For years I have relied on the International Movie Database (IMDB) for movie facts, cast lists, trivia, release dates and quotes. The online database, bought by Amazon.com in 1998, is usually up to date, accurate and dependable. However, I've been Googling film information more often lately in order to frequently update this blog, and the three top hits never fail to be the official movie site, IMDB and Wikipedia.
I began betraying my old friend IMDB and moving my mouse instead to the Wikipedia links, which tend to have many more details concerning the movies, especially if they are still in production. Wikipedia mirrors IMDB in that its entries contain cast lists, plot summaries, trivia and release dates. In fact, the only thing the monopolizing online encyclopedia lacks is movie quotes on the actual movie entry.
On top of its similarities to IMDB, Wikipedia usually expands its information into longer, more detailed paragraphs, often with entire sections devoted to production, design, filming, effects and music sections. It also includes the film's awards, budget, box office performance, reviews and external links to other, relevant online articles.
The multilingual conglomerate has already expanded into Wikinews (Wikipedia's own free news source), Wiktionary (dictionary and thesaurus), Wikibooks (free textbooks and manuals), Wikiversity (learning resources and educational material), Wikiquotes (a giant collection of quotations) and a handful of other Wikipedia branches. The site is also an expert lister with enormous lists of just about anything from music genres to government departments to random compilations like "roses named after people." They already have an extensive, frequently updated list of upcoming movies.
IMDB doesn't have anything to bring to the table, since Wikipedia already produces the exact same information and more. I think it's safe to assume IMDB will fall into the shadows in the near future, and even the most loyal IMDB-ers will flock to Wikipedia. Considering the site's tendency to dominate every online information outlet out there, it's completely probable they're already discussing the establishment of a Wikimovies. Unless IMDB steps it up, the site is bound to be left in the dust.
1 comment:
Hello there, i found your post through search IMDB vs Wikipedia.. and i guess you were on point, amazing post! and if i didn't have the same concerns i wouldn't even be here, i think IMDB is already falling behind and Wiki is moving on, i'm a movies guy, watched more movies than my memory can hold, and it was normal for me to hit imdb even while watching the movie i pause it and go seek a fact.. but now, i guess IMDB is getting boring, and their paid services is a joke! why should i pay for information? i'm already paying for the internet connection, charge my ISP... anyways great post and i bookmarked your blog :)
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