I think DVD review ratings are as subjective as the reviews themselves. I think the important thing about them is that you, as the reviewer, express what your preferences, and your methods for rating DVDs are. You have just done that in your post, and that certainly puts your reviews in some kind of perspective for me, although not necessarily to the degree that a list of your likes and dislikes would. Rog has expressed his likes and dislikes throughout the body of his review work as a whole, and that is another way to put his reviews in perspective.

However, assuming I'm correct (and let me know if I'm not), you are in a somewhat different position than many reviewers here on ADT, in that you are trying to do reviews of many many titles quickly, and maybe trying to be less subjective about how you review--in order to give a large cross section of reviews so the mass fan market can make a quick determination about a movie. My reviews are longer, more in depth and probably more subjective, therefore I don't write them quickly, but what I do write will hopefully appeal to fans who have similar or vaguely similar tastes that I do--and maybe I can inform and make people laugh at the same time.

As far as rating weighting goes, I don't use any kind of formula to determine overall rating, all I can do is stay true to myself, in how I've rated titles in the past, or how I would rate titles I have seen but never reviewed. I go with my gut, knowing that giving 5 stars is reserved for only the very best. DVD Extras certainly figure in to that overall rating (as we are reviewing the DVD and not just the feature), but the feature is, afterall, what we're there for, so that get's a very large percentage of the weight in my overall rating.

To me a standardized and mathematical rating system takes all the individuality out of reviewing--and part of the joy of finding adult videos to watch is to read a personal and subjective review by someone who's tastes you understand, even if they don't perfectly mesh with your own.

Does that give you any information Den, or am I just rambling? :) Maybe it's not what you wanted to know...

ML

Edited by - MLyons on 10/7/2002 9:26:56 PM

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Thank you for the very thoughtful reply. It is very nice
for you to take your time to give me such a detailed
answer.

I am reviewing from the point of view of the guy who
goes to the local video store and wants to rent a sex
tape that has 'sex in his sex tape'.

I use to work at a video store and I continue to visit
and rent tapes daily. I prefer gonzo tapes. I want to
see things that I can't do in my private life. Thus, I
give extra points for the more exotic stuff.

I read your Dirty Trixxx and Ass Collector reviews and
they are very impressive. I could never write that good
of review if I spent a week doing it. Very good job.

I am basically trying to help the renter get an idea of
what the tape contains. I try to answer the questions
like, did she do anal, facial, interracial, etc.

The points system is just my way of trying to quantify
the tape and is used for all of the various rankings
I have on my site.

Yes, I am going for quantity.

You are to be complimented of your very fine reviews.

Based upon your reply about the 2 reviews, I think
you are saying that the DVD with the hotter movie action
should be rated higher than the DVD with the not quite as hot action but does have all the DVD extras?

I think I might agree (but, I sure do like it when
the DVD has all those extras).

So, assumming a 60% for movie and 40% for DVD extras:
Stiff Frame would get a 8.80 and Beach Bunnies #12
would get a 8.90

What % split would you suggest?

Thank you for your very fine inputs.

Den

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Thanks for your compliments on my reviews. That really means alot coming from such an experienced and respected reviewer as yourself.

Yes, my interest in an adult DVD is primarily on the actual feature itself--which includes not only it's sexual content but also how good the camera work is, and how good the lighting is as to me these can really enhance the overall experience (and rating) of the movie.

I don't delude myself into thinking I have any kind of influence as a reviewer, but I place extras much lower in my priorities because I never want studios to think that just because they are offering alot of DVD extras that they can get away with producing an inferior main feature. They have enough on their hands just getting the main event right most of the time.

So let me see, if we go by your suggested percentage of 60%-40%, then if you gave a title a 10.00 for the feature, and it had no extras (a 6.00), that would work out to an overall rating of 8.40. I think that kind of overall rating would be a bit misleading, and I think if the feature was indeed that good, I would weight my overall rating heavier on the feature end than that. On the other hand, you are very clear in your reviews about singling out ratings for feature vs ratings for extras, and so I can certainly understand a 60%-40% relationship in the overall given that the other ratings are there for people to see.

Ultimately, your website is very clear about how you review and weight movies, and that is really the most important thing. I'm just giving you reactions based on how I would approach it--for whatever that's worth...

On a related (but not really) note: In my mind, the best DVD extra feature I've seen so far is the documentary/making of on Ass Collector. It was fascinating, and caught not only the less interesting fluff side of adult filmaking (ala Clive McLean's fluffy crap on some of the Barely Legal DVDs), but also captured some fascinating intimate moments where people really let their guard down and talked. THAT is something I would like to see more of in extra features--not just outtake sex (which can also be very cool). On the other hand... not everyone has the unattainable charisma that Rocco has, so that could be a tall order, but I still think it's possible... :)

How about anyone else? There are people here much smarter than me about how to rate DVDs in general.... features versus extras? Anyone?

ML

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1) Be consistent
2) Explain your criteria

If you do those two things, every review is potentially useful! IMHO.

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I don't know if this helps you much. It sounds like you're already doing a bang up job.

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But I don't let lack of extras influence overall ratings of DVDs. That explains why so many of Joey Silvera's DVDs from Evil Angel got 5.0's, while the extras got something like .5 or 1.0.

Extras are just that, extra. It's nice to have them, but aren't really a neccesity.

Overall rating for me, is how well I enjoyed the DVD. Like for example Service Animals 10, I didn't care for the real rough sex, so the overall was affected, it doesn't mean to avoid the title, just my personal preference passed onto you the reader.

Sex rating, whether it's an all-bj DVD, anal, vag, dp's, it will always score some points.

Female and male looks are self explanitory, I don't believe I have ever given male performers looks a higher rating than the females. Good thing, seeing is how I watch st8 porn for the females.

A/V quality is a tricky one for me, if it's a clear picture it will earn credit, if the picture is bad, it'll lose points. But I've seen quite a few reviews that contradict my A/V quality rating. So...?

Now, of course, this is how I rate the DVDs for ADT.

---Let freedom ring with the shotgun blast! ---

Edited by - BIGmike on 10/9/2002 3:40:49 PM

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