‘The Pickup’ Blends Comedy, Chaos, and Reparative Justice — and I Was Not Ready

August 6, 2025August 5, 2025 Ainsley 'LadyL' Landry

When I pressed play on The Pickup, I was ready for a light, laugh-filled heist romp. Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, and Eddie Murphy in one film? Directed by Tim Story? I expected chaos. I expected jokes. I expected surface-level fun. What I didn’t expect was a film that would detour from slapstick and romance into a quiet story about Black grief, corporate neglect, and what happens when the system that takes from us decides we’re not worth the refund.

Interview, Movies

Taking a Shot with ‘Ballerina’ Director Len Wiseman and David Castañeda

June 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

How do you live up to the legacy of a legendary franchise like John Wick? It’s definitely not an easy feat to follow in the footsteps of director Chad Stahelski or actors like Keanu Reeves. Thankfully, Ballerina, the latest installment in the world of John Wick, is equipped with a stellar cast and a director who understands action incredibly well! So without further ado, we are proud to present to you all our conversations with Ballerina director Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free Die Hard) and star David Castañeda!

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Ballerina’ Heats Up the World of ‘John Wick’

June 4, 2025June 9, 2025 Mike Manalo

In the past decade, there has probably never been a franchise that has done as much for practical stuntwork as the John Wick series. Since the first hit the screen almost 11 years ago, many have seen and began to recognize the hard work and beauty in well choreographed, fast paced practical stunts. These amazing professionals put their lives on the line and the result is always stellar entertainment. And this Friday, we’re getting more, as we return to the World of Wick with another worthy installment: Ballerina.

Interview, Movies

Sharon Duncan-Brewster on Training the ‘Ballerina’

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 Mike Manalo

Get ready to return to The World of John Wick! Ballerina opens up in theaters this Friday! And to celebrate we were able to sit down with the cast and director of this awesome, ass-kicking epic! We’d love to start by bringing to you the amazing badass woman behind the badass woman, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, who plays Nogi, the mentor of Ana de Armas’ Eve, aka “The Ballerina.”

Interview, Movies

From Lumon to the IMF with Tramell Tillman of ‘Mission: Impossible’

May 23, 2025May 28, 2025 Mike Manalo

In just a few short years, Trammell Tillman has shimmied his way to the top! The star of Severance made a heck of a name for himself as the incomparable Seth Milchick on the Emmy-nominated phenomenon, and has proven himself to be one of the finest actors working in streaming today. Now it’s time for Mr. Milchick to be promoted from severed floor manager to Commander!

Interview, Movies

A ‘Final Reckoning’ with the Stars of ‘Mission: Impossible’

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 Mike Manalo

We are on to the final mission, everyone! Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning hits theaters this week. And we were fortunate enough to chat with the cast of the long-awaited next (and final?) installment in the hit spy franchise. Earlier this week, we brought you our interviews with Angela Bassett and Hayley Atwell! And today we’re happy to bring you our conversations with Pom Klementieff, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Simon Pegg!

Interview, Movies2 Comments

Achieving the ‘Impossible’ with Angela Bassett and Hayley Atwell of ‘The Final Reckoning’

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 Mike Manalo

The fuse is lit, and the mission is on! Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is exploding into theaters this week. And to celebrate we were given the opportunity to chat with the cast of the long awaited next (and final?) installment in the adventures of Ethan Hunt. First up, our interviews with Oscar-nominee and legend, Angela Bassett, and MCU mainstay turned IMF mainstay, Hayley Atwell!

Movies, Trailers

The Final Mission Begins in New ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ Trailer

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

The Mission: Impossible films have given us so much, and never asked for anything in return other than for our jaws to drop. And drop they have, just as fast and far as Tom Cruise does whenever he’s filming a big stunt. The films are a love letter to the magic of practical stunt work, and the power of fun, escapist popcorn cinema at its finest. Now the countdown begins for what is rumored to be Cruise’s final bow as the incomparable Ethan Hunt, with Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning!

Movies, Trailers

The ‘Ballerina’ Strikes Back in Latest Trailer for the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff

March 25, 2025March 25, 2025 Mike Manalo

We’ve seen what happens when the Baba Yaga comes for you. However, just as terrifying for those who cross her will be the Ballerina! We have been so excited to return to the world of John Wick, and with Academy Award nominee Ana de Armas joining this universe, you know you’re in for a badass with charm, class, and guns… lots of guns! That’s what the latest trailer is absolutely promising us: a good time!

Movies, Trailers

Prepare for ‘The Final Reckoning’ with the New ‘Mission: Impossible’ Teaser

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 Mike Manalo

We have had to wait quite a bit of time for the second part of Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1 to come out. At long last, though, we finally have a trailer for the epic conclusion in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning!

Movies, Trailers

First Official Trailer for ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off ‘Ballerina’ Dances Online

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 Mike Manalo

Much like The Continental Peacock series last year, we have another story “From the World of John Wick” and this one is a huge one! First introduced in John Wick Chapter 3, we got a glimpse of Anjelica Huston’s ballerinas in this world. Now we get the see the story of one of them unfold next summer in Ballerina!

