NOC Week in Review #8: 8/22-28/2026

Before we get into the recap for the week, I would be remiss to not reflect on the deaths of a trio of pop culture icons. Of course, we all mourn the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, and as seismic as those celebrity deaths are, I have to speak about the one that affected me the most: Peter Cullen.

Cullen was the iconic voice of Optimus Prime since the show’s inception in 1984. He’d go on to voice the character in numerous versions for the next four decades, including in each of the live action films from 2007-2023. But it was his turn as Optimus in the animated film in 1986 that resonates to this day. Famously, or infamously if you were seven at the time, Optimus was killed in the climax of the film. A few weeks ago, Dominic wrote a beautiful reflection about the film’s anniversary, celebrated at Comic-Con, and how much Optimus’ death informed an entire generation of kids. Ahead of the film’s re-release in September, Hasbro even cheekily started a year-long “Apology Tour” for traumatizing us all those years ago. So when Optimus actually passed this week, they didn’t know how prescient their tagline for the anniversary would be:

We will not grieve, as Optimus instructed us all those years ago, because Mr. Cullen will be one with the Matrix. Thank you for the last 40 years.

Alright, on to the rest of the week.

On the review side, Swara called Batman: Knightfall – Part 1 one of the best Batman films ever made, praising Jeff Wamester and Jeremy Adams’ take on the iconic comic. Edward checked out Colony, Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to Train to Busan, and found an action-packed, if occasionally illogical, zombie thrill ride. And Valerie hit the road with It Ends, a cosmic-horror trip that turns post-graduation drift into genuinely effective horror.

Lauren made the case that DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island deserves the same cultural moment KPop Demon Hunters got, ahead of its theatrical release. And Dominic followed up his Lanterns review with spoiler-free interviews — cast members Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, and Poorna Jagannathan, plus composer Stephanie Economou, on the show’s ’90s grunge-inflected score.

Speaking of ’90s grunge, I kicked off a new recap series for Dark Matter’s second season — pairing each episode with a track from Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter album. Because I’m a nerd.

Finally, Michael previewed Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, from new Mickey and Friends costumes to a taste test of the best seasonal snacks at Disney California Adventure.

That’s it for this week. And remember: one day, an Autobot shall rise and use the power of the Matrix to light our darkest hour. Until that day… till all are one.

— Keith

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