VB & Rotten Tomatoes JSON API - json

Question

I'm trying to allow a user to enter a film title into my program, then have the program return the top three matching films in the rotten tomatoes database.
Here's the code I have so far:
Private Sub Query(ByVal searchTerm As String)
'declare the url, request, response and reader,
Dim url As String
Dim request As HttpWebRequest
Dim response As HttpWebResponse = Nothing
Dim reader As StreamReader
Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red : Console.WriteLine(" QUERYING ROTTEN TOMATOES FOR THE SEARCHTERM {0} ", searchTerm) : Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black
Try
'base url, query, apikey, page (or result) limit,
url = String.Format("http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q={0}&apikey={1}&page_limit={2}", searchTerm, myApiKey, "3")
'make the request
request = DirectCast(WebRequest.Create(url), HttpWebRequest)
'get the response
response = DirectCast(request.GetResponse(), HttpWebResponse)
'read the response
reader = New StreamReader(response.GetResponseStream())
'declare a string for the raw response
Dim rawResponse As String
'get the response a raw string
rawResponse = reader.ReadToEnd()
'write the raw response to the console
Console.WriteLine(rawResponse)
'write that the rest of the data is specific
Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red : Console.WriteLine(" EXTRACTED DATA: ") : Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black
'parse the results from the rawresponse
Dim jResults As JObject = JObject.Parse(rawResponse)
Console.WriteLine(ParseTitle(jResults("total")))
Console.WriteLine(ParseTitle(jResults("title")))
'Console.WriteLine(ParseTitle(jResults("critics_score")))
Catch ex As Exception
Console.WriteLine("Error: " & ex.ToString)
Finally
If Not response Is Nothing Then response.Close()
End Try
Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red : Console.WriteLine(" QUERY FINISHED. PRESS ANY KEY TO CLOSE... ") : Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black
Console.ReadKey()
End Sub
I'm using the JSON.Net library, and, truthfully, have no experience with JSON - I've been working of off tutorials.
I'd like to be able to get all the films returned to an array of Movie data structures Can anyone help me out?
Here's the response I get if I search for 'toy story':
{
"total": 7,
"movies": [
{
"id": "770672122",
"title": "Toy Story 3",
"year": 2010,
"mpaa_rating": "G",
"runtime": 103,
"critics_consensus": "Deftlyblending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a raresecond sequel that reallyworks.",
"release_dates": {
"theater": "2010-06-18",
"dvd": "2010-11-02"
},
"ratings": {
"critics_rating": "CertifiedFresh",
"critics_score": 99,
"audience_rating": "Upright",
"audience_score": 91
},
"synopsis": "Pixarreturns to their first success with Toy Story 3. The movie begins withAndy leaving for college and donating his beloved toys -- includingWoody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) -- to a daycare. While the crewmeets new friends, including Ken (Michael Keaton), they soon grow tohate their new surroundings and plan an escape. The film was directedby Lee Unkrich from a script co-authored by Little Miss Sunshinescribe Michael Arndt. ~ Perry Seibert,Rovi",
"posters": {
"thumbnail": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_mob.jpg",
"profile": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_pro.jpg",
"detailed": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_det.jpg",
"original": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_ori.jpg"
},
"abridged_cast": [
{
"name": "TomHanks",
"id": "162655641",
"characters": [
"Woody"
]
},
{
"name": "TimAllen",
"id": "162655909",
"characters": [
"Buzz Lightyear"
]
},
{
"name": "JoanCusack",
"id": "162655020",
"characters": [
"Jessie theCowgirl"
]
},
{
"name": "NedBeatty",
"id": "162672460",
"characters": [
"Lots-o'-Huggin'Bear",
"Lotso"
]
},
{
"name": "DonRickles",
"id": "341817905",
"characters": [
"Mr. PotatoHead"
]
}
],
"alternate_ids": {
"imdb": "0435761"
},
"links": {
"self": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122.json",
"alternate": "http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story_3/",
"cast": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/cast.json",
"clips": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/clips.json",
"reviews": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/reviews.json",
"similar": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/similar.json"
}
},
{
"id": "9414",
"title": "ToyStory2",
"year": 1999,
"mpaa_rating": "G",
"runtime": 92,
"critics_consensus": "ToyStory 2 employs inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a topnotch voice cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for allages, one that's arguably even better than itspredecessor.",
"release_dates": {
"theater": "1999-11-24",
"dvd": "2000-10-17"
},
"ratings": {
"critics_rating": "CertifiedFresh",
"critics_score": 100,
"audience_rating": "Upright",
"audience_score": 72
},
"synopsis": "",
"posters": {
"thumbnail": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_mob.jpg",
"profile": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_pro.jpg",
"detailed": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_det.jpg",
"original": "http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_ori.jpg"
},
"abridged_cast": [
{
"name": "TomHanks",
"id": "162655641",
"characters": [
"Woody"
]
},
{
"name": "TimAllen",
"id": "162655909",
"characters": [
"Buzz Lightyear"
]
},
{
"name": "JoanCusack",
"id": "162655020",
"characters": [
"Jessie theCowgirl"
]
},
{
"name": "KelseyGrammer",
"id": "162660300",
"characters": [
"Stinky Pete theProspector"
]
},
{
"name": "DonRickles",
"id": "341817905",
"characters": [
"Mr. PotatoHead"
]
}
],
"alternate_ids": {
"imdb": "0120363"
},
"links": {
"self": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414.json",
"alternate": "http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story_2/",
"cast": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/cast.json",
"clips": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/clips.json",
"reviews": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/reviews.json",
"similar": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/similar.json"
}
},
{
"id": "9559",
"title": "ToyStory",
"year": 1995,
"mpaa_rating": "G",
"runtime": 80,
"critics_consensus": "Asentertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story kicked off Pixar'sunprecedented run of quality pictures, reinvigorating animated film intheprocess.",
"release_dates": {
"theater": "1995-11-22",
"dvd": "2001-03-20"
},
"ratings": {
"critics_rating": "CertifiedFresh",
"critics_score": 100,
"audience_rating": "Upright",
"audience_score": 81
},
"synopsis": "",
"posters": {
"thumbnail": "http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_mob.jpg",
"profile": "http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_pro.jpg",
"detailed": "http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_det.jpg",
"original": "http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_ori.jpg"
},
"abridged_cast": [
{
"name": "TomHanks",
"id": "162655641",
"characters": [
"Woody"
]
},
{
"name": "TimAllen",
"id": "162655909",
"characters": [
"Buzz Lightyear"
]
},
{
"name": "DonRickles",
"id": "341817905",
"characters": [
"Mr. PotatoHead"
]
},
{
"name": "Jim Varney",
"id": "162662792",
"characters": [
"SlinkyDog"
]
},
{
"name": "WallaceShawn",
"id": "162671862",
"characters": [
"Rex"
]
}
],
"alternate_ids": {
"imdb": "0114709"
},
"links": {
"self": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559.json",
"alternate": "http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story/",
"cast": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/cast.json",
"clips": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/clips.json",
"reviews": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/reviews.json",
"similar": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/similar.json"
}
}
],
"links": {
"self": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q=toy+story&page_limit=3&page=1",
"next": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q=toy+story&page_limit=3&page=2"
},
"link_template": "http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q={search-term}&page_limit={results-per-page}&page={page-number}"
}

Answer 1

First you need to create classes to receive the JSON data:
Public Class ReleaseDates
Public Property theater As String
Public Property dvd As String
End Class
Public Class Ratings
Public Property critics_rating As String
Public Property critics_score As Integer
Public Property audience_rating As String
Public Property audience_score As Integer
End Class
Public Class Posters
Public Property thumbnail As String
Public Property profile As String
Public Property detailed As String
Public Property original As String
End Class
Public Class AbridgedCast
Public Property name As String
Public Property id As String
Public Property characters As List(Of String)
End Class
Public Class AlternateIds
Public Property imdb As String
End Class
Public Class Links
Public Property self As String
Public Property alternate As String
Public Property cast As String
Public Property clips As String
Public Property reviews As String
Public Property similar As String
End Class
Public Class Movie
Public Property id As String
Public Property title As String
Public Property year As Integer
Public Property mpaa_rating As String
Public Property runtime As Integer
Public Property critics_consensus As String
Public Property release_dates As ReleaseDates
Public Property ratings As Ratings
Public Property synopsis As String
Public Property posters As Posters
Public Property abridged_cast As List(Of AbridgedCast)
Public Property alternate_ids As AlternateIds
Public Property links As Links
End Class
Public Class Links2
Public Property self As String
<JsonProperty(PropertyName:="next")>
Public Property nextItem As String
End Class
Public Class RootObject
Public Property total As Integer
Public Property movies As List(Of Movie)
Public Property links As Links2
Public Property link_template As String
End Class
Once you have done that, you can simply call JsonConvert.DeserializeObject to deserialize your JSON data:
Sub Main()
Dim json As String
