The Ripple Rating System began when I started the blog Ripple Effects five years ago. I’ve been asked why I give three ripples so often, and how come there aren’t any one ripple. A look at how the rating works you’ll see why:
~ Ripple: Stay away, I did
~~ Ripples: Manage your time better
~~ 1/2 Ripples: Average, so-so
~~~ Ripples: Good, worth seeing
~~~1/2 Ripples: Superior, make time for it
~~~~ Ripples: Almost Perfect, must-see
You see, I’ve done the screening for you, just to save your time. But of course, the disclaimer here is, like Roger Ebert says, all reviews are subjective. But then too, here at the pond, ripples are the result of much thought.
**
In 2012, there are several movies I have given 3.5 or 4 Ripples. Two of them I have yet written a review. Here they are:
Life of Pi Book and Movie
Birders: The Central Park Effect
Argo
Moonrise Kingdom
I’m still eagerly waiting for some to screen here, so I’ve yet to see them, like Zero Dark Thirty, Quartet.
**
There are reading experiences that I would give 4 Ripples, they are Read-Alongs:
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
A first for me, reading with others in a virtual reading group. Two brilliant books, some delightful camaraderie.
**
And then there are real life experiences that I’d gladly give 4 Ripples in my heart.
Bird Watching: See my photos on Saturday Snapshot Posts
Also my visit to:
Rating with 4 Ripples is an understatement or maybe even an insult to the Creator of the Grand Canyon. But just an expression, I think He understands.
**
Thanks to WordPress, I receive a concise annual report on my blog. Top posts for 2012 are:
Memorable Movie Love Quotes (My Valentine post for 2008, Over 73,000 views since then). 2012 views: 15,237
The Glass Castle: Book Review (Since Aug. 2008, over 47,000 views). 2012: 8,334 views.
Quotable Quotes from Downton Abbey: Over 7,400 views since March, 2012
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Now this is a surprise. Since I posted it in May this year, there have been over 6,200 views.
**
And now, my favorite, the Search Engine Terms, words people type in to come to Ripple Effects. These are some that not only bring a smile, but boost the spirit as well (I’ll leave them in their lower case as found in WordPress Stats):
heaven
grace in nature
oldest human frozen
colin firth chocolate
canada lost in austen
keep calm and act like kate middleton
e.m. forster can’t tell a good story
alien captured alive
studebaker truck girl
did red dog go to japan
the blogger arti [Arti here: just love to know people actually Google about me!]
arti film life of pi
arti never let me go
the best exotic marigold hotel post modernism
nowhere
paleolithic hunting
does meryl streep have affairs
how many languages does colin firth have
yann martel lonely
joshua bell modest
why was ulysses poem chosen for skyfall
most memorable tv seduction quotes
anna karenina psychoanalysis
**
To everyone who has stopped by the pond and thrown in a pebble or two, thanks for the ripples. There are some new regular visitors and followers this year, I’m so glad to know you all. You’ve made me feel we’ve known each other for much longer. I’ve enjoyed our mutual visits. Thanks for the enrichment.
And to All
A Happy New Year!
***
Ripple Effects 
Congratulations on an excellent year, Arti! “colin firth chocolate” is one of my favorite search term sets in your list.
LikeLike
Mine too… sounds delicious. Happy New Year to you and yours, Cathy! Thanks for your visits and comments in the past years.
LikeLike
An excellent year Arti! I think Anna K deserves four ripples too! 🙂 Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Even if not for the book per se, the experience certainly deserves four. But Tolstoy is a master storyteller, have to give it to him. 😉 Have a great year of good reads, Stefanie!
LikeLike
I’m always amazed at how much you see and read in a year. Love the ripples! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Ellen,
Not much really, esp. when I’m such a slow reader. That’s why I love the movies, we’re all equal in front of the screen, finish at the same time. 😉 Have a Happy New Year Ellen!
LikeLike
I saw Lincoln and was so impressed, I completely forgot that it was directed by Spielberg (not one of my favorites). I also think that whatever I see next, probably Zero Dark Thirty (there’s a police presence at my local multiplex where that one’s being screened here in NYC), will impress me much less. Happy New Year Arti!
LikeLike
lameadventures,
I hear you… yes, “… completely forgot it was Spielberg’s.” That’s a good one. I know what you mean, esp. his recent works, like, War Horse. Anyway, despite police presence, Zero Dark Thirty should be worthwhile to go see. I sure would like to know what you think of it. I’ll be seeing it later this month. Happy New Year to you and thanks for stopping by this past year. I’m glad we’ve discovered each other. 😉
LikeLike
did red dog go to Japan. Love it … And as you probably know, I kept getting did red dog die?
