Darren Tilby

My introduction to film came at an early age: hours spent watching classics like Wizard of Oz, Tom Thumb and Clash of the Titans at home with my mother undoubtedly left a lasting impression on me. But it wasn't until I discovered the horror genre, and the Universal Monster movies in particular, that I truly fell in love with film.

Horror may have been my first love, but it certainly wasn't my last, and I enjoy films right across the board (although I'm a bit of a sucker for a good animated film).

And while my love of film has never wavered the decision to start writing about it was a very recent one and wasn't something I had studied for.

After years of suffering ill health I wanted to get back into doing something I was passionate about; pairing my love of cinema and my love of writing seemed like the obvious choice—and if nothing else it might be a way for me to articulate my thoughts on films and stop boring my girlfriend with my rambling movie-based chat.

And whilst that hasn't happened, I have been incredibly fortunate to have been given the chance to write for UK Film Review; a position which has given me some amazing opportunities, allowed me to discover some fantastic indie films, and work on my writing technique in a more structured way.

My favourite films, in no particular order, are Aliens, Frank, Carol, When Marnie Was There, the Universal Monster movies, and anything by Guillermo del Toro, Laika Studios and Cartoon Saloon.