HCA Film Awards to Honor Angela Bassett, Rian Johnson, and ‘RRR’

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022 Mike Manalo

It has been an incredible year for films. And I think most would agree with us that among the many highlights from this year have been the absolute joys of viewing three of the finest movies to come out in the past year: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Glass Onion, and the outstanding RRR. And this year, the Hollywood Critics Association is going to recognize the efforts of the folks who brought these films to life in their 6th Annual HCA Film Awards: legendary actress Angela Bassett, master storyteller Rian Johnson, and the entire cast and crew of the amazing RRR.

Marvel, Movies

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Explores Geopolitics and Shows the MCU Can Go Further

November 22, 2022November 28, 2022 Swara Salih

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is, at its core, a moving drama about the grief of a nation for their lost King T’Challa and the grief of his closes loved ones. But the film also takes a deeper dive into the geopolitics of the MCU, and really our own world and how the legacy of colonialism, European slavery of Africans, Indigenous genocide, and the pillaging of resources of Black and brown countries continues to this day.

Marvel, Movies, Toys

Celebrating ‘Wakanda Forever’ at Funko HQ

November 17, 2022December 20, 2022 Mike Manalo

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently ruling the box office. And to celebrate the triumphant return of Wakanda’s greatest protector, our friends at Funko invited us to their megastore in Los Angeles for a morning of fun merchandise previews and a surprise panel with Marvel Studios’ Director of Production and Development, Kyana Davidson. See below for what Davidson had to say about the film, and for some fun photos of today’s festivities.

Marvel, Movies, Reviews3 Comments

NOC Review: The ‘Black Panther’ Lives On in ‘Wakanda Forever’

November 8, 2022November 10, 2022 Mike Manalo

How do a filmmaker and his crew pick up the pieces of a story shattered by the heartbreaking loss of a fallen family member, who was both a protagonist and king? That was certainly the question left several days after the death of the incredible Chadwick Boseman, who passed away from colon cancer in August 2020, shortly after writer/director Ryan Coogler had just finished the first draft of his script for the sequel to 2018’s Black Panther.

Marvel, Movies2 Comments

Namor Makes a Grand Entrance in the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Trailer

October 3, 2022October 3, 2022 Michael Lee

Marvel Studios has released the newest trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s a sequel that promises to be one of the most exciting and also most emotional as it respectfully addresses the tragic loss of the beloved King T’Challa, played Chadwick Boseman, who sadly died of cancer in 2020. But rather than recast the role, Marvel decided to pass on the title of Black Panther to a different character, one that has yet to be revealed to the world.

Animation, Movies

Laika Announces Cast for ‘Wildwood’

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 Mike Manalo

It’s no exaggeration to say that one of the best names in storytelling today is Laika! I’ve said it before, shouted it to the heavens, and will do so continuously and vigorously until the rest of the world sees it too. Which is why I couldn’t be more excited for their next release, Wildwood!

Marvel, Movies

Michaela Coel Set to Join Incredible Cast of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021 Jamal Michel

Today, Variety dropped some exclusive news regarding Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Insiders at Variety reported earlier today that Coel would be joining the elite cast of the film amid airtight details surrounding the ensemble.

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: This ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ is Unfortunately Bland

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021 Mike Manalo

If there were two words I would use to describe Gunpowder Milkshake it would be “wasted talent.”

I really wanted to like this one. These are some of the finest actresses ever to grace the screen. Karen Gillan is a badass. Lena Headey is incredible. Angela Bassett is a talent powerhouse. Carla Gugino has always been one of the most underrated character actresses ever. And Michelle Yeoh is simply a legend. But unfortunately the awkward direction of this movie fails them hard in a film that should absolutely be better than it actually is.

Interview, Movies, Streaming

NOC Interview: ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Director Navot Papushado

July 10, 2021July 13, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Gunpowder Milkshake director Navot Papushado feels blessed when he brings up the cast of his upcoming action film starring Karen Gillan, Lena Heady, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, Chloe Coleman, and Paul Giamatti.

Movies, Streaming

‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Character Posters and Their Weapons of Choice

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Netflix released new images of the badass characters from their upcoming action film, Gunpowder Milkshake. The images are of the film’s stars Karen Gillan, Lena Heady, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, and Angela Bassett — all holding dangerous weapons of their choice.

Movies, Streaming1 Comment

‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Trailer and Poster Shows Just How Killer These Women Are

June 16, 2021June 23, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Netflix recently released the trailer and poster for the upcoming action film Gunpowder Milkshake. In the film that has the ultimate team-up of Karen Gillan, Carla Gugino, Lena Headey, Michelle Yeoh, and Angela Bassett, we can expect so much bad-assery.

Movies, Streaming

‘Gunpowder Millshake’ Trailer is Filled with Explosive Action

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Netflix’s anticipated action film Gunpowder Milkshake dropped their trailer early this morning and our jaws just dropped.

Movies, Streaming

‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Set to Release in July

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021 Laura Sirikul

FINALLY!!!

We have news about the anticipated film Gunpowder Milkshake starring ALL OF OUR FAVORITE PEOPLE, including Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Chloe Coleman, and Paul Giamatti. For the past year, we have been seeing images and videos posted by the stars themselves and with no information regarding the film itself.

We finally got something! Cue the “We did it, Joe” gif!

Continue reading “‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Set to Release in July”

Animation, Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

No More Mrs. Frozone: Black Women Characters in Pixar’s ‘Soul’

December 14, 2020May 15, 2021 Constance Gibbs

Black adult women aren’t often depicted in animation. Most of the Black female characters are kids or teens or little-seen moms. Some notable central characters include: Storm. Trudy Proud and Big Mama. Donna Tubbs. Uhm, the Muses? There aren’t very many. It’s the Mrs. Frozone problem, off-screen and never developed. (Pixar could stand to improve upon that problem in particular.)

Movies, Reviews, Toys

‘Bumblebee’ is ‘Transformers’ Finally Done Right

December 13, 2018December 1, 2022 Keith Chow

Several years ago, I wrote about the Transformers movie that broke me. Revenge of the Fallen wasn’t just a bad movie, it soured me on Transformers altogether. I was resigned to let the iconic toys and cartoons of my youth stay there in the past, and accepted that Michael Bay’s overindulgent vision for Transformers — awash in testosterone and jingoism — would never sync with my memories of the property.

Then I saw Bumblebee.

Continue reading “‘Bumblebee’ is ‘Transformers’ Finally Done Right”

Marvel, Movies, News4 Comments

The Black Panther Teaser Trailer Is Here

June 11, 2017June 11, 2017 Britney Monae

If you haven’t heard by now, the Black Panther teaser trailer has been released. And it’s pretty lit! Check out the trailer below:

Continue reading “The Black Panther Teaser Trailer Is Here”

Animation, DC Comics, Movies, Television8 Comments

The Many Faces of Amanda Waller

September 5, 2013January 27, 2015 Keith Chow

Yesterday, it was announced that Spartacus: War of the Damned star Cynthia Addai-Robinson has been cast as Amanda Waller in season two of The CW’s Arrow. This casting news came pretty quickly considering rumors of Waller appearing in Arrow only surfaced a few days ago. Confirmation of her presence in the Arrow-verse is further proof that season two will be including more of the DC Comics mythology than was delivered in the first season. In addition to Waller, there will be story arcs involving Deadshot and Bronze Tiger (played by Michael Jai White) which pretty much confirms that the Suicide Squad is coming to Starling City (Is it wrong that I’m still bothered by the name of the city in this show?), not to mention the much-hyped appearance of The Flash/Barry Allen some time during the season.

Addai-Robinson’s take on Amanda Waller won’t be the first stab at the character in live action. In fact, multiple actresses have tackled the role in recent years, showing that The Wall is a major structural foundation of any iteration of the DC Universe (ha, see what I did there?). After the jump, we’re going to look back at all of the acclaimed actresses who have brought Amanda Waller to life. From CCH Pounder to Pam Grier and Angela Bassett, Cynthia Addai-Robinson is going to have some rather large shoes to fill (well, not that large, since it seems The CW is going with the slimmed-down and sexed-up New 52 version of the character. Ugh, have I mentioned how much I dislike the DCnU?)