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.

Fantasy, Streaming1 Comment

Oh My Demigod: Disney+ Reveals ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Trio

May 5, 2022June 23, 2022 Keith Chow

Disney has just officially announced Aryan Simhadri (Disney’s Spin) and Leah Sava Jeffries (Empire) will play Grover and Annabeth, respectively, in the upcoming Disney+ original series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Simhadri and Jeffries will star alongside Adam Project star Walker Scobell who was recently cast as Percy in this epic adventure.

Books, Movies, Television

More AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’

May 3, 2022May 3, 2022 Lauren Lola

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month everyone! Last year, to acknowledge both this annual commemoration of contributions from the AAPI community and the ever-present following of the ’90s Disney Channel original series, So Weird, I compiled together a list of supernatural recommendations, created by and about people of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Interview, Streaming

Stars of Apple TV+’s ‘Pachinko’ Discuss Bringing the Novel To Life

March 24, 2022March 17, 2023 Laura Sirikul

Apple TV+ new series Pachinko premieres this week, and we could not be more excited. Based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko chronicles the struggles and successes of four generations of a Korean immigrant family living in Japan.

Anime, Music, Streaming

Putting the ‘Bebop’ in ‘Cowboy Bebop’ with Steve Aoki and John Cho

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s time to jam Bebop fans! Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop debuts today! And while it isn’t perfect, it’s still pretty fun in a pretty campy way. However, the one thing the show gets right is the music! And heavily inspired by the terrific music of the original anime, the music in the new adaptation pays homage, while managing to carve out its own identity for itself (much like the show as a whole). And someone who knows all about that is iconic DJ Steve Aoki!

Anime, Reviews, Streaming1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is a Mixed Bag That Will Test the Purists

November 15, 2021November 18, 2021 Mike Manalo

So much like my review for Snake Eyes, I will set a disclaimer about the fact that I’m by no means a hardcore Cowboy Bebop fan. I’ve seen the full series once through in my life, and I do like it. And I’ve rewatched some of my favorite episodes numerous times, particularly in preparation for the release of this series. But I’m not as emotionally attached or invested in the series as many out there are.

Anime, Streaming

‘Cowboy Bebop’ Official Trailer and New Poster Drop

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 Mike Manalo

We are almost to November 19 everyone! Which means we’re that much closer to the premiere of Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop!

DC Comics, Streaming

Yoshi Sudarso is Finally Nightwing in Live Action ‘Batman: Wayne Family Adventures’

October 6, 2021October 8, 2021 Keith Chow

Well, it finally happened! Long time friend of the NOC, Yoshi Sudarso, has been cast as Nightwing in an upcoming live-action adaptation of Webtoon’s popular Batman: Wayne Family Adventures webcomic.

Anime, Streaming, Television

Netflix Unleashes ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Opening Credits

September 25, 2021September 25, 2021 Mike Manalo

Our first footage of Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop is finally here! As predicted, right on the heels of the poster drop yesterday, the streaming service teamed up with the show’s cast during today’s TUDUM event to unveil the first look to all the rabid fans who have been patiently waiting to see it! And it didn’t disappoint! It’s an almost perfect recreation of the classic anime’s intro!

Anime, Streaming, Television1 Comment

New Poster Revealed for Netflix’s ’Cowboy Bebop’

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 Mike Manalo

This morning Netflix dropped a sweet poster ahead of Netflix’s #TUDUM event tomorrow. Check it out here!

Anime, Streaming

Netflix’s ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Drops a Release Date and Awesome First-Look Images

August 23, 2021August 23, 2021 Mike Manalo

Count it down, folks! Because Cowboy Bebop is finally coming to Netflix on November 19!

The eagerly awaited live-action adaptation of one of the most beloved animes of all time is coming after many years of delays caused by the pandemic and star John Cho sustaining a set injury during filming.

Movies, Streaming

Take a Look at the Official Poster for Netflix’s ‘The Kissing Booth 3’

July 1, 2021July 6, 2021 Sophia Soto

Netflix has just shared the poster for The Kissing Booth 3, which stars Joey King, Jacob Elordi, and Joel Courtney. It reads, “The end of an era. The beginning of everything else.” Are you ready to see how the beloved Netflix trilogy ends? Mark your calendars for August 11.

Anime, Streaming, Television

Netflix’s ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Adaptation Release Date Confirmed

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, Netflix released a very tiny featurette about its Cowboy Bebop adaptation revealing a number of awesome bits of news:

John Cho’s hair as Spike
John Cho’s hair as Spike
John Cho’s hair as Spike
The original composer of the original anime series will be returning for the Live-Action Series
The show will finally debut on Netflix this Fall!
John Cho’s hair as Spike

Fantasy, Streaming

Netflix’s ‘Shadow and Bone’ Renewed for a Second Season

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Netflix has finally announced the renewal of its second season of the hit series Shadow and Bone. The cast surprised fans with their own announcement of the renewal. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone had more than 55 million member households watching the fantasy series in its first 28 Days. The series made the Top 10 list in 93 countries around the world and hit #1 in 79 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Russia, Spain, South Africa, and the U.S.

