Pronunciation: /ˌaɪˌɛmˌdiːˈbiː sɪks stɑː ruːl/
Etymology: A colloquial term originating in the early 21st century with the rise of online film databases, specifically the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). “Six-star” refers to the ten-point rating system employed by IMDB to aggregate user reviews of films.
Phrase:
(Often humorous) A guideline for evaluating film recommendations, positing that:
- A film with an IMDB rating of 6.0 or higher is inherently worthy of viewing, regardless of the source of the recommendation. This principle rests on the assumption that a rating exceeding 6.0 indicates a general consensus of quality among a statistically significant sample of viewers.
- Conversely, a film with a rating below 6.0 should be approached with caution, even if recommended by a trusted source. This caveat acknowledges the subjective nature of film criticism and the potential for individual taste to deviate from the statistical average.
Corollary:
The “So Bad It’s Good” Exception: An addendum to the rule acknowledging that films receiving exceptionally low ratings (typically below 1.5 stars) may possess a certain entertainment value derived from their perceived flaws. This exception recognizes the potential for unintentional humor, camp appeal, or cult status to arise from films widely considered to be poorly made.
Example:
“My friend swears by this obscure French New Wave film from the 60s, but it only has a 5.2 on IMDB. The IMDB 6-Star Rule dictates that I proceed with caution.”
“That movie was so incoherent and poorly acted, it actually circled back around to being hilarious. A perfect example of the ”So Bad It’s Good“ Exception to the IMDB 6-Star Rule.”