You might think that I would rate my movies by using the 5 major categories listed in this post, but you would be wrong. Although my ratings are based on the Netflix 5-Star rating system, I’m finding that more and more this is something viscerally I feel at the end of the movie. But despite that, I have found a certain pattern in my ratings.

1 Star – Hated It
For a movie to receive one star it usually means that I am proactively telling people to stay far away from it. I may occasionally use words like “sucked” or “garbage” while describing it to someone else. Examples: Firewall, Rocky V, Stone Cold

2 Stars – Didn’t Like It
Something really didn’t sit well with me after watching it. Maybe there was too much crude humor for my taste, maybe it had lousy acting, maybe the story was juvenile. Whatever it was, my gut told me that I just couldn’t say that I “liked” it. Examples: 88 Minutes, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Fireproof

3 Stars – Liked It
This is the catch-all rating for me. I usually describe a three star movie as “just another movie.” It wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t great or memorable. Examples: Charlie Barlett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Mr. 3000

4 Stars – Really Liked It
A four-star movie is one I could easily watch again. I had a good experience watching it, and I’d recommend it to others. Usually it’s lacking one little thing that could have taken it over the edge to a 5-star rating. Examples: 300, August Rush, Brick

5 Stars – Loved It
Five-star movies are the ones I’d buy. I’m also proactively telling everyone I know about how great it was. Movies with a great message or that involve a true story usually get bumped up here from a 4-star rating. Examples: Blood Diamond, Fargo, Juno