Chris Stuckmann
Stuckmann at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con
Personal information
Born
Christopher Michael Stuckmann

(1988-04-15) April 15, 1988 (age 35)
Boston Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations
Spouse
Sam Liz
​
(m. 2014)​
Children2
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2009–present
Genre(s)Film criticism, filmmaking
Subscribers2.05 million[1][4]
Total views745.9 million[1][4]
NetworkChannel Awesome (2014–2018)[2]
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2014
1,000,000 subscribers2017
Last updated: January 13, 2024

Christopher Michael Stuckmann (born April 15, 1988)[5][6][7][8] is an American filmmaker, YouTuber, author, and film critic.[9][10]

As one of the most popular film critics on YouTube, Stuckmann has over 2 million subscribers and over 745 million views on the platform as of January 2024.[11] On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, he is an approved critic[12] and a member of the Critics Choice Association.[13]

In mid-2021, it was announced that Stuckmann had signed to write and direct his full feature debut Shelby Oaks with Paper Street Pictures and producer Aaron B. Koontz.[14]

Early life

Stuckmann was born in Boston Heights, Ohio, growing up with two older sisters.[5][15] Stuckmann is partly of German descent. He took an interest in film criticism from a young age, writing brief reviews of films as early as age fourteen. His primary inspiration among professional film critics was Roger Ebert, particularly the television-program Siskel & Ebert & the Movies which Ebert co-hosted with Gene Siskel. He writes that by watching these reviews, he "discovered the idea of a debate on a film, but a respectful one".[16]

Stuckmann cites his experience watching Signs in theaters as a child as his primary inspiration for becoming a filmmaker. Filmmakers Stuckmann has cited as having heavily influenced him include George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, and Christopher Nolan. Throughout high school, Stuckmann wrote and directed numerous homemade movies and short films with friends and family.[17]

Career

Beginnings and YouTube success

He began publishing YouTube reviews of current films in his twenties and published his first film review in 2009.[18] His reviews initially began under a short-form series titled Quick Movie Reviews. When he began publishing video reviews, there was only a small group of other video bloggers reviewing films on YouTube. He has also expanded into reviewing television shows, anime, and video games.[19][20] His reviews are generally spoiler-free; however, he will occasionally release additional spoiler reviews for movies he feels would benefit from further, in-depth explanation.[citation needed]

He published his first book, The Film Buff's Bucket List: The 50 Movies of the 2000s to See Before You Die, in 2016.[5][15] A year later, he directed and wrote the short film Auditorium 6.[21] In April 2018, Stuckmann published his second book titled Anime-Impact: The Movies and Shows that changed the World of Japanese Animation.

Stuckmann has become among the most popular film critics on the website, having a following of over 2.05 million subscribers as of December 2023. Stewart Fletcher of Moviepilot ranked Stuckmann's YouTube channel as the number one channel that movie fans should subscribe to, citing Stuckmann's passionate and coherently written reviews as the reason.[22]

In a 2021 YouTube video titled “Moving Forward...” Stuckmann announced that he would be minimizing film reviews and would stop criticizing “bad” films. He would focus instead on analyzing, discussing, and guiding others on filmmaking. Stuckmann gave two reasons for this shift. First, he stated that he thought of themselves as primarily a filmmaker, and wanted to shift focus into his film projects. Second, due to his popularity——which Stuckmann credits to being one of the first movie reviewers on YouTube in the early days of the platform——he was given the opportunity to be more involved in the production of films. He cited that seeing the effort and time that goes into the film production changed his perspective: “I no longer feel comfortable talking negatively about film . . . . Meeting filmmakers, talking to them at festivals, going on to their sets, seeing how much work goes into even your average not-so-great movie; I just don't feel like doing that anymore. I don't want to talk negatively about filmmakers. I don't want to trash filmmakers. It would be strange for me to be making movies and also [trashing] filmmakers. Also, there's plenty of that on [YouTube] already.”[23]

