New Pixar Fest Events Brings ‘Turning Red,’ ‘Elemental,’ and More to the Party

April 26, 2024April 27, 2024 Michael Lee

Thematic celebrations like Pixar Fest are becoming more commonplace for places like Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. The enhanced experiences are a nice change of pace for those who want something more than just the usual holiday season celebrations. So between April 26 and August 2, 2024, both parks honor Disney’s sister animation studio through parades, nighttime spectaculars, food, merchandise, and character meet-and-greets.

Animation, Theme ParksLeave a comment

Pixar Fest 2024: ‘Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration’ Parade and Nighttime Show!

April 24, 2024April 26, 2024 Laura Sirikul

For twice a day, now until August 4, for Pixar Fest at Disney California Adventure, visitors can expect to see a new and exciting parade of favorite Pixar characters, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration” and the “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks celebration.

Anime, MoviesLeave a comment

Now in Theaters: ‘SPY x FAMILY CODE: White’

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 Edward Hong

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment bring the first-ever film installment from the fan-favorite SPY x FAMILY franchise to the United States and Canada through an all-new original adventure in theaters now!

Animation, PodcastsLeave a comment

FDI Cast 190: Bring Back Bravestarr

April 19, 2024April 20, 2024 Jamie

Finally! An episode where we don’t talk about wrestling. Also, it’s about time Bravestarr get the live action treatment!

Animation, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Pixar’s Kelsey Mann on How Research Informed ‘Inside Out 2’

April 16, 2024April 17, 2024 Michael Lee

Pixar’s Inside Out reminded us that it was okay to feel and it can be unhealthy to suppress our emotions by masking it with another. With Inside Out 2 set for a summer release, the sequel returns to the mind of a now 13-year-old Riley, who must navigate the perils of growing up and learning the value of the relationships she has with her friends and family.

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Meet the New Emotions from ‘Inside Out 2’

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 Michael Lee

In 2015, Pixar’s Inside Out was a hilarious but honest portrayal of how we process our feelings and respond to certain situations. Not much time has passed for these characters, but it’s been an eternity for audiences. Inside Out 2 focuses on the next chapter of Riley’s life as a teenager who experiences puberty and shakeups in her relationships with her parents and friends. It’s all a part of the process of growing up. And the sequel will reveal how she processes Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui on her uncharted emotional journey.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Inside Out 2’ Footage Reaction: Pixar Gets in Touch With New Emotions

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 Michael Lee

Pixar’s Inside Out was an opportunity for the animation studio to explore uncharted territory. The human mind. It was a playful yet informative character study on emotions like Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear. The critical and commercially successful film helped audiences embrace their emotions while also normalizing discarded ones. Nine years later, Inside Out 2, revisits the inside of Riley’s mind and sees Joy and the gang making room for four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui.

Animation, Star Wars, StreamingLeave a comment

Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee Take Center Stage in ‘Tales of the Empire’ Trailer

April 4, 2024April 6, 2024 Lauren Lola

In 2022, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi was released, exploring untold stories via short films of characters, Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. The Dave Filoni-helmed animated anthology series was a hit among fans, leading to the announcement at last year’s Star Wars Celebration that a second season would follow.

Animation, Marvel, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘X-Men ’97’ is Uncanny, Astonishing, and X-Traordinary

March 22, 2024April 16, 2024 Mike Manalo

There’s not much more I can say about how incredible the first three episodes of X-Men ’97 are that hasn’t already been said about the series from its current 100% Rotten Tomatoes score — my interview with Jake Castorena, as well as Twitter reviews from Laura and me.

Animation, Theme Parks

Walt Disney World and Surrounding Parks to Launch Four New Experiences This Summer

March 21, 2024March 22, 2024 Michael Lee

Summertime at Disney World and the surrounding parks are about to get magical this year. Four new enhancements will launch, giving guests a more immersive experience while also celebrating cinematic milestones like the 30th anniversary release of The Lion King, and much more.

Animation, Interview, Marvel1 Comment

Making Mutant Magic with Head Director Jake Castorena of ‘X-Men ’97’

March 15, 2024March 15, 2024 Mike Manalo

October 31, 1992. It’s not a hyperbole to say that was the day my life changed. X-Men: The Animated Series debuted on Fox Kids, and the minute I tuned in, it began a lifetime of obsession and passion with the Marvel Universe and comic book superheroes that has persisted into my adult years.

