| The Ratings The reason for DRR lies here. Here you will find all the information you need on understanding our ratings system. This is also the beginning of your journey. Select your flavor of horror below |
Note from the founder (A horror fan)
Here at Darkroadsratings I want to do some of the dirty work for you. The idea came to me last Halloween when I was sitting though my usual day-long horror movie fest.
Without wanting to re-watch the great classic horror movies I was forced to toss the dart and pick from the hundreds of new direct to video horror movies waiting for me at the
local video store. Now I consider myself to be very open minded and if there is anything to be enjoyed in a horror movie I will find it. It was a very dark day, the depravity, the
sickness, the mind numbing pain of the senses. Sadly all this was caused by the poor filmmaking of about 80% of my supposed well thought out selections, as well as their
failure to deliver the bloody and violent mess they seemed to promise.
I know we all have specific things that we like to see when we watch or a horror movie, or don’t like to see for that matter. I realized years ago as a horror fan we are not
always going to be in for a great filmmaking treat, but at the very least we should be able see a movie that is full of our favorite horror elements. You can use this guide to find
movies that may better match your taste in horror. We all have our own opinions on what makes a good horror film, so instead of telling you if the movie is good or bad (I will
do that sometimes anyway) I will let you pick the movie on the basis of what type of horror it will offer you. Follow the links below, have fun and please let me know what you
think. The more time you spend on this page the better you can understand how this ratings system works and in turn, better chose your movies.
Best of luck
- Matt
Here at Darkroadsratings I want to do some of the dirty work for you. The idea came to me last Halloween when I was sitting though my usual day-long horror movie fest.
Without wanting to re-watch the great classic horror movies I was forced to toss the dart and pick from the hundreds of new direct to video horror movies waiting for me at the
local video store. Now I consider myself to be very open minded and if there is anything to be enjoyed in a horror movie I will find it. It was a very dark day, the depravity, the
sickness, the mind numbing pain of the senses. Sadly all this was caused by the poor filmmaking of about 80% of my supposed well thought out selections, as well as their
failure to deliver the bloody and violent mess they seemed to promise.
I know we all have specific things that we like to see when we watch or a horror movie, or don’t like to see for that matter. I realized years ago as a horror fan we are not
always going to be in for a great filmmaking treat, but at the very least we should be able see a movie that is full of our favorite horror elements. You can use this guide to find
movies that may better match your taste in horror. We all have our own opinions on what makes a good horror film, so instead of telling you if the movie is good or bad (I will
do that sometimes anyway) I will let you pick the movie on the basis of what type of horror it will offer you. Follow the links below, have fun and please let me know what you
think. The more time you spend on this page the better you can understand how this ratings system works and in turn, better chose your movies.
Best of luck
- Matt
| Dark Road Ratings is independently owned and operated by Horror movie fans. Please direct all error reports, dead links, legal and advertising questions to TheGatekeeper@Darkroadratings.com |
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The top five categories are based on scores from 1 to 10 and state the overall experience of
the movie not just a peek of intensity. A blood and guts slasher film that keeps the camera
drenched in blood from start to finish might rate a 10 with the gore score while a movie with
just as much gooey brain matter fun, but only during certain scenes might rate an 8. The
score is a combined measure of how much and how intense.
0-2 Little or no of the described element
3-5 Average amounts of the element fitting in with the story yet not dominating the picture
6-8 The film makers spend a good amount of effort focusing the film toward this element
9-10 This film is one of the most extreme examples of the element. The story is bent to
incorporate this element almost constantly
the movie not just a peek of intensity. A blood and guts slasher film that keeps the camera
drenched in blood from start to finish might rate a 10 with the gore score while a movie with
just as much gooey brain matter fun, but only during certain scenes might rate an 8. The
score is a combined measure of how much and how intense.
0-2 Little or no of the described element
3-5 Average amounts of the element fitting in with the story yet not dominating the picture
6-8 The film makers spend a good amount of effort focusing the film toward this element
9-10 This film is one of the most extreme examples of the element. The story is bent to
incorporate this element almost constantly
Ratings system: The cook book of horror
I have done my best to offer unbiased information based on my years as a fan of horror. I have broken the movies down into base
elements. Below is a key to how I create the scores.
I have done my best to offer unbiased information based on my years as a fan of horror. I have broken the movies down into base
elements. Below is a key to how I create the scores.
Gore 1-10 Not to be confused with Graphic violence the gore score rates just that, blood, guts, brain matter, goo and slime. The movie might be
terrifying or funny but one thing is sure, to rate high on the Gore Score buckets of blood are spilt. Dead Alive is a perfect example of the top gore score.
Violence 1-10 Fast action and an unflinching camera, violence is just as it sounds. Brutality and realistic depictions of death will push a movie towards
a high violence rating. High Tension is a good example of a high violence rating.
Disturbing 1-10 A very popular attribute to modern horror movies. Disturbing imagery will make us sick and can even cause us to look away.
Extremely disturbing imagery often sticks with us long after the move ends. Torture, deformities, medical procedures, rape and even depictions of
phobias. (Claustrophobia, fear of heights or insects) The Hills Have Eyes is a good example of a disturbing movie.
Haunting 1-10 This is an attribute that applies to a wide range of Horror films. It is used to describe terrifying imagery or events that however unreal
seem real. They are hard to shake after the movie ends. Realistic depictions of ghost or creatures in common places. (Your bedroom at night while
you sleep maybe) Highly haunting movies are the ones that make you avoid doing something that mirrors events in the film for a long time. The Blair
witch project, Jaws and Poltergeist are some examples of Haunting films.
Tension 1-10 We can call this one the “jump factor”. A high tension score will describe a movie that spends a lot of time building tension and surprising
the audience. These movies keep us on the edge of our seat and whether we see it coming or not we flinch at the appropriate times. Slasher films like
the Friday the 13th series and Asian horror such as The Grudge our filled with jumps and screams.
terrifying or funny but one thing is sure, to rate high on the Gore Score buckets of blood are spilt. Dead Alive is a perfect example of the top gore score.
Violence 1-10 Fast action and an unflinching camera, violence is just as it sounds. Brutality and realistic depictions of death will push a movie towards
a high violence rating. High Tension is a good example of a high violence rating.
Disturbing 1-10 A very popular attribute to modern horror movies. Disturbing imagery will make us sick and can even cause us to look away.
Extremely disturbing imagery often sticks with us long after the move ends. Torture, deformities, medical procedures, rape and even depictions of
phobias. (Claustrophobia, fear of heights or insects) The Hills Have Eyes is a good example of a disturbing movie.
Haunting 1-10 This is an attribute that applies to a wide range of Horror films. It is used to describe terrifying imagery or events that however unreal
seem real. They are hard to shake after the movie ends. Realistic depictions of ghost or creatures in common places. (Your bedroom at night while
you sleep maybe) Highly haunting movies are the ones that make you avoid doing something that mirrors events in the film for a long time. The Blair
witch project, Jaws and Poltergeist are some examples of Haunting films.
Tension 1-10 We can call this one the “jump factor”. A high tension score will describe a movie that spends a lot of time building tension and surprising
the audience. These movies keep us on the edge of our seat and whether we see it coming or not we flinch at the appropriate times. Slasher films like
the Friday the 13th series and Asian horror such as The Grudge our filled with jumps and screams.
Did it crawl out the sewers, or
maybe a misdirected since lab?
Slimy, hairy, big or small these are
your monster movies.
maybe a misdirected since lab?
Slimy, hairy, big or small these are
your monster movies.
There is nothing normal about
these killers. Get your twisted
mountain men, radio active
mutants and horribly dysfunctional
families here.
these killers. Get your twisted
mountain men, radio active
mutants and horribly dysfunctional
families here.
Spawned in the late 70s these are
your slasher films.
Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm
St. and Scream. Your favorite
killers await you.
your slasher films.
Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm
St. and Scream. Your favorite
killers await you.
They came from outer space, but I
don’t think these guys are on a
peaceful mission.
don’t think these guys are on a
peaceful mission.
Restless spirits, unhappy demons
and cursed places await you in
these movies.
and cursed places await you in
these movies.
Killer robots, the darkest reaches
of space and our future world
gone wrong. Find your horror rich
with Since fiction here.
of space and our future world
gone wrong. Find your horror rich
with Since fiction here.
Check out the nightlife with this
group of blood sucking movies.
group of blood sucking movies.
The Dead walk, and they are
apparently hungry.
apparently hungry.
Travel into the mind of mad men.
These movies are real or fictional
accounts of outwardly normal men or
women who fulfill their dark needs
however possible. This category
includes films about serial killers, true
crime events and even realistic animal
attack stories. It could happen to you!
These movies are real or fictional
accounts of outwardly normal men or
women who fulfill their dark needs
however possible. This category
includes films about serial killers, true
crime events and even realistic animal
attack stories. It could happen to you!
You need some more details.
Follow this link to your personal
Dark Road Ratings System guide.
Follow this link to your personal
Dark Road Ratings System guide.
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