Movies, Reviews, Video GamesLeave a comment

‘Mortal Kombat II’ Finally Gives Fans the Tournament They’ve Been Waiting For

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 Michael Lee

For a Mortal Kombat movie to truly feel like Mortal Kombat, there needs to be a tournament. Simon McQuoid’s 2021 reboot of the popular video game franchise noticeably lacked one, but it also gave the series the springboard it needed to finally enter the arena. And Mortal Kombat II certainly delivers as it is an upgrade where fights hit harder, the fatalities are more fun, the tournament stakes finally feel tangible, and the character dynamics give the carnage more momentum than its predecessor ever had.

Animation, Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

‘Swapped’ Uses a Familiar Story to Deliver Timely Lessons on Empathy

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Michael Lee

Nathan Greno’s Swapped may not reinvent the body swap formula, but it uses it effectively to remind audiences of the importance of seeing the world through someone else’s perspective. Backed by a terrific cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple, Netflix’s latest animated film turns a familiar premise into a funny, heartfelt story about empathy, identity, and our relationship with the natural world.

Animation, Interview, StreamingLeave a comment

Disney’s ‘Songs in Sign Language’ Reimagines Familiar Songs Through a Deaf Lens

April 21, 2026April 22, 2026 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Songs in Sign Language, debuting April 27 on Disney+, is an opportunity to bring songs to the Deaf community in ways that feel fully expressive, intentional, and culturally authentic, rather than simply translated and confined to a small box in the corner. In our interview with Disney animator and director Hyrum Osmond (Olaf Presents), Deaf West Theatre artistic director DJ Kurs, and sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti, we explore why reimagining songs from Frozen II, Moana 2, and Encanto matters.

Horror, Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

Lee Cronin’s ‘The Mummy’ is a Viscerally Unsettling Reinvention of a Horror Icon

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Michael Lee

The Mummy remains one of the most iconic figures of the classic movie monster era. For nearly 95 years, the character has been reimagined through horror, romance, and action-adventure, evolving with each generation without ever fully losing its mythic power. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy recognizes that any new take must do more than reinvent the monster. It also has to leave room to engage with the story’s cultural roots in a way that feels thoughtful, grounded, and free of the outdated stereotypes that have often shaped past depictions.

Music, OpinionLeave a comment

Laufey’s “Madwoman” Music Video is a Wasian Celebration

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Michael Lee

Hot off her Coachella performance and A Matter of Time: The Final Hour deluxe edition release, Laufey, the Chinese-Icelandic genre-defying Grammy award winner, has revealed the music video for “Madwoman.” Framed through a dreamy 1960s bossa nova-inspired aesthetic, the video feels like more than just a visual flex. It is a deliberate gathering of Wasian talent across music, film, television, and sports, turning a buzzy release into a larger statement about visibility.

Horror, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Lee Cronin and James Wan Talk Bringing Authenticity to ‘The Mummy’

April 13, 2026 Michael Lee

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy re-imagines the iconic monster through a more intimate kind of horror, trading spectacle for a story rooted in grief, guilt, and family trauma. In our interview with Cronin, along with producers James Wan and Jason Blum, we talk about reshaping the legend into something more domestic, unsettling, and emotionally grounded.

Movies, Trailers

New Live-Action ‘Moana’ Trailer and Featurette Spotlight Cultural Artistry

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 Michael Lee

It was only a matter of time before Walt Disney Animation Studios set its sights on adapting its more recent classics into live-action. Now, a new trailer for Moana offers another glimpse at how the studio is reinterpreting one of its biggest hits, while a new featurette celebrates the live-action reimagining’s artistry.

Animation, Theme Parks1 Comment

‘Bluey’s Best Day Ever!’ Brings Play, Heart, and Imagination to Disneyland

March 20, 2026March 21, 2026 Michael Lee

For a show built on imagination, play, and the emotional intelligence of everyday family life, Bluey has always felt bigger than its seven-minute runtime. Now, it’s getting a stage big enough to match because “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at the Fantasyland Theatre will be making its debut at Disneyland this weekend.

Animation, Streaming1 Comment

How Disney Animation’s Short Circuit Turns Personal Stories Into Powerful Shorts

March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Short Circuit has been delivering creative shorts to audiences for the past ten years. The program gives anyone at the studio the chance to pitch an idea in the hopes of being selected to bring their own project to life.

Movies, Sci Fi, Trailers1 Comment

‘Dune: Part Three’ Will Be a Love Story that Explores the Consequences of Power

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026 Michael Lee

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Dune: Part Three, the highly anticipated next chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic. Packed with striking new footage and a closer look at what lies ahead for Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the trailer sets the stage for another visually stunning and emotionally charged return to Arrakis. To celebrate the release, the studio invited select journalists and influencers to a special event for an early look at the trailer, followed by a Q&A with Villeneuve and stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem.

Animation, Movies

Netflix Reveals New Look at Skydance Animation’s ‘Swapped’

March 11, 2026March 11, 2026 Michael Lee

A new animated adventure comedy is heading to Netflix. Swapped, directed by Nathan Greno, will feature the voices of Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Tracy Morgan, and Cedric the Entertainer when it releases later this spring. So the streaming service has released new images from the upcoming release.

