Lumino Magazine: Accurate Dualistic Approach to Media (ADAM) Evaluation Method

Accurate Dualistic Approach to Media (ADAM) Evaluation Method

By ADAM C. KOTLARCZYK

The Accurate Dualistic Approach to Media (ADAM) is a pioneering media evaluation method designed to consider and independently evaluate two important elements of any piece of film, literature, television, or music: the entertainment value and the artistic value.

Where conventional reviews provide only one evaluation that must somehow reconcile these two elements (traditionally the four-star system often seen for films), ADAM employs two.

The purpose of this system is to make reviews accessible to all different types of audiences. Too often, an excellent film critic who can appreciate the artistic components and nuances of script, acting, lighting, cinematography, and direction will fail to recognize a film's ability (or inability) to connect with an audience. Likewise, a movie reviewer who enjoys a fun, crowd-pleasing movie may not note how intellectually deadening it is. ADAM seeks to combine the best of both worlds in order to provide audiences with the most complete, clear, and objective review possible.

HOW IT WORKS

As with traditional methods, ADAM utilizes the star method in which four stars equals a masterpiece, three stars a slightly better than average effort, and two-and-a-half stars an average piece. One star (or fewer) is poor.

The first evaluation considers the entertainment value of the work. This evaluation considers (regardless of artistic merit) the piece's ability to keep the audience interested and entertained. People who enjoy story-driven (rather than character-driven) plots should give more credence to this evaluation.

The second evaluation rates the artistic value. This evaluation considers the crafting of the piece (for films, this includes elements of writing, cinematography, acting, and character, among other things). People who enjoy more literary films should focus more to this second evaluation.

EXAMPLES

Here are some well-known films, and how they might be reviewed using the ADAM method.

"Titanic"

Entertainment
Art

A visually spectacular re-telling of the maritime disaster, but weighed down by a Disney-like, contrived – and often downright bad – love story.

"Magnolia"

Entertainment
Art

A slow pace that will turn off many, but a twisting, rewarding, brilliantly written film with a great ensemble cast performance.

"American Beauty"

Entertainment
Art

An imaginative and wonderfully filmed look at dysfunctional family life in American suburbia, disguised as a dark comedy.

"The Rock"

Entertainment
Art

A frenetic pace and plenty of cool explosions; Ed Harris gives depth to a vengeful marine corps general searching for justice for his lost men.

"Rudy"

Entertainment
Art

All right, it's cheesy, and a fairly predictable sports movie, but what tough guy doesn't have to choke back tears at the end, with Jerry Goldsmith's string-heavy score playing?