MovieChat Forums > The Howling (1981) Discussion > 6.5 is asinine

6.5 is asinine

posted 12 years ago by SeanJoyce
12 replies | jump to latest

...and a perfect example of why I turn my nose up at IMDb ratings in general; they're largely the composite scores of morons.

The Howling may not be quite as appreciated as Landis' classic from the same year, but it is irrefutably one of the finest cinematic offerings on the subject of lyncanthropes. Excellent attention to atmosphere, remarkable effects that still hold up today, plenty of references and in-jokes for the more savvy crowd, and a completely unique addition to werewolf lore: that of the "colony", or hive. Its creature design (a bipedal wolf) has exerted a wide influence in the subgenre, most notably in Dog Soldiers (coincidentally, also a top-notch lupine flick.)

6.5 is drastically too low, and baffling since a lot of people seem to actually hold this one in high regard. I demand a recount!

...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street. ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] starlit-sky 8 years ago

I completely agree with you 100%. Now, it is 6.6 but I still think this movie deserves an average rating of 7.5 or higher just for the special effects. They don't make special effects like this anymore. The score, the atmosphere, effects were perfect.

I don't trust IMDB.com or Rotten Tomatoes ratings anymore. I think the new generation of movie goers have different perceptions, expectations, tastes, etc. whatever you call it and I rarely find they are aligned with mine. I recently saw "Don't Breathe" due to high ratings and I was very disappointed and unimpressed. It is current rating is around 8 (it was 8.3 at one point last week). And this classic gets 6.6 rating. Not fair

[–] modica (4169) 2 years ago

I absolutely loved this movie when it first came out. I never find IMDB ratings to be very accurate. People who vote are not very knowledgeable about movies. The voters are people who watch the blockbusters and little else. The scores mean nothing.