Animation, Movies, Music

How SZA’s “Save The Day” Captures a Generation Trying to Change the World

March 11, 2026March 12, 2026 Michael Lee

When I joined a select group of journalists to cover Hoppers at the Pixar campus in Emeryville, CA, we did not expect to see Daniel Chong’s film in its entirety. One of the biggest surprises, though, was learning that Grammy Award-winning artist SZA would be performing the film’s end credits song, “Save The Day.”

Animation, Interview, Movies

Yvette Nicole Brown on ‘Zootopia 2’ and the Status of the ‘Community’ Movie

March 10, 2026March 11, 2026 Michael Lee

Yvette Nicole Brown is part of a special group. While some talents have earned EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, Brown has her own pop culture distinction as a DMPL, having appeared in a Disney, Marvel Studios, Pixar, and Lucasfilm project. Now the actor shares her thoughts on the recognition, being in Zootopia 2, as well as an update on the Community movie.

Theme Parks

Disney California Adventure Park’s Food & Wine Festival 2026 Serves Up New Standouts

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026 Michael Lee

Disney California Adventure Park’s annual Food & Wine Festival makes its delicious return this year with new and returning flavors that celebrate the Golden State. From comforting savory bites to sweet treats and refreshing drinks, this year’s lineup offers something for every kind of foodie. After tasting several items across the festival, a few standouts proved why this event remains one of the park’s most flavorful seasonal offerings.

Animation, Interview

‘Zootopia 2’ Creators Discuss the Film’s Global Success and After Credit Scene

March 5, 2026 Michael Lee

With Zootopia 2 now on Digital and Blu-ray, the BAFTA-winning sequel arrives with new bonus extras, including a peek inside Walt Disney Animation Studios, recording-booth behind-the-scenes, a Shakira music spotlight, and deleted scenes. In this interview, The Nerds of Color speaks with director Byron Howard and producer Yvette Merino about the film’s global impact, its emotionally resonant and timely themes, and that mysterious after-credits feather.

Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ is a Hilarious Avatar Riff That Gets Surprisingly Real

March 2, 2026February 21, 2026 Michael Lee

When it comes to animated originals, few studios do it like Pixar. Their best films keep raising the bar. So when something like Hoppers comes along, you do not just hope it is good. You hope it delivers the kind of craft and storytelling that reminds you why Pixar is still the gold standard. And Hoppers does exactly that. It pairs humorous chaos with emotionally resonant storytelling, memorable characters, and astonishing visuals, while exploring timely ideas about anger, powerlessness, and empathy without ever losing its heart.

Theme Parks

Disney California Adventure Park’s Food & Wine Festival 2026 New and Returning Favorites

February 24, 2026 Michael Lee

The Disney California Adventure Park‘s Food & Wine Festival returns to Disney California Adventure Park from March 6 through April 27, 2026, inviting guests to eat and drink their way through California-inspired flavors across the park. Offerings will be available at festival marketplaces, select quick-service locations, and reserved dining experiences.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Hoppers’ Star Piper Curda Talks Heart, Humor, and Mabel’s Playlist

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Michael Lee

In Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers, Piper Curda voices Mabel, a passionate animal lover who ferociously follows her heart. She cares deeply for creatures both big and small, though her patience for humankind occasionally wears thin. For Curda, the key was figuring out what kept Mabel consistent, even when the story’s chaos kept escalating.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Hoppers’ Director Daniel Chong on 3D Animation and Landing SZA

February 20, 2026February 21, 2026 Michael Lee

Those familiar with Daniel Chong’s We Bare Bears know that his storytelling and visual style thrive on emotional sincerity wrapped in playful absurdity. Hoppers, his feature directorial debut, is an expansion of those principles. During our visit to Pixar’s campus, we learned more about his jump from 2D to 3D and what it took to bring SZA on board for the film’s end credits song.

Animation, Movies, Trailers1 Comment

‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer Reveals How Woody Returns to Save the Day

February 19, 2026February 20, 2026 Michael Lee

Disney and Pixar have released the newest trailer for Toy Story 5, and it feels like the franchise is stepping into something very real. Not another collector’s item. Not a daycare disaster. This time, the toys are up against technology in the form of a cute green frog tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee)

Animation, Movies, Sports

‘GOAT’ is an Animated Love Letter to the Game of Basketball

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 Michael Lee

GOAT may look like one of those underdog sports movies where you can clock the protagonist and antagonist in the first five minutes, but it has more on its mind than simply winning the big game. The animated film is a love letter to basketball and everything that comes with it. This isn’t just about the score. It’s about the plays, the chemistry, the legacy a veteran fights to protect, and the way a team can become the heartbeat of a community.

Animation, Movies, Sports

‘GOAT’ Brings Basketball Culture to Life in Sony Animation’s Boldest Experiment Yet

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 Michael Lee

GOAT looks like an underdog sports story on the surface, where a goat tries to earn his place in a league built for bigger animals, but it’s really driven by something more intimate. Family, belief, legacy, and the ache to prove you belong are what actually ground the journey.

Animation, Movies

Inside the Unexpected Inspirations of Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’

January 28, 2026January 26, 2026 Michael Lee

Hoppers, directed by We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong, doesn’t feel like a traditional Pixar film by any stretch of the imagination. And that’s what makes it so appealing. This wild and unpredictable film riffs on Avatar, Mission: Impossible, and Frogs, never loses control of its own madness, and delivers something heartfelt and timely for the masses.