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!
Horror, Interview, Movies

Monkey Shines with the Cast and Director of ‘Primate’

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!

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Marvel, Movies

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

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.

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DC Comics, Movies

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

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!

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Horror, Interview, Television

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

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!

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Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

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

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).

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Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

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

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!

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Horror, Interview, Television

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

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!

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Horror, Interview, Television

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

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!

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Horror, Interview, Movies

‘Black Phone 2’ Star Madeleine McGraw Answers the Call

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!

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Horror, Movies, Reviews

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

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.

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Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

Talking About ‘TRON: Ares’ with Arturo Castro

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!

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Interview, Movies, Sci Fi1 Comment

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

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.

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Movies, Reviews1 Comment

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

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.

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Comics, Interview, Streaming

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

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!

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Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

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

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.

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Horror, Interview, Movies

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

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.

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Horror, Interview, Movies

Ending ‘The Conjuring’ with ‘Last Rites’ Director Michael Chaves

Mike Manalo

With The Conjuring: Last Rites, Michael Chaves will officially be the director who has helmed the most films within The Conjuring Universe. Coming on to the franchise with 2021’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and taking on the second installment of The Nun, Chaves has officially put his stamp on the horror universe James Wan built. Now once more, he’s teaming up with Wan to bring the legendary horror universe to an end with The Conjuring: Last Rites.

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DC Comics, Movies

Official Title and Release Date for ‘Superman’ Sequel Revealed

Mike Manalo

It’s been a hell of a summer for The Man of Steel! After proving skeptics wrong with healthy box office results and critical acclaim, James Gunn’s Superman made us all believe a man could fly once again. Given its success, fans have been clamoring to know more about what’s next for Gunn’s DCU and Kal-El. Thankfully, Gunn and the cast have officially dropped news of the title and release date for the highly anticipated next chapter!

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Horror, Interview, Movies

Terrifying Truths with the Stars of ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’

Mike Manalo

We first met Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s Ed and Lorraine Warren in 2013. The Conjuring debuted in theaters to monumental critical and commercial success, solidifying James Wan’s status as one of the greatest names in horror of all time! From there a legendary universe of creepy characters and stories were born. Now, twelve years later, The Conjuring Universe comes to an end with the final chapter – The Conjuring: Last Rites!

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DC Comics, Interview, Streaming

‘Peacemaker’ Stars Jennifer Holland, Frank Grillo, and David Denman on Second Chances

Mike Manalo

Peacemaker is back! Season 2 is here on HBO Max. However, this year, things are different: different worlds, different characters, different adventures and shenanigans for the 11th Street Kids to get into. And we were so lucky to get into the core of all of this with stars Jennifer Holland, Frank Grillo, and David Denman.

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DC Comics, Interview, Streaming1 Comment

Keeping the Peace with the Cast of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

Mike Manalo

We are back, everyone! Peacemaker has returned. Season 2 has officially kicked off with the first episode now streaming on HBO Max. To celebrate, we were recently given the opportunity to suit up and chat with several of the cast members, and today we’re proud to finally bring you our conversations with stars Sol Rodriguez and Steve Agee, and Freddie Stroma and Danielle Brooks.

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DC Comics, Television6 Comments

James Gunn on the Retcons and Surprises of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

Mike Manalo

DC mastermind James Gunn is having a hell of a summer. After delivering an astounding Superman film and taking over San Diego Comic-Con, the co-chair of DC Studios is going to “keep on keeping on” as the second season of Peacemaker debuts on HBO Max this week!

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Horror, Interview, Movies

Director Zach Cregger and Star Alden Ehrenreich Sharpen Their ‘Weapons’

Mike Manalo

When it comes to original horror, we expect low-to-mid budget horror to explode more through smaller independent studios and less from the major ones. Bigger studios tend to see these sorts of films as gambles, sometimes paying off in the form of hits like Ready or Not or even Sinners, and other times having to settle for cult classic status like with Abigail or Companion. However, when you have a talented, well-regarded horror filmmaker like Zach Cregger ready with a script like Weapons, for a studio like Warner Bros., it’s no longer a gamble. Success becomes almost inevitable.

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