A Better Queue Mines Netflix's Instant Offerings For Critically Acclaimed Gems

Netflix already has its own sophisticated algorithm for tailoring recommendations to each individual user, but there are times when their suggestions can be a little too customized. Like, say, when you're looking to expand your horizons with a critically acclaimed classic you expect to admire more than like, or dip your toe into a genre you rarely explore.

For those needs, Dave Jachimiak has invented A Better Queue. The simple but useful program cross-references Netflix and Rotten Tomatoes to help you mine the Watch Instantly catalog for the very best it has to offer, from any genre or time period you choose. Hit the jump for more details.

Jachimiak admits that his own program isn't perfect yet, and writes in his blog that he's already got a few improvements in the works. Among them are an improved website UI, a mobile app, and an "Add to Instant Queue" button. In addition, Jachimiak plans to improve the reliability of the Tomatometer scores by accounting for how many reviews a film has, not just how many of them are positive. Personally, I'd also love to see him update the categorizations so that a film can fall under more than one genre. For example, Rango currently falls only under "Children & Family," even though it could just as easily suit the needs of someone looking for a comedy or an animated film.

Of course, one big caveat is that Rotten Tomatoes itself isn't always a perfect indicator of how good a movie is or how much you'll personally enjoy a movie. If you find yourself generally disagreeing with Rotten Tomatoes' critics, A Better Queue may not be of much use to you. If, on the other hand, you're a Roger Ebert-loving cinephile hunting for some of Netflix's hidden gems, A Better Queue is a fantastic first stop.

[Source: The Verge via Lifehacker]