My name is Bethany Ford. I’m 37, married for 11 years and parent to guinea pig Pippin and parrot Aida. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and creative writing and even got to go to University in England for a year. I currently live in Washington state in the shadow of the most beautiful volcano in the world, Mt. Rainier.
I love to write and have been having a lot of fun posting reviews on Netflix. I liked it so much (and other people seem to like what I write) that I decided to pitch myself to Netflix as an in-house critic. I thought it was a good idea, but Netflix never responded so I decided to simply launch my own website. I’ll start by posting all the reviews of movies and TV shows I’ve already written and then begin writing content exclusive to this site. I hope you enjoy and I welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to ask me anything you like, including if you have a title you’d like me to review. I take great pride in never revealing spoilers, so if you feel I’ve inadvertently let something slip that I shouldn’t have, please let me know.
My taste is extremely eclectic, barring only the more hardcore horror movies, slasher films, and freaky creature features like Jaws or Arachnophobia. I’m not terribly fond of stuff that focuses on how bad and miserable life can be, nor do I care for things so inane you might actually induce a few brain cells to commit suicide simply by watching them. But I’m willing to give most anything a try and make an effort to judge on a case by case basis whether or not to watch something.
Reviews by Bethany 
What a great idea! I love it. Very creative and for those of us who have Netflix, a really insightful way to have an idea of what is good and what is not.
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I’m glad you like it. Whenever I’ve read a review on Netflix that I really liked, I wish there was a way to see what other reviews the same author has written. That way you can find someone with tastes similar to yours and get more customized advice on what to watch. – Bethany
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That is such an excellent idea. I agree that would be a worthwhile tool to have on it.
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I thought so to and pitched the idea to Netflix several times, but they never responded even though I included a self addressed stamped envelope. *pouts* Oh well, maybe having my own site is better. Doing this is certainly a lot of fun!
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Netflix used to post the name of the reviewer but they haven’t for a few years. It helped me follow reviews of content by reviewers I liked. I’ve posted maybe 2 dozen reviews in NFLX myself. I enjoy reading well written, snappy, witty, light-hearted reviews, I just saw the trailer for “Hotel Transylvania 2”, checked NFLX for the DVD, looked up “Hotel Transylvania” and found your lovely review. I’ll be looking for more from you. I’ll rummage around your blog for more. Nice! Keep them coming.
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Hi Chuck, and thank you very much. I have asked Netflix about putting names to reviews multiple times, but they seem to be spooked by the idea of violating users’ privacy. I can understand this, but it did reach a point where I was no longer interested in posting reviews solely on Netflix, so I started my own blog. “Hotel Transylvania” wasn’t a movie I expected to really like, but it was utterly charming. I hope you’ll get a chance to watch it. And by all means, rummage away!
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Netflix used to have a vibrant reviewer community. Member profiles had names, avatars, links others could follow to all their reviews, could maintain lists of movies (clumsily, but I had 485 at the time), and members could comment and recommend movies to each other. Then Netflix took it all away without warning in 2010 or 2011 (I forget exactly). They said no one used the features. (I personally followed the profiles and reviews of 1200 members). They also never told anyone about the features. So the gang built a Netflix community on Ning for a few years before Facebook allowed linking to Netflix. Now there’s an active group on Facebook called Netflix Friends. (Robowriter, member since 2005 and 5th ranked reviewer on Netflix before they recently took away even the ability to see that)
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Thanks for the info. I am not a member of Facebook and have no wish to join, but it is good to know Netflix didn’t totally eradicate the reviewer community.
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Bethany, I read one of your reviews on Netflix and followed the link. You haven’t written here for 6 months and I can see you are a busy wife/mom (to Pippin) Anyhow, keep writing! People need your context, perspective and opinion. Besides, I don’t write very well…..ummmmm….I mean….”good”.
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m actually working on a new review right now. There has been a bit of upheaval in my life, but it appears to be straightening out and I’m looking forward to getting back into the writing groove. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Thanks!
