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This "Frequently Asked Questions" (or FAQ) page answers some common questions about the site, and explains some of the main features on Bananameter. If you're about to ask us a question, please go through this list first. If you still can't find your answer here, then feel free to CONTACT US.
GENERAL
• Why is the site called "Bananameter?" And how did it come about?
• How do I contact [name of celebrity or critic]?
• Can I work for you guys?
MERCHANDISE
• I want to purchase a video or DVD of [insert name of movie here]? Can I buy it from Bananameter?
• How do I purchase soundtracks on your site?
• I am looking for my favorite movie poster. Can Bananameter help me find it?
REVIEWS
• How do I get my reviews quoted on Bananameter? Why can't I locate reviews from [insert critic/source] on your website?
• How are reviews selected and gathered?
• What is your methodology for defining whether a review that does not include a star rating or other objective grading scale counts as a Fresh or Rotten rating on the bananameter?
• Do you write your own reviews?
BANANAMETER
• What is The Bananameter?
• Who are the Approved Bananameter Critics?
• So why doesn't this movie have a Bananameter rating?
• Why don't you guys have a mixed rating?
• Why does a movie with over 50% on the Bananameter still have a rating of ROTTEN?
• Which movie has the highest/lowest reading on the Bananameter?
AVERAGE RATING
• What is the Average Rating?
• How is the Average Rating calculated?
• How does the Average Rating differ from The Bananameter?
CERTIFIED FRESH
• What is "Certified Fresh"?
• Can I use the "Certified Fresh" logo on my media outlet or to promote my movie or video game?
• Where can I download the "Certified Fresh" logo?
RT FEATURES
• How do I use this site?
• Can you briefly highlight some of the main features on this site?
• What is "Hot Pick"?
• What is "Cream of the Crop"? And how does BM choose who goes there?
MOVIES RELATED
• How does one go about submitting a movie title to Bananameter?
• Movie trivia questions. What's the title of this movie I saw on cable about ... ? When will this movie open in my country? What's the name of the song from the trailer?
• I would like to be a cast/crew member for [insert name of movie here]. Can you hook me up?
• Is this movie appropriate for my kids to see?
USING RT'S CONTENT
• I want to use content from Bananameter. Who do I talk to?
• I'm making a movie site. Can I use graphics (or content) from Bananameter and put it on my site?
• Can I use graphics (or content) from Bananameter and put it on my report?
• I'd like to link to a page in Bananameter. How do I do this?
FORUMS
• How Do I ... ?
GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why is the site called "Bananameter"?
Back in the days of the open theaters, when a play was particularly atrocious, the audience expressed their dissatisfaction by not only booing and hissing at the stage, but throwing whatever was at hand -- vegetables and fruits included. Hence the name Bananameter.
How do i contact a person?
Bananameter does not carry nor disclose information on actors, directors, critics, or other celebrities unless otherwise noted.
Can I work for you guys?
Thanks for considering Bananameter, but unfortunately we're not looking for additional full-time staff members. You can, however, still participate in the RT community by building out your profile, rate movies, and enjoy a spirited discussion in our forums. Click on "Community" in the scroll above.
MERCHANDISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I want to purchase a video or DVD of [insert name of movie here]? Can I buy it from Bananameter?
We don't sell videos or DVDs directly from our site. Instead, we are working with PriceGrabber.com to provide price comparisons on those products. To find prices on a particular video or DVD on our site, just follow these simple steps:
1. Enter the title of the movie into our search bar (located right below the top banner ad on the left).
2. Scroll down the search results to find the correct listing and click on it. This should bring up the movie package for your movie.
3. Click on the tab marked "DVD | VHS".
4. From there, choose the available format you are looking for - VHS or DVD (if the format you want does not appear on this page, then it's not available).
5. On the right is a list of retailers that are selling the video in the chosen format (if you don't see a listing, then the video is not available for sale). 6. Click on a retailer's listing to buy the video from that retailer, or click on "See All - Stores & Prices" for more retailers and prices.
How do I purchase soundtracks on your site?
Click on the "shop" tab at the top - it's next to the "movies" and "video|DVD" tabs. Next, click on the "soundtracks" link directly under the tab (or on the left menu sidebar). If you can't find the soundtrack you're looking for there, then it's not available.
I am looking for my favorite movie poster. Can Bananameter help me find it?
Bananameter has worked with AllPosters.com to bring you the best collection of movie posters. Click on the poster graphic under any given title at Bananameter and you will be transported to the amazing collection of movie posters at AllPosters.com. If you do not see a "Buy" or "Browse" link under a movie poster on a movie page, then that poster is not available for purchase. You can also browse through our movie and celebrity poster gallery here.
REVIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How do I get my reviews quoted on Bananameter? Why can't I locate reviews from [insert critic/source] on your website?
We only accept reviews from critics of accredited media outlets and online film societies. If you're a critic, and are interested in getting your reviews quoted on Bananameter, please click here for our criteria.
How are reviews selected and gathered?
We gather reviews from a set pool of sources (Approved Bananameter Critics), either by checking their sites or having the critics or webmasters submit the review to us. On the day a movie opens -- usually Friday mornings by 8:00 a.m. (PST) - only reviews from Approved Bananameter Critics are listed. If you want to read a review from a critic who is not counted toward the bananameter, select "All Film Reviews" from the drop down menu above the cast names and just below the movie title.
What is your methodology for defining whether a review that does not include a star rating or other objective grading scale counts as a Fresh or Rotten rating on the bananameter?
Most critics from the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) enter their own quotes and ratings. For critics who don't enter in their own quotes and ratings, it's basically up to the judgment of the editors. They take into account word choice, rating (if any), tone, and who's the critic in their determination of whether a review is positive or not. If an editor is not certain about a review, it is sent to another editor for a second opinion. "Wishy-washy" reviews, reviews that are really difficult to determine if the critic recommends the film or not, are usually given a Rotten because if the critic is not confident enough to give the movie even an implied recommendation, then we shouldn't either.
Do you guys write your own reviews?
Yes, we do, but only occasionally. Most of the time, we're just too busy bringing you this site. You will find our writings on film everyday here at RT. Our weekly columns include a wide variety of film commentary and opinion.
BANANAMETER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What is the Bananameter?
The Bananameter measures the percentage of Approved Bananameter Critics who recommend a certain movie -- or the number of good reviews divided by the total number of reviews. A good review is denoted by a FRESH banana. A bad review is denoted by a ROTTEN banana. In order for a movie to receive an overall rating of FRESH, the reading on the Bananameter for that movie must be at least 60%. Otherwise, it is ROTTEN.
Who are the Approved Bananameter Critics?
The Approved Bananameter Critics are critics that fit within a set of standards - mostly from accredited media outlets and online film societies. You can click here for our criteria. We use the same list of critics to evaluate each movie. This way, we can insure that the Bananameter is consistent and unbiased. This also prevents studios or fans from affecting the Bananameter by submitting only positive reviews to us from sources not on our approved Bananameter list.
So why doesn't this movie have a Bananameter rating?
A movie must have a minimum of five ratings from Approved Bananameter Critics in order to have a Bananameter reading. Unfortunately, a lot of older movies don't have Bananameters because those critics simply weren't around back then. We're working on fixing this, so you will get a large selection of movies that have Bananameters.
Why don't you guys have a mixed rating?
For us, it's simplicity mainly. We do keep the original ratings (star, letter grade, numeric) for each review in our database, so maybe sometime in the future we'll have a feature that lets users convert the ratings to any rating system they prefer.
Why does a movie with over 50% on the Bananameter still have a rating of ROTTEN?
In order for a movie to receive an overall rating of FRESH, the reading on the Bananameter for that movie must be at least 60%. Otherwise, it is ROTTEN.
Why 60%? We feel that 60% is a comfortable minimum for a movie to be recommended.
Which movie has the highest/lowest reading on the Bananameter?
Another question for the Banana Picker. Click here for a list of the best of the best (movies with a Bananameter of 100%). Click here for a list of the worst of the worst (movies with a Bananameter of 0%).
AVERAGE RATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What is the Average Rating?
The Average Rating is an average of the individual critic scores, based on a 1-10 scale.
How is the Average Rating calculated?
Each critic's original rating scale (star, letter grade, numeric) is converted to a 1-10 scale, and then an average is produced based on the converted rating scale. Reviews without original ratings are not counted, and a minimum of five reviews with original ratings is required.
How does the Average Rating differ from The Bananameter?
The Average Rating measures the overall quality of a product based on an average of individual critic scores. The Bananameter simply measures the percentage of critics who recommend a certain product. For example, while "Men in Black" scored 90% on the Bananameter, the average rating is only 7.5/10. That means that while you're likely to enjoy MIB, it probably wasn't a contender for Best Picture at the Oscars. In contrast, "Toy Story 2" received a perfect 100% on the Bananameter with an average rating of 9.6/10. That means, not only are you certain to enjoy it, you'll also be impressed with the direction, story, cinematography, and all the other things that make truly great films great.
CERTIFIED FRESH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What is "Certified Fresh"?
Movies with a Bananameter of 75% or better and at least 40 reviews from Bananameter Critics (including 5 from the Cream of the Crop) receive special recognition -- the "Certified Fresh" seal. For more information regarding the Certified Fresh seal and its use, visit the Certified Fresh Media Kit.
Can I use the "Certified Fresh" logo on my media outlet or to promote my movie or video game?
Yes, permission is granted to third parties to use the "Certified Fresh" logo provided they adhere to the following guidelines:
• The text "Certified Fresh by RottenBananaes.com" must accompany the logo;
• The "Certified Fresh" logo can NOT be altered without prior written permission;
• The link to the "Certified Fresh" logo must go either to the Bananameter home page or the Bananameter review page of a particular movie. The link shall NOT go to the review page with the "Fresh Only" option unless the movie is 100% Fresh; and
• Bananameter reserves the right to prohibit use of the "Certified Fresh" logo if such use violates the Terms of Use. For more information visit the Certified Fresh Media Kit.
Where can I download the "Certified Fresh" logo?
Various downloads including the Certified Fresh seal can be found under the Downloads section of the Certified Fresh Media Kit.
RT FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How do I use this site?
If you're lost, check out our site map.
Can you briefly highlight some of the main features on this site?
1. The movie database includes more than 87,000 titles. We?ve also been hard at work with MRQE to bring you more than 200,000 reviews.
2. The Banana Picker ? an interactive movie title browser that allows users to browse through the 86,000 titles on our database by Genre, Bananameter, MPAA Rating, Era & Decade, and Year.
3. Critic pages with a critic's review history. You can access these pages by clicking on a critics name on the reviews page.
4. Ability to sort reviews by Rating, Quote, Source, or Author.
5. Actor and Actress filmographies, with their average Bananameter rating and awards history.
6. Simple Search by Title, Person, or Plot.
7. For those who have specific needs, a more powerful Advanced Search.
8. Expanded coverage for Movies - in theaters, opening, upcoming, box office, and multimedia.
9. Expanded coverage for Videos|DVD - current releases, new releases, upcoming, and top rentals.
What is "Hot Pick"?
"Hot Pick" is an area on the reviews pages where we select the best quote (not necessarily the best review). Critics in this area are also accounted for in the overall Bananameter.
What is "Cream of the Crop"? And how does RT choose who goes there?
"Cream of the Crop" is where we place popular and notable critics from the top 20 US newspapers and top 5 Canadian newspapers by circulation. Popular magazine, web, TV, and radio critics are also included. This area has its own Bananameter. Critics in this area are also accounted for in the overall Bananameter.
MOVIES RELATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How does one go about submitting a movie title to Bananameter?
Before submitting a movie title to us, please do the following first: - Make sure we DON'T already have that title on our database by searching for it on the search box at the top right-hand corner of our site. - Make sure that the title is available on IMDB.com. If the title is available on IMDB.com, then copy the url for that movie and submit it to us. If the title is NOT available on IMDB.com, then don't bother. Movie trivia questions.
What's the title of this movie I saw on cable about ... ?
When will this movie open in my country? What's the name of the song from the trailer? You'll probably get better (and quicker) responses by posting questions of this sort on our message board. I would like to be a cast/crew member for [insert name of movie here].
Can you hook me up?
Nope. We don't have that kind of power in Hollywood.
Is this movie appropriate for my kids to watch?
You can access reviews of this type on the reviews pages by doing either of the following: - In the dropdown next to the "Choose Type" graphic, click on "Parents Evaluation." - On the left sidebar, scroll down and click on the "Parents Evaluation" text link.
USING RT'S CONTENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I want to use content from Bananameter. Who do I talk to?
Bananameter has set up several data feeds with content available for use on your website. For more information, visit the Syndication pages. I'm making a movie site.
Can I use graphics (or content) from Bananameter and put it on my site?
The content and images on Bananameter are either copyrighted by us or by the movie studios. However, Bananameter has developed a set of graphics that you may freely use in order to link to Bananameter.
Can I use graphics (or content) from Bananameter and put it on my report?
The content and images on Bananameter are either copyrighted by us or by the movie studios. Unless you have already obtained authorization from the movie studios to use their content, please don't bother asking us.
I'd like to link to a page in Bananameter.How do I do this?
Bananameter has developed a Linking Guide to assist other sites with linking to various sections of Bananameter.
FORUMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How do I ... ?
If you have a question about how to do something on the forums, the best place to start is Forum FAQ.
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