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imdb.com
How many times have you been watching a movie or TV show and thought to yourself, "I wish I could remember what other movies that actor has been in" or "what is that actress's name again?" These little curiosities can drive us crazy sometimes to the point of ruining the experience of the show or movie we are watching. If only there was a site or an app that we could turn to in these times of dire need, to quickly gather any and all information we require on our favorite movies and series.
Luckily, there is an online resource that can help with all your movie needs: IMDb. This website is the unofficial authority on all things film, TV, video games, and streaming content. Quickly find all the information you could ever require regarding cast, production crew, personal bios, plot synopses, and general trivia in a matter of just a few clicks. Additionally, IMDb offers professional, critical reviews and fan reviews and ratings which can give you a glimpse into a movie or show's reception before watching.
IMDb is a great resource for film and TV buffs. It has information on public knowledge so you can easily find it, no matter what you are looking for.
History
Many important websites around the world began as something very different from what they end up becoming. For example, Facebook began as a simple hot or not rating system at Harvard, but went on to become one of the most influential social networking websites of all time. IMDb, on the other hand, had humble and divergent beginnings. Initially, it was just a repository for information about movies and TV shows.
Before becoming known as IMDb officially, the website began as a Usenet post called "Those Eyes." Created by British programmer Col Needham, this discussion thread was dedicated to discussing actresses who had beautiful eyes. Eventually, "Those Eyes" caught on and inspired other cinema lovers to create different lists of their own.
This inspired Needham to create additional lists, such as simple archives of actors, directors, writers, actresses, etc. By the end of 1990, the list had grown to include about 10,000 movies and tv series. The overwhelming interest in his lists led Needham to code a version of the list that made it easily searchable for anyone curious. This evolved into IMDb later on.
In 1996, IMDb was incorporated in the UK. The company remained independently owned by Needham for only 2 short years. In 1998, a tech mogul, Jeff Bezos, swooped in and acquired IMDb. Jeff Bezos and Needham struck a deal, and Amazon purchased IMDb for 55 million dollars. IMDb, from there on out, would be attached to Amazon as a subsidiary company.
Under new Amazon management, IMDb continued to grow and expand its services. In January 2002, the subscription version of IMDb was introduced to the world, IMDb Pro. IMDb Pro, in addition to offering the now-massive database of information available in the free version, also provides subscribers with exclusive film production and box office information on titles, as well as a professional directory of industry insiders. Aimed at movie and television professionals, IMDb Pro is touted as one of the must-haves subscriptions for anyone trying to break into the film industry.
IMDb continues to grow into new areas of media, such as streaming services. On January 10th of 2019, IMDb also launched a new streaming service known as IMDb TV (previously branded as Freedive). On IMDb TV, users can stream movies for free with ads. Who knows where IMDb will head in the years to come? One thing that seems certain, IMDb seems to be on a sure trajectory toward continued growth.
Design
IMDb's aesthetic can be described as bold and minimalist. Although it may sound paradoxical, IMDb has found a way to strike a balance between the flashy and the understated. Their splash screen is a good example of how this is achieved; a loud yellow background gives way to a simple black ?IMDb? that is reminiscent of the way a film title spans the screen.
I was impressed by the site design. There is no clutter, despite the terabytes of data that I'm sure this enormous database contains. Everything is organized and in its place. Whatever feature of IMDb you need to find, you can do so within seconds - even as a first-time user. This is how site design should be: immediately accessible, simple, and streamlined.
Content
Below the search bar, on the left side of the page, you'll find a button labeled "menu." Clicking this will launch a dropdown menu that takes up the entire page. I like these menus because they give you a lot of features in one place. It's also a good design because it doesn't take too long to load a new page.
Here you can choose from a few categories, making browsing content on this site extremely easy. Content is organized by the following: Movies, TV Shows, Awards & Events, Celebs, Videos, and Community. Each section also has a long list of options beneath it to further guide your hand through this massive database.
IMDb, a website dedicated to movie and TV information, has created IMDb TV, a streaming service that offers exclusive content not found on other sites. IMDb TV covers movies and TV shows, has a Hollywood news series, celebrity interviews, quick video recaps of TV series and movie franchises, coverage of awards shows, and an original animated series called "You're Not a Monster." This new content is creating excitement within the community since it could potentially compete with services like Netflix and Hulu.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
I really think that it is a great tool for anyone who loves film.
IMDb is a great tool for anyone who loves films. I highly recommend both having the app and visiting the desktop site every once in a while. Together, there will be no stopping your limitless knowledge of film, TV shows, and actors. The app is very convenient to have in your pocket, and can make you the star of the conversation at the bar or café when a group of friends is arguing over who played what role in a given movie and nobody can think of the answer. In seconds, you will have it."
I'm someone who is sort of a purist when it comes to watching video content. I don't like doing it on my phone. If I'm going to watch something, especially some of the longer-form content that IMDb offers like movies or original series, I would much prefer to do so on my computer, where the resolution will be better and the screen larger. So, I would recommend using both the IMDb app and the desktop site to really get the most out of this site.
Pricing and Plans
There is no need to be unwilling to visit IMDb, as the app and website are both free to use. However, if you want to become better acquainted with IMDb or are looking for opportunities in the entertainment industry, a pro account could prove very valuable.
With IMDb Pro, you can post your resume and contact information, browse an enormous list of industry contacts, and gain the email addresses and phone numbers of some of the most valuable people in Hollywood. As a Pro member, you commit to the monthly fee of $19.99 or $14.99 annually, which allows you to take advantage of unprecedented professional networking.
Conclusion
IMDb is an extremely valuable resource for anyone who loves movies. It has everything from casual movie fans to hardcore film buffs and even those in the film industry. Whether you need information about movies and TV shows or just want to find some interesting trivia, IMDb has it all.
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