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Dear Bethany, I’m currently watching the TV series “Revenge” on Netflix, having watched two seasons so far, and just read your review of the show, which I felt I had to write and thank you for. It was no regular review, but a beautiful, well written, prose of this wonderful show. Perhaps it is because I have a daughter who is 5 years younger than you are and also likes creative writing, but Bethany, I felt I had to reach out to you and tell you that I feel you are a very gifted writer. It is beyond me as to why Netflix would not have you as an in-house critic, unless it simply isn’t a part of their overall marketing strategy (which makes no sense to me either). I will definitely be checking out reviews from you first before watching anything on Netflix, if you happen to have watched a show I’m about to try out. I am a fiber artist and watch Netflix TV series while stitching on my quilts, and also have severe back problems, so watching shows like “Revenge” can take one’s mind off the pain and into a juicy plot. And I agreed with your review completely – right down to the backdrops and Emily’s wardrobe (I know my daughter, an actor and marketing coordinator, would love to have it!) God has given you a special gift – continue to use it. One day, I hope to read a book written by you. I have a feeling it would be a best seller…..
God Bless, Jane McCabe
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Just out of curiosity, did you read my review of ‘Revenge’ on Netflix (It’s the second from the top) and follow the link I included to my own website? Or did you find me some other way?
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Thank you so much! I truly love to write and it gives me great pleasure when other people enjoy my work. Please let me know if there is a title you’d like me to review, or inquire if I’ve already written a review and just haven’t posted it yet. I’m also happy to give personal recommendations and you can ask me anything you like about a TV show or movie. It does my heart good to know people appreciate what I can do and I encourage you to explore through my other reviews to find some hidden gem you might otherwise have never found. Happy reading! – Bethany
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Hi Bethany good to meet you. Your blog has range of interesting categories. Will discover more of your writings in my subsequent visits. Regards and cheers! 🙂
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You’re most welcome to stop by any time. I do have rather eclectic taste when it comes to movies and TV shows I like, so there should be at least something I review that you’d like. I’m also very new to having a blog so please speak up if you see any way in which you think it could be improved. Thanks! – Bethany
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I love that you have eclectic tastes.
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Thank you. Variety is always nice.
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You should check out my blog if you like variety.
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I found you through Vinnie. Glad I found your site 🙂
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I’m glad you did too. You’re always welcome.
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Bethany, your reviews are exceptional. You have a knack for words that is unique. Would you please review the movie Chef with jon favreau?
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It’ll be my pleasure! Thanks so much and I’m so glad you stopped by.
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Hi! I found you via your review on Jane the Virgin. Love your voice. As a blogger, I think it is genius that you use Netflix as a way to direct traffic to your blog. have you ever thought of applying as an About.com contributor for their entertainment section?
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Thank you very much! I will definitely look into About.com.
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Bethany’s reviews are most certainly exceptional. Not only does she cover the cogent parts of
a story plot without revealing information that would be a “spoiler” but she has such wit and humor
mixed in that creates a great read just by itself. I read several reviews just to enjoy her ease with
the perfect phrase or word – vocabulary skill that is a delight and so admirable. When I read the
review on White Collar I immediately started watching the series, accessing ones from previous
airings, and now am truly hooked. Her review was a lure I could not resist and I’m so glad
to have been caught. A gifted writer and valuable source of information – thank you Bethany!
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Why thank you. It’s always nice to know one of my reviews led to your genuine enjoyment of the show.
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Dear Bethany, My name is Verity and I would like to talk to you about an opportunity for you to become a Yahoo tv blogger. Please email me at veritynelson@yahoo-inc.com to know more. Thanks, Verity
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Can anyone tell me how to have access to Seasons 3 and 4 of Motive? Live in California and would like to watch on line or, even better, obtain the DVD. Netflix states they are uncertain as to season 3 availability. Many thanks!
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Looking forward to your reviews for “The Intern”, “What Women Want”, and if you can “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” especially given your review of “Lone Survivor”.
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I’ll be happy to review those titles. Thanks!
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We just watched “Woman In Gold”, based on true events about recovering works of art stolen by Nazis in Austria from a Jewish family, and the legal fight to return them. Slow, yet riveting, and one worthy of coverage. I call this one a hidden gem.
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