Mark McPherson

Contributor (Movies & Films)

Mark McPherson is a veteran connoisseur of the lost establishment known as the video store. Since he started working there in his teenage years, he’s become an obsessed movie fan, going so far as to watch every movie in the Criterion Collection during the summer of 2006.

Mark has bounced around from various careers in video editing, animation, and web development, but his constant pastime has always been movie criticism. He’s never stopped writing about movies, from his early days as an amateur blogger to his professional writings today. His movie reviews have been seen on many websites that include BagoGames and Cinema Paradiso.

As a movie critic, Mark is open to just about any genre if it hits the right spot. His favorites include Vertigo, Casablanca, Playtime, The Seven Samurai, and Blade Runner. There’s a soft spot in his heart for anything from the 1980s, including the trashy pictures of Cannon and Troma.

Connect

Contact
mark@twincitiesgeek.com

Articles by Mark

• 10 Recent Horror Films to Watch for Halloween 2024 Oct 17, 2024
• Deadpool & Wolverine Delivers Much-Needed Superhero Roasting and Geeky Delights Jul 27, 2024
• I Saw the TV Glow Pairs Gender Identity and Media Nostalgia Jun 3, 2024
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Is Another George Miller Banger May 23, 2024
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Is a Halting Step in the Right Direction Mar 26, 2024
• Dune: Part Two Continues a Sci-Fi Masterpiece Feb 28, 2024
• Voice Actor and Writer Paul Rugg Reflects on Freakazoid and the Magic of Animated Comedy Nov 3, 2023
• The Northman Is a Dark and Brutal Viking Revenge Tale Oct 7, 2023
• Kenneth Branagh Hits His Stride with Poirot in A Haunting in Venice Sep 15, 2023
• The Flash Tries and Fails to Salvage the DCEU Jun 21, 2023
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Is Must-Watch Superhero Cinema Jun 21, 2023
• Mechsplorers Showcases Minnesota’s Future for Animation Productions May 18, 2023
• John Wick: Chapter 4 Is Another Masterpiece Entry in the Action Saga Mar 24, 2023
• The Importance of Panels in the Geek Convention Experience Mar 7, 2023
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Honors Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy and Moves the Series Forward Nov 16, 2022
• Phil LaMarr Talks Justice League, Static Shock, and the World of Voice Acting Nov 11, 2022
• The Coming-of-Age Brilliance of Armageddon Time Nov 7, 2022
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island Breathes New Life into the Franchise Sep 28, 2022
• Clerks III Has More Heartfelt Nostalgia Than Comedy Sep 16, 2022
• Lightyear Delivers a Fun and Fascinating Sci-Fi Adventure Jun 19, 2022
• The Bob’s Burgers Movie Is Mildly Merry Big-Screen Fun May 28, 2022
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Is More Mind-Bending than Mindful May 4, 2022
• Moonfall Is (Unintentionally) Hilarious and Epic Apr 26, 2022
• The Unbelievable Joy of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Apr 25, 2022
• X Is a Real Treat of Retro Horror Apr 10, 2022
• Morbius Is the Most Mundane of Marvel Movies Apr 4, 2022
• The Brilliance of The Batman Mar 18, 2022
• Uncharted Is an Unremarkable Adventure Flick Feb 28, 2022
• There’s Still Some Lowbrow Charm in Jackass Forever Feb 25, 2022
• Death on the Nile Is a Slight Improvement on Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot Feb 19, 2022
• Rob Paulsen Talks Animaniacs, Voice Acting, and Performing to a Crowd Feb 8, 2022
• Parallel Mothers Is a Humanist Tale of Mistaken Moms Jan 25, 2022
• Sing 2 Is a Lot More of the Same Dec 23, 2021
• No Way Home Delivers the Spider-Man Every Audience Deserves Dec 17, 2021
• Encanto Is a Joyous Disney Treat Fit for the Holidays Nov 23, 2021
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife Tries and Fails to Go Full Nostalgia Mode Nov 19, 2021
• Eternals Comes Up Short on Its Big Ambitions Nov 5, 2021
• Last Night in Soho Is a Stylish and Terrifying Tale of Nostalgia Nov 3, 2021
• Denis Villeneuve Does Dune Right Oct 19, 2021
• Venom: Let There Be Carnage Leans into the Buddy-Picture Dynamic Oct 6, 2021
• Daniel Craig Says Farewell to Bond in No Time to Die Oct 4, 2021
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Brings a Robust Tale of Martial Arts and Fantasy Aug 30, 2021
• Free Guy Finds Some Philosophy in Its Fun Aug 23, 2021
• The Suicide Squad Is a Delightful DC Comics Dirty Dozen Aug 4, 2021
• Jungle Cruise Is a Familiar but Fun Trip Jul 31, 2021
• Space Jam: A New Legacy Does More Dribbling than Dunking Jul 16, 2021
• A Rather Routine Alien Invasion in The Tomorrow War Jul 2, 2021
• F9 Gets a Bit Familiar while Still Being Fast & Furious Jul 1, 2021
• The Sparks Brothers Showcases the Enduring Wonder of a Singular Music Duo Jun 18, 2021
• Those Who Wish Me Dead Is a Flash-in-the-Pan Thriller May 18, 2021
• French Exit Is Melancholy, Bizarre, and Charming Apr 19, 2021
• The Truffle Hunters Is a Quiet Contemplation on a Lonely Life Apr 12, 2021
• The Courier Delivers as an Engaging Spy Drama Mar 26, 2021
• Cherry Is a Long, Stumbling Road Mar 20, 2021
• What Went Wrong with Wonder Woman 1984? Mar 4, 2021
• Land Finds Robin Wright Seeking Worth in the Wilderness Feb 12, 2021
• Sound of Metal Is a Strong and Moving Take on Hearing Loss Dec 19, 2020
• Uncle Frank Is a Full Feast of Family Drama Nov 29, 2020
• Come Play Is a Horror Movie That Gets Autism Right Nov 4, 2020
• Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Questions Its Own Hero’s Relevance in 2020 Oct 21, 2020
• The War with Grandpa Shoots Slapstick Blanks Oct 9, 2020
• On the Rocks Takes a Tender Approach to Family and Relationships Oct 3, 2020
• Words on Bathroom Walls Is Full of Unique Wonder Aug 24, 2020
• Somber Students Find Romance in Chemical Hearts Aug 23, 2020
• Rebuilding Paradise Evokes the Wrath of Nature and Bureaucracy Aug 11, 2020
• Mighty Oak Goes for Moldy Melodrama Jul 10, 2020
• Irresistible Is a Mess of Unfocused Political Frustrations Jun 26, 2020
• The Vast of Night Serves Up 1950s Sci-Fi Minimalism May 25, 2020
• The Booksellers Reveals the Past and Future of Dealing in Literature Apr 24, 2020
• Human Nature Illustrates Hopes and Concerns for the Future of DNA Apr 21, 2020
• The Hunt Passes Up Political Discourse for Aimless Violence Mar 16, 2020
• Bloodshot Blusters with Clumsy Comic-Book Action Mar 13, 2020
• Greed Never Quite Grips in Its Capitalism Satire Mar 12, 2020
• The Way Back Tackles Addiction and Tragedy amid Basketball Mar 9, 2020
• Sonic the Hedgehog Is Fast, Frenetic, and Forgettable Feb 13, 2020
