Who we are

The First Picture House is the hub for all things movies! We've set out to make films entertaining for everyone through reviews and content surrounding our favorite movies and more. Check our latest reviews or the latest episode of our podcast, "The Film Box"!

Founders

Aaryn Souza

Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief

I have been watching movies my whole life and fell in love at an early age. I was entranced by the ability for a film to whisk me away to a different universe, and that really started with the Star Wars Franchise. I'm by no means an expert and can roll with opinions that might be controversial, but my love for cinema will always remain. When I'm not watching movies, I work in Marketing Analytics with my degree from Western New England University. MY FAVORITE MOVIES: Good Will Hunting, Star Wars: A New Hope (or the whole saga), Chef, Tick, Tick, Boom, The Perks of being a Wallflower, Before Sunrise

Sam Majewski

Senior Content Producer

To me, Watching a movie is like entering another world. Some people can sit down and watch a 2 hour long film but others prefer to binge watch a tv show that has 40 minute long episodes. For me, well I love both. I am a huge fan of fantasy movies like Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars and Harry Potter, though I tend to stray to different genres here and there, mainly historical dramas and 80s slashers. When I am not watching movies, I’m either at the gym, in the mountains, or working as a veterinary technician. MY FAVORITE MOVIES: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, There Will Be Blood, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Last of the Mohicans, Schindler's List

Connor Jameson

Co-Founder, Head of Content

I've always been a movie fan, but I first got big into cinema watching Whiplash when I was younger. That movie led to a greater appreciation of films and got me to dive into the medium. My favorite genre is horror movies, but I’ll always have a secret soft spot for rom coms and musicals. When I'm not podcasting or watching movies, I love working out and going hiking, and I currently work in business analytics with the degree I got from Western New England University. MY FAVORITE MOVIES: Good Will Hunting, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, Whiplash, Moneyball, Top Gun: Maverick

Creators

Marcel Urena

Content Creator

Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online. MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds

Jasmine Chapatwala

Content Creator

My childhood consisted of weekly visits to Hollywood Video and Sunday morning calls to the local movie theater to hear the showtimes for the day. It was during my sixth trip to the theater to see The Dark Knight (2008) that I realized my love of movies may not be considered "typical." This love led me to completing a bachelor's degree in media arts with a special focus in film from Montclair State University. When I'm not rambling on about movies on TikTok, I am feeding into my online shopping addiction, reading a mystery book with specifically a female lead who has a troubled past, or most likely just eating chocolate chip cookies. My Favorite Movies: Call Me By Your Name, Scream, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 12 Angry Men, and Almost Famous.

Denny O'Leary

Content Creator

Member of the Columbus Film Critics Association. Lifelong Cleveland fan—yes, even the Browns (send help). I write with blunt honesty, sharp humor, and a conversational tone. I won’t shy away from hard truths, and I’m not afraid to shred your favorite franchise’s latest release if it earns it. I believe in brevity (thank you, Hemingway and Mark Manson) and live by Twain’s rule: “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent one will do.” To me, movies aren’t just entertainment—they’re reflections of humanity. They show us who we are, who we aren’t, and who we could be. Whether it’s indie gems or big-budget blockbusters, it’s a privilege to witness and write about the stories artists bring to life. I review films on their own terms—no politics, no PR spin. Film is a team effort, and every project deserves either their flowers or a fair, honest critique.My Favorite Movies: Call Me By Your Name, Scream, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 12 Angry Men, and Almost Famous.

Adam Khromachou

Content Creator

Adam Khromachou has been a lifelong film watcher. It all began in 1989 at the age of 6 when his mom took him to see Tim Burton’s Batman. From then on, he knew cinema was his passion. By the age of 8, he was learning about actors, directors, and even began exploring the history of cinema. At the age of 12, a big turning point occurred when he watched Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. It was the moment he really started diving deep into films outside of the action and comedy genre and looked to explore more classic cinema through breaking down the film’s notable influences. He obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Arizona State and in 2021, he launched his TikTok channel Sunset Loner Cinema where he reviews and ranks films, as well as providing in-depth cinematic retrospectives. His content can also be found on Instagram and YouTube. He is also an avid user of Letterboxd and considers himself a cinema purist, believing that films should be experienced in theaters without interruptions or distractions. His favorite films include Pulp Fiction, GoodFellas, Cinema Paradiso, Jaws, and The Big Lebsowski. He is also the co-host of the podcast Before We Were Streaming.

Brock Engi

Content Creator

Movies have always been a huge part of my life. I can remember the first movie I saw in theatres was Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2002. And from there I fell in love with movies. I tried to watch as many different types of movies as I can to get myself a well-rounded film palette, but I just love going to the movies and just sitting down and escaping to a world for a couple of hours. I’m just a normal dude who decided to start talking about movies in front of a camera and some people decided they like to listen to me. My 4 favorite movies are: Spider-Man 2, Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith, Training Day, The Matrix.