Get to know our writers and staff
Berk Reviews was founded by Jonathan Berk, but several people work to make the site what it is. Read the bios, find them on social media, or just take send them an email from this page.
Jonathan Berk
Email: berkreviewsmovies@gmail.com
Twitter: @berkreviews
Instagram: @berkreviews
Founder of BerkReviews.com, I have been a movie lover for a long time. The first movie I remember being really obsessed with was Wayne’s World. I know that’s not exactly on the list of many critics as a top notch film, but I enjoyed it as a kid.
I remember seeing Ghostbusters in the theater when I was merely 2 years old. I’ve been a Bill Murray fan ever since. I walked around the rest of the day responding to “Who you gonna’ call” with an emphatic “GHOSTBUSTERS!”
Film has been my “thing” for a long time. Writing on the other hand just happened to be my natural talent. It could have been something more profitable, but this is what I got. I have a way with words which was developed in high school, furthered in college, and then aged nicely as I taught English for a few years.
I’m not just a guy who loves movies and decided to start a blog. I actually went to college to be a journalist. I earned my degree in Mass Communication from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL in 2004. After graduating, I decided that the world of journalism wasn’t the romanticized version that I had built in my own head. I wanted to be the unbiased reporter who told the truth no matter how gritty it was. I worked freelance for a year or two while teaching English, but the time it was taking just wasn’t worth the small pay.
I’ve been a teacher since 2006 and have taught English, TV Production, Web Design, Yearbook, and now film. My students are my favorite part of the job and getting to show them movies and teach them the methods and ideas behind them is an amazing experience for all involved.
Corey Starr
Email: coreyrstarr@berkreviews.com
Twitter: @coreyrstarr
Hello! My name is Corey. I currently reside in the northwest with my husband Bill. We have two rad cats, Max and Mabel, and a cutie face Savannah Monitor, Ash. Yeah, he’s named after Ash from the Evil Dead movies.
I have been surrounded by movies and movie lovers as long as I have been alive.
After seeing how much I enjoyed Fraggle Rock my dad introduced me to The Dark Crystal. This became my first favorite movie. I am pretty sure this movie is the reason my dad taught me how to operate the VCR. Henson still holds a special place in my heart. I love how he incorporated so much music into his work.
The first movie I can remember seeing in theaters is Silence of the Lambs. Thank you, Grandma. I don’t remember this part but apparently one of the theater employees thought it’d be a good time to speak her mind and let my grandma know that six is far too young to be seeing this type of movie. To this day anytime I hear “American Girl” by Tom Petty I am instantly transported back to that scene of the movie.
My grandmother took me on many movie going adventures. I remember being so angry watching The Horse Whisperer. Fist to the heavens I declared the characters got what they deserved!! How dare they! The black and white moral code of a twelve or thirteen year old. To this day, I can not stand Nicholas Spark movies.
My favorite movies are the ones that sit with me for days after watching and make me think outside of my normal day-to-day box. Re-watchability adds bonus points!
Horror is my most loved genre. Sadly, I have to wade through a lot of awful movies to find the few gems.
I have been “pursuing” an English degree for approximately twenty-seven years. During my recent break from studies (that has lasted longer than I intended) I made a promise to myself that I would make more time for the things I enjoy. That means lots of time spent in theaters or hermiting it up in my apartment watching some DVDs. Yes, I still rent those.
I am hoping my involvement in this project strengthens my writing ability. I hope I encourage someone to see a movie they might not have otherwise. I am really excited to see where this goes!
David Ortega
The earlier reviews are full of small typos and problems. David came on as an editor to help with all of those issues. More information will be coming about him in the future, but we wanted to give him credit and thanks!
Past Contributors:
- Michael Sanchez
- Richard Gomez
- Ryan Nichols
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