Film & Television Reviews

What Reviews Actually Mean

Each critic’s job is to bridge the objective and the subjective, so that others can walk this bridge and access things they otherwise may never have. Of course, art is subjective, so there are no right answers here (everyone’s opinion on the “best” film of all time is simultaneously right and wrong). That's all well and good. It's by definition.

However, there is something objective involved here, and that’s where criticism comes in. What makes something one of "the best" in its field, especially when there isn't hard data to qualify it, as in sports? What needs to be taken into consideration to
create a review that even approaches objectivity? Why do we recommend one thing and warn against another?
 

Review Categorical Criteria

• Plot/Storyline: We evaluate the originality, coherence, and engagement of the plot. Does the story have a clear structure? Are there any plot holes?
• Acting/Performances: We analyze the quality of the acting. Do the actors bring their characters to life convincingly?
• Direction: We consider the director's ability to convey the story and manage the film's pacing, tone, and style. We are firm believers in the importance of mise en scène.
• Cinematography: We evaluate the visual aspects, including camera work, shot composition, framing, and visual storytelling. Is the cinematography innovative or particularly striking? Does it serve the story being told?
• Music/Soundtrack: We assess how the score or soundtrack and sound design contribute to the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the film.
• Screenplay/Dialogue: We analyze the quality of the writing. Is the dialogue sharp but realistic? Does it contribute to character development or plot progression? Does it make sense with the character’s psychology? Is it memorable?
• Special Effects/Production Design: We evaluate the quality and effectiveness of special effects, set design, and overall production values. Are they integral to the story or merely superficial? Are they well done in relation to their cost? Do they serve the story?
• Cultural/Emotional Impact: We consider the film's broader impact on its audience and culture. Does it evoke strong emotions or provoke thought? Does it have a lasting effect? Does it tap into the current cultural zeitgeist in any way or critique aspects of it in eye-opening ways?

Then there are those rare films which are among the best. How do we consider what’s the best? 4.5 star and 5 star films (and series) should take 9 Factors into consideration:

The 9 Essential Factors for Masterpieces

1. How important is the film to the culture at large?
2. How much did it innovate and advance the medium? Does it use all the tools of cinema to its advantage, and wouldn’t work as well in any other medium?
3. How influential has it been or will it be to other movies or filmmakers?
4. Did it capture and reflect its subject(s) in a wholly unique way? Are its story or its characters memorable and brilliantly realized?
5. Does it express something about the human condition that very few things have in the same way?
6. Is it nearly perfect from all technical perspectives?
7. Do you think about it long after it’s over? Did it provoke complex feelings or thoughts?
8. Is it more entertaining, all-consuming, entrancing, or just plain fun than any other two hours you could spend?
9. Does it change the actual way in which you perceive the world?

Of course, at the end of the day, they’re still just our educated opinions. We try to keep in mind what Roger Ebert once wrote: “One thing I try to do is provide an accurate account of what you will see, and how I feel about it. I cannot speak for you. Any worthwhile review is subjective. If we completely disagree, my words might nevertheless be useful or provocative.”

How We Review

MovieWeb has a small group of dedicated critics who either review what they have early access to (if approved by their editor), or are assigned what MovieWeb has been provided early access to. A critic will either attend a screening or be sent a confidential virtual screener; they will watch the entirety of what they intend to review, and then write according to our style guide, with no influence on their opinion whatsoever. The authority editor will then go through their review, correcting any mistakes and checking any facts, so as to present an interesting, informative, unique, and highly readable review, published near the date of release.

Why We Review

We just love art! We’re passionate about movies and television, and we believe that it’s important to sift through the mountains of material that is produced every week in order to highlight and recommend what’s actually worth your valuable time.

Our Reviewers Uphold the Following Standards

• Accuracy: We prioritize the authenticity and reliability of our content, achieved through meticulous research and thorough revisions negotiated between a critic and our authority editor. Film expertise and a grasp of film history are important in the creation of reviews to ensure that they are as knowledgeable, informed, and accurate as possible.
• Originality: We adhere to legal and ethical standards, including copyright laws and journalistic ethics, with a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism, emphasizing our commitment to authenticity and integrity. Our reviews are our own and don’t take into account majority opinion.
• Independence & Influence: Our review scores cannot be traded for favors, sold or bought. We do not accept any material gifts or other considerations from companies that will in any way influence our content or our decision on whether to cover a title or not. What we review and how we score it is decided by our team and approved by the authority editor, and never influenced by anyone else.
• Conflicts of Interest: All reviewers at MovieWeb are required to inform our editorial staff if covering any content topics assigned to them may create a direct conflict of interest. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding the dissemination of information created for the personal or political gain of an individual.
• Attribution of Sources: Unless assets or news (press releases) come from an official company source or its PR affiliations, we will always link to originating sources for quotes, paraphrases, or research.

Our Reviewers Consider the Audience

When reviewing, we like to ask, “Who is this for?” We aim to review films and shows in the context of their demographic, and try to ensure that reviewers are a good match for what they review based on knowledge and taste - we don’t want a critic who dislikes the horror genre to review a horror film. We obviously wouldn’t review a goofy, unrealistic movie made specifically for young children as if it was supposed to be an adult comedy or a meticulously detailed fantasy film. Likewise, we wouldn’t review an independent art film with an obviously niche audience the way we’d review a fast-paced popcorn blockbuster, at least to an extent. As Roger Ebert once wrote:

“If a director is clearly trying to make a particular kind of movie, and his audiences are looking for a particular kind of movie, part of my job is judging how close he came to achieving his purpose. Of course that doesn't necessarily mean I'd give four stars to the best possible chainsaw movie. In my mind, four stars and, for that matter, one star, are absolute, not relative. They move outside "generic expectations" and triumph or fail on their own.”