[Nicolai P. Zwar]

I give 10/10 to what I think are the best movies and 1/10 for what I think are the worst movie. I think for a scale to be relevant, the entire scale should be used.
I’d give A QUIET PLACE 6/10 (or 3/5).
I think it was a well made (well directed/acted etc.) monster movie with an original premise, but I found the creatures to be rather unbelievable, I just didn’t really buy them. I understand the concept, but based on the size and biology of the creatures and the way they got here, I found them to be way too powerful to really buy into them. I mean, it seemed they basically wiped out most of mankind and are virtually indestructible and superfast and superstrong, and super aggressive against anything that makes sound for no apparent reason, but on the other hand, they are hardly larger than a bear.

I’ve always been a bit skeptical of rating scales, and especially if they are used inconsistently, but I can see their use.

Here’s basically how I rate movies (when I rate them) with examples.

9/10 — Great movie. Essential. Classic. Top of the top.
Transcends genre. Has artistic, thematic, or cinematic significance beyond its premise.
Examples: CHINATOWN, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, BLADE RUNNER, JAWS, CASABLANCA

7/8 — Very strong film.
Delivers above expectations. Shows ambition, craft, or emotional or film historic impact that elevates it.
Not quite transcendent classics, but clearly superior to most films in its category.
Examples: AVATAR, SOUL, THE STRAIGHT STORY, WOLFEN

5/6 — Good within genre expectations.
Delivers on its premise.
Doesn’t surpass the genre, but doesn’t fall short.
Competent, coherent, satisfying. If you like the genre, you may enjoy the film, if the genre isn’t for you, you can probably skip it.
Examples: DEEP WATER, A QUIET PLACE, RUST

3/4 — Flawed, proceed with caution. May be interesting under certain conditions.
Parts work, parts don’t. If it’s a genre film, it may still be of interest to genre fans, but probably holds none beyond.
The film may have a strong idea, a few standout scenes, or good performances, but structural or tonal issues hold it back.
You can see the movie it wanted to be, but it just doesn’t hold up. Or maybe all the parts are good but the concept/idea is bad.
Examples: ROBIN HOOD – PRINCE OF THIEVES, MR. & MRS. SMITH, LIFEFORCE

1/2 — Poor. Garbage. Boring. Uninteresting. Objectionable. Bottom of the Barrel.
Fails to deliver on its premise.
Major issues in writing, pacing, acting, or direction.
Occasionally watchable for curiosity or unintended comedy, but not successful on its own terms.
Examples: CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS, THE ROOM, THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL