Great Apps for Movie Lovers

Screenshot of Flixster's Movies App.
Screenshot of Flixster's Movies App. | Photo by Liishi Durbin

Flixster’s Movies*

Flixster’s Movies app is essential for anyone who frequents movie theaters, since its primary function is for listing showtimes. Using the iPhone’s GPS system, the app picks up instantly on nearby theaters (within a 50 mile radius) – and, of course, for theaters can be searched by name or on a map. There is also a nifty option for setting “favorite theaters,” which is perfect for regular moviegoers.

This alone is a useful tool, but Flixster’s loaded their app with plenty of other goodies too. Each movie’s page contains all the essential information, including photos, runtime, synopsis, cast and crew – and for everyone who likes to know the critical or public reception of a film before paying for a ticket, Flixster’s Movies is connected to Rotten Tomatoes, the film review aggregator. With this, the app allows access to all the critical reviews in the Rotten Tomatoes database, plus all the Flixster User Reviews. One can also view the trailer directly from the app and add the movie to a Netflix Queue. As a bonus, Flixster’s Movies also connects directly to Yelp, which locates restaurants near any selected theater.

This app is also a great little hub of cinematic information. The home page features a search bar that can search for any movie, actor or director. There’s also a section called “Fun Stuff” which is great for passing time during the pre-roll advertisements while waiting for the trailers to start. The section has quizzes, top photos and even little film anthologies compiled by the people at Flixster. This combines all the functions of the IMDb app (and IMDb’s $0.99 Movie Genie app), but the showtime listings and interactive aspect of Flixster’s Movies makes it a more widespread tool. All and all, Flixster’s Movies app is fantastic for seeing movies in theaters and for anticipating DVD releases (which this app also lists!).

Screenshot of GetGlue App.
Screenshot of GetGlue App. | Photo by Liishi Durbin

GetGlue*

Fans of Foursquare, the location-based social networking app, will probably like GetGlue because the two function very similarly: one can “check in” and get cool digital stickers (they serve no real purpose, but are somehow still fun to collect). Of course, instead of checking into different locations, GetGlue checks into different movies.

Users can create a friend base by connecting to their Facebook or Twitter accounts, or by adding friends manually by name or email. When friends check into or “like” a movie, it shows up in a stream. Based on a user’s check-ins and “likes”, the application generates suggestions of similar styles and genres. The more one interacts with the app, the more suggestions they give (and the more stickers one gets – but again, besides being cute, they’re mostly useless). After checking in, there’s also the option to participate in conversation about the movie in question. Users can leave little notes or read the blurbs from other users.

The “Trending” tab shows the most popular movies among those who utilize this app. This function also presents details on the movies, including the trailer, a brief description and user reviews of the film. There’s also the big green “Tell A Friend” button; once hit, users can share anything they’re excited about. GetGlue is a great app to keep track of trips to the theater, share your great film taste with friends, and see what others are doing as well.

Of course, GetGlue isn’t an app limited only to movies. It works for television shows, music and books as well – and each of those aspects of the app has its own great perks.

Screenshot of Run Pee App.
Screenshot of Run Pee App. | Photo by Liishi Durbin

Run Pee*

This loutish little app is amazingly handy. It’s an extension of the website Runpee.com, and does exactly what you’d expect from the title: it gives advice about when to run to the bathroom during a movie without missing any major plot points or important scenes. The movies with “peetimes” listed aren’t limited to movies currently available in theaters. There’s a huge selection to choose from, including a wonderful gallery of classics.

After having selected a movie option, the app provides the exact times in the movie that are okay to miss. The app also tells exactly how much time can be missed, and gives a description of the scene immediately preceding the appropriate bathroom break. As a bonus, there’s also a timer function. The timer starts when the movie begins and the phone will vibrate when it hits the “peetime” (usually there’s more than one “peetime,” so an alert comes each time one approaches). Additionally, the app has a description of each missed scene so that users can stay right on track and won’t have to pester the person next to them about what happened.

Run Pee also has two other fantastically useful functions. For those who aren’t very punctual to movies and typically miss the first few minutes, Run Pee provides a scene by scene synopsis of the first five minutes of the film, so one can get caught up on any crucial details within the film’s opening. It also says if there are any bonus scenes that come on during or after the credit roll. It can also connect to Facebook, show reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Twitter, and access IMDb’s databases. There’s a built-in flashlight, described as “for helping you find your keys under the sea” and there are playable water sounds, “in case you are having trouble going.”

 * Available for free

 

About Liishi Durbin

Liishi Durbin is a CAS and SED sophomore double majoring in English Literature and English Education. This is her first year as a film writer for The Quad.

View all posts by Liishi Durbin →

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