About Us

Meet The Team Behind InSession Film

We are movie cinephiles and this website is dedicated to our love of art and film. Regardless of type or genre, art house or mainstream, whatever it may be, we love discussing and analyzing everything that is movies and film. You can hear us discuss a variety of topics on the InSession Film Podcast, whether it be reviews, lists or other film-related discussions. We also feature written reviews and other content throughout the site as well that we hope you enjoy as well.

Here’s a little bit about us:

JD Duran – Founder & Podcast Host (Main Show)

JD is a co-founder of InSession Film, the lead host of the InSession Film Podcast, and the manager of all the day-to-day activities. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association and Online Film Critics Society for writing reviews as part of InSession Film He’s passionate about film discussion and creating dialogue that helps form new perspectives. Film has not only been an outlet for entertainment, he believes it’s a tool that can help foster how we look at the world. Whether it be on a mic or at the bar, those are the best conversations to have. So, as someone who has a background in broadcasting, movie podcasting just made sense. Additionally to film, JD is also a huge sports lover, with hockey and football being his favorites. He’s a huge University of Michigan fan and lover of all Detroit sports. He has a B.A. in Communications from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. You can follow him on Twitter @RealJDDuran.


Brendan CassidyBrendan Cassidy – Podcast Host (Main Show)

Hailing from eastern Pennsylvania, Brendan joined the InSession Film family in March of 2014 and became the co-host of the Main Show in January of 2015. Since childhood, Brendan has always expressed an obsession with film, and has since developed his own encyclopedia of film knowledge with enough movie facts to write a never-ending story (his presence during film-related trivia nights is always in high demand). Brendan attended Penn State University where he earned his B.S. in Energy Business & Finance and currently resides just outside Philadelphia working as a financial analyst in energy efficiency services. Brendan is also an active musician, with includes playing bass guitar in his ‘90s alternative rock band, jazz guitar with his dad, or singing karaoke (don’t judge). When he’s not working, critiquing film, or playing music, Brendan spends his time being active outside, reading science fiction novels, and following sports (college football and the NFL first and foremost). You can follow him on Twitter @BrendanJCassidy.


David Giannini – Editor in Chief

David, other than by watching way too many movies, got his start by podcasting. His numerous podcasts led him to eventually writing about film. His unique take on film is connected to both life experience and a degree in psychology, which comes up more than you would think. He is sick of franchise filmmaking and looks forward to a world where independent film matters again, particularly focusing on female directors and creators of color. You can follow him and his movie talk which includes disliking Paddington on Twitter @daveagiannini.


Brian Susbielles – Senior Staff Writer

Since his mid-teenage years growing up in Florida, Brian has been a cinephile who watches and rewatches movies from around the world.  He has a Bachelors Degree from Lynn University and a Masters Degree from George Mason University, both in Political Science, International Relations. After dabbling in the political realm for a time, Brian decided to follow his sincere passion for movies, namely as a writer. (It’s a process he’s still working on.) Outside of reviewing movies and reading film literature, he is a freelancer in ghostwriting mini blogs and scholarly articles and enjoys classic rock, but does not enjoy watching the Marlins and Dolphins be inept year after year. Brian still resides in Florida. You can follow him on Twitter @BrianSusbielles.


Aaron Charles

Aaron joined the InSession team as a contributing writer in July 2018. He hails from northern Indiana, and he has been a movie fan all his life. His favorite film is the Coen brothers’ modern classic No Country for Old Men, and his favorite director is the legendary Ingmar Bergman. Aaron received his B.A. in Communication from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, and he currently works as an assistant account executive at a local marketing agency. When he isn’t watching movies, Aaron enjoys cooking with his beautiful wife Sarah and following his beloved Chicago Cubs. You can find Aaron on Twitter @aaroncharles18 and on Letterboxd @aaroncharles18.


Brandon Stanwyck

Brandon fancies the finer things in life, like oatmeal creme pies and Malbecs. He’s a mellow homo from Ohio currently dwelling due south of Charm City USA. If you’d like to hear his heavenly voice, listen to the Academy Queens podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @BrandonStanwyck.



Joey Gentile

Joey has been described as brass, loud, and upfront, but one thing he’s never been described as is shy. Not afraid to go against the grain and tell you how a movie really makes him feel. He’s what some would call “a representation for the underdog.” He’s creator and co-host of Academy Queens, an LGBT hosted podcast with co-host Brandon Stanwyck, and currently trying to find a way to be in Jason Momoa’s life. If he ever comes up missing, check Glenn Close’s homes first. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeyGentile1992.


Erica Richards

Erica is a proud born and raised Baltimorean with a Bachelor’s Degree in Video Production and a Masters Degree in Film Studies; she currently works as a Video Producer/Editor. When Erica isn’t at the beach or pool reading or listening to a podcast, you can find her cheering for the Ravens and Orioles, shoving her face with popcorn in a dark theater or snuggled on her couch with her cat, Binx, while she binge watches Friends and true crime documentaries. Erica enjoys staying active by taking spin classes and playing co-ed intramural sports. She is obsessed with the Oscars and Hitchcock and will take any opportunity to gush and discuss either topic. As a self-identified cinephile, she takes pride in her ability to watch and appreciate any and all genres. You can follow her on Twitter @eRockReviews.


Kristin Battestella

Kristin has been a fan of movies since the first time she stayed up all night to watch The Searchers and named her blanket Alien. She has been writing dark fantasy novels and non-fiction for over twenty years and still writes for her South Jersey hometown newspaper. Currently, Kristin writes Frightening Flix horror movie reviews, podcast specials, and video essays for HorrorAddicts.net as well as Kbatz Krafts DIY articles and Halloween how-to videos. Named after “Who Shot J.R.”, her classic television analysis and music commentaries can be found at I Think, Therefore I Review, and her sports articles have been featured most recently in Search Magazine. When not writing about Dark Shadows, Kristin can be found watching Dark Shadows – unless it’s October 17th when she’s having a Montgomery Clift marathon. You can her on Twitter @thereforereview.


