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

August 7, 2025 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.

Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Freakier Friday’ is a Fun, Chaotic Nostalgic Charmer

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

From The Parent Trap to Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan’s dominance in pop culture through the late ‘90s/early ‘00s was inescapable. And with good cause, because some of those films went on to become true classics, with many getting a second life with either musical remakes (Mean Girls) or in the case of Freaky Friday, legacy sequels. Surprisingly, that’s actually a great thing, because with Freakier Friday, the movies aren’t the only things getting a second life. Welcome back, Lohan!

Conventions, DC Comics1 Comment

SDCC 2025: ‘Peacemaker’ Takes Over San Diego Comic Con

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 Mike Manalo

Superman flew into theaters this summer, officially kicking off the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. It garnered much acclaim, and is still soaring high at the box office, becoming the highest grossing solo Superman film of all time domestically, and the most successful superhero film of the year. So the question for DC Studios is, of course, what’s next? Why the return of John Cena’s outlandish Peacemaker of course!

Conventions, Horror, Movies

SDCC 2025: Neon Celebrates Horror with First Comic-Con Visit

August 2, 2025August 2, 2025 Mike Manalo

We’ve been celebrating horror all year as one of the few genres in Hollywood where original storytelling is, not only alive, but thriving significantly. This is honestly thanks to one of the biggest indie studios in the market: Neon. They have had several incredible horror hits in the past few months, from last year’s Longlegs to this week’s Together. To celebrate their strong slate of horror films, they took to the stages of Ballroom 20 at Comic-Con to discuss what’s coming next!

Animation, Interview, Marvel

‘Eyes of Wakanda’ Director Todd Harris on Contributing to the MCU Legacy of ‘Black Panther’

August 1, 2025August 2, 2025 Mike Manalo

Throughout history, portions of Black history have been erased. We’re seeing that today with censorship in schools, the banning of books, a general trend toward erasure of American slavery’s historical legacy (e.g, Florida’s “Stop Woke Act”). Marvel’s new animated series Eyes of Wakanda refuses to shy away from these truths.

Conventions, Sci Fi1 Comment

SDCC 2025: The ‘Predator’ Blasts Hall H into the ‘Badlands’

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

There are very few staples in the world of pop sci-fi that have had the lasting impact of the Predator franchise. While the series has seen its shares of ups and downs since 1987, in recent years, it’s seen a considerable upswing thanks to the terrific efforts of filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg. Starting with Prey, continuing with Predator: Killer of Killers, and now coming up on Predator: Badlands.

Conventions, Movies, Sci Fi1 Comment

SDCC 2025: The Grid Takes Over Hall H at the ‘TRON: Ares’ Panel

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 Mike Manalo

Friday was an epic day at Hall H! After panels for Lionsgate’s The Long Walk, and 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands, Disney Studios capped off the day by digitizing its audience and transporting them to The Grid with TRON: Ares! The result: an incredible experience filled with lasers, lights, incredible music, and terrific talent!

Marvel, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘The Fantastic Four’ is a Loving Tribute to the Marvel Age of Comics

July 22, 2025July 23, 2025 Mike Manalo

There was a time, shortly after the Comics Code Authority was established, when DC Comics, after being attacked by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham and the Senate, was forced to make more campy, child-friendly stories for their most iconic heroes: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. As a result, sales plummeted, and fans of comics were looking for something more meaningful and relatable. Enter Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s The Fantastic Four!

Interview, Marvel, Movies2 Comments

Kevin Feige on ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ and the Future of the MCU

July 21, 2025September 18, 2025 Mike Manalo

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, has always made himself available for the media circuit, while also displaying professional skill at giving cryptic responses to questions about upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe events. However, at a recent roundtable discussion, Feige confidently and graciously allowed us to chat not only about the MCU’s latest film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but in a surprising turn, also spoke on the future of the MCU.

Conventions

NOC Guide to the Top SDCC 2025 Offsites

July 19, 2025July 19, 2025 Mike Manalo

Comic-Con is just five days away everyone! As we discussed in our NOC San Diego Comic-Con Guide, we will be on the ground covering as much of the fun nerdtopia festivities as possible! However, SDCC is not just about panels. There’s so much to do around the convention center, including some events you don’t need a badge for. So allow us to sort through the entire collection of offsites happening during SDCC 2025, and bring you our Top Picks!

Movies, Video Games

The ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Trailer Replaces Cole for Cage

July 17, 2025July 20, 2025 Mike Manalo

As huge fans of Johnny Cage and all of his action films, we were thrilled yesterday when we got a mysterious package with a DVD of Cage’s latest movie, Uncaged Fury. Little did we know that Cage himself went missing … Continue reading The ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Trailer Replaces Cole for Cage

Movies, Sci Fi

Worlds Collide in the New ‘TRON: Ares’ Trailer

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 Mike Manalo

Holy crap! This looks amazing! I’ve mentioned before how much of a TRON fan I am. I’ve lamented when I found out we weren’t getting a direct sequel to TRON: Legacy. But after seeing the new trailer for TRON: Ares, any concerns have been completely derezzed!