Film projects

Main article: Shelby Oaks

On July 6, 2021, it was announced that Stuckmann had recently signed with Gotham Group with multiple horror-scripts in the works. His full-length directorial debut, the horror-film Shelby Oaks, was planned to enter principal photography in late 2021 in Stuckmann's native Ohio.[14] Stuckmann announced that filming was pushed back to 2022, due to insufficient funds and a potential strike between the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). He also announced that they would be launching a Kickstarter fundraising project for the film so as to give him the creative leeway to better execute his vision.[24] The Kickstarter, which was launched in March 2022, quickly became the most-funded horror film on the site mere weeks after launch, while also surpassing the film's initial $250,000 goal.[25] The final fundraising campaign ended on March 27, with $1,390,845 raised.[26]

Criticism

Stuckmann has been criticized by other YouTube movie reviewers for his review style.[27][28] These critics argue that Stuckmann's reviews are overly brief, do not adequately inform audiences, and lack depth——especially in the case of television show reviews. This criticism was also extended to his 2016 book. His more recent reviews have been criticized for being out of touch with the general audience.

Stuckmann came under criticism for his 2021 YouTube video “Moving Forward...” where he announced that he would no longer be talking negatively about film or filmmakers, and for more recent 2023 YouTube video: “The Future of Film - Why I'm Worried.” [27] Among renewing their previous criticisms of falling further out of touch with general audiences, critics raised concerns that Stuckmann's decision to stop criticizing film seemed to be motivated by mainly career interests. Critics have also pointed to the lack of the promised analytical, discussion, or guide videos that Stuckmann promised in his “Moving Forward...” video.

Defenders of Stuckmann have compared his style of review to more classic reviewers such as Roger Ebert and other YouTube movie reviewers such as Jeremy Jahns. However, critics argue that Stuckmann's reviews are not as analytical as either Ebert or Jahns.

Personal life

Stuckmann has been married to his wife Samantha Elizabeth, who goes by Sam Liz, since 2014.[29] He is also a former Jehovah's Witness and in January 2021 he uploaded a video where he detailed his negative experiences with the religion, and how he eventually left the faith in his early twenties to pursue filmmaking. In the same video, he also publicly came out as pansexual.[30][31][32]

On November 21, 2021, Stuckmann announced that Liz had given birth to twin boys, Fox and Grayson, on July 7, 2021. In the video, Liz spoke about her health issues and difficulties with fertility treatments.[33]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Notes
2003 Phenomenon Field[34] Yes Yes Yes Yes Home features
2005 The Woods[34] Yes Yes Yes Yes
2024 Shelby Oaks[14] Yes Yes Yes No Post-production
Directorial debut

Short films

Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Notes
2013 Julia Yes Yes Yes Yes Also actor; unfinished
2017 Auditorium 6 Yes Yes Yes Yes
2019 Notes from Melanie Yes Yes Yes Yes Also set decorator
TBA Penance Yes Yes Yes Yes

YouTube

Year Title Role Notes
2011–present Chris Stuckmann's Movie Reviews Presenter Main role
2013–2020 Chris Stuckmann's Hilariocity Reviews
2013 Stuckmann's 1st Annual Halloween Special Co-presenter Also director
2014 Movie Trivia Schmoedown Participant Three episodes
Awesome Halloween Guilty Pleasures Co-presenter Also known as Stuckmann's 2nd Annual Halloween Special
2015 Nostalgia Critic Guest Three episodes
Screen Junkies Movie Fights Co-presenter Seven episodes
Scary Movie Binge! Also known as Stuckmann's 3rd Annual Halloween Special
2016 AMC Jedi Council Guest Episode: "Will There Be An Episode 8 Trailer Before Rogue One?"
Stuckmann's 4th Annual Halloween Special Co-presenter
2017 Anime Abandon Guest Episode: "Kite The Movie"
I Hate Everything: The Search for the Worst Episode: "The (NOT DREAMWORKS) Collection - 9 Movies!"
Midnight Screenings Episode: "A Christmas Story Live!"
2018 Sardonicast Two episodes

