Shmack Reviews
Explore how our five-category ranking works, why each score matters, and how we determine if a movie or show is recommended.
Welcome to our Shmack Rating Method
At Shmack Cinema Review, our critics break down every film and TV show into five categories, each worth up to 10 points, for a total score out of 50. We then average the critics’ scores to create our Shmack Rating, designed to guide your viewing choices.
If a piece of Cinema receives or exceeds a score of 47.5/50 points, it will get a Super Shmack Rating Approved designation. If it receives or exceeds a 40/50 points, it will receive a Shmack Rating Approved designation. And finally if a film receives 20/50 or less then it will receive the Shmack Time Waster designation.
Our Shmack Categories
Acting/Writing
This category score is for the quality of the acting and the quality of the script/writing in each film/tv show.
The Godfather. (1972). Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Paramount Pictures.
Visual Effects
This category score is for the quality of the visual and/or special effects in each film/tv show.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. (2007). Directed by Gore Verbinski. Walt Disney Pictures.
Casting/Set Design/Costumes
This category score is for the quality of the Casting, the accuracy of the Set Design, and the effort or quality seen in the Costume design for each film/tv show.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s. (1961). Directed by Blake Edwards. Paramount Pictures.
Film Score
This category score is for the quality, impact, and recognition of each film/tv show’s score/music.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. (2001). Directed by Chris Columbus. Warner Bros. Pictures.
Impact
This category score demonstrates the emotional impact of each film/tv show in the critics opinion.