Great round up Arti … Love your inclusion of non movie, non book things. have now seen Quartet, but not Lincoln or Pi yet. Pi here now or soon. Not sure about Lincoln but I think it is still coming.
LikeLike
WG,
Please furnish me with some info if you know, what’s this abut red dog? Anyway, I hope to see Quartet later this month… if it ever comes to Cowtown. Have a Happy New Year and all good reads throughout 2013, WG!
LikeLike
Oh, I assumed you’d written about it (though I didn’t check right I admit). I wonder how people came to your blog with such a search if you haven’t written about it?
Anyhow, Red Dog is a movie (I’ve reviewed it so you can check it out if you like) based on Louis de Berniere’s book (not novel) about a stray red dog in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The movie takes some licence with the book and the book is based on storied de Berniere’s gathered. There’s a statue to Red Dog in one of the Pilbara towns (Dampier, perhaps, though I’m too lazy to look it up). Red Dog lived with various people during his life but he tended to decide who he’d live with. There’s a story that he hopped a cargo ship at one stage and ended up in Japan before returning to Aus but I think that story that could be apocryphal as I’m not sure anyone has been able to prove it. BUT it is part of the Red Dog legend. The film has a nice bit of social history behind it about the migrant male dominated mining life of the region. And gorgeous scenery.
We enjoyed Quartet … enjoyable though not a great movie I think – a bit predictable. But, I always love seeing those actors.
LikeLike
WG,
Thanks for all the tidbits. Strange, don’t think I’ve ever written about Red Dog, but maybe Japan… Anyway, Yes, I’ll be watching Quartet. It’s Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, and that’s what I like to see. I think in itself is inspirational, at age 75.
LikeLike
I didn’t write about whether he died or not, nor did I mention Japan, but a commenter asked whether he died so that must be why I get those hits. Maybe you’ve written about Japan, as you say, and a commenter, maybe me, has mentioned Red Dog? I don’t really understand Google weightings at all.
LikeLike
. . . And thank YOU! I particularly appreciate your careful research, attention to detail, and reviews which make every word count. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Micheline,
Your presence at the pond is most treasured. Happy New Year to you and your family!
LikeLike
Happy, happy New Year, Arti, to you and your family. Thank you for the wonderful film recommendations throughout the year – what would I do without you? And I adore the search engine terms. Mine have become very sensible of late, and I do miss the delightfully nutty ones!
LikeLike
litlove,
Thanks so much for your visits in the past year. I value your opinion highly, that’s why I’ll be glad to continue to be a regular visitor to the Reading Room. May 2013 bring you joy and all the best in your writing and reading. 😉
LikeLike
Yes, 4 ripples for the Midnight’s Children read-along and I love the search engine terms!
LikeLike
Gavin,
Thanks so much for reading along with me. I’ve enjoyed this very new experience. Hope we can do more in the new year! All best wishes!
LikeLike
It’s clearly happening – you’re educating me, at last! This is the first year I’ve both seen films and read books that have been “rippled”, and I remember far more about the ones I haven’t seen than in previous years.
Not only that, from time to time I notice something in the news – like “Skyfall Clears Over $1 Billion” – and I think of you!
I do love the search terms. Mine have gotten a little tame, too, but increasingly literary. I think that’s good. Believe it or not, at the very bottom of my all-time search term list, with 8 searches, is “public housing in Hong Kong”. Remember the fellow who took the photos of Shek Kip Mei?
It’s been a wonderful year, and I’m looking forward to the next. This will be the year for my first Read-Along – I’d better get busy and find myself a copy of the book!
Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Linda,
Oh my… as if I had a hand in pushing that $1 billion mark, but thanks for thinking about me! If there’s any education taking place, it’s mutual. As for Read-Along’s, I’m so glad you’ll be joining us. Yes, should try to get hold of a copy soon. I look forward to exchanges at the pond here. Thanks for your presence in the past five years. Let’s hope there are more rewarding blogging experience as we step into 2013. Happy New Year, my friend! (p.s. Thanks for the image and the words, love them!)