Animation, Interview, Movies

Smurfing About Kindness with ‘Smurfs’ Director Chris Miller

July 16, 2025July 17, 2025 Mike Manalo

Some properties for kids are so legendary, they withstand the test of time. We’ve seen multiple iterations of Garfield, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Peter Rabbit, and Paddington hit screens big and small. Another such beloved property is Peyo’s timeless Smurfs.

Conventions1 Comment

Your NOC Guide to SDCC 2025

July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

We are exactly one week away from San Diego Comic-Con, folks! As per tradition, The Nerds of Color is going to be there on the ground, not only bringing you the latest and greatest from the panels, but also participating as panelists in some of them (Looking at you, Swara, you rock star!) So as you gear up and prep for the biggest nerd event of the year, we’re going to break down the best panels and events you can’t miss!

DC Comics, Movies

‘Superman’ David Corenswet on Becoming The Last Son of Krypton

July 10, 2025July 14, 2025 Mike Manalo

For our final, showstopping interview from our Superman set visit last year, we are pleased to bring you The Man of Steel himself: David Corenswet — our new Superman!

DC Comics, Movies

The Marvelous Rachel Brosnahan on Continuing the Legacy of Lois in ‘Superman’

July 9, 2025July 14, 2025 Mike Manalo

Since last week we’ve been counting down to the release of Superman, sharing one interview a day from our visit to the film’s set last June. The goal: to give you all an up close and exclusive look at what it took to bring Superman to life, with all of the incredible players that were involved. Today, we’re pleased to bring you our conversation with our new Lois Lane, the marvelous Rachel Brosnahan!

DC Comics, Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ is Epic, Heartfelt, and Hopeful

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Mike Manalo

Why do we love superheroes? Yes, their powers are extraordinary, their costumes are cool, and their gadgets are incredible. The adventures they go on are exciting, and they symbolize the modern mythology of our time. However, it’s more than that. Superheroes embody the best of us. They give us hope, inspire awe, and encourage us to become better. All of this began with the original and greatest superhero of all time: Superman! And now, so too does James Gunn’s new era of the DC Universe.

DC Comics, Movies

Lessons on Luthor with Nicholas Hoult from the Set of ‘Superman’

July 7, 2025July 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

While on the set of Superman in Cleveland, Ohio in June 2024, The Nerds of Color were given the opportunity to meet with none other than Lex Luthor himself, Nicholas Hoult!

DC Comics, Movies

On the ‘Superman’ Set with the Terrific Edi Gathegi

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Mike Manalo

Last year, while visiting the set of Superman, we got to be part of a conversation with the terrific actor bringing Mister Terrific to life: Edi Gathegi!

DC Comics, Movies1 Comment

‘Superman’ Stars Skyler Gisondo and Sara Sampaio Discuss the Big Picture

July 2, 2025July 3, 2025 Mike Manalo

Today, we’re pleased to bring you a conversation with Skyler Gisondo and Sara Sampaio from the Cleveland set of Superman, as they talk about bringing to life the iconic roles of Jimmy Olsen and Eve Teschmacher!

DC Comics, Movies

Creating the DC Universe with Chantal Nong, Beth Mickle, and Judianna Makovsky

July 1, 2025July 2, 2025 Mike Manalo

Last year, we were invited to visit the set of James Gunn’s Superman in Cleveland, Ohio. Today, we’re pleased to bring you our conversation with Executive Producer Chantal Nong, Production Designer Beth Mickle, and Costume Designer Judianna Makovsky!

Animation, Movies

Colorful Fun with Bill Hader and Crew at ‘The Cat in the Hat’ Trailer Debut

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

Shambles. That’s where the cinematic prospects of Dr. Seuss’s beloved The Cat in the Hat laid following a 2003 live action disaster starring Mike Myers. Thankfully, we’ve had 22 years to move past that debacle, and the fine crew at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has rescued this cat and taken him home to a loving crew of filmmakers that promise to do much better. Today, we got our first look at the new trailer for Warner Animation’s The Cat in the Hat, and a conversation with the filmmakers and star Bill Hader!

Horror, Interview, Movies

The Stars of ‘M3GAN 2.0’ on Surviving an AI Apocalypse

June 30, 2025 Mike Manalo

The Baddest Bot B of all is back! M3GAN 2.0 is now officially in theaters. The sequel to the surprise horror charmer, M3GAN, promises a complete genre shift, and bigger, crazier challenges for Allison Williams’ Gemma and Violet McGraw’s Cady, as they are forced to team up with their favorite homicidal TikTok-ing robo-doll to stop another killer AI from destroying the world.