Breaking Down the Trailer for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026 Mike Manalo

At its core Star Wars has always been about rebels and underdogs standing up to dictators using their own private armies to take over the galaxy. Since its debut in 2019, The Mandalorian strengthened those themes, centering on a ragtag duo of outcasts fighting the good fight against villains still trying their hardest to hold on to authoritarianism. Now the battle continues on the big screen as Din Djarin and Grogu return in The Mandalorian and Grogu!

Interview, Movies, Sci FiLeave a comment

Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi Brings ‘Predator: Badlands’ Home

February 17, 2026 Mike Manalo

This past year director Dan Trachtenberg, who brought us Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers introduced us to the franchise’s first Yautja protagonist, Dek, in Predator: Badlands! Portrayed by breakout star, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, both Trachtenberg and Koloamatangi infused pathos and complexity into Dek, bringing us something completely different; a sympathetic and richer side to Yautja culture.

Literature, Movies, Reviews3 Comments

NOC Review: Toxic Love Entices and Torments in ‘Wuthering Heights’

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 Mike Manalo

Why are so many drawn to toxic love? Like an addiction, many cling to the idea that only a single person can complete their soul and possess their very being, holding on to the feeling of euphoria that exists when that person is by your side. However for any and all purity that might seemingly be derived from love, sometimes it can be utterly poisonous if the obsession consumes you.

Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Miyavi Makes Trouble for ‘The Wrecking Crew’

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Mike Manalo

Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista are currently crushing the charts on Prime Video right now, with their new-API centric action film, The Wrecking Crew. We recently had a chance to sit down with Director, Ángel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle), as well as stars Morena Baccarin, Jacob Batalon, Temuera Morrison, Frankie Adams, and Roimata Fox. Now it’s time to get a bit darker as we chat with the actor behind one of the film’s most memorable villains – global music and film sensation, Miyavi!

Interview, Movies1 Comment

Wreaking Havoc with the Cast and Director of ‘The Wrecking Crew’

January 30, 2026 Mike Manalo

Back in 2023, director Angel Manuel Soto brought us one of the best films in the DCEU with Blue Beetle. As a filmmaker he approaches his films with a kinetic energy and charm that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, while also laughing at the comedic chemistry of his lead actors. He also is a POC filmmaker who does tremendous things by promoting POC talent. And this is all the more apparent with his latest action film, The Wrecking Crew, headlined by stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista!

Marvel, Streaming, Television5 Comments

The Relevance of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 in the Era of ICE

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Mike Manalo

Let’s make no mistake about this. This first month of 2026 has proven to be a disgusting era in US history, with the president’s ICE patrols continuing to kidnap and murder people on the streets of Minneapolis and all around the country. The irony of all of the horrors here is that it makes a Marvel Studios show, like Daredevil: Born Again — set in a fantastical universe — feel so tragically close to home. However, in many ways, that’s why we need Matt Murdock now way more than ever before.

Interview, Movies

Going Bananas with ‘Primate’ Star Victoria Wyant

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Mike Manalo

Audiences are going ape for Primate, which surprisingly became the #1 thriller in the country this past weekend! It’s been a while since horror fans were treated to an old school creature feature, and thankfully the monkey shines of a rabid chimpanzee named Ben were what they needed to satisfy that itch. More rare than any simian-based horror movie, however, is one with prominent Asian cast members. Which is why we were so pleased when we got the opportunity to chat with one of the film’s stars, mixed-Asian actress, Victoria Wyant, who is wonderful as Kate in the new chiller!

Horror, Interview, Movies

Monkey Shines with the Cast and Director of ‘Primate’

January 9, 2026 Mike Manalo

The first big horror film of the year is here! Primate, starring Academy Award-winner Troy Kotsur, Johnny Sequoyah, Victoria Wyant, Benjamin Cheng, and Jessica Alexander is swinging into theaters this week. And to celebrate we had the opportunity to sit down with the director/co-writer of the film, Johannes Roberts, as well as Kotsur and Sequoyah, to get an inside look at the terror and chaos of their monkey problems!

Marvel, Movies

UPDATED: Breaking Down All ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailers So Far

January 6, 2026January 13, 2026 Mike Manalo

Happy New Year, folks! 2025 was definitely a tough year for many, but frankly, perhaps more so for Marvel Studios than most. While the House of Feige arguably put out a pair of its best post-Endgame films with Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, none of its three releases last year grossed anywhere close to the heights of many of the studio’s previous wins.

DC Comics, Movies

Introducing the Woman of Tomorrow at the ‘Supergirl’ Trailer Press Conference

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 Mike Manalo

James Gunn’s vision for the DCU is on fire, with Superman debuting to incredible acclaim and terrific box office grosses,and Peacemaker receiving universal acclaim for its second season this year. Now he and director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) are coming together to adapt Tom King’s acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow run into next year’s highly anticipated Supergirl!

Horror, Interview, Television

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Showrunner Jason Fuchs on the Twists of Episode Six

December 1, 2025December 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

If you’re a horror fan, odds are you’re watching IT: Welcome to Derry every Sunday on HBO. Ever since the show debuted October 26, and has become a ratings juggernaut for the network. Furthermore it has enhanced the mythology established in IT and IT: Chapter Two, frankly surpassing the latter by adding more depth to it (as evidenced by this past week’s episode). This is due to the masterful work from showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane. And we had an exclusive chance to sit down with Fuchs to discuss the series and the shocking twists from this Sunday’s episode!