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b "ChrisStuckmann – About". Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ @Chris_Stuckman (April 6, 2018). "Yes I respectfully asked to be removed..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (November 10, 2015). "Defy Media to Launch ScreenJunkies Subscription Service". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "About ChrisStuckmann". YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c Rich Heldenfels (April 8, 2016). "Need more movie-watching ideas? Local critic's "Bucket List" has some". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  6. ^ Stuckmann, Chris (January 15, 2015), Live Reactions to the Oscar Nominations, retrieved May 18, 2018
  7. ^ "Chris Stuckmann". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  8. ^ "U.S. Copyright Public Records System". October 11, 2022. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  9. ^ Crawford, Kayla Layne (April 9, 2016). "There's Still A Blockbuster Video In Indiana And This Guy Went There". Uproxx. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  10. ^ Kemp, Dustin (June 25, 2016). "'The Neon Demon': Controversial Director Nicolas Winding Refn's Unique Take On Movie-Making Success". Inquisitr. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  11. ^ "chrisstuckmann YouTube Stats, Channel Statistics". SocialBlade. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews & Previews". www.rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  13. ^ "Chris Stuckmann". Critics' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c Wiseman, Andreas (July 6, 2021). "YouTuber Chris Stuckmann To Make Horror Movie 'Shelby Oaks' About Missing Paranormal Investigators". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Film lover shares 50 movies to watch". WKYC.com. March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "About Me". Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  17. ^ Stuckmann, Chris (March 19, 2012). "Why I Love Movies - Chris Stuckmann". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012.
  18. ^ Stuckmann, Chris (August 24, 2019). "10 Years Later..." YouTube. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  19. ^ "Chris Stuckmann". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  20. ^ Fritz Gleyo (November 24, 2015). "'Star Wars Battlefront' Review Roundup: 10 Reasons Why The Force Is Not Strong With This One". Tech Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  21. ^ Auditorium 6 (2017), retrieved May 18, 2018
  22. ^ Stewart Fletcher (November 11, 2015). "Ten YouTube Channels Every Movie Fan Should Subscribe To". Moviepilot. Archived from the original on November 14, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  23. ^ Moving Forward…, retrieved July 18, 2021
  24. ^ Stuckmann, Chris (February 12, 2022). We Can't Do This Without You. Retrieved February 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 21, 2022). "Chris Stuckmann Project 'Shelby Oaks' Breaks Kickstarter Record For A Horror Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  26. ^ @chris_stuckmann (March 27, 2022). "Our Campaign Ended with $1,390,770 Raised" (Tweet). Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ a b EFAP 259 - Chris Stuckmann asks "Does Cinema is Kill?" w/ Little Platoon, Capital-O and Disparu, retrieved January 7, 2024
  28. ^ EFAP 264 - Getting Stuckmannized! Delving into the Tastemakers Top 50 and his film reviews in 2023, retrieved January 7, 2024
  29. ^ "I married the most beautiful woman alive 1 year ago. She's still putting up with me! Happy anniversary @papiliodream!". Twitter. September 20, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  30. ^ Damshenas, Sam (January 14, 2021). "YouTuber and film critic Chris Stuckmann comes out as pansexual". Gay Times. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  31. ^ Tracer, Dan (January 17, 2021). "Popular YouTuber Chris Stuckmann comes out, reveals harrowing past with Jehovah's Witnesses". Queerty. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  32. ^ Davies, Matilda (January 15, 2021). "Chris Stuckmann: Pansexual critic comes out in Jehovah's Witness video". PinkNews. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  33. ^ A New Journey Begins, retrieved November 21, 2021
  34. ^ a b Stuckmann, Chris (March 5, 2016). The Film Buff's Bucket List: The 50 Movies of the 2000s to See Before You Die. Mango Media Inc. ISBN 9781633530942 – via Google Books.

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