Main Johnny Marks channel

Despite the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien & C.S. Lewis, their worlds of “Middle-Earth” and “Narnia” feel quite different. This video essay examines the role allegory plays in making Aslan’s country feel less ‘real’ — now, here’s the part of th...

Dune: Part 2 received criticism from some fans for being an ‘unfaithful’ adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. This video essay, however, examines how the changes Denis Villeneuve made to his film’s ending actually made it more faithful to Herbert’...

Blade Runner is known as a film that can give a horrible first impression. But what’s less known, is that this initial hatred for Blade Runner was shared by its own creators. This video essay / documentary explores Blade Runner’s crazy producti...

Modern special-features don’t feel very “special.” This video essay gets to the bottom of why DVD extras became a lost art form, as well a new medium that picked up its slack. Socials - I rarely use them but what if one day I do? How can you...

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves received tons of praise for ‘capturing the spirit’ of its tabletop game. This video essay explores whether or not that’s actually a good thing. Socials - I rarely use them but what if one day I do? How can ...

Stand-alone episodes of TV are tough to crack. This video essay explores two reasons The Bear rose to the challenge where Ted Lasso didn’t. Credit: -Be Thankful for What You Got instrumental cover (FERGUNIZED) -Reality (Sedivi) -All Eyes On Me c...

In this video essay, we’re getting to the bottom of why “The Bear” and “Chef” feel completely different despite having identical premises.

Hollywood spends millions of dollars buying Intellectual Property, but does it actually matter? This video essay explores something that’s more important than IP. It’s the secret thing responsible for the success of “Succession”, “The Bear”, and/o...

There aren’t many artists who have transformed themselves as complexly as Bo Burnham. This video essay explores how Bo reinvented himself between his first YouTube song in 2006 and his 2021 release of “Inside”, while still scratching the same itch...

People complain that minimaps “break immersion”, but to me they always build immersion. This video essay explains why while also exploring the difference between subtle and overt mini-maps. (e.g., Breath of the Wild vs Witcher 3.) Also I don’t ac...

My favorite bands fall under the “sad music” banner but I’ve never felt they were. This video essay explains why through solidarity, scientific studies, and an “earned optimism” that quote-unquote “happy” music can never achieve. I promise this is...

Rings of Power has already been criticized, so I’m more interested in celebrating Tolkien than ripping Amazon. Buuut what I love most about the Lord of the Rings is often inverted by Amazon’s middle earth — making it hard for this video essay t...

Artists produce their best work when left alone, right? I always thought so, but this video essay explores how not-very-talented corporations bring the best out of showrunners like Dan Harmon, James Gunn, and Mitch Hurwitz. “Streaming services?” M...

Video essay exploring how EarthBound feels “real” by tapping into the essence of what being a kid (and an adult) feels like. Many of these elements in Mother 2 are shared within Mother 1 (“Earthbound Beginnings”) + Mother 3, so prepare for a Shige...

“VANITY (n), meaning to cast oneself as Jesus in their Youtube thumbnail.” I wasn’t allowed to play pokemon as a kid because adults in my life were concerned it would make me become a wizard. I explain why & also try to convince you that bad gra...

Video essay exploring how "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" subverts and executes the musical theater genre. As strange as it sounds, the grunge-punk of Edgar Wright & Bryan Lee O’Malley’s world turned me into a fan of musicals. Socials - I rarely us...

Video essay exploring the connection between homeschooling and "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild." The emphasis BOTW places on problem-solving & turning lonely isolation into enjoyable solitude remind me of nothing more than what it was lik...

Don't tell anyone about my embarrassing childhood fear. Actually forget that — please tell literally anyone about my embarrassing childhood fear.

Exploring why Mike Birbiglia’s stand up comedy feels cinematic. This video essay explains how Birbigs crafts timeless comedy by making each special feel more like a movie than conventional stand-up. Music list: Part of My Life (Bumpy Knuckles) Ca...

The MCU could learn from Bo Burnham’s satire. This video essay explains how Bo Burnham could have improved Marvel’s “WandaVision”. I dealt with health stuff the past 4 months that delayed this video far beyond what I’d hoped…but this is the one I...