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

NOC Review: ‘Predator: Badlands’ is an Enjoyable Sci-Fi Romp

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 Mike Manalo

Redefining a classic franchise is a difficult thing to do. Countless remakes and reboots of beloved classics from Poltergeist to Child’s Play have withered and died at the cinema. The Predator franchise, specifically, has even seen its share of wasted potential (see Shane Black’s failed attempt from 2018).

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

Into the ‘Predator: Badlands’ with the Stars and Director of the New Film

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Mike Manalo

It’s incredible to think that in just three years, director Dan Trachtenberg has reinvented the Predator franchise in such a profound way!

Horror, Interview, Television

Visiting Derry at the Red Carpet of ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’

October 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

IT: Welcome to Derry premieres tonight! And earlier this week, we got a glimpse at the highly anticipated (and frankly highly enjoyable and truly terrifying) prequel to Andy Muschietti’s IT and IT: Chapter Two. We were seeing red everywhere, with red balloons floating around the sewers of Derry, and red carpets rolled out for the show’s stars and creators! Click here to get an inside glimpse at our visit to Derry and our conversations with some of the cast and creators from the premiere of this terrifying chapter in the IT saga!

Horror, Interview, Television

Floating High with the Cast and Creators of ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’

October 25, 2025October 24, 2025 Mike Manalo

Every 27 years, something bad happens in the town of Derry, Maine. Children go missing, as fear and evil run rampant. Beneath the heart of this sleepy town lies a horrifying secret that threatens to divide its residents and cause chaos. However, is it just the supernatural terrors that plague this place? Or is there something deeper, sadder, and more real that is behind it all? We got to the bottom of these questions with the cast and creators of IT: Welcome to Derry!

Horror, Interview, Movies

‘Black Phone 2’ Star Madeleine McGraw Answers the Call

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025 Mike Manalo

Black Phone 2 is terrifying audiences everywhere now! While the first film was all about Mason Thames’ character, Finney, the amazing Madeleine McGraw takes center stage this time as Gwen. What does The Grabber have in store for this clairvoyant badass? We had a chance to chat with McGraw about the answer to that, plus much more!

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: Blumhouse Phones It In with ‘Black Phone 2’

October 17, 2025October 30, 2025 Mike Manalo

Traveling back to 2022, I remember leaving my screening of The Black Phone, touched, thrilled, and genuinely surprised having seen what became one of my favorites of that year.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

Talking About ‘TRON: Ares’ with Arturo Castro

October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 Mike Manalo

I loved TRON: Ares! Based on reviews from my fellow colleagues, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. TRON may be a niche franchise, but I simply can’t get enough of the crazy lightcycle sequences, the insane disc battles, buzzing techno soundtracks, and giant recognizers eclipsing the neon-lit skylines of The Grid! So I’m incredibly thrilled to share a bonus TRON interview with you all: a conversation with the hilarious and charismatic Arturo Castro!

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi1 Comment

Entering The Grid with the Cast and Director of ‘TRON: Ares’

October 6, 2025October 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

Fun fact: I’ve actually been obsessed with TRON for a long time. Both the original TRON and TRON: Legacy were films that were ahead of their time, with creator Steven Lisberger and future Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski exploring themes such as the dangers of corporate greed and the abuse of technology and power in both films.

Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘One Battle After Another’ is the Movie We Need Right Now

September 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

Every day we wake up to a divided nation. Anti-immigration sentiment is at an all-time high. White privilege has never been more prevalent and has inserted itself into the nation’s capital. Elected officials use BS excuses to invade our cities and shut down free speech. At this point, all we can do is laugh about the state of the country. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Paul Thomas Anderson does in his cathartic satirical triumph, One Battle After Another.

Comics, Interview, Streaming

On the Bloody Red Carpet with the Cast of ‘Gen V’

September 17, 2025 Mike Manalo

The Boys may be ending next year, but its enduring legacy lives on with the Guardians of Godolkin! In other words, Gen V is keeping the irreverent, blood-soaked, anti-facism spirit of The Boys Universe alive at a time when we need it the most. Season 2 of the acclaimed series returns today, and to celebrate, Kelly Martinez and myself were invited to the red carpet premiere of this latest season, to get up close and personal with the next generation of supes!

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

NOC Review: ‘The Long Walk’ is a Harrowing Journey Worth Taking

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Mike Manalo

At the time of writing this, I’ve had the opportunity to see The Long Walk twice. Once at a conventional screening, and another at an interactive experience where we walked on a treadmill for 3.4 MPH for the full screening to simulate the film’s experience. Why put myself through an emotionally devastating movie twice in a row, with a second experience being a physically exhausting one? Because this emotionally devastating movie is actually one of the year’s best.

Horror, Interview, Movies

James Wan Closes ‘The Conjuring’ Universe with ‘Last Rites’

September 5, 2025September 4, 2025 Mike Manalo

There are few producers or filmmakers in Hollywood as prolific as the incredible James Wan. The man who brought us Saw, Insidious, and of course The Conjuring Universe is hands down one of the most successful names in horror and action that we’ve seen in the past two decades. Now he’s bringing his iconic Conjuring franchise to a close with The Conjuring: Last Rites. And we were lucky enough to join other members of the press in a roundtable discussion with the Atomic Monster mastermind on the final chapter of The Conjuring Universe.