Author: Mike Manalo

Born a Slytherin. Baptized into Marvel. Bitten by a Radioactive DC fan, and Raised a Jedi, Mike Manalo is a silent guardian, a watchful protector… a Dark Nerd!
Animation, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Jumping In With the Cast and Creators of Pixar’s ‘Luca’

Mike Manalo

One of the most wonderful things about working with The Nerds of Color is that I find myself constantly in the most fortunate position of getting to meet some of the best, most talented individuals working today. And when you think about talent in Hollywood, few brands come to mind greater than Pixar Animation Studios. In celebration of the release of its newest masterpiece, Luca, which hits Disney+ today, I was fortunate enough to meet with the director and producer of the film, Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren, as well as legendary comedian, Jim Gaffigan (who voices Lorenzo in the film), and two of the most talented young actors working in the industry today: Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Alberto, and Jacob Tremblay, who plays the titular character, Luca Paguro.

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Horror, MoviesLeave a comment

Three New Cast Members Added to ‘Evil Dead Rise’

Mike Manalo

Last month, we reported that horror icons Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Bruce Campbell were reteaming to bring back the next installment in the Evil Dead franchise, entitled Evil Dead Rise. Today production is starting soon for this sequel to the seminal horror trilogy, and it has added three new cast members to the Lee Cronin directed project.

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Movies, Sci FiLeave a comment

‘Dune’ to Premiere at Venice Film Festival

Mike Manalo

It has certainly been a while since we got some really big official news about Dune, which was my most anticipated film of last year, and became my most anticipated movie of this year. But word dropped this morning via Twitter that the highly anticipated Denis Villeneuve film will be making its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival!

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Anime, Conventions, Star WarsLeave a comment

‘Star Wars: Visions’ Headed to Anime Expo Lite

Mike Manalo

I know we all miss the con experience. But I will say I’m grateful some of the larger ones have found a way to deliver in-home experiences to comply with safety standards (we do have to still acknowledge that we’re coming off a pandemic, after all). And thankfully, Anime Expo is bringing fans Anime Expo Lite from July 3-4 this year. And one of the most intriguing panels featured will be a sneak preview of the mysterious Star Wars: Visions!

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DC Comics, MoviesLeave a comment

New Details and Image from ‘The Suicide Squad’ Explode Online

Mike Manalo

We’re inching closer to the release of James Gunn’s high octane film, The Suicide Squad! And in a recent interview, Gunn spoke with Entertainment Weekly about what we can expect about the film, and revealed a new image through the publication, but also revealed a few tidbits of information from recent tweets including:

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Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: Pixar’s ‘Luca’ is Molto Bello

Mike Manalo

I’ve done several Pixar reviews for this site already, dating back to Toy Story 4 through to Soul. And every single one I cover tends to start with the usual: something something unique, something something they set the standard, etc. By now you know the drill. They’re still considered the best in the business. And while several other animation studios are worthy of the mantle (particularly Laika, Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Sony Pictures Animation are coming for it), at this juncture, Pixar’s only greatest competition is Pixar.

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Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Furious Fun at the ‘F9’ Press Conference

Mike Manalo

Very few franchises have had an enduring 20 year lifespan that’s still revving up the box office. But back in 2001, we were introduced to Dominic Toretto and his family, and since then, movie theaters have never been the same. When you think about The Fast Saga, it is an unparalleled accomplishment; a franchise in Hollywood that was written off after its third installment, before making a monumental comeback after reinventing itself as an ensemble heist/spy series that was capable of enduring 15 more years.

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Marvel, Movies, StreamingLeave a comment

Updated: New ‘Black Widow’ Official Clip and Featurette Come In Hot + Tickets Now On Sale

Mike Manalo

This is it folks! Tickets for Marvel Studios’ Black Widow are now officially on sale! And while I got mine for the opening night event, I’ve noticed they are going faster than Quicksilver did in Age of Ultron (too soon?). However to celebrate our return to theaters and the release of real actual theatrical tickets, the good folks at Marvel Studios dropped another behind the scenes featurette highlighting the action from the film.

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Animation, Movies, StreamingLeave a comment

Endless ‘Pasta’bilities at the ‘Luca’ Press Conference

Mike Manalo

The countdown is on! In approximately one week, Luca, Pixar’s latest masterpiece, will be hitting Disney+ on June 18. The film, helmed by first-time feature director, Enrico Casarosa, the film tells the coming of age tale of two sea monsters who spend an unforgettable summer in the one place they’re not supposed to be; the monster-hunting Italian village of Portorosso. To celebrate the release of the next one-of-a-kind masterpiece from the studio, cast members Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, and Jim Gaffigan — along with Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren — virtually gathered before members of the press to talk about the film, and take questions about what it took to bring it all together.

