Fifteen years ago this week, when there were only a few thousand websites and not one from a corporation or publication, I decided to publish movie reviews online from a parents’ point of view.
At that time, just about every site on the Web was put there by a college student or someone in the military or was part of a university’s in-house system for publishing notices of meetings and conferences and trading papers and data. I had been online since 1986, when it was just pre-Web bulletin boards and listservs. I was very interested in the technology, but I didn’t want to create a the typical “Here is a picture of me and here are my ten favorite links” website. And I wanted to write movie reviews. So I decided to combine the two.
It is hard to remember, now, how new and exotic and primitive the web was in those days. I did all my own code for the first four or five years, and was very proud of myself for figuring out how to post pictures of movie posters and embedded links. And I watched the Web grow up all around me. When I began, there was no Yahoo and no Google. AOL was Macs only. I had to use dial-up. There were no cable modems, either.
Five years later, Yahoo asked me to become its film critic, around the time that I began reviewing movies on radio station across the country (thank you, Froggy in Fargo for getting me started) and seven years after that, I got a call from Beliefnet, where I am living happily ever after.
As I typed away on that little computer in the study off our bedroom, the one that probably had less power than I currently have in my iPhone, I could never have imagined where it would take me. I am blessed by this journey and by all of you who are kind enough to visit me here. On to the next 15!
Beliefnet
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posted July 29, 2010 at 9:03 am
Happy anniversary, Movie Mom! The internet has come a long way since 1995, but you have come even farther!
posted July 29, 2010 at 11:26 am
I actually remember your early reviews. They were the subject of some interesting conversations around Overlee Pool and at the church I was serving in Arlington. In each instance your work was roundly supported. Times flies when you’re at the movies!
posted July 29, 2010 at 11:27 am
Congratulations, Movie Mom. I started reading your reviews long before I had children and continue to look forward to the day when they will be relevant for my children (soon!–maybe 1 more year).
posted July 29, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Congrats Movie Mom. As someone who will become a parent in September, I find your blog and movie reviews to be outstanding. I’ve also been a winner of a couple of your contests, so I definitely enjoy reading your blog for those.
I’m glad that I started listening to your reviews on the radio and found your blog after that. It has been a helpful website when thinking about going to a movie.
Congratulations again. Good luck on another fifteen years.
posted July 29, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Thanks so much, iorek, Wendy, Chris, and jestrfyl! Being in touch with all of you is one of the greatest pleasures of my job. Congrats, Chris! And when you and Wendy are ready for some advice on what is appropriate for your children, I’ll be here!
posted July 29, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Congratulations, Nell! And thank you — for all the good information about movies — helpful reviews, and great suggestions!
posted July 29, 2010 at 8:56 pm
You rock Goddess Girlfriend. Congratulations.
posted July 29, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Love ya, my silver-haired Goddess!
posted July 29, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Well, I’ve only known you and followed your work for about a year, but what a year it’s been! Glad the internet has had you since the beginning!
Keep it up! Congrats!
posted July 30, 2010 at 11:36 am
I’ve been following your reviews for the last 7 or 8 years, and you are, by a wide margin, the most consistent and objective “critic” in the business.
Congratulations to this, and to your continued success!
posted July 30, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Brian, you made my day! Many, many thanks.
posted August 1, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I want to add my congratulations to everyone else’s, Nell. Though I don’t have children, I don’t think your reviews need to be limited to “the children’s section” because you are clearly interested in everything (or in a lot, anyway) and your reviews are excellent.
Happy reviewing, and may the next 15 years be filled with fun and movies.
posted August 2, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Congratulations Nell! I’ve been so impressed by your knowledge and passion!! I could tell you were a pioneer…just like your dad.