While most professional reviewers tend to use a 4 star scale, I’ve opted for the 5 Star system because it allows for more detail in accuracy. In other words, I can more precisely pinpoint where a movie stands against other movies without being misleading. For example, Roger Ebert gave both Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight a 4 star review which would lead the reader to believe they are on par with one another. THEY ARE NOT. On my scale, I would award Spider-Man 2 4 stars, indicating it as a successfully solid, though not entirely original film and The Dark Knight 5 stars indicating a wholly original masterpiece.

Also, websites that review movies tend to go with a 10 point scale issuing reviews like fractions (ex. 8/10). If you take into account my use of half a star (ex. ***1/2 = 3 and a half stars), then I am essentially following suit. The reason why I don’t completely convert is that, honestly, I don’t like the way fractions look. Music reviews are often done with 5 stars and it just looks better and more professional than saying “I give this film a 2/10.”

As for those who use the point scales (ex. 5.2/10.0), they can go fuck themselves. I don’t know what 5.2 means and if anyone says they do, they’re lying. Those scores are arbitrary and tell readers nothing. Naturally you find these on the most pretentious websites like pitchfork. For my opinion on pitchfork.com, please refer to the previous 2 sentences.
And so, to further give you, the people, a better idea of how I will be reviewing movies, here is a brief rundown on what my star system means:

0 = zero stars. A movie so bad, it should have never been made and can never be redeemed. (ex. Dragonball: Evolution)
* = one star. A movie in which nothing goes right and can’t even be appreciated on an ironic basis. (ex. Peter Jackson’s King Kong)
*1/2 = one and a half stars. A movie that has a good premise but unbelievably bad execution. (ex. Ghost Rider)
** = two stars. A movie that is “so bad it’s good”. They are very watchable but can’t be called “good” per se (ex. Plan 9 From Outer Space)
**1/2 = two and a half stars. A movie that can’t be defined as wholly good or wholly terrible. These tend to be movies of all style, no substance. (ex. Transformers)
*** = three stars. A movie that is enjoyable but contains many flaws. (ex. The Exorcist: The Beginning)
***1/2 = three and a half stars. A movie that has many good elements but too many bad ones to garner a true recommendation. These movies tend to be the few redeeming blockbusters (ex. X-Men Origins: Wolverine.)
**** = four stars. A solid and truly pleasing movie with very few flaws that simply lacks enough originality to get a higher rating. (ex. Spider-Man 2)
****1/2 = four and a half stars. A great film that has something small holding it back from being called a masterpiece. (ex. Sunshine)
***** = five stars. An undisputed masterpiece. These types of films are wholly original and go on to influence the way movies are made. (ex. Pulp Fiction)

I know this technically isn’t “movie” news, but it might as well be simply because Tim Burton is awesome.

Legendary director Tim Burton was honored for his film work recently at a Museum of Modern Art gala event. Several stars were in attendance, but I’d like to mainly point out the “untouchable” trio as of late, Burton (of course), Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter. These three have been cranking out some interesting work lately and I feel it will only improve with Burton’s vision of Alice in Wonderland.

Also in attendance were Danny DeVito, Patti Smith, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (looking rather creepy, I might say). According to Accidental Sexiness, the event was part of the Museum of Modern Art’s Second Annual Film Benefit with proceeds going to the museum’s Department of Film.

You can view several pictures from the event below.

The tribute to Burton at the Museum of Modern Art features artwork from his films, some early work from his student days, and never-before published pieces. The program runs through April 26, 2010.

If you can’t quite get your fix of James Cameron’s Avatar then the guys over at BlackBook may have just what you need. That is, if what you need is a comprehensive guide to the creatures of Pandora!

The guide is much like those that appeared after the Star Wars films which contain everything you would ever want to know about the Star Wars universe, up to and including the fuel that the Millennium Falcon uses.

Marketed as a “confidential report on the biological and social history of Pandora,” An Activist Survival Guide actually lists the new species of plants and animals Cameron came up with for his epic new film and includes a glossary of Na’Vi terminology.

Some people think he’s nuts… and he may be, but at least this movie should be awesome!

George Lucas even commended Cameron’s effort and dedication to the universe he has created, telling the New York Times:

“Creating a universe is daunting. I’m glad Jim is doing it — there are only a few people in the world who are nuts enough to. I did it with Star Wars, and now he’s trying to challenge that. It’s a lot of work. I do believe Jim will take this further out than anyone’s ever conceived of.”

Enough talk about the guide, have a look at some of scans below.

Supposedly you can order AVATAR: An Activist Survival Guide on Amazon, but I’ve been unable to locate it.

Avatar hits theaters on December 18, 2009 and stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, and Michelle Rodriguez.

There’s not really that much to report here except that Jon Favreau retweeted a message regarding an Iron Man 2 trailer which has many believing we will be getting a great look at the film just ahead of Sherlock Holmes.

Here’s the retweeted message, as proof:

RT @Ann_Howard: @Jon_Favreau PLEASE tell us the trailer is coming soon – w/Sherlock Holmes, perhaps??

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes releases to theaters on Christmas day and it is no surprise that they would opt to put the Iron Man 2 trailer just ahead of it, considering both films star Robert Downey Jr..

I would have hoped we would see this trailer sooner, and it is likely that we will in this age of the internet. If the a pretty version hasn’t leaked by then, I’m sure we will at least have a low quality one to gawk at.

As soon as the trailer is available online, you can expect to see it here!

The first clip from James Cameron’s Avatar has been posted up over at /Film. Although the clip is very low resolution, you can definitely get a feel for how the action sequences will play out.

The reason the clip is in low resolution is because it comes to us via LG through some sort of mobile phone campaign. /Film reports that there is more to come from them too, with Total Film promising a full version of this clip lasting minutes (rather than seconds) on Thursday.

The URL that the clip comes from refers to the monster in the scene as a Thanator, in case you were wondering.

After the clip you can sneak a peek at a new picture of Neytiri, Na’vi played by Zoe Saldana, brought to us by USA Today.

Avatar is set to release in theaters on December 18, 2009 and also stars Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver.

Today on The Ellen Show, Ellen debuted a new clip from Twilight: New Moon featuring Jane (Dakota Fanning) being a nasty vampire in the Volturi clan. After the clip, Ellen goes on to interviewing (and scaring) Dakota Fanning and reveals that she has already seen the film.

Of course, Ellen and Dakota both sort of discuss how this isn’t the typical Dakota Fanning role being that she is a villain and all.

Anyway, have a look at the video which shows the clip and the interview below.

Twilight: New Moon hits theaters this Friday and also stars Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson.

Not that he has any say-so in the matter, but Twilight star Robert Pattinson recently sat down with MTV news and let it be known that the fourth installment in The Twilight Saga, called Breaking Dawn, would be returning to Portland and he would like Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting) to be in the director’s chair.

Have a look at the video via MTV below.

The first film was shot in Portland, the hometown of Gus Van Sant. However, the two sequels were shot in Vancouver, Canada. Apparently, Pattinson would like for a Portland native to shoot the film in the place that started it all.

Twilight: New Moon hits theaters on November 20, 2009 and also stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Christian Serratos, who plays Angela in The Twilight Saga has chosen to pose naked for a PETA advertisement. Now, I know this is pretty far from movie news, but I find it humorous that the backdrop seems to be a scene right out of the Twilight movies. For instance, in some woods in Forks.

Christian Serratos is only 19 years old, making her the youngest model to pose for the ad. Have a look at the full picture (which shows a lot more skin) below.

Twilight: New Moon hits theaters on November 20, 2009.