• Just Mercy Serves Slow and Somber Justice Jan 22, 2020
• Bad Boys for Life Boasts Buddy-Cop Chemistry and a Decent Action Premise Jan 21, 2020
• Dolittle Is a Mess of Animal Antics and Disjointed Storytelling Jan 21, 2020
• 1917 Is a Chaotic and Thrilling War-Movie Experience Jan 10, 2020
• Cats Is a Fever Dream of Catnip-Fueled Bizarreness Dec 23, 2019
• Knives Out Is a Gleefully Sharp-Edged Mystery Dec 12, 2019
• Jumanji: The Next Level Is Worth Hitting Continue Dec 12, 2019
• Charlie’s Angels Stumbles But Ultimately Takes Flight Nov 24, 2019
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Is Joyfully Tearful Nov 24, 2019
• Doctor Sleep Shines as an Engrossing Horror Sequel Nov 12, 2019
• Jojo Rabbit Blends Satire of Hate with Heartfelt Love Nov 5, 2019
• Terminator: Dark Fate Is Old Tech in a Spiffy New Chassis Nov 4, 2019
• The Kill Team Explores the Tension in Wartime Morality Oct 29, 2019
• Zombieland: Double Tap Is a Meager Second Helping Oct 22, 2019
• Joker Stumbles with Good Character and Troubling Commentary Oct 2, 2019
• The Death of Dick Long Dares to Laugh at a Messy Death Sep 27, 2019
• Downton Abbey Dusts Off the Silver for More Costume Drama Sep 26, 2019
• Ad Astra Travels to Outer Space to Make Inner Discoveries Sep 22, 2019
• Tigers Are Not Afraid Is a Grim Urban Fantasy Sep 13, 2019
• Ready or Not Pairs Gruesome Horror and Biting Commentary Aug 26, 2019
• Anthony Russo and the We Love You 3000 Tour Visit the Twin Cities Aug 25, 2019
• The Angry Birds Movie 2 Takes Aim at Simpler Targets Aug 19, 2019
• Dora and the Lost City of Gold Is Charming, Meta, and Odd Aug 13, 2019
• Hobbs & Shaw Has Just Enough Gas to Go Fast and Fun Aug 3, 2019
• The Art of Self-Defense Strikes at the Follies of Masculinity Jul 24, 2019
• The Farewell Is the Bittersweet Movie of the Year Jul 21, 2019
• Stuber Follows the Right Directions for a Decent Buddy Comedy Jul 12, 2019
• David Harbour Visits the Twin Cities to Talk Stranger Things, the Acting Process, and the Draw of Nostalgia Jul 3, 2019
• Spider-Man: Far from Home Takes a Bold Swing into a New Phase Jul 2, 2019
• Toy Story 4 Is Another Triumph of a Tale Jun 13, 2019
• With Dark Phoenix, the X-Men Prequels Have Burned Out Jun 6, 2019
• Rocketman Is a Blast of a Musical Biopic May 31, 2019
• Aladdin Wishes Up Some New Spectacle for a Disney Classic May 22, 2019
• John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum Gets More Bloody, Absurd, and Gorgeous May 18, 2019
• UglyDolls Puts On a Colorful Face without Much Underneath May 9, 2019
• Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Is a Decent Adventure with a Messy Mix of Styles May 7, 2019
• The Revealing Wonder of Wild Nights with Emily May 5, 2019
• Long Shot Is a Lovable and Ludicrous Romantic Political Comedy May 3, 2019
• Avengers: Endgame Brings an Operatic Conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Apr 24, 2019
• Missing Link Is Another Lavish Laika Production Apr 11, 2019
• Hellboy Is a Hellish Disaster Apr 10, 2019
• Grief Goes Gruesome in Pet Sematary Apr 5, 2019
• Tim Burton’s Dumbo Is Whimsical but Strangely Lukewarm Mar 28, 2019
• Shazam! Goes Wild with Classic Superhero Fun Mar 25, 2019
• Beautiful Tragedy in Birds of Passage Mar 24, 2019
• Jordan Peele’s Us Is Smart, Silly, Scary, and Sophisticatedly Surreal Mar 21, 2019
• Five Feet Apart Is a Simply Sweet and Somber Tearjerker Mar 18, 2019
• Dive into Vivid, Wild, and Surreal Animation in Ruben Brandt, Collector Mar 1, 2019
• Truth Is Beauty in Never Look Away Feb 23, 2019
• Alita: Battle Angel Delivers an Apt Adaptation of the Classic Manga and Anime Feb 15, 2019
• They Shall Not Grow Old Is a World War I Documentary Like No Other Jan 31, 2019
• Mary Poppins Returns with More Music, Whimsy, and Charm Dec 16, 2018
• Mortal Engines Chugs Along with Big Visuals and Small Ideas Dec 14, 2018
• Aquaman Overflows with Adventure and Fantasy Dec 11, 2018
• Ralph Breaks the Internet Is a Minor Upgrade Nov 14, 2018
• Suspiria Spills Over with Stimulating Shocks Oct 30, 2018
• Venom Gets Sloppy with Antihero Hijinks Oct 4, 2018
• Ethan Hawke’s Blaze Is a Sweet Southern Biopic Sep 21, 2018
• The House with a Clock in Its Walls Is Full of Wandering Whimsy Sep 20, 2018
• We the Animals Features Raw, Real, and Surreal Drama Sep 7, 2018
• Kin Is an Odd Mess of Family, Crime, and Ray Guns Sep 1, 2018
• Never Goin’ Back Goes Nowhere Fast Aug 17, 2018
• In Puzzle, Drama and Reflection Fit Together Aug 10, 2018
• Teen Titans Go to the Movies with Goofs, References, and Childish Glee Jul 26, 2018
• The Satirical, Surreal, and Psychotic Ride of Bruce LaBruce’s The Misandrists Jul 6, 2018
• Ant-Man and the Wasp Brings Some Much-Needed Levity Back to the Marvel Universe Jul 5, 2018
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Is a Tumbling Sequel Jun 22, 2018
• American Animals Is a True Crime Too Sloppy for the Screen Jun 8, 2018
• Godard Mon Amour Portrays the Famed Director through a Distant Lens May 8, 2018
• Kings Is a Mismatched Battle Between Drama and Comedy Apr 27, 2018
• Where Is Kyra? Finds Pfeiffer in Fraud and Feud Apr 20, 2018
• Krystal Is a Confounding Comedy That Never Gets off the Ground Apr 13, 2018
• Isle of Dogs Is Surreal, Quirky, and Full of Wonder Mar 30, 2018
• Ready Player One Is a Crescendo of Pop-Culture Love Mar 29, 2018
• Flower Is a Bitter Blend of Juno Snark and Teenage Drama Mar 23, 2018
• The Academic and Erotic Drama in Submission Comes Up Lukewarm Mar 9, 2018
• Game Night Is a Winner Feb 21, 2018
• Peter Rabbit Is a Rotten Adaptation of a Revered Book Feb 8, 2018
• The Insult is a Stirring, Human, and Important Courtroom Drama Feb 2, 2018
• The Glossy Importance of The Post Jan 12, 2018
• The Sweet and Savory Innocence of Paddington 2 Jan 12, 2018
• Netflix’s Bright Is a Dim Urban Fantasy Dec 28, 2017
• The Shape of Water Is Bizarrely Beautiful and Sweetly Surreal Dec 15, 2017
• Walking Out Is a Survival Tale of Strength and Sadness Nov 24, 2017
• BPM Looks Back on the AIDS Protests of the 1990s Nov 11, 2017
• Murder Most Mundane with Murder on the Orient Express Nov 10, 2017
• The Trippy, Technicolor Trip of Thor: Ragnarok Nov 3, 2017
• Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton Is Full of Whoa-Worthy Surfing Oct 28, 2017
• The Florida Project Is the Most Phenomenal Film of the Year Oct 26, 2017
• Breathe Is Too Light and Airy for a Film with Such a Powerful Story to Tell Oct 21, 2017
• Throwback Thursday: The End of Evangelion Is an Aberrant Epilogue Oct 12, 2017
• Dina Is a Documentary That Approaches Adult Autism with Heart and Humanity Oct 9, 2017
