Rotten Tomatoes is introducing a new designation for films, and more (1 Viewer)

[Alex...]

The Rotten Tomatoes “Certified Fresh” badge has become online shorthand for checking the quality of films, a sign that professional critics — or at least a large percentage of them — think that a movie is worth watching. Now, the Comcast-owned digital movie site is making a significant addition to its film rankings, unveiling a new “Verified Hot” badge on Aug. 21 meant to reflect the views of average moviegoers.

In order for a film to receive the Verified Hot designation, it needs to have a Verified Audience Score of 90 percent or higher on its Popcornmeter, among other eligibility requirements. Rotten Tomatoes will only use audience reviews from people whom it has verified as having purchased a ticket to that film via sister company Fandango, the ticketing firm also owned by Comcast.

In another move, Rotten Tomatoes is updating the minimum number of critic reviews for a film before a Tomatometer score can appear. If a movie debuts at a film festival or is projected to have a box office of $60 million or less, then it will need to have 10 reviews for a score; if it has a projected box office of $60 million to $120 million, it will require 20 reviews; and if the projected box office is greater than $120 million, it will need 40 reviews.

The site also will include a general “hot” badge on its audience-led Popcornmeter for films where at least 60 percent of reviews garner at least 3.5 stars out of five, and a “stale” badge for films that fall below that threshold.

In addition, the new Verified Hot badge appears to shift power from critics to average moviegoers, who can now in aggregate help a film generate a coveted badge, something that had been reserved for pro reviewers with the Certified Fresh designation.

Watch Out Hollywood, Rotten Tomatoes Is Adding “Hot” Movies to Its “Fresh” Rankings

Movies that are 'Verified Hot' by filmgoers will join those that are 'Certified Fresh' from critics, in a move meant to give more weight to consumer opinions, as the site also tweaks its review eligibility requirements.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Malcolm R]

Why is this neccessary? It only seems to complicate what was a relatively easy-to-understand system.

And are they going to change their site name to Rotten Tomatoes & Stale Popcorn?

 

[Joe Wong]

Why is this neccessary? It only seems to complicate what was a relatively easy-to-understand system.

And are they going to change their site name to Rotten Tomatoes & Stale Popcorn?

Agreed... also very selective given it limits the ratings only to Fandango ticket purchasers.

 

[John Dirk]

Thank, @Alex... Oddly, the most [disturbingly] relevant facts I learned here are that Rotten Tomatoes and Fandago are both owned by Comcast.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

Review-bombed material should be allowed to stand, but quantified using a simple logarithmic “Raisinets/Jujifruits/Goobers” system.

 

[Alex...]

Rotten Tomatoes Removes Critics' “Average Rating" — World of Reel

It looks like Rotten Tomatoes has removed all average ratings, including those from critics. This doesn’t appear to be a bug, and the aggregate site has more or less confirmed it via their FAQ section.

www.worldofreel.com