Introduce Yourself : Favorite Movie, Show, Etc. of the Year So Far by Maurice Vaughan

Maurice Vaughan

Favorite Movie, Show, Etc. of the Year So Far

Hey, everyone. Hope you’re doing well and hope you had a great week! My name’s Maurice. I’m a screenwriter, ghostwriter, commercial writer, pitch deck designer, and Stage 32 Lounge Moderator (in the Screenwriting Lounge and Writers’ Room Lounge).

What’s your favorite movie, show, book, football game, video game, etc. of the year so far? My favorite movie is Weapons.

And it’s Stage 32's monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend (Friday the 19th - Monday the 22nd)! Introduce/reintroduce yourself here in the Introduce Yourself Lounge. Network, talk about your projects and goals, and share your wins. Comment on other IYW posts. It’s a way to network and show your support for others.

Mike Schreurs

This year I’ve played a lot of Ghost of Tsushima and Red Dead Redemption 2. And I’m looking forward to Ghost of Yotei. I got inspiration from the game for Ronin on the Range

Sam Sokolow

What's up Maurice Vaughan!! Happy IYW!! Favorite book I've read this year so far is City On Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg (publushed about 10 years ago but finally got around to reading). Favorite TV show has been Adolescence (guilty pleasure TV show was Hunting Wives). Favorite movie has been Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Favroite football game was any NY Giants preseason game before the season started and reality set in.

Kevin Jackson

Right now I am watching Rookie Season 5. I want to rewatch Cast Away and start watching the Mule, but I have been strongly contemplating, starting Severance and some other Emmy winners.

Maurice Vaughan

I've watched Ghost of Tsushima and Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay, Mike Schreurs. I think they would be incredible movies/shows! Is Ghost of Yotei in the Ghost of Tsushima universe?

Maurice Vaughan

What's up, Sam Sokolow! Happy IYW! I'll have to check out City On Fire. Adolescence is one of my favorite shows of the year. More one-shot limited series please! I'm rooting for the Giants to win the Giants Chiefs game. I'm an Eagles fan. And Steelers fan. And Panthers fan.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Kevin Jackson. Rookie and Severance are on my watch list. I'm looking forward to watching it! I'm not sure if I've heard of Mule or not. Do you like it?

Arthur Charpentier

Hello, Maurice Vaughan!

I haven't watched any movies or TV shows for over a year, so I'm only proud of my own work. I believe I've come up with a very good idea, the best of all my ideas.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Arthur Charpentier. Great! Looking forward to hearing what your idea is when you're ready to share about it!

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

For me it would have to be Daria. I understand now why so many people made it their personality in the early 2000s lol

Thomas Medori

I haven’t seen a really good movie this year, but I really enjoyed The White Lotus. I also liked the Chinese animated series Lord of Mysteries, especially for its concept.

Maurice Vaughan

I remember watching Daria, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I wouldn't be surprised if they made more seasons or did a reboot.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Thomas Medori. Welcome to the community. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

And here's the link to Stage 32’s August Community Open House (www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-august-community-open-house). It's free to watch. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros.

The White Lotus is on my watch list. I haven't heard of Lord of Mysteries, but I'll check it out. Thanks.

Harri-Pekka Virkki

Hello Maurice! There ara many good books but some of my favorites are ”Killer Potential” by Hannah Deitch, ”Untold Stories -

Inside Graffiti Writing Culture” by René Van Kan and ”Jogo De Angola - Life and Works” by Jogo De Dentro.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Harri-Pekka Virkki! I just added those books to my read list, which is longer than my watch list. Haha Thanks. Looking forward to checking them out!

Dwayne Williams 2

Hey Maurice Vaughan! Great to meet you and appreciate you kicking off Introduce Yourself Weekend with style.

My favorite shows this year are From and Godfather of Harlem. Both deliver intense, layered storytelling that really hits. You mentioned Weapons as your favorite film, which sounds intriguing. What’s been your favorite TV show this year?

