New Movie Search Site Features Netflix Integration (Beta Invites)

Jinni, a new "semantic search" movie and TV show website currently in beta, uses the Netflix API to connect to your Netflix account. Jinni can download your Netflix ratings and reviews, account history (so it won't recommend titles you've already seen), add movies to your queue, and even play streaming titles from Jinni.

What's different about Jinni is the way you can search for movies. You can ask Jinni to find "silly romantic comedies" or "exciting car chase" turn up interesting results. Here's how the Jinni search works:

"The core IP powering the Jinni service is the Movie Genome, containing over two thousand genes. These are assigned to each title to describe plot, mood, style, setting, soundtrack and more – a rich alternative to the usual genre language. Our ontology was created by film professionals. Video content is automatically indexed through analysis of metadata and reviews, using an innovative Natural Language Processing solution that enables Jinni to rapidly and precisely index more titles."

One of the more interesting features is that you can limit the searches to Watch Instantly titles, so if you're in the mood for "spy movies" it will return:

If you're interested in trying Jinni they're offering HackingNetflix readers a limited number of free beta invites.

Thanks to Davis & Tracy for sending this in. 

Comments

[MCW]

I like this site so far... it's definitely more fun to browse by scenes from the movies rather than the DVD/Blu-ray cover that is notoriously misleading.

My only problem is the Netflix API Account link does not work. I've contacted Netflix and they are trying to work with Jinni to fix it. It would make things infinitely better if it worked (Automatic review and ratings retrieval from NFLX).

[prozac]

Just signed up and trying it out. Agree with MCW...no luch linking accounts. There is knowhere to click in order to link up.

MCM...I will check back here and contact NF myself, let me know if you have any luck. I really want to sync up the sites.

[BulletproofHeeb]

The Netflix API error must have been a temporary thing. I just signed up and linked to my Netflix account and everything went smoothly.

[Talutha]

My Netflix account linked perfectly as well, it must be fixed. My question is if I rate something on Jinni will it rate it on the Netflix side or is it just one way? Great site so far!

[Ruth]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Ruth

http://systemmemory.info

[banter]

anyone besides me notice this spam from Ruth on half a dozen posts now?

I don't think Mike reads the comments on his blog anyone...hahaha

[mike]

in the last post "ruth's" name was johanna

[nx_2000]

Now if we could only integrate Netflix and IMdb.

[PLB]

Maybe I just have odd desires, but I have long longed for a way to pause a movie I'm watching and look up who some actor is, or the director in IMdb or to look up smoe historical refence in Wikipedia.

I'm sure that these "features" will be availabe sooner or later. I'm hoping for sooner.

[Baff]

Jinni says my account is linked, but it fails every time I try to import my ratings. Maybe 20,000 ratings is just too much for it.

[MCW]

Jinni won't even accept emails anymore. I don't know what's up with them. Baff, my account is linked as well (I checked under the Account page @ Netflix.com. It's there), but on Jinni, every time you link up, it says "Oops, account link failed, Try again?".

I've tried it so many times it's unbelievable. The only reason it frustrates me so much is because that would make their site perfect.

[asdf]

I didn't try it but it the demo looks like it's quite polished. maybe netflix will buy them up.