Screen Yak
Screen Yak consists of one person (MakaMaka) with a passion for films. Cliche, right? Absolutely.
My goal here is simple: Take my experience as a writer, mash it together with my love of yakking about movies, and see what comes out!
About MakaMaka (He/Him/His):
When I was a kid, my friends and I would grab my dad’s gigantic camcorder and attempt to make movies in my backyard. Years later, we still agree that our masterpiece was a crime noir film where 12-year-old me accidentally pistol-whipped a friend on the head with a toy gun. That was also the last time I was trusted with the camera – whoops. Despite the accidental injuries and the subsequent guilt, making those objectively terrible movies remains one of the most fun experiences of my life.
My first job was at Blockbuster Video. I started during the VHS era, but within a few months, DVDs joined the party on the shelves—a magical time! I always liked movies, but having access to free rentals in an age before streaming changed everything. It completely reshaped how I viewed film: as art, not just entertainment. It sparked deeper conversations, dictated my free time, and became my favorite way to spend every penny I earned. I’ve been obsessed ever since.
I’m a huge physical media and movie theater advocate – you’ll either find me at one of the local non-profit theaters around Philly, or at home re-organizing my 300+ movie collection.
As a recovering former fan of an actor who doesn’t deserve to be named, I’m still on a journey to discover my new favorite acting professional. Any suggestions?
Favorite movies:
Mulholland Drive, Jaws, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Run Lola Run. LOTR: Return Of The King
Hot Take: Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade is better than Raiders Of The Lost Ark.