The Background: Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. He's frequently found on Twitter at @Sean_OConnell. 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 two nonfiction books: Release the Snyder Cut, detailing the controversial saga of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and; With Great Power, an in-depth retelling of Spider-Man’s history in Hollywood.
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 bandwagons for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kentucky Wildcats). He spends most weekends watching his two sons play basketball, and sometimes coaches their teams to, at least, .500 overall records. 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, handled bass for two bands, and now rotates between all three, depending on the needs of whatever garage band he’s playing with at the moment. 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 influx of 2022 Oscar contenders (hello, The Fabelmans), a return trip to Wakanda, and the next masterpiece from Damien Chazelle.
