As I have gotten more into writing reviews and observing how others do the same, it has made me realize how important it is to have some sort of system to compare my reviews against. Especially when someone is trying to discern if they should read or watch something, they often want to know the pros and cons. Therefore, I have create two ratings system that I plan to use on this blog.
5 Hearts Rating System
This one is like a basic 5 star system. See below
5 hearts is the highest rating I will give
1/2 heart is the lowest rating I will give. I may also give 1/2 hearts in my other ratings (3 and 1/2, 4 and 1/2, ect.)
Color-Coded Content Rating System
This system will be to break down specific areas of concern within the given media. See below:
Green - 1. None (No negative content in this category)
Blue - 2. Mild (Only a few minor issues in this category)
Purple - 3. Medium (Several noticeable issues, but not enough to alter the cleanliness of the given media)
Yellow - 4. Heavy (Numerous issues in this category that lessen the cleanliness of the given media)
Red - 5. Excessive (Too many issues in this category. It would be enough to keep me from ever watching it again)
Blue - 2. Mild (Only a few minor issues in this category)
Purple - 3. Medium (Several noticeable issues, but not enough to alter the cleanliness of the given media)
Yellow - 4. Heavy (Numerous issues in this category that lessen the cleanliness of the given media)
Red - 5. Excessive (Too many issues in this category. It would be enough to keep me from ever watching it again)
How I Rate Books
For book reviews, I am currently only using the 5 Hearts system. This is for two reasons: 1) The majority of the books I review are Christian Non-Fiction, and therefore the categories I use in Color-Coded System would be irrelevant [except for possibly sexual content, which I am careful to examine in my reviews]. 2) I try to keep my book reviews short and to the point, so the Color-Coded System seems excessive. If and when I get into reviewing more fiction books, especially secular ones, I may consider using the Color-Coded System for those books. But for now, I do not think it is necessary.
The categories I will use for the 5 Hearts rating will vary from book to book. Every book will at least receive a Personal Rating, but some of my reviews, specifically books written for women or teen girls, may recieve:
Teen Rating (based on how appropriate it would be for a teen girl and how well she would absorb it)
Male-Friendly Rating (based on how useful or appropriate they would be for a man trying to help women or better understand women's issues.)
Other categories, such as a Pre-Teen Rating or a Kid-Friendly rating may be added at my discretion.
The categories I will use for the 5 Hearts rating will vary from book to book. Every book will at least receive a Personal Rating, but some of my reviews, specifically books written for women or teen girls, may recieve:
Teen Rating (based on how appropriate it would be for a teen girl and how well she would absorb it)
Male-Friendly Rating (based on how useful or appropriate they would be for a man trying to help women or better understand women's issues.)
Other categories, such as a Pre-Teen Rating or a Kid-Friendly rating may be added at my discretion.
How I Rate Musicals and/or Movies
For both musical and movie reviews, I am much more detailed than my book reviews. That is the main reason that I post them so much less frequently. During the course of these reviews, I try to identity 3 or 4 of the main themes of the given story, whether they are positive or negative. Then I break down "Other Positive Content" and "Other Negative Content", both of which may have several sub-categories. "Other Negative Content" is usually where I will detail the specific issues that will be rated using the Color-Coded system, like sexual content or language. After I give my final takeaways, I will list my given ratings.
I will give a 5 Hearts rating for movies and musicals in each of the following categories:
Kid-Friendly Rating
Teen Rating
Personal Rating
I will also use the Color-Coded system for movies and musicals in the following categories:
Sexual Content
Violent Content
Language
Other Negative Content (which will usually be indicated with the given rating).
Other categories may be added at my discretion.
I will give a 5 Hearts rating for movies and musicals in each of the following categories:
Kid-Friendly Rating
Teen Rating
Personal Rating
I will also use the Color-Coded system for movies and musicals in the following categories:
Sexual Content
Violent Content
Language
Other Negative Content (which will usually be indicated with the given rating).
Other categories may be added at my discretion.
It's OK if We Don't Agree
It is never my intention to make anyone upset or offended by my ratings. But it is my intention to be honest, fair, and biblically grounded, which will hopefully provide you with a tool for discernment. We may disagree about one media and enjoy the next together. Even if we don't agree, I believe we must do our best to demonstrate Christ's love in our responses. If you have any questions about my ratings, please let me know.
