Alternative Film Guide

- Excellent. A masterpiece or nearly so. Admittedly, some of these films may well have one or two flaws, perhaps even important ones; nonetheless, their makers and/or stars have managed to fully transcend those shortcomings. In other words, whether or not the film is absolutely perfect, a four-star rating means unforgettable screen magic.

 

- Very Good. Most elements work beautifully, but the film lacks something crucial that prevents it from reaching the pantheon of screen achievements. It may be a problem in the writing, the acting, the editing, the direction, the music, or in any combination of those elements. Or at times, the only thing missing may be that indefinable screen magic.

 

- Good. Solid craftsmanship, interesting narrative, and perhaps touches of brilliance here and there. This may be a film without any lofty goals, and one that fully achieves its objective. Or perhaps it is a "failed" great film that still has more than enough going for it to keep one thoroughly engrossed. Sometimes, it can be a lesser effort that is given a special luster by one (or more) great performance(s), or even an uneven work with considerably more pluses than minuses.

 

- Adequate. Whether its goals were a bit too low on the scale, or its realization fell below expectations, this is the sort of motion picture that keeps one’s interest throughout without leaving much of a mark once its over. Or it could be an uneven film, i.e., a flawed effort that possesses many solid qualities, whether technical or artistic. It could also be a basically good film ruined by a poor ending, or one that lags in the beginning but that is saved by an effective denouement.

 

- Watchable. Films that are moderately interesting. The quantity of hits and misses are about the same. Moments of brilliance are possible, but aren’t very common. These could be B-movies or independent productions that are thematically interesting but poorly executed technically and/or artistically, or big-budget films that boast solid craftsmanship but that are hindered by significant narrative problems, poor casting, sloppy editing, and/or other issues.

 

- Disappointing. Films whose weaknesses outweigh their strengths. These can be overlong films that could have gotten an extra half star (or even a full star) had they been shorter and/or less pretentious. Also in this group are films that think they have something important to say — but don’t. Or perhaps they do, but the message loses its significance because of miscasting, and/or narrative/directorial problems. Your average, run-of-the-mill B-movie also fits into this category.

 

- Poor. Ponderous big-budget productions. B-movies that fail even in their unpretentiousness. Films with a Message that would have been better (and at times less offensive) had they been totally mindless. Yet, these failures still have an interesting moment or two, or perhaps some solid acting or directorial touches that prevents one from either dozing off or walking out.

 

NO STARS - Ouch!. Generally speaking, no redeeming qualities, or at least not redeeming enough to make watching those films a less painful experience. Some of them may simply be insufferable bores. Others may be downright offensive. True enough, some of those titles may be historically important — and for that reason they are worth at least a look — but that doesn’t make their viewing any less unpleasant.

 

Note: I’d like to remind AltFG readers of the obvious: The film reviews found on this site — like all other reviews found anywhere else — are nothing more than an individual’s opinions at a particular point in time. Some films, for instance, grow on you after repeated viewings. Also, time passes, people’s moods and experiences change, and sometimes so does the appreciation (or lack thereof) of a particular film. In other words, film reviews are neither written nor set in stone, and may in time be revised.

 

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