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Dwayne Williams 2. From and Godfather of Harlem are on my watch list. I'm looking forward to watching them, especially From!

My favorite TV show this year is The Last of Us. I watched the gameplay of both games, so I knew what was going to happen, but man, the show still surprised me at parts. It's incredible and really suspenseful!

Dwayne Williams 2

Such a great gaming world Maurice Vaughan! I’ll definitely have to check out the show sometime; it sounds like they did it justice.

Kat Spencer

Maurice Vaughan of this year?? I enjoy The Rookie. Shows of all time, I love Suits and White Collar. I could re-watch them forever.

Steve Boyce

favourite film “thunderbolt”

favourite music “wet leg”

favourite tv series “peaky blinders”

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Steve Boyce. I need to check out all of those. I'm really looking forward to seeing Thunderbolt!

Ashley Renee Smith

Love this question, Maurice Vaughan, it’s always fun to hear what everyone’s been into lately. For me, my favorite movie of the year so far is Sinners, my favorite series are From and The Pitt, and my favorite book has been Spark of the Everflame. All three have really reminded me of the power of storytelling to pull you in and stick with you long after.

Thanks, as always, for the energy you bring to this community.

Daniel Danitto

Movie: Star Wars - no doubt.

Show: Twin Peaks - pure mystery and atmosphere.

Book: I’m really into biographies, always inspiring.

Game: Mortal Kombat / Red Alert 2 - classics I can never forget.

Great question, Maurice Vaughan - love seeing everyone’s favorites here!

Maurice Vaughan

I keep hearing about the Kill the Dog book, Jay Gladwell. I'm going to check it out.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. Thanks. I appreciate it. Sinners was my favorite movie of the year until I saw Weapons, but they're almost neck and neck to me. I might start watching From this week while I watch The Paper.

Maurice Vaughan

I loved playing Mortal Kombat, Daniel Danitto. Are you excited about the new movie?

Daniel Danitto

Yes, Maurice Vaughan I really hope the new film turns out great, if we’re talking about the upcoming one. Even though Karl Urban is one of my favorite actors, I was hoping for a younger choice for Johnny Cage, since he’s my favorite character. Overall, I’m still a big fan of the original 1995 movie, it remains my favorite to this day.

Maurice Vaughan

Yeah, Mortal Kombat 2, Daniel Danitto. The original is my favorite too. I'd love to find and read the script.

Daniel Danitto

Yeah, if you ever manage to find that script, Maurice Vaughan , make sure to send it my way too

Travis Seppala

Book = The Instrumentalist

Show= WondLa

Movie = The Wild Robot

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Travis Seppala. I'll check out The Instrumentalist and WondLa. Thanks. The Wild Robot is incredible! It's a must-watch movie for writers, animators, etc.!

Jane Tumminello

Hi Maurice Vaughan . I'm loving the FX show, Alien Earth. Every episode leaves you on the edge of your seat!

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Jane Tumminello. I'm excited for Alien: Earth! I don't think I've watched any trailers for it. I want to know as little as possible when I watch the show.

Brandy Camille

Hey Maurice! How's the writing going these days?

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Brandy Camille. The writing is going well. Thanks. I'm rewriting two feature scripts and outlining another feature. Are you working on any projects?

Leonardo Ramirez 2

Hey Maurice Vaughan - Happy IYW!! I've been playing "Ghost of Tsushima" this year. Almost done with it and will likely play "Spider-man: Miles Morales" next. My wife and I rewatched the "Red" series with Bruce Willis and although there's only two movies (I wish they had made more), we love them. Right now, we're rewatching "The Goldbergs" because...80s. We're actually relaxing and spending time together watching that now.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Happy IYW! I've seen the gameplay for Ghost of Tsushima. I think it'd be an incredible movie or series! I've seen the gameplay for Spider-man: Miles Morales too. Can't wait for a Miles Morales movie!

