Netflix's "Max" is HILARIOUSLY useless.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Watching Netflix on my PS3 today, and I noticed a button asking me if I would like suggestions for something new to watch. It brought up a new feature called "Max" that was supposed to use my ratings and genre preferences to suggest a show. Turns now, the entertainment I got from it was in the form of the astronomically-wrong suggestions.

It was so far off it might as well have just been spitting out titles from a randomizer. It asked me what I was in the mood for (action, comedy, or documentary). I said action. It showed me a bunch of titles and asked me to rate them (Avengers: Great. Hunger Games: Horrendous. Reality shows: terrible.) Then it said "I'm done" and suggested I watch "Beyond Survival with Les Stroud" and "Deadliest Catch." So...it asks me if I want action or documentary and I say action. Then it shows me a bunch of action movies and documentary/reality shows, which I rated almost completely consistently genre-wise (action good except the Hunger Games, documentaries skipped over as unseen or rated one star). And it puts those facts together to think I want to watch a reality show??????

Did someone plug in a less-than sign where it should have been a greater-than in the algorithm or something? You CAN NOT be more wrong. Being off base is one thing; for instance, in the early days, Pandora always kept trying to get me to listen to Bon Jovi and Def Leppard, which kinda makes sense considering my classic rock tastes (the part it left out is that I like folk/blues rock, not generic radio fodder). But to ask me if I want action and liked The Avengers and then recommend a survival reality show? That's like asking if I like V8s and rear wheel drive and then suggesting a Scion xD.

And it wasn't just one wrong suggestion. It offered SEVEN different options, and every single one is a show that I NEVER want to watch.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

You actually rate stuff? Heh.
Side and happy note...I just discovered Netflix now offers "Play It Now" Red Dwarf. Fan-Smegging-Tastic.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Including "season 9" (Back to Earth) but not Season 10 yet. I was REALLY worried that Back to Earth wouldn't be any good (especially since them finally making it back to earth would sort of end the show for good). But it was every bit as good as prior seasons. The Blade Runner references got a bit thick at the end, but were still pretty funny.

I already have the original 8 on DVD, which is great for commentary and non-remastered episodes. But it's nice not having to swap discs every four episodes with Netflix.

[Jesda]

I enjoy Netflix but I find the menu and organization system to be terribly frustrating and sparse, especially on a PC.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Agreed. The PS3's native app seems to be the best way to watch Netflix. No less functional as the PC version (which doesn't say good things about their PC support), but tied to the TV. With the PS3's media remote it's my favorite way to watch tv.

[Dattebayo]

You're kinda like the guy who goes to a carnival and expects the guy at the "guess your X" booth to get it right all the time.

[MinisterofDOOM]

More akin to the bemusement when that guy guesses my weight as 379 pounds when I really weigh 140.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Holy s*** I thought they were done after season 8! THANK YOU.

[alms24sebring]

More akin to the bemusement when that guy guesses my weight as 379 pounds when I really weigh 140.

Dam 6' 4" and 140? You wont get shot if you ask for a loaf of bread you know.

Im sure some shows are just thrown in there for everyone, whether you recommended it or not. Ive gotten random Barney and Magic Schoolbus type crap (Altho MSB was a great show). They really dont give you anything good movies through streaming, like at all. They took South Park off! And while we are on the topic, what did you think of Hemlock Grove if you've seen it? Its alittle too Twilight/late 20s high school guys and girls, and not enough American Werewolf in Paris/Underworld.

[breadbox]

ever since reading this, we have avoided the max feature. It works fine without it. Now to watch another episode of Oddities.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

ever since reading this, we have avoided the max feature.

+1
MOD saves me headache yet again. He's slowly rising to take over the world you know.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Dam 6' 4" and 140? You wont get shot if you ask for a loaf of bread you know.

I have been gifted (cursed?) with the metabolism of a crack-addicted hummingbird dosed up on Five Hour Energies after running a Marathon. I eat lots of sandwiches. Lots and lots.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

your sandwiches need more bacon.

[alms24sebring]

your sandwiches need more bacon.

Lots and lots.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Bacon.
I stand by my statement. He said he eats lots of sandwiches, I stated that said sammiches need more bacon.