One of the people I stumbled across upon my beginning days of being a cinephile was 14 year old Zackary MIlan, also known as @ZackaryAsAlways on YouTube. When I first saw his film reviews on YouTube as some would say a “critic” I saw a certain enthusiasm in passion in his expression and voice discussing all these variety of films. It’s something rare that he possesses at that young of an age which is a deep love and passion for movies beyond the surface of them. Today, I interviewed him and asked him all things film like the pros and cons of the review game, as well as some of the movies and filmmakers that shape his passion for the art form of cinema. Before we get into that though, we must have a formal introduction to him.
EB: For anyone who’s not familiar with you, can you state your name and basically what you do?
ZM: My name is Zackary Milan but on my YouTube channel for example I go by Zackary As Always, my Letterboxd is Zackary Milan though. I discuss film online, on my channel I discuss newer films as they come out. I have a huge passion for film.
EB: So, from what you’ve told me, your love for film started with the Indiana Jones series. What about those movies were so special to you and kinda sparked your loved for film?
ZM: Well when I was little Raiders of the Lost Ark enchanted me, I thought it was awesome. It really wasn’t till Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny back in June of 2023 that my love and passion for film began. That was really the first film I had deeply followed the production of and then when I actually saw the film a spark lit in me, my love for film
I’m not even entirely sure what it was within the film but I absolutely adored everything about it, I think I saw it twice in theaters. love the series as a whole though, Raiders for example is my favorite film of all time.
EB: So you’ve been in the film review field for a while now. What do you think is one of the values and/or difficulties of film criticism that not many know about?
ZM: Well I think it is very fun and rewarding. Just being able to have a platform to spread your thoughts and opinions out on is wonderful. One difficulty though I specifically found as a young person in the film review space is that people will often click on the video, see that I’m a kid and click off the video without giving it a chance. That’s really the only difficulty but really is just a pet peeve when put next to everything that is so great about doing film criticism. Just freely putting your thoughts out there.
EB: also to circle back to your comment on people brushing you off as a young cinephile and reviewer, do you take any pride in being such a young cinephile and being in the film review game at this age? I mean I know as you said, there’s many that don’t take you seriously because of your age, but there’s gotta be many out there such as me who think it’s pretty cool to see such a passion for film in you at such a young age
ZM: Honestly I never really think about it from an age perspective but now that I think about it yeah I guess I do take a little pride in it. I don’t feel many people my age are super passionate about film so me who is super passionate going online to talk about it and finding people my age who are into film is super cool.
EB: Another interesting thing about being so deep into the film review and discourse game is being apart of the discourse and discussion when a new film comes out. What was the most interesting film to discuss with others upon its release across your whole time being big into movies and all?
ZM: Oh yes certainly. As a film is coming out it’s always fun to be in on that discussion, it’s communal and cool to get further into the film community. Nonetheless the most interesting one is hard to pick because all of them are really fun to discuss with others but overall I’d have to say The Phoenician Scheme earlier this year. That was my introduction to Wes Anderson and was so cool getting into the community and discussing the film and his style as a whole.
EB: On the topic of that, as a large Wes Anderson supporter, in fact one of the biggest I know, what do you think makes his style so distinctive and unique to draw so many people including yourself to it?
ZM: Thank you, I’ve been told a lot that I’m probably the biggest Wes Anderson fanboy many people know but anyhow I think his style is so distinctive and unique because it is purely his own. By this I mean he created it and over the course of his filmography has completely mastered it. From the writing which is filled with deadpan but also so much heart within that. Also the intricate set design mixed with the camera work to create this beautiful thing to watch on screen. What I think works so well about his films though is that with each new one he continues to use the style to enhance what is already a tremendous story.
EB: So I know you’re also a pretty avid marvel fanatic. I was just curious on what you thought about this particular discussion. There’s quite a large crowd of cinephiles that have put marvel into a sort of category of pure entertainment and lacking substance or significant messages. What would you say to those people as an argument against that opinion and what examples of marvel subverting those impressions people have about them be?
ZM: Well starting off I certainly disagree with the large volume of cinephiles who completely shut off Marvel movies as like you said pure entertainment lacking substance and significant voice. I’d say where there are SEVERAL projects the quality certainly does vary at points but there are still many that do offer lots of substance, a great voice, and a great story. Like with each project the world continues to grow to different extents with new characters or pre existing characters interacting just building out the stories and world. You have Thunderbolts* just last year for example which brilliantly tied together multiple characters from other Marvel projects, different parts of the MCU world and brought them together in a really nice way. Where they all have this really nice dynamic and the film sets up their bond and characters with a really nice through line about mental health. Like you have Yelena in the film which goes on this fantastic arc where in the beginning she mentions being depressed, having an emptiness. Then over the course of the film with the help of the other Thunderbolts she goes on a really nice arc. Really all of them do where they are all going through their own struggles but all come out better on the other side. Multiple projects throughout offer great things, like an earlier example being Iron Man 3 which covers a lot of Tony Stark’s PTSD from Avengers 2012 and he goes on a nice arc. Various examples like that, I really think it’s worth checking them out and not just throwing them all out for one reason or another
EB: 2026 releases are starting to rollout. What are your most anticipated releases for the year to watch and review?
ZM: I think this year is going to be a fantastic year for movies. Like really anticipating my watch of Good Luck Have Fun Don’t Die but for upcoming releases I can’t wait for The Odyssey, Disclosure Day, Spiderman Brand New Day, Avengers Doomsday, and How to Make a Killing just to name some off the top of my head. The 2026 release I’m by far most excited for is The Drama coming out in April. I think it will be fantastic, I’m so excited for it, honestly me and my girlfriend are both super excited for it so that’s fun.
EB: Lastly, what advice would you give to other cinephiles wanting to get into doing reviews and film criticism?
ZM: Well my advice for people wanting to get into film criticism is just to be completely honest in your opinions, even if it’s not the popular one. It’s such a fun space for the most part and there are some toxic people in the space but you can’t let them get to you when there is all around such a beautiful film community. Whether it’s writing reviews, filming them, or both, just give your opinion and it’s fun. And you’ll meet tons of awesome people in the process.
