Rotten Tomatoes Inflation: A Hollywood Secret?

2025-08-20
Rotten Tomatoes Inflation: A Hollywood Secret?

A recent observation of nearly every film on Rotten Tomatoes being labeled "Certified Fresh" sparked suspicion. Data analysis reveals a significant rise in Rotten Tomatoes' average score over the past decade, coinciding with Fandango's acquisition. The author suggests Rotten Tomatoes may be manipulating scores by expanding its reviewer pool to include those giving more favorable reviews. While this might boost box office numbers short-term, it's detrimental to the long-term health of the film industry.

Read more

The Curious Case of Hollywood's Missing Comedies

2025-08-19
The Curious Case of Hollywood's Missing Comedies

The 1980s saw box office triumphs like *Beverly Hills Cop* and *Ghostbusters*. Today, however, the Hollywood comedy is reportedly extinct. While audience surveys show a continued demand for comedic films, studios prioritize sequels and established IP over original comedies due to perceived lower returns and international appeal challenges. Comedies, inherently tied to cultural nuances, often struggle globally compared to action franchises. Despite this, the low production costs and untapped demand suggest a potential for a comedy resurgence.

Read more

The Kings of Cinema's Cesspool: Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Other Unforgettable Movie Disasters

2025-03-13
The Kings of Cinema's Cesspool: Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Other Unforgettable Movie Disasters

This article explores some of cinema's most hated films and the actors behind them. Analyzing audience disapproval and the magnitude of disdain, it reveals that critically panned movies like Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Fifty Shades of Grey gained unexpected attention and discussion for their unique 'so bad it's good' quality. The article also examines Hollywood's current risk-averse strategies and how these contribute to a rise in one-star rated films. Ultimately, it concludes that in an era of content overload, even bad movies can avoid oblivion if they generate enough conversation.

Read more

The Science of Binge-Watching: How Many Episodes Before You Give Up?

2025-03-03
The Science of Binge-Watching: How Many Episodes Before You Give Up?

This article explores the optimal strategy for binge-watching: when to abandon a show. By analyzing IMDb ratings data, the author finds most shows require 6-7 episodes to reach their long-term average quality. However, long-running series typically decline in quality around seasons five or six. The author also analyzes the psychological biases involved in sticking with bad shows, using his own experience with *How I Met Your Mother* as a cautionary tale about the importance of cutting losses and avoiding disappointing finales.

Read more