Showrunner, writer, and executive producer Eric Heisserer said in a press statement, “I’m honored and thrilled to return to the Grishaverse and continue the stories of these endearing characters, particularly Milo.”

Movies, Theatre

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Film Adaptation’s Emotional Trailer Will Be Found Here

May 18, 2021June 11, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Universal Pictures has finally released the trailer to the anticipated film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. Ben Platt returns to reprise his Broadway role as the troubled teen, Evan Hansen.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Literature, Streaming, Television

Barry Jenkins and the Cast of ‘The Underground Railroad’ Discuss the Powerful Limited Series

May 13, 2021November 5, 2021 Jamal Michel

Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad is a necessary reading for the ways it transcends a violent history and navigates the magic of self determination and Black personhood. The novel, published in 2016 and winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book awards for fiction, follows the life of Cora and Caesar, two slaves in 19th century Georgia who take on the treacherous journey that is their freedom. The novel is bold, loving, and powerful, and with its serving as the basis for director Barry Jenkins’ (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk) Amazon series by the same name, it has become necessary viewing.

Streaming, Television

See the Thrilling New Trailer for Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Panic’

May 12, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

Get ready for Amazon Prime Video’s newest original series, Panic! The show, which was written and created by Lauren Oliver and based on her bestselling novel, will premiere on Friday, May 28. The cast includes Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula, Camron Jones, Ray Nicholson, and Enrique Murciano. All 10 episodes will hit the streaming service at the same time, making it perfect to be your next binge-worthy show.

Reviews, Streaming, Video Games2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Mortal Kombat’ is Not a Flawless Victory

April 22, 2021August 17, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s ironic that this would be a review I’m covering following Godzilla Vs. Kong because it actually has the opposite problem. It’s great from a POC standpoint. But it’s just not a very good movie, I’m afraid. Yes, it’s my unfortunate responsibility to tell you that Mortal Kombat is a dud. It’s a bland entry to the list of barely passable video game adaptations that would ultimately leave Shang Tsung starving, because it has no real soul to suck from it anyway. While not completely atrocious, it is about as forgettable and lifeless as, say, 2018’s Tomb Raider reboot.

Movies, Video Games1 Comment

Get Over Here… and Watch the Opening of ‘Mortal Kombat’

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021 Keith Chow

In anticipation of the film’s theatrical and streaming release on Friday, April 23, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have released the opening seven minutes of Mortal Kombat, the reboot of the famed 1995 adaptation of the legendary fighting game. Watch it below in all its gory glory:

Books, Movies, Streaming

Amy Adams Stars in Netflix’s New Psychological Thriller, ‘The Woman in the Window’

April 9, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

The Woman in the Window premieres on May 14, and Netflix just dropped a trailer that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Along with Amy Adams, the film stars Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianne Moore. The Woman in the Window is based on the best-selling novel and adapted by Tracy Letts.

Fantasy, Streaming, Television

‘Shadow and Bone’ Official Trailer Expands the Grishaverse and Crow Storylines

March 31, 2021May 15, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Adapted from the successful award-winning fantasy novels by Leigh Bardugo, fans have been wondering just how Netflix was going to mesh the Grishaverse trilogy with the Six of Crows duology for Shadow and Bone. With the release of the official trailer, we get a glimpse of how the beloved Crows play into Alina Starkov’s story.

Movies, Streaming, Video Games1 Comment

Prepare for ‘Mortal Kombat’ with the New Trailer

February 18, 2021May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s finally here! Warner Bros and New Line unleashed the first official trailer for Mortal Kombat! And with every blood-soaking, bone-snapping moment, they’ve made it clear that this is the uber-violent gore fest that we never got in the original campy (yet classic) 1995 film! This is the R-rated brutality initially promised to us when we first picked up the controllers to our Sega Genesis and selected our fighters! And I guarantee, that’s something so many of us have been waiting so long to finally see! And at long last it is finally here. So prepare yourself… for Mortal Kombat!

Movies, Streaming, Video Games

Get Over Here, Character Posters from ‘Mortal Kombat’

February 17, 2021May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

T-Minus 18 hours until the trailer drops for the Mortal Kombat reboot, and WB has revealed more character posters than Shang Tsung has souls! The character posters are our first glimpse at characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kung Lao, Kano, Sonya Blade, Mileena, and more! The motion posters are all on Twitter and look really epic, like this one of Scorpion: