With over 25,000 downloads, a new app called CineBee has already succeeded in creating a database with information on 30,000 films. This mobile-first movie rating app uses big data, machine learning and proprietary computation techniques to create a portal that provides value addition compared to websites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB . “At a time when a trip to the multiplex costs upwards of Rs. 1,000 for a family in the metro cities, the decision to go for a movie has become a difficult one,” says Ajay Reddy, co-founder of CineBee. “Film critics don’t always cater to the needs of the common man. We wanted to club together people with similar tastes in cinema so they can help each other decide which films to watch and which ones to miss.”
He felt the need for such an app after he watched Tanu Weds Manu Returns . “I read a lot of positive reviews for the film and there were many recommendations. But I didn’t like the film at all. That’s when I realised that I need to rely on opinions of people like me.”
The company hopes to be able to provide feedback to filmmakers. “With the data we generate based on the user reviews, we will be able to pass on valuable information to filmmakers. As we delve deep into the data we get, we will be able to paint a clearer picture about what worked in a film and what did not.”
The app, which is available on the iOS and Android platforms, is in the process on creating a tentative watch list, based on a user’s past reviews and taste. “We’re also introducing Cinescore—a rating score with information on a film’s highs and lows, all calculated using big data analytics.”
