‘Wildwood’ Teaser Proves Why Cinema Needs More Laika

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Mike Manalo

Art is dying. We are living in a time where consumerism and profits tend to outweigh the value we put into handcrafting unique works of beauty and human ingenuity; hence the rise of AI, and massive layoffs across the industry. It’s because of this that studios need to be reminded about the awe and wonder that comes with the strength of true artistry. Thus, what cinema needs now more than ever, are films like Wildwood, and studios like Laika, who are and have always been passionately committed to the value of creativity and absolute human craftsmanship.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Brooks, Awkwafina, and the Fun Chaotic Folks of ‘The Bad Guys 2’

August 1, 2025August 2, 2025 Michael Lee

The Bad Guys 2 is bigger, funnier, and has totally unhinged heists and action sequences. We got to talk to the cast and crew of the DreamWorks sequel: Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Pigtail Petrova (Maria Bakalova), Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) and the director, Pierre Perifel. Our interviews below:

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘The Bad Guys 2’ Walks a Fine Line Between Redemption and Hilarious Chaos

July 30, 2025 Michael Lee

The Bad Guys 2 delivers fast-paced action, high-concept heists, and plenty of laughs as the lovable criminal crew returns. Things are different this time as they find themselves teaming up with an all-female trio of criminals while struggling to prove they’ve truly turned over a new leaf.

Animation, Movies

First Teaser and Title for Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Finally Revealed

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024 Mike Manalo

It’s been a long time coming folks! We’re starting to get more info about Wildwood, the latest film from Laika. Recently, we saw the first look at the upcoming film’s protagonist, Prue McKeel. But today we got our very first footage in a teaser video from the studio, and I couldn’t be more pumped!

Interview, Movies, Streaming

Winning the ‘Jackpot!’ with Awkwafina and Director Paul Feig

August 15, 2024 Sophia Soto

Paul Feig directs and produces Jackpot!, which stars Awkwafina as Katie Kim. The new movie is officially streaming now on Prime Video.

Animation, Movies

First Official Tease at Laika’s ‘Wildwood”

July 26, 2024July 27, 2024 Mike Manalo

Great art takes time and dedication. Any passionate filmmaker who cares about craft knows this. It’s not about quantity, but quality. Such is the case for the amazing animation studio, Laika — a company that represents the best storytellers in the industry today. It’s been a while since we heard about their upcoming feature Wildwood. But at last today we got our first official peek at the future classic!

Martial Arts, Movies1 Comment

It’s a Bruce Lee Year: Return of the Year of ‘Enter the Dragon’

April 23, 2024August 15, 2024 Dominic Mah

Have you even watched Enter the Dragon recently? Nielsen reporting suggests that maybe you have.

Bruce Lee’s iconic influence, epitomized by Enter the Dragon, sparked a pop-culture revolution, and remains perhaps THE critical moment for Asian Americans in Western cinema.

Movies, Trailers

New Character Posters and Trailer for ‘IF’ Revealed

April 11, 2024 Sophia Soto

As we approach the release of John Krasinski’s IF, fans were treated to 21 new character posters, more cast reveals, and a final trailer to let their imagination run wild! We couldn’t imagine a better way to count down the days until May 17.

Animation, Interview

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Cast and Crew on Elevating the Franchise with New Voices and Improv

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024 Michael Lee

The Kung Fu Panda franchise has delighted a global audience for the past 16 years. While Po (Jack Black), the endearing panda, has faced great adversaries along his journey to becoming the dragon warrior while also imparting profound lessons of self-discovery, overcoming fear and the power of teamwork. But it wouldn’t be much an internal journey of growth and change without having friends and family by his side.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Streaming3 Comments

Hard NOC Life 329: All the Asians on Netflix

February 26, 2024 Hard NOC Media

On a new Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic talk about Awkwafina grand marshalling San Francisco’s Lunar New Year parade and the current state of Asian American representation in media, especially the rash of new shows on Netflix like Avatar: The Last Airbender and House of Ninjas!

Animation, Interview2 Comments

NOC Interview: Awkwafina on Lunar New Year and ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024 Dominic Mah

I got to talk with Awkwafina about her role as Zhen in Kung Fu Panda 4 from Dreamworks Animation, and her role as Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Lunar New Year Parade, which took place last Saturday to close out the Lunar New Year 2024 observance and celebration.

Movies, Trailers

Check Out the Teaser Trailer and Poster for John Krasinski’s ‘IF’ Starring Ryan Reynolds

December 14, 2023 Sophia Soto

There is nothing more powerful than a child’s imagination and John Krasinski’s IF is asking the question, what if everything you believed as a kid was real? Get ready, it’s time to save the IFs!

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Directors and Producer on Po’s Next Journey

December 13, 2023December 13, 2023 Laura Sirikul

It has been nearly eight years since Kung Fu Panda graced the big screen with their third film in the franchise. Po (Jack Black) has advanced to become the Dragon Warrior, as well as a “sifu” (teacher) for pandas and villagers alike. His story seemed to have concluded. But for Kung Fu Panda 4 directors Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine and producer Rebecca Huntley, they knew there was more to tell about Po’s journey.

Animation, Movies, Trailers

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Trailer Teases Po’s Quest Towards Spirituality

December 13, 2023March 7, 2024 Michael Lee

For the past 15 years, DreamWorks Animation has expanded the Kung Fu Panda franchise with fun and entertaining sequels as well as a more than a few televised series. Now, the studio has released a brand new trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4.

Movies, Streaming

Hulu’s ‘Quiz Lady’ Teams Up with ‘It’s Boba Time’ for Boba Giveaway

October 31, 2023November 1, 2023 Laura Sirikul

In honor of 20^th Century Studios’ Quiz Lady, which premieres exclusively on Hulu this week, It’s Boba Time has teamed up with Quiz Lady, to promote the movie as well as win a chance for free boba!

Interview, Movies1 Comment

How ‘Quiz Lady’ Director Jessica Yu Upends Asian American Tropes

October 30, 2023October 30, 2023 Laura Sirikul

When director Jessica Yu came aboard Quiz Lady, Sandra Oh and Awkwafina were already committed to playing their characters, Jenny and Anne, respectively. Jenny is the oldest self-absorbed sister who didn’t exactly have her life together, while Anne was the stable, introverted younger sister who routinely watched her favorite quiz show with her dog Mr. Linguini every night. While one may expect Oh to portray the conservative, quiet one against Awkwafina’s louder-than-life previous roles, the typecasting of the actors have been reversed.

Movies, Streaming

New Poster for ‘Quiz Lady’ Starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Laura Sirikul

The poster for the upcoming comedy Quiz Lady, starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh, has finally dropped. It was first announced in June of last year that Oh and Awkwafina have teamed up as a sister duo.

Fantasy, Movies

Diving Deep at ‘The Little Mermaid’ Press Conference

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 Kelly Martinez

Huzzah, Disney’s The Little Mermaid has almost arrived on shore! Slated to be released theatrically on May 26, the film is a live-action adaptation of the 1989 animated classic.

Horror, Movies

Get Ready for a Bloody Good Time with This ‘Renfield’ Featurette

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 Kelly Martinez

The wait is almost over, fellow vampire fans — the horror-comedy flick Renfield arrives in theaters April 14! Per the film’s official description:

Movies, Trailers

New ‘The Little Mermaid’ Teaser Features Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy

February 15, 2023February 15, 2023 Laura Sirikul

The most anticipated live-action film The Little Mermaid has released a new teaser revealing more of Halle Bailey as Ariel as she travels to potentially meet with Ursula (Melissa McCarthy).

Conventions, Movies1 Comment

D23Expo: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Gets a Neat Trailer

September 9, 2022February 15, 2023 Michael Lee

Remember the excitement to hear an animated musical? Looking back, the Disney animation renaissance filled our hears with song and dance. And no other film did that so spectacularly well then The Little Mermaid.

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!