Animation, Reviews, Star WarsLeave a comment

‘Maul — Shadow Lord’ is a Strong Yet Perplexing ‘Star Wars’ Animated Series

April 6, 2026April 5, 2026 Lauren Lola

It’s common knowledge that the Star Wars fandom is an extremely divisive one. However, if there’s one aspect of the nearly 50-year-old franchise that most are on the same page about is that the animated series succeed at doing what several of the live-action series don’t always nail: impeccable storytelling, effortless world building, and the bravery to go deep on spiritual and morality-related subject matter.

Nerd Nostalgia, Opinion

Dr. Manhattan, Your 2026 Recap is Here!

January 8, 2026January 16, 2026 Dominic Mah

(in the style of Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, with regards to Watchmen the 2019 HBO adaptation, and also year-end recap lists)

News, Opinion, Star Wars

We Have Friends Everywhere

September 19, 2025September 24, 2025 The Nerds of Color

Earlier this week, the Disney-owned broadcast network ABC abruptly pulled the late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live from the airwaves after being pressured by the U.S. government. A few days prior, Dan Gilroy¹ and the show Andor, another Disney-owned entity, was being awarded an Emmy for outstanding writing for this powerful speech delivered by Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma — who was totally snubbed in the acting category, by the way — warning of “the monster who will come for us all soon enough.”

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 358: ‘Andor’ and a New Hope for ‘Star Wars’

May 19, 2025May 20, 2025 Hard NOC Media

Before Hard NOC Life goes off the air for a few weeks, Keith and Dominic have a few more Andor takes to share. Not only did the final episodes rekindle a love for Star Wars for our hosts, it will forever change how they watch the franchise going forward.

Movies, Star Wars, Television2 Comments

‘Andor’ and the Asian Soul Within ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Rogue One’

May 19, 2025September 18, 2025 Dominic Mah

The final episodes of Andor Season 2 no doubt will lead many to rewatch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, because Andor adds so much meaning and context to its 2016 predecessor. Rogue One’s story begins a matter of days after Andor S2 concludes. Those in full completist binge mode may then feel compelled to watch Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (a.k.a. The First One), because its story starts about five minutes after the end of Rogue One.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 357: One Day Ghor

May 12, 2025May 20, 2025 Hard NOC Media

Last week on Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic joked about how Andor was basically “Les Mis in Space France.” This week, they’re serious about the comparison. Also, Keith rants about the most recent episode of The Last of Us, and Dominic has a theory about the superstars in the NBA Playoffs and their superhero equivalents.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 356: Some ‘Thunderbolts*’ Assembly Still Required

May 5, 2025May 12, 2025 Hard NOC Media

Keith and Dominic celebrate the extended Star Wars holiday weekend by reviewing the next batch of Andor episodes, aka Lucasfilm presents “Les Mis in Space France.” Then, they discuss what did and didn’t work for them in the latest MCU offering, Thunderbolts*. All this and more on a new episode of Hard NOC Life,

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 355: ‘Andor’ is a Prestige Drama for Adult Audiences, and That’s Alright

April 28, 2025April 28, 2025 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic look back at the first three episodes of Andor season 2. Then, Lauren joins Keith to share about her experience at Star Wars Celebration in Japan.

Reviews, Star Wars, Television

‘Andor’ Season 2 Chronicles the Humanity of a ‘Star Wars’ Revolution

April 21, 2025May 15, 2025 Michael Lee

Star Wars prides itself on blending epic storytelling with groundbreaking visual effects while exploring timeless themes of heroism and redemption. It’s a galaxy we all know and love — populated by Jedi knights, Sith lords, dashing smugglers, greedy bounty hunters, and villainous emperors.

Interview, Star Wars, Television

‘Andor’ Stars on Their Season 2 Character Journeys and Telling Stories without Agendas

April 19, 2025April 20, 2025 Michael Lee

Of all the untold stories in the Star Wars universe, the theft of the Death Star plans stands out as one of the most compelling. Rogue One brought that story to life, following Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his crew on their fateful mission. The film’s impact sparked the creation of Andor, led by Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy, with Luna returning as the thief-turned-rebel leader.

Star Wars, Streaming, Television

‘Andor’ Season 2 Trailer: Welcome to the Rebellion

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 Michael Lee

Disney has released a new trailer for the second and final season of Andor. Set during the events leading up to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the series follows Cassian (Diego Luna) as he becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance.