json = "{""total"":7,""movies"":[{""id"":""770672122"",""title"":""Toy Story 3"",""year"":2010,""mpaa_rating"":""G"",""runtime"":103,""critics_consensus"":""Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works."",""release_dates"":{""theater"":""2010-06-18"",""dvd"":""2010-11-02""},""ratings"":{""critics_rating"":""Certified Fresh"",""critics_score"":99,""audience_rating"":""Upright"",""audience_score"":91},""synopsis"":""Pixar returns to their first success with Toy Story 3. The movie begins with Andy leaving for college and donating his beloved toys -- including Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) -- to a daycare. While the crew meets new friends, including Ken (Michael Keaton), they soon grow to hate their new surroundings and plan an escape. The film was directed by Lee Unkrich from a script co-authored by Little Miss Sunshine scribe Michael Arndt. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi"",""posters"":{""thumbnail"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_mob.jpg"",""profile"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_pro.jpg"",""detailed"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_det.jpg"",""original"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/11/13/43/11134356_ori.jpg""},""abridged_cast"":[{""name"":""Tom Hanks"",""id"":""162655641"",""characters"":[""Woody""]},{""name"":""Tim Allen"",""id"":""162655909"",""characters"":[""Buzz Lightyear""]},{""name"":""Joan Cusack"",""id"":""162655020"",""characters"":[""Jessie the Cowgirl""]},{""name"":""Ned Beatty"",""id"":""162672460"",""characters"":[""Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear"",""Lotso""]},{""name"":""Don Rickles"",""id"":""341817905"",""characters"":[""Mr. Potato Head""]}],""alternate_ids"":{""imdb"":""0435761""},""links"":{""self"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122.json"",""alternate"":""http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story_3/"",""cast"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/cast.json"",""clips"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/clips.json"",""reviews"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/reviews.json"",""similar"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/770672122/similar.json""}},{""id"":""9414"",""title"":""Toy Story 2"",""year"":1999,""mpaa_rating"":""G"",""runtime"":92,""critics_consensus"":""Toy Story 2 employs inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a top notch voice cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages, one that's arguably even better than its predecessor."",""release_dates"":{""theater"":""1999-11-24"",""dvd"":""2000-10-17""},""ratings"":{""critics_rating"":""Certified Fresh"",""critics_score"":100,""audience_rating"":""Upright"",""audience_score"":72},""synopsis"":"""",""posters"":{""thumbnail"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_mob.jpg"",""profile"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_pro.jpg"",""detailed"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_det.jpg"",""original"":""http://content6.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936392_ori.jpg""},""abridged_cast"":[{""name"":""Tom Hanks"",""id"":""162655641"",""characters"":[""Woody""]},{""name"":""Tim Allen"",""id"":""162655909"",""characters"":[""Buzz Lightyear""]},{""name"":""Joan Cusack"",""id"":""162655020"",""characters"":[""Jessie the Cowgirl""]},{""name"":""Kelsey Grammer"",""id"":""162660300"",""characters"":[""Stinky Pete the Prospector""]},{""name"":""Don Rickles"",""id"":""341817905"",""characters"":[""Mr. Potato Head""]}],""alternate_ids"":{""imdb"":""0120363""},""links"":{""self"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414.json"",""alternate"":""http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story_2/"",""cast"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/cast.json"",""clips"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/clips.json"",""reviews"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/reviews.json"",""similar"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9414/similar.json""}},{""id"":""9559"",""title"":""Toy Story"",""year"":1995,""mpaa_rating"":""G"",""runtime"":80,""critics_consensus"":""As entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story kicked off Pixar's unprecedented run of quality pictures, reinvigorating animated film in the process."",""release_dates"":{""theater"":""1995-11-22"",""dvd"":""2001-03-20""},""ratings"":{""critics_rating"":""Certified Fresh"",""critics_score"":100,""audience_rating"":""Upright"",""audience_score"":81},""synopsis"":"""",""posters"":{""thumbnail"":""http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_mob.jpg"",""profile"":""http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_pro.jpg"",""detailed"":""http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_det.jpg"",""original"":""http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/93/63/10936393_ori.jpg""},""abridged_cast"":[{""name"":""Tom Hanks"",""id"":""162655641"",""characters"":[""Woody""]},{""name"":""Tim Allen"",""id"":""162655909"",""characters"":[""Buzz Lightyear""]},{""name"":""Don Rickles"",""id"":""341817905"",""characters"":[""Mr. Potato Head""]},{""name"":""Jim Varney"",""id"":""162662792"",""characters"":[""Slinky Dog""]},{""name"":""Wallace Shawn"",""id"":""162671862"",""characters"":[""Rex""]}],""alternate_ids"":{""imdb"":""0114709""},""links"":{""self"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559.json"",""alternate"":""http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toy_story/"",""cast"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/cast.json"",""clips"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/clips.json"",""reviews"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/reviews.json"",""similar"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies/9559/similar.json""}}],""links"":{""self"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q=toy+story&page_limit=3&page=1"",""next"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q=toy+story&page_limit=3&page=2""},""link_template"":""http://api.rottentomatoes.com/api/public/v1.0/movies.json?q={search-term}&page_limit={results-per-page}&page={page-number}""}"
Dim obj As RootObject
obj = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(Of RootObject)(json)
End Sub