Many people know Oscar-winning (for Pixar’s UP) composer Michael Giacchino for his excellent theatrical scores in major motion pictures, like the JJ Abrams’ STAR TREK films, the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE flicks, the JURASSIC WORLD series, the new SPIDER-MAN movies, and very soon THE BATMAN. But did you know he can direct too? This guy is already a Hollywood wunderkind, and his short film MONSTER CHALLENGE (which you can watch below) had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time it played. Poking fun as some of those wacky Japanese game shows, and giant monster Kaiju movies to boot, it stars comedian Patton Oswalt, Ben Schwartz (SONIC THE HEDGEHOG), Amy Brenneman, and a few other recognizable faces I don’t want to spoil for you just yet. This originally played at Fantastic Fest in Austin in 2018, but now you can watch it online for free, and it’s definitely worth a look… especially when you can’t leave the house!
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Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
