HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 6, 2019) — Broadcast marketing and promotions specialist Doug Harris has been elected president of Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS) to serve a two year term extending to 2021.
The announcement coincides with the 35th anniversary of his movie review features, scripted and voiced under the alias of Jr. Mintz.
His film critic “side hustle” took off after an invitation from 101 KLOL afternoon host Harvey Kojan (aka Dr. K) to review films for the heritage AOR’s audience. KLOL’s GM, Pat Fant (now of RFC Media) is credited with creating his signature sign off, “When a movie stinks, you’ll smell it first with Jr. Mintz.”
Since those days, Jr. Mintz reviews have aired on The Buzz (KTBZ-FM), The New 93Q (KKBQ-FM) and News 92 FM.
A seven year regular on the “Dean and Rog Show” in Houston (on The Arrow then The Eagle), Mintz enjoyed eight years in syndication with the Connecticut Radio Network and was heard daily on eight New England stations.
An inductee of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Harris/Mintz now shares his opinions on NASA’s digital radio station, Third Rock Radio.
About The Houston Film Critics Society
The thirty-seven members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the country with their critiques and commentaries on film and their active efforts to promote the appreciation of film in the Houston community.
HOUSTON FILM CRITICS SOCIETY ELECTS NEW OFFICERS
Doug Harris to serve two-year term as president, Travis Leamons and Dr Donna Copeland to serve new roles
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 6, 2019) — At the Houston Film Critics Society’s (HFCS) first meeting of 2019, the membership approved an uncontested slate of new officers who will immediately begin serving terms that will extend to early 2021.
Doug Harris was elected as the organization’s president and Travis Leamons as vice-president. Lisa Elin was reconfirmed as the group’s secretary while Dr. Donna Copeland will assume the duties of treasurer, previously handled by Travis Leamons.
HFCS member Mark Schumann has been appointed communications director for the organization.
After three consecutive terms, outgoing HFCS President Joshua Starnes will shift his focus to overseeing the group’s ongoing recognition of independent filmmakers and the annual presentation of the Texas Independent Film Awards. In tribute to his service, the HFCS presented him with a personalized director’s chair at their January meeting.
“This is going to be an incredible year for the HFCS,” Harris predicts. “We wrapped up 2018 with a spectacular, sold out awards show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, began work on a revitalized website, and launched two new scholarship programs to recognize and support the next generation of filmmakers and journalists. Most importantly, our members collectively viewed over 10,000 films last year.”
Brief biographies of the new HFCS officers follow below:
Doug Harris (president) has reviewed movies in Houston for over 30 years as “Jr. Mintz”. His work first appeared in 1983 on Rock 101 KLOL, and subsequently on 94.5 The Buzz, The New 93Q, and News 92 FM. A regular for seven years on the “Dean and Rog Show” (93.7 The
Arrow, then 107.5 The Eagle), Mintz also enjoyed eight years in syndication with the Connecticut Radio Network and was heard daily on eight New England stations. A member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Broadcast Film Critics Association, as well as a founding
member of the Houston Film Critics Society, he now shares his opinions on NASA’s digital radio station, Third Rock Radio.
Travis Leamons (vice-president) is a critic, cinephile, fitness enthusiast and avid collector of physical media (with more than 4,000 titles). He has written about film for more than a decade for outlets Inside Pulse, Examiner, BackstageOL, and Birth.Movies.Death. He also hosted over 100 episodes of the Houston Film Critics Society's weekly podcast “The Critics Circle”.
Lisa Elin (secretary) holds a degree in writing and is a certified coach specializing in cinema therapy and positive psychology. She’s been a member of the reviewing press since 2009 and weaves these concepts into her work, appearing in a variety of outlets including Reel Happiness, Examiner, We Got This Covered, and the HFCS podcast “The Critics Circle”. She also designs brain games for movie lovers.
Dr. Donna R. Copeland (treasurer) is a retired clinical psychologist who took a right turn in becoming a film critic seven years ago. Her reviews can be seen online at TexasArtFilm.net and on her blog at Dr. Donna’s Movie Reviews.
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