NOC Review: Kneel Before ‘Loki,’ the Best Marvel Studios Series Thus Far!

I realize I’ve only seen two episodes, but as of this moment, Loki is absolutely already my favorite of the Marvel Studios shows so far. Don’t get me wrong. WandaVision is incredibly original and ambitious. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Captain America and the Winter Soldier was relevant and politically aware. But after the first two episodes of each, I found myself questioning whether or not I loved the shows as much as the films. Yes it’s great to give us time to explore these characters as more than just B-members of The Avengers, playing second fiddle to the original six. But was it really going to give me the same feelings I got whenever I’d walk out of the cinemas after another rousing $200M budgeted 2-3 hour installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

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Kevin Feige Knew He Wanted to Bring Loki Back During ‘Endgame’

Marvel President Kevin Feige didn’t know if they were going to expand Loki’s story after the character’s tragic death at the hands of Thanos in Infinity War. It was only until they brought the character back for Endgame that they realized there was a story behind bringing Loki back from the dead.

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Hard NOC Life: Once Upon a Racist Hollywood

Before news broke about Shannon Lee’s issues with the way Quentin Tarantino depicts her father in his latest film, Dominic and Keith recorded this episode in which they reexamine the auteur’s less than ideal treatment of race in his films.

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Hard NOC Life: ‘Spider-Man’ Into the Multiverse

This week on Hard NOC Life, Dominic Mah returns as guest co-host to join Keith for additional spoilery Endgame thoughts. This time with more Spider-Man: Far From Home!

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Hard NOC Life: We’re in the ‘Endgame’ Now

After it demolished box office records around the globe, we finally talk about Avengers: Endgame! Though the film has been out for more than a week, you should be aware that the discussion will be filled with spoilers throughout.

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‘Avengers: Endgame’ is an Emotional Journey of the Past 10 Years

The epic conclusion to last year’s Avengers: Infinity War is finally here. Everything that you thought was going to happen in Endgame –throw that out. This film is nothing like you expected at all. Which does not mean that it is not good. It is actually really good and will have you going through many different emotions –good and bad.

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Infinity Rain: An Avengers / Prince Mash-Up, Annotated

Note: I made this with the intent to commemorate the third anniversary of Prince’s passing on April 21, 2016. Just so happens, Avengers: Endgame premieres this week on April 25 (if you’re reading this blog you probably have heard about that). The premise was to re-contextualize last year’s rather lengthy Avengers: Infinity War, set to all the songs on 1984’s Purple Rain, in the order they appear on that definitive work of pop music. The thinking was, in terms of emotional/dramatic arcs, Purple Rain the album is more coherent and composed than Infinity War (I wouldn’t make the same claim if we were talking about Purple Rain the film, but in this case we aren’t).

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The Avengers Assemble for the ‘Endgame’

“We’re in the endgame now.” The ominous words of Doctor Strange rang in everyone’s ears almost  one year ago today. After months of crazy anticipation, and intense speculation by fans, we’re finally going to get closure and see what those words truly mean.

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