The issue has been raised in comments that I perhaps overrate films. “Untrue!” I reply. Yes, I see an awful lot of 7 and 8/10 movies; but that is because I avoid bad films.
The scale is not absolute, either. If 10 meant, for example, “as good as Seven Samurai,” there would only be a handful films from this decade I would even give a 9 to. 10 means, “one of the 5 or six best films of the year.” Anything below 4 means “don’t watch this. Ever.”
Think of it as a bell curve: everything above the middle is “good,” everything below is “bad.” And there’s a lot more bad cinema than good, I just avoid writing about it.
For your future reference, a guide to what numbers mean, with a recent example of each:
10 – When I’m putting together a year-end, this will be on the shortlist for #1. Grizzly Man.
9 – Great. I’d recommend it to everyone I see. Batman Begins.
8 – Really good. I will almost certainly buy the DVD. Junebug.
7 – I’m glad I saw it, but I’m not going out of my way to see it again. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
6 – I’m sort of glad I saw it, but I won’t ever see it again. Cinderella Man.
5 – It didn’t hurt me to see it. Dark Water.
4 – It didn’t “hurt,” but it sure as hell didn’t do me any good. The Island.
3 – It hurt a bit, but I’ve seen lots of bad movies and can take it. The Cave.
2 – I actively resent that I spent money on this film. Alexander.
1 – I actively resent that this movie was even made. Beyond the Sea.
0 – This movie is titled The Star Wars Holiday Special.
Films in the 1-3 range are eligible for “So Bad It’s Good” status.
You’ll note that Grizzly Man has gained a point since I reviewed it. This is because I have given it more thought, and changed my mind. This is true of many of the movies I’ve seen in the last month. For example, Pretty Persuasion is more of a 7. And I would have given 2046 a 7 last night, except that I was afraid Will would fly from L.A. to O’Hare, take a cab to my apartment, and beat the living crap out of me.