The Blue Sponge Rating System Explained

Since I've started writing reviews of movies and such, I thought I should explain my rating system.  Archer left a comment on my review of Away We Go  about why I didn't give it four sponges instead of three, since I seemed to like it.  With no apologies to Seinfeld, Blue Sponge Worthiness is not a cakewalk.  Sponges have to be earned!  Here's how it works.

If a movie gets no sponges, it means the movie is horrible and totally unwatchable.  It is the worst.  I probably did not watch the entire film.  A prime example is Pet Sematary from 1989, based on the Stephen King novel.  I found no entertainment value in watching a child get run over by a truck.  I saw this movie in a theater when it first was released, and actually walked out.  I very rarely do that. 
One Sponge means that I do not recommend this film.  While it may have some redeeming value, overall it is just not very good.  An example would be the recent remake of Land of the Lost with Will Ferrell.  Yikes!


Two Sponges is just an average film.  If you can't think of anything better to do and its on TV, you might want to give it a try.  This includes  all the Harry Potter films (Sorry Shane) or anything with Adam Sandler.


Three Sponges mean the film is above average.  I liked it, but don't buy it.  It is a rental.  I don't want want watch it over and over.  Recent examples include Doubt, Away We Go, and Lars and the Real Girl. 

Four Sponges mean I liked the film very much, would buy it on DVD and watch it repeatedly.  Some examples are:  Moulin Rouge, Best in Show, Out of Africa, and October Sky.  Interestingly, some movies get more sponges on repeated viewings.  For example, I didn't like Moulin Rouge when I saw it in the theater, but loved it on successive viewings. 

Five Sponge films are  my favorites:  Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  Fargo, Casablanca, The Deer Hunter, The Wizard of Oz, and Ordinary People to name a few.  Everyone may not agree that they are the best films, but they are my favorites.