THE internet movie site (imdb.com)

Member Name: lotboy15011980

Product:	imdb.com
Date:	16/09/02 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredibly Comprehensive

Disadvantages: ummmm

I can't be positive enough about the internet movie database. I've been using it for 2 years now and as an avid film fan I can honestly say it's never failed to produce the goods.

The front page gives you a mix of latest news which is good to browse through. Main navigation is via a menu bar at the top of the page. A side bar also provides links such as

-top box office films
-coming soon

There is also a separate UK site, with all the same features which is refreshing to see as so many internet movie sites centre around the current state of cinema in the USA which is (usually) ahead of everyone else.

As far as the individual film info goes. The site provides

-cast lists (with links)
-user ratings
-certification info
-alternative titles
-provision for user comments
-recommendation for other films you might like
-the ability to set up a personal databse of
the films you own/ have seen
-DVD/VHS availability info

The pages dealing with individual actors/actresses
include

-a short biography
-complete filmography (including TV appearances)

It's nice to see that the IMDB people can also admit to making mistakes. You can even e-mail them to tell them so, although finding a mistake is a tough challenge

More recently, as I have begun writing my own website I've found it very useful that IMDB lets you link into their site directly to a given film provided you display a banner. So for any webmasters out there looking for an easy source of film info to link to this is the place to go.

The search engine is comprehensive and quick. The only 'problem' I encountered when searching for a film was when I searched for 'The Assasin' starring Bridget Fonda (remake of a French film which is much better called 'Nikita') which it had listed under an alternate title. However a quick search through Bridget Fonda'
s career films and a rough knowledge of the release date of the film in question quickly enabled me to track it down.

The only bad point is that they don't provide the services of IMDB Pro for free! Oh well.....

Summary: