Sean O'Connell
The Background: Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. He joined the staff as a freelancer in 2011, and gradually climbed the ranks as he helped the site grow in stature. Currently, he manages the site’s junket and interview opportunities. He also co-hosts CinemaBlend’s official podcast, ReelBlend, with fellow Critics Choice Association members Jake Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy. Sean has had his byline published in various respected publications including USA Today, The Washington Post, and Fandango. He’s also the author of three nonfiction books: Release the Snyder Cut, detailing the controversial saga of Zack Snyder’s Justice League; With Great Power, an in-depth retelling of Spider-Man’s history in Hollywood, and; Bruce Willis: Celebrating The Cinematic Legacy Of An Unbreakable Hollywood Icon.
What He’s Into: Sean is a basketball fanatic, and divides his love evenly between the NBA (the Charlotte Hornets are his team) and college basketball (where he drives the bandwagon for the Kentucky Wildcats). He spends most weekends watching his two sons play basketball, and still can't believe they've outgrown him. Sean also loves cooking, and thinks there’s no better feeling than preparing a meal for someone and watching them enjoy it. If Sean didn’t write about movies, he’d probably be involved full-time in the music scene somehow. He grew up playing guitar, switched to drums, and now plays bass for a power-punk garage band called Confetti Cannon. His all-time favorite TV show is Breaking Bad. His all-time favorite movie is Spider-Man: No Way Home. His all-time favorite book is Stephen King’s IT, and his all-time favorite snack is fudge-covered Oreos that he keeps in the freezer.
What He’s Excited About Right Now: The building blocks of James Gunn's DC Cinematic Do-Over, and the overwhelming stack of other people's books he's about to dive into. now that he finished work on his own Bruce Willis book.
Latest articles by Sean O'Connell
Looks Like One Of Sony’s Spider-Man Movies Is Dead In The Water, And I’m Bummed
By Sean O'Connell published
While we wait for Kraven and Madame Web, a few other Spider-Man spinoffs are hitting snags.
Ridley Scott Was ‘Blown Away’ By Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker Performance But Explained Why He Didn’t Like The Film
By Sean O'Connell published
Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix are about to collaborate on Napoleon, but the director has thoughts about Joker.
I’m All In On The Golden Bachelor Because It’s Wholesome And Kind, But Also Tragic
By Sean O'Connell published
The spinoff show The Golden Bachelor brings wholesome heart to the popular franchise, but also some tragic sadness.
Loki Just Made The TVA Even More Important To The MCU, And I Think It Opens The Door To Some Crazy Possibilities
By Sean O'Connell published
We learned a lot more about the TVA in Loki Season 2, and I think it's going to be integral to the Multiversal Saga.
Rosario Dawson Is Great As Ahsoka, But The Future Of Star Wars Rests On These Three Actors
By Sean O'Connell published
The Ahsoka Season 1 finale set up major Star Wars storylines for three huge characters. Here's who I think will be important.
Emma Stone's Poor Things, Bradley Cooper's Maestro, And The Color Purple Lead An Impressive SCAD Savannah Film Festival Slate
By Sean O'Connell published
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival has become a launch pad for multiple Oscar campaigns, and this year will be no different.
'Loki' 2x1 "Ouroboros" | Breakdown & Analysis Video
By Katie Hughes, Sean O'Connell published
Watch CinemaBlend's Marvel expert break down the first episode of Season 2 of Disney+'s 'Loki.'
Kaitlyn Dever Shared Hilarious TikTok Videos About The No One Will Save You Aliens With Her Director, And They Really Are Perfect
By Sean O'Connell published
ReelBlend Fans have zeroed in on a strange moment from No One Will Save You, and Kaitlyn Dever is sharing the TikToks.
Loki Season 2 Has Goonies Easter Eggs, And The Producer Tells Us Where To Look For Them
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives Ke Huy Quan plays a major role in Loki Season 2, and there are references to his classic Goonies in the show.
James Gunn's Latest DC Comments Are Really Exciting, But Also Really Bad News For Jason Momoa's Aquaman
By Sean O'Connell published
James Gunn is talking more about the upcoming DCU, but his comments have us concerned for Jason Momoa's Aquaman.
Oppenheimer Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema Will Receive Special Award At 2023 SCAD Savannah Film Festival
By Sean O'Connell published
Oppenheimer has been one of the biggest films released this year, and now Hoyte Van Hoytema is being recognized for his work on it.
NBA Legend Magic Johnson Doesn't Give A Flip About HBO Canceling Winning Time, But Has Thoughts About His Own Biopic
By Sean O'Connell published
Winning Time got the axe from Max, but Magic Johnson wasn't losing any sleep over the news.
Bruce Willis Fans, Rejoice! We Finally Have A Date For When Moonlighting Starts Streaming
By Sean O'Connell published
Moonlighting fans have been waiting for the Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd program to start streaming. Well, we have great news.
I Started Getting Upset About The Silly Golden Globes Box Office Category, But I Honestly Don’t Think The Globes Will Ever Matter Again, Anyway
By Sean O'Connell published
The Golden Globes introduced two new categories today. Neither of them involved stunts, so why bother?
The Creator Director Gareth Edwards Talks About How Star Wars And Other Classics Influenced His Movie
By Sean O'Connell published
Here's what Gareth Edwards had to say about how Star Wars and other films influenced The Creator.
The Sweet Reason Why Robert Rodriguez Put Bill Paxton Into The Spy Kids Franchise
By Sean O'Connell published
Exclusives Bill Paxton approached Robert Rodriguez and asked to be in Spy Kids 2, and the director tells us why.
Jamie Foxx, Nicolas Cage And 6 Other Oscar Contenders Emerging From Toronto 2023
By Sean O'Connell published
Jamie Foxx and Nicolas Cage are just a few of the Oscar hopefuls who emerged from the Toronto International Film Festival with Academy Awards heat.
I Just Read The Aquaman Rumor About A Scene That Made Test Audiences Walk Out, And If It’s True, They Better Not Include It
By Sean O'Connell published
There's a new rumor swirling around Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and I'm here to tell you, if it's true, I'm going to be furious.
Nicolas Cage Gives One Of His Best Performances In Dream Scenario, And Now There's A Trailer
By Sean O'Connell published
A24 grabbed the rights to Nicolas Cage's Dream Scenario, and once you see the trailer, you will understand why.
Chris Pine Stinks Up Toronto 2023 With His Dreadful, Unfunny Directorial Debut, Poolman
By Sean O'Connell published
Chris Pine takes a swing at directing with Poolman, which took the wind out of the sails of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Michael Keaton Mixes Christopher Nolan’s Memento And Michael Mann’s Heat For His Taut Crime Thriller Knox Goes Away
By Sean O'Connell published
Michael Keaton's directorial debut is a taut, memorable crime thriller that's led by his stellar lead performance.
Nicolas Cage Gives One Of His Best Performances Ever In The Bizarre Meta Comedy Dream Scenario
By Sean O'Connell published
Nicolas Cage hasn't quite lost himself in an original role the way that he does in Dream Scenario, one of TIFF 2023's best movies.
Maddie Ziegler’s Bold Sexual Comedy Fitting In Brims With Heart And Pain, But How’s Her Acting?
By Sean O'Connell published
Maddie Ziegler is maturing from Dance Moms, and her latest sex comedy embraces adult, body-positive themes.