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I’m struggling to get my thoughts together as I write this, so I hope it properly conveys how I feel right now. Over the weekend I was swamped with work at the Dallas Comic Con, not getting sleep and working myself way past the length I should be. Just before I headed to the convention center for the madness, I had posted the latest movie review from one of our regular contributors – Steve Friedel. I first met Steve years ago while attending Dallas movie screenings, and we quickly found we had a lot in common. We were into many of the same things, and liked a lot of the same films. In February this year Steve starting writing for Bigfanboy.com, and I couldn’t have been happier. His movie reviews were funny, smart, and highly professional. I never had to edit anything with him – never had to do spelling corrections, never had to correct a title or name, and never had to worry about how he worded what he had to say. I loved when Steve turned in reviews because, to put it simply, I knew they’d be good. I remember sitting next to him and his lovely wife Ronnie at INCEPTION, and he and I both quietly giggling and nudging each other over how cool what we were seeing was. We both loved that movie, and it was a nice reminder of how fun it was to watch movies with him.
Today, I was contacted by a mutual friend who informed me Steve passed away on Saturday. I was (and still am) devastated, I had no idea this happened until tonight. I had JUST posted his review of THE LAST EXORCISM on Thursday, and was going to e-mail him tonight to say thanks, and (as we’d often do) check in to see which screenings he’d be at so we could hopefully catch up. I never got enough time to talk to Steve, as usually after a screening I would have to rush off somewhere else. But we always knew we’d see each other again soon. There was that unspoken and understood knowledge, and I think that was always good enough. But today I am greatly saddened to know I won’t have a chance to see movies with Steve anymore, and this site has lost one of its greatest contributors. Steve Friedel was a wonderful man, a good friend, and a great film critic. My heart goes out to Ronnie and the Friedel family is this difficult time. I’m sure they know that Steve leaves behind a large number of friends who genuinely liked the guy, and more importantly respected him. We miss you buddy, more than you’ll ever know.
Please check out Steve’s archived movie reviews for Bigfanboy.com HERE.
If you knew Steve and would like to leave condolences for the family, go to his Facebook HERE.
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. 
So sorry for your loss Mark.
I had read some of his reviews here on bigfanboy.com and the man had a great way with words. A great life and a unique wordsmith that left way too soon. I’m sending positive thoughts to his family at this time and I am deeply sorry for their loss. I never met him, but he’s part of the bigfanboy family always. Take a minute to go back and re-read his reviews. He had some unique insights and words.
This is so sad. He was a great guy. It’s hard to grasp that we won’t see him again at the movies. RIP Steve Friedel.
My condolences man.