Alessandra Rangel

Originally from Mexico City, Alessandra has loved cinema all her life. She had the pleasure of joining the InSession Film family in September 2020. Movies have always been an important part of her life and she has obsessed over movie dialogues and stars since she can remember. She studied International Relations and has an LLM in Public International Law; however, her heart has always resided in the movie theatres. This inspired her to create her own website, Palomita de maíz, where she constantly writes about films and TV shows in her mother tongue. Follow her on Twitter @alessandra_kr.


Brett Doze

Brett grew up in rural Kansas, where he worked at his local one-screen theater and began developing his love for movies. In high school, he expanded his film tastes by following the Academy Awards religiously. This led him to pursue bachelor’s degrees in Film Studies and History at the University of Kansas. As his love for film intensified, he founded the Gilded Films Podcast, which covers the history of the Best Picture race year-by-year, with his co-host and friend Christian Ramos. Brett now calls Colorado home, and he loves cheering on his Jayhawks and Rockies when he’s not watching movies. You can follow him on Twitter @bdoze2017.


Daryl MacDonald

Daryl grew up in Glasgow, Scotland where he started filming remakes of classic movies with his mother’s camera when he was just 10 years old. Eventually he went on to study Filmmaking and Screenwriting at the University of the West of Scotland and now writes reviews and articles for a number of outlets including Film Inquiry. You can follow him on Twitter @MrDarylMac.


Bradley Weir

Bradley joined InSession Film in September 2020. Based in England and fresh out of University as a film graduate, Bradley has had a passion for films before he even learned to walk. Formely of AwardsCircuit, he aspires to make a career writing about film and is never happier than he is sat in a cinema. His favorite directors include Alfred Hitchcock and Frank Capra, while any film starring Frances McDormand is likely to get an automatic five stars. If he isn’t watching movies, he’s probably out walking or cheering on Zack Sabre, Jr in New Japan Pro Wrestling. You can follow him on Twitter @Bradderzz98.


Tyler Strandberg

Tyler Strandberg is a film critic based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (MNFCA). While he has always been a casual movie watcher, his passion for film, particularly the Oscars, grew in 2017. Since then, he has transformed this interest into a delightful hobby of rating and ranking every movie he watches on his personal website. In June 2021, he ventured into writing about film, and his work has been published on respected platforms such as Cinefied, Awards Radar, and Next Best Picture. In addition to his love for movies, Tyler enjoys his work as a real estate agent, and uses his free time spending time with friends, and keeping his cat out of trouble.


Brian Susbielles

Brian Susbielles is a film critic based in Florida and a member of the Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF). He’s been a cinephile since his mid-teens and became an avid viewer of Criterion Collection movies since his college days, graduating with a Minor in Film, along with his Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies, in 2012 from Lynn University. He has written for InSession Film since 2018 and also has written for Sunshine State Cineplex. Besides movies, Susbielles is an avid fan of Formula 1, world history, international politics, and classic rock music.


Hector Gonzalez

Hector Gonzalez is a Puerto Rican, Tomatometer-Approved film critic and the Co-founder of the PRCA, as well as a member of OFTA and PIFC. He is currently interested in the modern reassessment of Grindhouse cinema, the portrayal of mental health in film, and everything horror.



Zach Youngs

Zach is a cinephile who calls Seattle home. After doing pretty well studying English at a couple of state universities, he realized becoming the next Stephen King is going to be harder than it looks. He has self-published a few books of short stories, a handful of novels, as well as some more… adult fare under clever pseudonyms. He pours out his love of movies in essays and criticism because his friends continue to be uninterested in the depths he finds within The Cable Guy. He’s also constantly testing and searching for the perfect peach iced tea.


Jacob Throneberry

Jacob has been a lover of film as long as he can remember. From a young age he was infatuated with movies for more than just entertainment value, but for what they mean and represent as well. This has grown into an academic career for him as he is currently working on his M.A. in Film Studies at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and some of his favorite films include Eighth Grade, Aftersun, and The Truman Show.


Alex Papaioannou

Alex is a freelance film writer born and raised in Queens, New York. A film fanatic from an early age, it wasn’t until Alex discovered Letterboxd in 2017 that he realized he loves writing about movies just as much as he loves watching them. His four favorite films are ever-changing, but he’s always down to throw on Mamma Mia! Alex spends more time at local movie theaters than his own home. He’s a frequent flyer at Museum of the Moving Image and Nitehawk. Follow him on Twitter @alexpaps1 and on Letterboxd @AGPerson.


Brian Rowe

Brian Rowe received his MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Nevada-Reno, and his BA in Film Production from Loyola Marymount University. You can watch his Oscar videos on his YouTube channel, The Awards Contender. He also serves as InSession Film’s current Awards Editor.



Manuel Sáo Bento

Manuel is a Portuguese critic based in Sweden with a tremendous passion for cinema, television, and the art of filmmaking. He offers an unbiased perspective from someone who has stopped watching trailers since 2017. Rotten Tomatoes approved. Co-host of a weekly film podcast, R&M: A Conversation on Cinema. Outlets: FandomWire, Firstshowing, InSession Film, That Shelf, Filmhounds Magazine, Echo Boomer (PT), Magazine.HD (PT). Proud member of associations such as GFCA (Global Film Critics Association), IFSC (International Film Society Critics), and OFTA (Online Film & Television Association). Portfolio: https://linktr.ee/msbreviews