About the Ratings

 The following is an extraction from the How to Turn a Hobby into a Chore post on the front page. I'll leave it here for easy reference in case you ever want more insight into why I rated something the way I did.

 ABOUT THE RATINGS...

I use the standard IMDb 1-10 scale. However, because of how I built my watchlist, the ratings are naturally skewed upward.

When creating the list, I largely selected films based on a combination of popularity, critical reception, awards consideration, and audience ratings. In other words, I am intentionally choosing movies that most people already consider "good." As a result, truly bad films are rare within this project, and anything below a 5 should be viewed as a significant failure.

My scores are based on a combination of craftsmanship, execution, originality, emotional impact, and overall lasting impression. A technically well-made film can still score lower if it fails to connect with me, while a flawed film may score higher if it does something memorable or unique.

The ratings generally break down as follows:

5 - Meh

 I'm either ambivalent to it, or maybe even straight up disliked it. It may be competently made, but it failed to leave much of an impression. I can appreciate aspects of it, but I am unlikely to revisit it, recommend it, or think about it much afterward.

6 - Okay
A decent film with noticeable strengths, but also clear flaws or limitations. It may be enjoyable in the moment, but ultimately feels forgettable or unremarkable. Unlikely to rewatch except under specific circumstances.

7 - Good
A solid-to-good film that succeeds at what it sets out to do. I enjoyed watching it and would likely recommend it to the right audience. However, it either lacks the ambition, originality, impact, or execution necessary to elevate it into something truly special.

8 - Excellent
A film that excels in multiple areas and stands out from the crowd. It may have a few shortcomings, but they are relatively minor compared to everything the film does well. These are movies I would comfortably recommend to most people and would happily revisit in the future.

9 - Near Masterpiece
An exceptional film that succeeds in nearly every category. These are the movies that stay with me long after the credits roll. The only thing separating them from a perfect score is an admittedly subjective je ne sais quoi. 

10 - Masterpiece
Reserved for films that I consider truly special. These are the movies that define genres, influence filmmaking, possess exceptional cultural significance, or hold deep personal meaning for me. A 10 is not necessarily a flawless film, it is a film whose legacy or impact elevates it beyond even most great movies.

Additional Notes

• I do not use half points. A film must earn its way into the next category rather than being rounded up.

• A movie can be technically excellent and still score lower if it fails to resonate with me. Likewise, a film can overcome certain flaws if it is particularly memorable, ambitious, emotionally effective, or unique.

• Ultimately, the score reflects not only how well a film is made, but how much I value it after sitting with it and considering its place among the thousands of other movies on the watchlist.