• My Little Pony: The Movie Brings Friendship and Magic to the Big Screen Oct 5, 2017
• American Made Is an Average Adaptation of an Odd American Tale Sep 29, 2017
• The Lego Ninjago Movie Is a Few Pieces Short Sep 22, 2017
• Rebel in the Rye Gives J. D. Salinger a Dry Biography Sep 15, 2017
• Throwback Thursday: The Unpleasant Truth about Pleasantville Sep 14, 2017
• Leap! Is a Visually Graceful Movie That Stumbles on Story Aug 25, 2017
• The Hitman’s Bodyguard Is Hit and Miss, But Mostly Miss Aug 18, 2017
• Wind River Is a Refreshingly Cold Break from Muggy Summer Cinema Aug 12, 2017
• The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Is Less Nutty, But Still Salty Aug 11, 2017
• Throwback Thursday: Paris Is a Playground of the Senses in Playtime Aug 10, 2017
• The Dark Tower Is a Pulpy Dose of Urban Fantasy Aug 3, 2017
• Throwback Thursday: Yakuza Beach Vacation In Sonatine Jul 13, 2017
• The Mummy Is Horrific, and Not in the Way It’s Meant to Be Jun 17, 2017
• Movies of Mention! King Arthur, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and More! May 17, 2017
• Movies of Mention! Mifune: The Last Samurai, Manchester by the Sea, and Lost in La Mancha May 3, 2017
• Movies of Mention! The Fate of the Furious, Going in Style, Watership Down, and More Apr 19, 2017
• Movies of Mention! Ghost in the Shell, Kubo and the Two Strings, Lone Wolf and Cub, and More Apr 5, 2017
• Movies of Mention! Kong: Skull Island, Pete’s Dragon, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and More Mar 22, 2017
• Beauty and the Beast Can’t Live Up to the Animated Classic Mar 17, 2017
• Movies to Watch the Week of 2/27/17 Include Logan, Get Out, and Captain Fantastic Mar 1, 2017
• Nostalgic, Cheap, and Satirical Thrills in Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 Jan 30, 2017
• 10 Movies from 2016 We Shouldn’t Forget Dec 31, 2016
• The Mild Magic of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Nov 18, 2016
• Doctor Strange Is a Magic Makeover of Marvel Monotony Nov 3, 2016
• Celebrate Batman Day with Mask of the Phantasm Sep 17, 2016
• The Best and Worst Movies of 2016 (So Far) Aug 10, 2016
• Suicide Squad is a Misfit Mash of Mischief and Misfires Aug 5, 2016
• The Warcraft Movie Welcomes Fans, Shuns Noobs Jun 11, 2016
• Stop Overstuffing Superhero Movies Already! Jun 3, 2016
• Casting Hitler as the New Borat May 11, 2016
• The Overstuffing of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Mar 26, 2016
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny Is the Late Sequel Nobody Asked For Mar 13, 2016
• Surviving the Movies of Winter 2016 Mar 2, 2016
• The 2016 Academy Awards in Review Mar 1, 2016
• 10 Movies from 2015 We Shouldn’t Forget Jan 18, 2016
• Happiness is Peanuts Nov 2, 2015
• The Best and Worst Films of 2015 (So Far) Sep 18, 2015
• The Frustrating Folly of Fantastic Four Aug 16, 2015
• There May Be Hope for the Future with Terminator Genisys Jul 2, 2015
• The Human Centipede 3 Sucks—But Not for the Reasons You Think Jun 27, 2015
• More Heroes, More Problems in Avengers: Age of Ultron May 27, 2015
• Terror in a Pop-Up Book: The Babadook May 11, 2015
• Fattening Fantasy Action in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Mar 29, 2015
• Passionate Boredom: Fifty Shades of Grey Mar 16, 2015
• Rise of a Desperate Sociopath: Nightcrawler Feb 14, 2015