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

NOC Review: ‘Furiosa’ is a Fiercely Fun Fever Dream

May 17, 2024July 23, 2024 Mike Manalo

“What a lovely day!” With those words audiences in 2015 were reintroduced to the world of George Miller’s Mad Max in Mad Max: Fury Road. In that masterpiece, they came to meet a new beloved franchise hero: Imperator Furiosa. It’s almost nine years to the date that Mad Max: Fury Road drove into theaters, and we find ourselves back in The Wasteland, albeit 20-30 years prior to the events of the previous epic, to learn about the origins of Furiosa, and how she became to be the fiercest warrior in the Post-Apocalypse. But was this a story we needed? After witnessing Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, I can safely say, yes it was, and I’m sure glad this was made!

Movies

Donnie Yen is Officially Returning as ‘Caine’ in ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off Film

May 15, 2024May 17, 2024 Mike Manalo

What more is there to say about the legend of Donnie Yen that hasn’t already been communicated through his fists? The unparalleled actor and master of martial arts was recently seen giving John Wick a hard time in John Wick: Chapter 4 last year. But we’re not done with this seeing-impaired assassin just yet! Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a Caine spin-off!

Movies, Reviews

‘Meg 2: The Trench’ is a Summer Blockbuster to Sink Your Teeth Into

August 3, 2023August 4, 2023 Laura Sirikul

There is something to be said about movies that know their own ridiculousness and fully embrace it. The Sharknado films, Snakes on a Plane, and just about all B-grade monster movies know they need a hero, greedy antagonists, and a deadly monster. Meg 2: The Trench, the sequel for 2018’s The Meg – based on the popular books by Steve Alten, does just that.

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One’ is a Non-Stop Thrill Ride

July 5, 2023August 9, 2023 Mike Manalo

Franchise resurrection. That’s a feat in Hollywood rarely ever achieved by most franchises, outside of, perhaps, Fast and Furious. Much like that movie series, there was a time when the Mission: Impossible faced the relative threat of extinction. But suddenly, it came skyrocketing back in 2010, with Ghost Protocol and the insane stunt work of its maestro, actor and star, Tom Cruise.

Movies, Trailers

Choose to Accept the Latest Trailer for ‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One’

May 17, 2023May 18, 2023 Mike Manalo

Tom Cruise is flying high off of Top Gun: Maverick; the movie that saved Hollywood’s box office… after Shang Chi, Venom 2, and Spider-Man: No Way Home also saved Hollywood’s box office! Nevertheless, the one thing we know about Cruise is he brings the quality, the excitement, and the commitment to all his projects. And because of this, the Mission: Impossible franchise has just gotten better and better with each installment. Now we have the latest trailer for this summer’s Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. And it looks as astonishing as ever!

Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: Fun ‘Fast X’ is X-ceptionally Stupid

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 Mike Manalo

At this point, I don’t have to preface this with any sort of message warning people about the Fast and Furious franchise being incredibly stupid. I did this for F9 in 2021. And it should be obvious we’re getting more of the same from Fast X. These aren’t good movies. But why in the world would you go in expecting them to be? You go to a Fast and Furious movie looking for guilty-pleasure fun. And honestly, for better or worse, they still deliver on that lowest common denominator sense of entertainment.

Movies, Trailers

The Final ‘Fast X’ Trailer Goes into Overdrive

May 15, 2023May 16, 2023 Mike Manalo

This Friday marks the beginning of the end for the Fast and Furious franchise! And we’ll have a review of Fast X for everyone coming later this week. But before we begin the countdown, Universal has just dropped a final trailer for the latest installment in the “family” franchise today. Check it out right here!

Interview, Movies

Hiroyuki Sanada and Shamier Anderson Unload on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

March 23, 2023March 27, 2023 Mike Manalo

Yeah, I’m thinking he’s back. This Friday, Keanu Reeves returns in action as the Baba Yaga himself, in John Wick: Chapter 4! And this time, he’s not alone. Along for the ride are the terrific Shamier Anderson (Stowaway) and the legendary Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train). And we, at The Nerds of Color, had a chance to speak with the new stars of the franchise about all the excitement the latest installment has to offer!

Movies, Streaming, Trailers

The Trailer for ‘Ghosted’ Starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas is Here

March 6, 2023March 7, 2023 Sophia Soto

Apple Original Films has just unveiled the trailer and key art for the new romantic action-adventure movie, Ghosted. The cast includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Adrian Brody, Mike Moh, Amy Sedaris, Tim Blake Nelson, and Tate Donovan.

Movies, Reviews

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ For the First Time

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 Lauren Lola

We have arrived in the month of release for the next John Wick film. As our coverage on the latest installment really kicks into gear, I wanted to make sure I got in my thoughts about its 2019 predecessor well before then.

Movies, Reviews

‘Cocaine Bear’ is a Ridiculously Good Time with Over-the-Top Gore

February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 Wendy Lee Szany

Cocaine Bear — a dark comedy about a 500-pound black bear, who consumes an obscene amount of cocaine and goes on a killing rampage — is just about as over the top as the title suggests.