Leonardo Ramirez 2

I’m hoping they introduce him in the new Tom Holland movies Maurice Vaughan. Headed off to cook the family a Puerto Rican dinner (empanadas). Mackenzy had a sudden craving for comfort food. Dinner’s at 6:00 if you can make it!!

Maurice Vaughan

I hope so, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Sounds delicious. Hope you and your family have a great time!

Suzanne Bronson

Hi Maurice! I love hearing from you. My favorite TV shows this year are From and Alien Earth.

I'm trying to consume more comedy and less horror, so my favorite sitcoms right now are Ghosts and What We Do In The Shadows. Which I guess are horror adjacent. Haha.

I haven't seen any movies from this year. Yet. I know lame.

My favorite book I've read this year is The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer (old book) and new audio book is My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Suzanne Bronson! Love hearing from you too. I've seen promo for What We Do In The Shadows. It looks funny. I'm watching The Paper now. It's hilarious! Have you seen it?

Darrell Pennington

My faves this year are new to me but not new to calendar year 2025. His Three Daughters and Shimmer Lake were both excellent and Paddelton was a revelation. I do not think I have seen a more profound movie about the dynamics of a platonic male friendship. I would LOVE to work with Mark Duplass.

Sandra Isabel Correia

Hi Maurice Vaughan :)) Happy IWY! I loved this post; thank you for sparking such great reflections.

So far, my favorite book is Dan Brown’s latest, Secret of Secrets, and it’s already in film development, which is thrilling.

For TV, Adolescense still holds the top spot, and I’m eagerly waiting for Hunting Wife’s to land on Netflix Iberian (Spain & Portugal).

And for film… Swipe really surprised me. I watched it this weekend and had no idea about the real story behind Tinder and Bumble. It’s sharp, revealing, empowering and so well told. A standout for sure.

Maurice Vaughan

I don't think I've heard of His Three Daughters, Shimmer Lake, and Paddleton, Darrell Pennington. I'll check them out. Thanks. I actually don't think I've seen any Mark Duplass movies. What's your favorite Mark Duplass movie?

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Sandra Isabel Correia! Happy IYW! You're welcome. Secret of Secrets sounds interesting from the title! I hope they make more limited series like Is 'Adolescence. Movies and TV shows too.

Darrell Pennington

Before Paddleton it was Creep but The League TV show is where I fell in love with him. However, I would rank the climax scene in Paddelton as one of the most emotionally wrecking and entirely believable scenes I have ever seen. I'm a cryer anyway but that scene had the tears flowing. Aside from Liam Neeson in Schindlers List I'm not sure I have seen a more emotional portrayal. Ray Ramono (who I have never cared for) was fantastic as well. He (Mark Duplass) should have been nominated for awards.

Xochi Blymyer

Maurice, I haven't seen Weapons yet but I've heard from multiple people it's great.

Maurice Vaughan

Weapons is incredible and unsettling, Xochi Blymyer!

Maurice Vaughan

Oh yeah, Darrell Pennington. Mark Duplass is in Creep. I haven't seen it, but I've seen the trailer. I'm thinking about writing a Found Footage script. I should check out Creep.

Suzanne Bronson

I haven't seen The Paper Maurice Vaughan I don't have Peacock. Weapons and Sinners are on my must watch list.

Maurice Vaughan

It took me two episodes to really get into The Paper, Suzanne Bronson. Weapons and Sinners are my two favorite movies of the year. I think you're going to really like them. Wall to Wall is my third favorite.

Darrell Pennington

Maurice - certainly check out Creep BUT MOST DEFINITELY check out Paddleton. It is a must watch in my opinion. I love the idea of found footage themes. As we travel we do a lot of exploring dilapidated areas (not sure of the attraction specifically but I love the creepiness) and we recreate my favorite scene from The Blair Witch Project when we can haha.

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