Animation, Theme Parks

Pixar Fest Offerings at Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure

March 14, 2024March 15, 2024 Michael Lee

Pixar Fest makes its return to the Disneyland Resort from April 26 to August 4, 2024. The event means that guests can celebrate the beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studio in all new ways.

Anime, Movies, Streaming

Max and GKIDS Extend Exclusive Deal to Stream Studio Ghibli Films

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Keith Chow

In a press release this morning, Max announced it was extending its exclusive deal with GKIDS to stream Studio Ghibli films in the U.S., including the rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron.

Animation, Movies, Video Games

Sequel to ‘The Super Mario Bros Movie’ Officially Announced

March 10, 2024March 10, 2024 Mike Manalo

As if there was any doubt! The Super Mario Bros Movie was one of the biggest films of last year. And today, to celebrate Mario Day (MAR10), creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination have officially announced the sequel is in production!

Animation, Movies, Trailers

Joy and Friends Get Bottled Up by New Emotions in ‘Inside Out 2’ Trailer

March 7, 2024March 8, 2024 Michael Lee

Disney and Pixar has released the newest trailer for Inside Out 2. The highly anticipated sequel finds Riley’s first emotions Joy (Amy Poehler), Anger (Lewis Black), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) navigating the life of being a teenager whose life was turned upside down then her parents decided to move from Minnesota to sunny California.

Animation, Interview

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Cast and Crew on Elevating the Franchise with New Voices and Improv

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024 Michael Lee

The Kung Fu Panda franchise has delighted a global audience for the past 16 years. While Po (Jack Black), the endearing panda, has faced great adversaries along his journey to becoming the dragon warrior while also imparting profound lessons of self-discovery, overcoming fear and the power of teamwork. But it wouldn’t be much an internal journey of growth and change without having friends and family by his side.

Animation, Movies

See the Trailer and Poster for Dreamworks ‘The Wild Robot’

March 5, 2024March 8, 2024 Mike Manalo

Wow! When I woke up this morning, the last thing I expected was to watch a trailer for a Dreamworks animated movie that would make me emotional. But today, Dreamworks Animation and Universal dropped a trailer and poster for their upcoming release, The Wild Robot. And simply put, it looks epic!

Animation, Theme Parks

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2024 Begins

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024 Michael Lee

The annual Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival kicks off at the Disneyland Resort, in Anaheim, CA, today. Until April 22, guests can enjoy heaping helpings of limited-time food and beverages, entertainment, merchandise, cooking demonstrations, seminars, and more inspired by California’s diverse culinary scene.

Animation, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Iwájú’ Illuminates a Bright Future for Animation

February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 Michael Lee

Iwájú is a wonderful and heartwarming coming-of-age story that blends the artistic talents of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali with Afrofuturism ideals.

Animation, Interview

‘Iwájú’ Artisans on Bringing Their Experiences and Stories to Life

February 27, 2024February 28, 2024 Michael Lee

Iwájú is an all-new animated series that marks the first time that Walt Disney Animation Studios has collaborated with an outside studio. The Nerds of Color had a chance to talk to director and writer Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, along with production designer Hamid Ibrahim and Tolu Olowofoyeku about working together with Disney animation, telling a story through an authentic lens, and which animal they would have as a companion if they were to go out on an adventure.

Animation, Fandom, Music

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ In Concert Arrives at a Cultural Moment for the Franchise

February 26, 2024February 27, 2024 Lauren Lola

It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, a few blocks away from where the Lunar New Year Parade would later be held. It’s two days after the release of the cautiously anticipated Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and three days since the beloved Nickelodeon animated series turned 19.

Animation, Interview2 Comments

NOC Interview: Awkwafina on Lunar New Year and ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024 Dominic Mah

I got to talk with Awkwafina about her role as Zhen in Kung Fu Panda 4 from Dreamworks Animation, and her role as Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Lunar New Year Parade, which took place last Saturday to close out the Lunar New Year 2024 observance and celebration.

Animation, Interview

‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ Director on Authenticity, Family, and Dim Sum

February 22, 2024February 23, 2024 Michael Lee

Paramount+’s The Tiger’s Apprentice is available for streaming now. And we had the chance to talk to director Raman Hui about the film, as well as some favorite dim sum items to eat.