Stephen John McLaughlin

Stephen John McLaughlin - Executive Producer & Head of Programming

Name: Stephen John McLaughlin
Position: Executive Producer & Head of Programming
Born: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Living: Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK

How I got into movies: From a very early age in fact. The Amazing Spider-Man starring Nicholas Hammond was my very first outing to the Cinema with my Mum and Dad in the late 1970’s and my love of film began. I was very fortunate to be born at a time when the industry was changing. George Lucas had just released Star Wars (1977) and everything changed in the way movies were made. It inspired young directors like James Cameron, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg and influenced the way they made movie going forward. My love of Comic Book and Sci-Fi began thanks to that little space opera and both genres are now thriving in an age where fans alike are now witnessing scenarios we could only dream of when we where younger.

What I love about movies: Movies to me are a wonderful medium in storytelling and an escapism. As much as I enjoy a good book, nothing can beat the enjoyment of watching the visualisation of a story unfold and when you experience a movie particularly in a theatre with fellow movie fans, there is something quite unique about that. It also opens up communities with fans alike and even more so now with the internet.

Favorite films: Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), The Time Machine (1960), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Back to the Future (1985), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Favourite Actors: Benicio del Toro, Christoph Waltz, Patrick Stewart, Bill Nighy, Jim Carrey, Mark Hamill, Gene Hackman, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Keaton, Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson.

Why I started writing: Writing movie reviews (Over 200 now) is a great outlet and release. Expressing my thoughts on film is enjoyable.

Favorite Genres: Sci-Fi, Comic Book, World War II, Martial Arts.