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‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ Cast and Crew on the Power of Representation

March 14, 2023March 14, 2023 Michael Lee

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, currently airing on Disney Channel and streaming on Disney+, follows Lunella Lafayette is a 13-year-old genius living with her parents and grandparents in the Lower East Side of New York. One day, she activates a portal and a red, horned Tyrannosaurus steps out of it. Together, the two fight crime, while also addressing the importance of representation and the need to talk about social issues like gentrification.

Animation, Movies, Video Games

Happy Mar10 Day from ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

March 10, 2023March 10, 2023 Mike Manalo

Well folks, today is March 10, or Mar10 for short. Which, for those unfamiliar, is the feast of Mario, patron saint of the Mushroom Kingdom, who defeated the evil King Koopa to save the princess and all the little toadstools from tyranny. It is a religious holiday for many, and to commemorate this, Nintendo and Illumination have released the final trailer for the highly anticipated The Super Mario Bros. Movie!

Animation, Interview, Television

Jayden Ham, Jaba Keh, and Viva Lee on Bringing K-Culture in Nickelodeon’s ‘Bossy Bear’

March 10, 2023March 9, 2023 Laura Sirikul

Based on the popular children’s books by David Horvath, Bossy Bear is now a television series on Nickelodeon. It is produced by Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, the creative team behind the popular plush toys UglyDolls, and gives a deeper backstory for extrovert Bossy Bear (Jayden Ham) and his best friend and introvert Turtle (Jaba Keh) as they go through some fun adventures, including some Korean American-inspired situations like show-and-tell Korean food and making kimchi.

Animation, Movies, Video Games

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Powers Up to a New Release Date

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 Mike Manalo

The anticipation is high, and buzz must be good! Because the Mario Bros. are coming out sooner than you expected! Today, Universal has announced a new release date for The Super Mario Bros. Movie! Let’s-a-go!

Animation, Movies, Video Games

Hop on the Rainbow Road in the New Poster for ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

February 24, 2023February 24, 2023 Mike Manalo

2023 is a good year to be a Mario Brother! Just last week, guests at Universal Studios Hollywood got to experience the first US iteration of Super Nintendo Land, and in just two months, the plucky Italian plumbers are getting their very own animated movie (I would say “first movie” if I could, but that title is unfortunately tainted, and no amount of revisionist history can change that).

Animation, Interview, Television

Sam Richardson and Glenn Howerton on ‘Velma’ and Character Origin Stories

January 19, 2023 Sophia Soto

Sam Richardson and Glenn Howerton voice the characters of Norville (aka Shaggy) and Fred on Velma. New episodes of the adult animated comedy series premiere Thursdays on HBO Max!

Animation, Television

Watch the ‘Bugs Bunny Builders’ Ring in the Lunar New Year

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Keina C

This weekend, we welcome the Year of the Rabbit as half the globe celebrates Lunar New Year. Fittingly, Bugs Bunny and friends are ready for the spotlight with a stacked slate featuring a Lunar New Year celebration short on Cartoonito, new episodes of Bugs Bunny Builders and HBO Max’s Looney Tunes Cartoons, plus the launch of Tiny Toons Looniversity later this year.

Animation, Interview, Television

Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy Talk Their New Animated Series, ‘Velma’

January 12, 2023January 13, 2023 Sophia Soto

Velma is executive produced by showrunner Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling, who also voices the titular character. The first two episodes of the thrilling adult animated comedy series are now streaming on HBO Max!

Animation, Interview, Star Wars

‘The Bad Batch’ Stars and Executive Producers Discuss Making the Second Season

January 3, 2023January 2, 2023 Lauren Lola

One day remains until the return of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. For its second season, audiences will get to continue riding along with this troop of genetically altered clones as they navigate the ever-changing galaxy following Order 66, and where they fit into all of this.

Animation, Interview, Television

Bill Fagerbakke, Jill Talley, and Dana Snyder Talk the SpongeBob Universe

December 22, 2022January 2, 2023 Sophia Soto

In 2023, Nickelodeon will take viewers on a multidimensional adventure throughout Bikini Bottom with the first-ever SpongeBob Universe crossover special, SpongeBob SquarePants Presents The Tidal Zone. The one-hour special encompasses SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, and Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years. At New York Comic Con, I had the opportunity to speak with Bill Fagerbakke, Jill Talley, and Dana Snyder about the beloved show and spin-offs.

Animation, Marvel, Movies1 Comment

Miles Morales Returns in the ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Trailer

December 13, 2022 Michael Lee

As if Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse didn’t already show us how expansive the multiverse is by introducing not one, but five other Spider-Man heroes helping Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) save his universe from certain doom. But now, its sequel proves that the predecessor was only the tip of the iceberg. And the latest trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse takes expanding the Spider-Verse to a whole new level.

Animation, Star Wars, Streaming

New ‘Bad Batch’ Trailer Teases Action Packed, High Stakes Second Season

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 Lauren Lola

A peaceful-looking island on an unknown planet, followed immediately by members of the squad of genetically altered clones, the Bad Batch, being chased by large crabs, breaks the ground for a glimpse at what’s to come from the upcoming second season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Set in the aftermath of Order 66, the show follows these group of rogue clones, as they navigate a galaxy under this questionable new Empire.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Jeff Kinney Talks ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules’

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Michael Lee

Disney continues its animated adaptation run of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series with an all new sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. Based on the second book of the same name, Greg Heffley continues to navigate his adolescent life while also having to deal with the complications of growing up, including dealing with his rock-out-loud older brother Rodrick.

Animation, Movies

Here We Go! New Official Trailer for ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Debuts

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 Mike Manalo

Today, during a quick Nintendo Direct presentation, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Super Mario teamed up with Illumination owner and founder Chris Meledandri to unveil the new official trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While the previous trailer only teased what we are expected to see in the upcoming April release, this new one showcased a lot more. On hand during the presentation were Anya Taylor-Joy who’s voicing Peach, and Seth Rogan, who’s voicing Donkey Kong, along with his dog Zelda.

Animation, Interview1 Comment

Uncovering the Secrets of Yorubaland with the Creators of ‘Iyanu’

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 Mike Manalo

In 2023, the world will meet Iyanu! Based on the acclaimed Dark Horse graphic novel, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, HBO Max is teaming with Lion Forge Animation to bring the world its first Nigerian/Yoruban inspired animated fantasy epic series. And The Nerds of Color was able to get an exclusive look with creators, David Steward II and Saxton Moore.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ is the Best ‘Shrek’ Movie in Years

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Mike Manalo

Yes, it’s true that Dreamworks Animation has had to live in the shadow of Pixar Animation studios for some time. But I truly think audiences tend to underestimate them. The first two Shrek movies are terrific. The entire How to Train Your Dragon trilogy is a masterpiece (one of the few film trilogies ever where all entries are fantastic). And even the Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar franchises are well done. It seems the impact great filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro and Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois has indeed (much like the fearless feline protagonist of the film this review is for) left an indelible mark. Because case in point, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is surprisingly quite good.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Andrew Stanton on the Legacy of ‘Wall-E’ and Joining the Criterion Collection

November 22, 2022November 24, 2022 Michael Lee

The purpose of the Criterion Collection is to restore and distribute classic and contemporary films. In essence, it preserves films of cultural impact and importance. And while cinephiles can find an assortment of gems, there is almost no animation titles in its collection. That is until they announced that Wall•E would be a part of their November 2022 release slate.

Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

‘Strange World’ Has Tons of Heart Despite its Few Shortcomings

November 21, 2022November 21, 2022 Michael Lee

Many of today’s comics were inspired by the page-turning action-adventure pulp comics of the past. The characters leaped off the page as they ventured into uncharted territory, where all sorts of dangerous creatures awaited them. Some fearlessly took the lead, while others provided a supportive role. And while most were one-dimensional and stereotypical, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World subverts what we know about the genre with its relatable characters, modern themes, and a wholly engaging story about the legacy.

Animation, Trailers

Pixar’s Romantic ‘Elemental’ Trailer Has Fiery Potential

November 18, 2022November 19, 2022 Michael Lee

Generally, the elements of fire and water do not mix, with the latter extinguishing the other. But such a dichotomous relationship could prove to be interesting. And Pixar director Peter Sohn wants to showcase that in Elemental. Now, after getting a small sneak peek at the D23Expo, the animation studio has revealed the first look at the upcoming film featuring the voices of Leah Lewis as the voice of Ember Lumen, and Mamoudou Athie as the water-based Wade Ripple.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Strange World’ Cast and Crew on Reimagining a Classic Action-Adventure Story For Today

November 16, 2022November 16, 2022 Michael Lee

Those classic action adventure stories like Journey to the Center of the Earth and King Kong took audiences to unexplored worlds unknown where danger is around every corner. But they were all a product of their times where there was a lack of diversity within its characters. Fortunately, Walt Disney Animation Studios changes that with Strange World.

Anime, Reviews, Star Wars

NOC Review: When Grogu Met the Soot Sprites

November 12, 2022November 19, 2022 Lauren Lola

It’s been three years since the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian — as well as the platform it lives on, Disney+ — debuted. In celebration, viewers received a little treat, by way of a collaboration between two beloved studios.

Anime, Star Wars1 Comment

Studio Ghibli and Lucasfilm Team on a Grogu Short

November 11, 2022November 12, 2022 Keith Chow

Yesterday, Studio Ghibli, the iconic Japanese animation house founded by Hayao Miyazaki, set the internet ablaze when it cryptically tweeted a video of the Lucasfilm logo morphing into its own studio card.

Animation, Interview

‘Zootopia+’ Cast and Crew on Revisiting Menagerie City

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 Michael Lee

Disney+ is all about nostalgia. While it is a streaming service where you can see some of your favorite Disney classics, it is also a place that serves as a home for some new content, some of which is an updated play on your favorite films like Zootopia. And in Zootopia+, audiences hope and crawl their way back into that cute and cuddly city where predators and prey happily co-exist.