Star Wars, Streaming, Television

‘Andor’ Season 2 Featurette Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Rebellion and Revolution

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 Michael Lee

In the expansive world of Star Wars, the second season of Andor paints a vivid portrait of rebellion, insurgency, and the human cost of systemic oppression. As the series continues to explore the rise of the Rebel Alliance, it’s not just a story of a galaxy-wide fight against an authoritarian empire. And a newly released featurette teases a very human story that speaks to truth that just so happens to take place in a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars, Streaming, Television

‘Andor’ Season 2 Trailer Teases A Rocking Revolution

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025 Michael Lee

Lucasfilm has released the first full-length trailer for season 2 of Andor. Set before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the critically acclaimed Star Wars series sees Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) becoming an intricate part of the Rebellion as the horizon of war against the expanding Galactic Empire draws near.

DC Comics, Marvel

10 Future Nostalgic Marvel/DC-Movie-Related Questions For 2025

December 30, 2024January 7, 2025 Dominic Mah

With apologies to Dua Lipa, 2025 ought to be a good year to assess the state of superhero movie fatigue and/or fervor in our pop culture landscape. After all, there’s a new Superman film coming out, and he’s pretty central to the whole concept, que no? With my personal queasy feeling about 2025 noted for the record, let’s start this escapism-focused listicle with the question of Anthony Mackie’s America:

Star Wars, Theme Parks

Disneyland’s Star Tours Gets a New Destination During Season of the Force

April 8, 2024April 10, 2024 Michael Lee

Since Star Tours launched in Tomorrowland at the Disneyland Resort in 1987, it was the premiere attraction for Star Wars fans. Nearly four decades later, it remains a fan-favorite attraction, adding newer destinations as more upgrades are added to improve the guest experience. Now that the Disneyland Resort is celebrating the Season of the Force, Star Tours has added the planet Seatos as a new destination, and guests receive one of three transmissions from Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), or Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal).

Animation, Star Wars

Reasons to Watch ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ in its Entirety

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 Lauren Lola

Earlier this month at Star Wars Celebration Europe, fans were finally treated to the first good look at the upcoming limited series, Ahsoka, when the official trailer for it was released. Aside from seeing the former Jedi knight in action, several characters from the animated series, Star Wars: Rebels, are also set to have prominent roles in the story.

Podcasts, Star Wars

FDI Cast 168: No One is Listening

April 27, 2023 Jamie

Most of this is just us gushing about Andor, but we do spend some time making fun of Tucker Carlson. Eff that guy.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 293: ‘Andor’ and Holiday Specials

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Hard NOC Media

On the final Hard NOC Life before we go on hiatus, Dominic, Britney, and Keith rank Andor against other live action Star Wars projects, including the Holiday Special from the 1970s. Speaking of Holiday Specials, James Gunn brings the tradition back with a special Guardians of the Galaxy mission to save Christmas.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 292: Thankful for ‘Andor’

November 21, 2022November 21, 2022 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Britney and Keith remember Jason David Frank and discuss how much grief has preoccupied the nerd spaces with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the most recent episode of Andor.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 291: Black Panther Forever

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Britney and Dominic review Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and mourn the passing of Kevin Coroy.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 290: Pod Save the Republic

November 7, 2022 Hard NOC Media

This week, Britney returns! They talk about the latest Andor and their anticipation for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. But be sure to stay tuned to the end to hear Dominic and Keith argue about the midterm elections. One thing is clear, though: DON’T VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS.

DC Comics, Hard N.O.C. Life

Hard NOC Life 289: What to Expect from DC Studios

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 Hard NOC Media

This week, Britney is still out but Dominic and Keith are here to discuss the fallout from the gigantic news that James Gunn and Peter Safran are the co-heads of the new DC Studios. What does that mean for the Distinguished Competition going forward? Also, they break down the trailers for the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (coincidentally announced the same day as Gunn’s DC takeover), Quantumania, and how to pronounce “Namor.” They also catch up on the latest episodes of Andor.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Podcasts

Hard NOC Life 287: K.E.V.I.N Can Fix Himself

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022 Hard NOC Media

With Britney out this week, it’s up to Keith and Dominic to cover a week even an A.I. Kevin Feige couldn’t predict, such as the fallout from the latest MCU schedule shuffle, as well as She-Hulk lampshading Marvel’s greatest flaws.