NOC Review: ‘Sinners’ is a Profound Masterpiece of Survival Horror!

April 10, 2025April 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

There’s room in this world for all sorts of horror, be it schlock or awe. For every Exorcist there’s a Paranormal Activity. For every Fly there’s a Re-Animator. And for every Halloween there’s a Terrifier. They all can exist without conflict for every horror fan to embrace. However, when horror is made by storytellers that get it, love it, but have much more to say than “Ooh! Look! Blood!” that’s how masterpieces are born, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is one such film: a profound masterpiece of survival horror!

Horror, Movies1 Comment

The Philippou Brothers Talk to Us About Their New A24 Horror Film ‘Bring Her Back’

March 31, 2025May 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

There’s no greater victory in this fickle industry than seeing truly gifted storytellers and actors showing audiences of unpredictable taste everywhere that amazing movies can still be made. Back in July of 2023 Danny and Michael Philippou, a twin duo of horror short filmmakers known on YouTube as RackaRacka, did just that with their breakout hit, Talk to Me.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Jason Blum Talks ‘Drop,’ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,’ and Blumhouse’s Biggest Year

March 24, 2025March 25, 2025 Sophia Soto

While covering NYCC 2024, I caught up with the founder and CEO of Blumhouse, Jason Blum. We discussed the company’s many exciting projects that are coming up this year, including The Woman in the Yard on March 28, Drop dropping on April 11, M3GAN 2.0 premiering June 27, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 out December 5.

Horror, Reviews

Winnie Cheung Creates an Unforgettable Creature Thriller with ‘Last Call’

March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 Edward Hong

I’m a huge fan of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, and if there’s one area of North American filmmaking I hardly see many talents of Asian descent in, it’s in genre. But with the creature body thriller Last Call now just having its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Midnight Short Program on Sunday, March 9, writer & director Winnie Cheung created one hell of a mark as a visionary filmmaker to look out for with this incredible short film that is an homage to David Cronenberg, David Lynch, and Wong Kar-wai while creating an indelible unique stamp of her own.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Making ‘The Monkey’ Shine with Cinematographer Nico Aguilar

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Mike Manalo

Death is a really hard topic for all of us to grasp. Often it’s understandably met with trepidation, repulsion, and obvious sorrow. However, cinematographer Nico Aguilar is an expert in finding and capturing the beauty in death. His film, The Monkey, written and directed by Longlegs auteur, Osgood Perkins, is one such film that tackles the difficult subject matter of death with some dark levity, and, oddly enough thanks to Aguilar, a surprising amount of beauty and depth.

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Director Drew Hancock Discusses Directing His First Film

January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

The smart, hilarious, sci-fi satire Companion is officially hitting theaters this week! And this one is hands down one of the best surprises I’ve seen in theaters in recent years. To celebrate we were given the tremendous opportunity to discuss the film with its stars, Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, as well as cast members Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri. Now today, we’re pleased to bring you all our conversation with the writer and director of the film, himself, Drew Hancock!

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Stars Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri Tackle Twisted Relationships

January 30, 2025January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, we were able to chat with the incredible Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid to discuss their wicked new film, Companion. The film, which comes out this Friday, succeeds as a sharp and hilarious takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships. And while the story admittedly centers on Thatcher and her iconic character, Iris, it takes a terrific ensemble to help the movie reach the true levels of brilliance and comedy it ultimately achieves. Enter the terrific trio of Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi2 Comments

The Sensational Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid Converse about ‘Companion’

January 29, 2025 Mike Manalo

Valentine’s Day kicks off early this year with the best kind of rom-com coming out this Friday: a bloody horror comedy. The genre-defying, brilliant and twisted Companion, which I loved, is finally hitting theaters! Anchoring this terrific takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships are the charming Jack Quaid, and one of the best breakout actresses working in the industry today, the sensational Sophie Thatcher!

Horror, Movies

Director Ryan Coogler Takes Us Inside the Newest Trailer for ‘Sinners’

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 Mike Manalo

The impact director Ryan Coogler has had on Black cinema over the past few years is undeniable. From his debut film, Fruitvale Station to shattering records and making cinematic history with Black Panther, Coogler has not only demonstrated his incredible talents as a writer and director, but also showcased that he is one of the most prolific, game changing filmmakers working today. This April, he’s going to do it one more time, with his first horror feature, Sinners.

Horror, Movies, Reviews12 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Presence’ Weaves a Very Familiar Ghost Story

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025 Mike Manalo

The idea of seeing things from the perspective of those who have passed is not a new or innovative concept. From movies like David Lowery’s A Ghost Story to Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lovely Bones, we’ve experienced narratives of tragedy told from the POV of the ghosts acting as protagonists in these stories. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that despite its attempts to liven up the trope, a lot of the notes that director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp hit in Presence are ones that are well trodden.

Horror, Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi2 Comments

NOC Review: You’re Not Prepared for ‘Companion’

January 22, 2025January 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

I know it’s been less than a month since 2025 started, but I’m calling it right now: Companion is already going to be one of my favorite movies this year. As of writing this, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this one twice already, and I honestly feel like I could see it many more times and still enjoy every minute of it. It’s brilliant, twisted and wickedly funny.

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Wolf Man’ is a Successful Reinvention of a Horror Icon

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 Mike Manalo

As long as Universal Pictures has been around, there have been monsters. Through the ages, the Universal Monsters have been terrifying audiences, making their way into the annals of cinematic history as icons.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Director Leigh Whannell on ‘Wolf Man’ and the Fun Part of Making Movies

January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 Sophia Soto

At New York Comic Con 2024, I had the chance to speak with Leigh Whannell, who directed, co-wrote, and executive produced Wolf Man. The movie will be released in theaters on January 17.

Horror, Television, Video Games

New Trailer for ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 and Why We Need This Now

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

Last night, HBO and Naughty Dog dropped the latest trailer and release date information for the next season of its Emmy-nominated series adaptation of The Last Of Us. And frankly, the timing couldn’t be better. Here’s why we need this season of the show now more than ever.

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: The Darkness Beckons You to Succumb to ‘Nosferatu’

December 25, 2024December 25, 2024 Mike Manalo

The holiday season is one commonly associated with red, and this year, director Robert Eggers wants to ensure that your holidays are blood red. Eggers new vision of the legendary Nosferatu is finally hitting theaters on Christmas Day.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Dissecting the Darkness with Robert Eggers and the Cast of ‘Nosferatu’

December 24, 2024December 24, 2024 Mike Manalo

The dusk has fallen. The master of darkness rises. And evil has come to theaters! From acclaimed director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) comes a new vision of evil with his remake of Nosferatu. To celebrate the upcoming Christmas release of the gothic tale of terror, we had the opportunity to sit with Eggers, himself, as well as cast members Lily-Rose Depp, Emma Corrin, and the legendary Willem Dafoe.

Horror, Movies1 Comment

Ramone Menon’s ‘Virgin’ Infuses Horror in the Birth of Jesus

December 24, 2024December 24, 2024 Edward Hong

On the day before Christmas, I present to you all a rather intriguing horror short film I caught from filmmaker Ramone Menon. As a kid, Menon always thought the birth of Jesus must have been terrifying so he decided to make a horror film about it.

Fandom, Horror, Interview

Matthew Lillard Talks the Horrors of Macabre Spirits

November 5, 2024 Sophia Soto

Matthew Lillard’s Find Familiar Spirits has an exciting new line: Macabre Spirits! The first release, which is a premium reposado tequila, is on sale now and comes with Mike Flanagan’s first horror novella, Rare, Fine & Limited.

Horror, Interview, Streaming

Preparing for The End with ‘Teacup’ Stars Rob Morgan and Jackson Kelly

November 5, 2024 Mike Manalo

The whole first season of Teacup has officially hit Peacock. So if your mind hasn’t been blown yet, there’s still time to catch up and enjoy the thrills! In honor of the full season being fully available to binge now, we were able to sit down with two of the show’s terrific stars, Rob Morgan and Jackson Kelly.

Horror, Interview, Sci Fi

Taking a Haunted Hayride with ‘Alien: Romulus’ Co-Supervising Sound Editor Lee Gilmore

November 4, 2024November 27, 2024 Mike Manalo

Spooky Season is officially over folks, but like the best horror films, there’s still time for one final scare. Alien: Romulus is coming to 4K, Blu-ray, and VHS (!) December 3, and to celebrate the release of our favorite Alien film in years, we were given the opportunity to chat with the film’s co-supervising sound editor, himself, Lee Gilmore.

Horror, Streaming

The First Haunting Images For ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Float Their Way Online

November 2, 2024November 3, 2024 Mike Manalo

It’s been a while since we visited the New England haven of Derry, Maine. After all, vacations there tend to end pretty tragically. However, thanks to the magic of HBO, we’ll be booking another stay in the form of the new upcoming series IT: Welcome to Derry. And this week, we got our first look at the new project.

Horror, Movies

New Character Posters for ‘Nosferatu’ Arise from Hell

November 2, 2024 Mike Manalo

This Christmas, visionary director Robert Eggers will be showcasing his terrifying new vision of the classic story, Nosferatu. And while the trailers have recently given us a glimpse of the horror that awaits, this week we got a series of creepy new posters for us to sink our teeth into!

Horror, Interview, Movies

‘Your Monster’ Star Melissa Barrera Discusses the Movie’s Ending and What She Learned

November 1, 2024 Sophia Soto

Melissa Barrera portrays Laura Franco in Your Monster. The film, which is an excellent mix of horror, romance, comedy, and musical numbers, is now playing in theaters nationwide.