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Anime, Streaming, TelevisionLeave a comment

Netflix’s ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Adaptation Release Date Confirmed

Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, Netflix released a very tiny featurette about its Cowboy Bebop adaptation revealing a number of awesome bits of news:

  1. John Cho’s hair as Spike
  2. John Cho’s hair as Spike
  3. John Cho’s hair as Spike
  4. The original composer of the original anime series will be returning for the Live-Action Series
  5. The show will finally debut on Netflix this Fall!
  6. John Cho’s hair as Spike
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Movies, StreamingLeave a comment

Release Date and Motion Poster for Netflix’s ‘Kate’

Mike Manalo

Just last month, we unveiled a first look at the upcoming assassin thriller, Kate, starring the badass that is Mary Elizabeth Winstead. This week, during Netflix’s Geeked event, the streaming service dropped a really awesome motion poster for the film, revealing the release date to be September 10 this year. Have a look at the awesome motion poster and announcement below:

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Comics, StreamingLeave a comment

New Images and Release Date for Netflix’s ‘Locke & Key’ Season 2

Mike Manalo

Thanks to Netflix Geeked this week, a ton of new news regarding some of your favorite genre shows dropped all over. Caught in the mix of it all was the announcement about when the new season of Locke & Key was dropping.

Get ready, fans, because Season 2 is coming this October!

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Movies, Video GamesLeave a comment

Freewheeling ‘Free Guy’ Trailer and Poster Fly Online

Mike Manalo

Ready to feel guilty about all those times you went on GTA and started beating up innocent NPCs? The new trailer for Free Guy will definitely make you have second thoughts!

The film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), has been ready to come out for some time. But naturally due to the pandemic, it’s been delayed several times. But coming this August, we’ll finally be able to see it, and I gotta say – It looks like a total blast, and I think it’ll be worth the wait!

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Movies, StreamingLeave a comment

Trailer and Poster for HBO Max’s ‘No Sudden Move’

Mike Manalo

Don Cheadle has been incredibly busy this year! When he’s not harassing LeBron James in the Looney Tunes world or flying around in a high-tech suit of armor, he’s stealing documents for Steven Soderbergh.

The trailer for Cheadle and Benicio Del Toro’s new film, No Sudden Move has just hit.

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DC Comics, StreamingLeave a comment

‘The Sandman’ is Coming to Netflix

Mike Manalo

One of the most beloved mature comics of all time is finally coming to life! Netflix is unleashing The Sandman, courtesy of its legendary creator Neil Gaiman! And at last, this week, they’ve given us a look at the upcoming series with a behind the scenes feature and cast announcement!

Check out the behind the scenes feature right here:

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Animation, Movies, SportsLeave a comment

Pump Up The Jam with This New Trailer for ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

Mike Manalo

Guilty confession: It’s been 24 years and I still have no idea what “pump up the jam” means? But it sounded cool, and it’s in the first movie, so I’m using it!

Anyway, a few weeks back, we posted a quick teaser trailer for the upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy! Today WB has dropped the full trailer, in all its glorious looney-ness!

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Marvel, Reviews, StreamingLeave a comment

NOC Review: Kneel Before ‘Loki,’ the Best Marvel Studios Series Thus Far!

Mike Manalo

I realize I’ve only seen two episodes, but as of this moment, Loki is absolutely already my favorite of the Marvel Studios shows so far. Don’t get me wrong. WandaVision is incredibly original and ambitious. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Captain America and the Winter Soldier was relevant and politically aware. But after the first two episodes of each, I found myself questioning whether or not I loved the shows as much as the films. Yes it’s great to give us time to explore these characters as more than just B-members of The Avengers, playing second fiddle to the original six. But was it really going to give me the same feelings I got whenever I’d walk out of the cinemas after another rousing $200M budgeted 2-3 hour installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

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DC Comics, Movies1 Comment

A Super Short Sneak Peek at ‘Shazam: Fury of the Gods’

Mike Manalo

Today, director David F. Sandberg took to Twitter and YouTube to drop a fun little 17-second clip of our favorite kid-by-day, hero-by-night crusader, Captain Sparklefingers Shazam!

The super short sneak peek has Zachary Levi returning to form (literally) in the red suit and gold boots… only we can’t see any of it because it’s so dark! “Why’s it so dark?” he quips.

Billy, we’ve been asking ourselves that about the DCEU for years!

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Animation, Movies

Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out with These Adorable New ‘Luca’ Character Posters

Mike Manalo

We’re counting down to the summer release of Pixar’s latest sure-to-be masterpiece, Luca! And to help celebrate the release of the film, Disney and Pixar have released these adorable new posters featuring Luca, Alberto, and Giulia!

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Marvel, Movies

New Look at ‘Black Widow’ Sneaks its Way Online

Mike Manalo

We’re almost there fans! Just a little over a month before we return to theaters (or Disney+ with Premier Access) for our next big MCU experience, Black Widow! With A Quiet Place Part II and Creulla lighting up the box office in a huge way this weekend, along with the excellent rate at which we’re getting people vaccinated, it’s not hard to speculate this could be the biggest theatrical opening ever in a post-pandemic world. And honestly, it’ll be nice to return to a theater again. We’ve of course loved WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Captain America and the Winter Soldier. And we’re absolutely sure we’re going to love Loki. But there’s honestly really nothing like the experience of seeing real MCU action on the biggest screen possible in a darkened theater. And Marvel Studios knows this!

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Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘The Conjuring 3’ is a Solid ‘X-Files’ Episode

Mike Manalo

No, not literally (although, that would be pretty freakin’ amazing if there was a crossover). I realized I am aging myself quite considerably with the comparison (so if it makes you feel better, comparing it to a Supernatural episode would be no less apt). However, I bring it up because, in a lot of ways, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It actually reminded me more of an episode of The X-Files than a Conjuring movie. And, also in a lot of ways, that is a mostly good thing.

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