality production and long shelf life. This same scenario can be applied to films.

4. Emotion. All music/films are designed by people, to be watched/listened to by people! Technicals are nothing without the emotion factor. Believable emotion from a singer or actor in some shape or form means they have poured themselves into the performance. The productions that generate an emotional response always outshine the take it or leave it, that was “nice”  offerings. Emotions such as laugh, cry, fear, deep thought, thrill, tension, hate, love, passion amongst others are the objectives, and if these are achieved people sit up, shut up and listen and remember for a long time. The work in question being music or film has impact.This is what seperates the masterpieces from the also rans and is very difficult to achieve and even harder to rate, its highly subjective.

Zero to 5 Stars The Ratings Explained

Zero Stars: Unrated. This is something that we either have not reviewed as it was not up to the standard to even be reviewed, something we have missed (highly unlikely) , or it is something to be avoided at all costs. It could also apply to a fringe film or film noir, something very good but lacking any form of appeal outside its country of origin.

1 Star:   Awful.  Music or Film that was of the standard to be reviewed but is heavily flawed in many areas and of a low quality standard, critically burned, something that would be watched or listened to but not finished. No depth, technically poor, in film terms a “b” movie and a bad one at that, in music terms a bland severely lacking in talent throw away listen. Box office/chart success limited, awards highly unlikely. Forgotten in a short space of time, but bizarrely some of these productions especially films become cult classics, so success cannot be ruled out. Horror movies in particular that are so bad are prone to this, turn into comedies, and become cult legends, but strangely not at the time of release.

1.5 Stars Fair Better than 1 star not quite 2 stars

2 stars   Fair : Music or Film that has many visible weaknesses that most people will see and are normally criticaly slammed, in certain areas, but may still appeal to a large percentage of people and are watchable/listenable. A good “B” movie would achieve this rating. Weaknesses could include the production is technically poor, lack of depth equalling short shelf life, technically superb but is missing something that has a dramatic impact on the final result, inconsistent quality levels, or the boredom factor is coming into play. Box office/Chart success highly unpredictable, a remote possibility of an award, something that will be forgotten in years to come!

2.5 stars Below Average:   Better than 2 stars not quite 3 stars

3 stars  Average  Neutral:  A reasonable and respectable music or film production showing some signs of complexity, shows some minor weaknesses.Something that has neither any major strengths or weaknesses but would appeal to a mass market and would get some minor or possibly limited major critical acclaim. Chart or box office success highly unpredictable, could do very well, or could be an also ran. May achieve a possible award. Could be technically superb but just lacks that certain “wow” factor, has limited emotional impact, but still watchable or listenable all the same. Shelf life questionable. Remembered by a few people in many years to come! 3 star films and music are in the “Nice” category.

3.5 Stars  Above Average: Better than 3 stars not quite 4 stars

4 Stars  Very Good:  A polished music or film production that has many strengths with considerable talent on display. Would appeal to a mass market achieving a high level of success in music chart or box office terms and the chance of high critical acclaim and the strong possibility of an award or two.Shows very few flaws and has sufficient depth to give it a exceptionally long shelf life marking it out as a high standard of work. Creates some form of emotional response and impact and makes you sit up and watch/listen. Watchable/listenable many times and would be remembered by many people in years to come as an essential viewing/listen.

4.5 Stars Excellent: Better than 4 stars not quite 5 stars

5 Stars  Exceptional:  Music, or Film that moves people across all generations in a powerful sometimes life altering manner. A technical masterpiece that has had an immense amount of time, talent, effort, detail and work put into it and has emotional clout. Something that would get a standing ovation and loud cheering and applause in a cinema from the whole audience would be a prime example A flawless moving live performance, music or film production that shows microsopic or no weaknesses, something that will be remembered by most people in years or decades  to come, and will be marked out as an all time great. Something that can be watched or listened too many times due to the considerable depth and complexity on offer. The possibility of the highest critical acclaim and the strong possibility of multiple awards of the highest standard. Some films/music with this rating sometimes suffer from the “delayed brilliance” effect whereby at the time of release they do reasonably well and receive reasonable critical acclaim but the album or film (DVD) strangely does considerably better many years even decades after release and becomes a legend!

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