The Miracle that is Gofobo

Cinephilia. An uncommon word used to describe those of us who have a passionate interest in all things cinema. Whether it be film theory, film criticism, or simply film watching, there is a certain drive in many of us to watch as many big screen hits or misses as possible.

However, with the recent economic crisis in America, many of us do not have the money to spend on trips to the movie theaters. And, what is the solution to this financial problem you ask?

Gofobo.com

This is a website that grants its members free, advanced access to the movies that they want to see, along with many other perks. Michele Heine, a member of the website described on her online blog that, “GoFobo is an online community where movie fans can interact with the movies through advance movie screenings, promotions, contests, sweepstakes and special events.” On top of that, the website is a central station for entertainment related news, allowing direct access to numerous articles that focus on the plots of movies, coming attractions, actors, possible castings, and exclusive interviews. All in all,
Gofobo is the perfect website for those of us who enjoy all things movies.

The layout of the site is very easy to follow. Upon opening the page, viewers see a soft blue background that fades to black closer to the top of the page. The site logo "Gofobo" is in the left corner of the page followed by tabs for Screenings, Movies, Actors, Sweepstakes, and MyFobo. Underneath is a slideshow of pictures, each with its own caption, which represents a different movie topic. Underneath the slideshow there are links to various sweepstakes, pictures, and explanations of the site and its purpose. To the left side of the page there is a Breaking News column for those interested in the movie business. And to the right of the page there is a list of movies to open this weekend with user reviews attached and ratings shown. The box office earnings for the previous weekend are also shown underneath the review column. At the very bottom of the page there is a section for Top Movies, and then another section for Top Actors.

Gofobo also makes it very easy for their members to learn more about their favorite movies and actors.

When the Movie tab is clicked at the top of the page, it leads users to a page that lists the current upcoming, as well as the most popular movies as decided by users at the time. To find out more about the movies listed, one must simply click on the title of the desired movie, and they are directed to a page with a description of the film, as well as provide links to videos and pictures related to the film. The director, studio, release date, rating, and official movie website are also provided. When the Actors tab is clicked, a similar page is pulled up, showing the currently featured actors, as well as the site’s most popular actors below. When any certain actor’s link is clicked on, the user is directed to a page solely devoted to them. The main page lists the most popular movies that the actor has played a role in, and provides links to various pictures and videos featuring the actor. There are several other tabs also shown that provide information about every movie that the actor has been in, news related to them, and information about various events that they have attended.

The one thing that makes Gofobo so very unique is the screening events. Users need only go to the Screenings tab and type in their postal code to discover the different movies that are available in their area for an event. Pre-screening events are always held before the movie is officially released into theaters. They are held at various theater locations, usually at 7 p.m. Users are able to register to attend by either entering a RSVP code directly in to the website, or by replying to an email invitation. Other than the gas money eaten up on the drive to the theater, attending is absolutely free!

After the event, the website sends its users an email requesting that those who attended fill out a short survey on the event. Doing such is not technically required by the site; however doing so is extremely recommended. The survey allows those who attended the movie event to rate the movie by giving it anywhere from zero to five stars. They are then able to write a short review expressing their thoughts on the film, which, in turn, provides those who were unable to attend insight as to how the film was received by their peers.

When it comes to the negative aspects of the website, there is only one. The RSVP codes needed to register for some of the events can be hard to come by. Therefore, many users rely merely on receiving email invitations, which can be sent out as early as a week in advance, or as late as two hours before the event begins.

If one is able to overlook this and focus on all of the information available to them regarding a subject that they love, this is a wonderful website. It allows members of its community easy access to all sorts of movie related information, and then goes a step further by providing free admission to movies not yet release.

Honestly, who wouldn’t love a website like Gofobo?