LikeLike
I have enjoyed reading your film and book reviews and usually agree with you, but not always. I have not seen nor read all the movies and films you mentioned though. About Les Miserables – I heard that some of the actors have a Cockney accent – which would make it hard to understand and seem funny since the story is supposed to happen in France. So I am ambivalent about seeing it in English. I know that, as you say, it is mostly a rendition of a musical rather than the 1200 page book. So my next movies to go and see will be Anna Karenina and Hyde Park on Hudson which you mentioned to me. Wishing you many more interesting books to read and films to watch in 2013 – have a great 2013.
LikeLike
Vagabonde,
FIrst off, thanks for still visiting and commenting even though you disagree with me. This is exactly the point … you see, Ripple Effects is not a fan club, but an open pond for the exchanges of views, the only rule I think is mutual respect, and that we throw pebbles into the pond to create ripples, and not at each other. Opposing views are the spice of life.
Having said that, ok now, this is my view about Les Mis. According to the official website of the Musical, it has been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages. I’m sure there are many different accents, not just Cockney. But mind you, all you hear mostly are songs, not dialogues. And the lyrics are clear and coherent, like we’re being told the story up close instead of sitting far away to watch the tiny people singing on stage.
As for Anna K., same thing. It’s supposed to take place in Russia, but we’re hearing English accents. For if it’s totally authentic, most of us would be unable to understand a word. 😉 Anyway, do come back and throw some pebbles into the pond when you’ve seen it. As for Hyde Park on Hudson, it has not been screened here so I haven’t seen it. I just know Bill Murray is FDR, and that there are mixed reviews. Again, the opposing views make me more curious to see it.
And last but not least, again, thanks for your visits despite holding different perspectives. I’ve appreciated your presence, and esp. enjoyed visiting your well-researched Recollections. Happy New Year to you and yours!
LikeLike
keep calm and act like kate middleton???? What on earth?
Happy new year to you too!
LikeLike
Amritorupa,
I know, strange isn’t it? But I really enjoy seeing all these search terms. Good to hear from you again. Hope 2013 will bring some good reads for you. You’re welcome to join our Read-Along.
LikeLike
Colin Firth chocolate! That’s awesome. Thanks so much for being a regular reader and commenter, and thanks for all your book and movie reviews. Have a wonderful 2013!
LikeLike
Rebecca,
The feeling is mutual. I’m so glad we’ve kept in touch in the blogosphere through these years. I look forward to some exciting new posts when baby decides to enter 2013! All the best! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I love coming here and spending some time.
My search term list is always so weird. I get a lot of students looking for help with their book reports. I don’t post their comments but they are always so pathetic. I nearly always tell them to READ the book.
LikeLike
Ti,
I do too. Some came to thank me for helping them with their assignments. But I always stress: Cite your sources. I’ve enjoyed our mutual visits in the past year. Have a wonderful year, Ti, you and your family!
LikeLike
Happy New Year Arti! I can’t wait to see Lincoln. Hubby and I are having a Daniel Day-Lewis marathon catching up on all his movies we never got a chance to see. Started it off with In the Name of the Father…brilliant! I also can’t wait to see Argo. Missed it in the cinema and waiting for a DVD copy. Sorry I missed our Midnight’s Children read-a-long but enjoyed reading all the reviews. It’s been a busy year with hardly any time for blogging for me. Hoping 2013 will see more blog posts from me too. Cheers!
LikeLike
Mrs. B,
I must thank you for suggesting the Midnight’s Children Read-Along. That opened up a whole new reading experience for me! And yes, you’ll enjoy Lincoln and Argo. As for Daniel Day-Lewis, don’t forget a film way way back in 1985: The Merchant Ivory adaptation of E. M. Forster’s A Room With A View. DDL is in it as Cecil. The Age of Innocence is a must-see. Again, thanks for intro. me to the whole new world of Read-Alongs. Hope you can join us in the coming year. 😉
LikeLike
I love your top ripples and I’m very interested in your stats and top posts! That’s a significant number of visits to your posts over time! Significant is an understatement! And love the search terms. I am always inspired by your ripples (or lack thereof!) to at least investigate something more, so I look forward to many more visits and of course much learning in 2013!
LikeLike
Jeanie,
So glad to have met you in virtual life. I’ve much enjoyed your posts, following your travels to Europe, and all the beautiful designs and artwork. May 2013 be a year of rewarding experiences for you. Thanks for your always encouraging comments. Now, let’s turn our attention to Downton Abbey coming up in 3 days. 😉
LikeLike
Happy New Year, Arti! Please continue to “Ripple Us” this year! Keep up the good work!!!
Blessings!
LikeLike