‘Lightyear’ Artisans on Film’s Themes and Achieving the IMAX Experience

April 21, 2022April 20, 2022 Michael Lee

Time is a construct of which we are all familiar. It’s the universal truth that there is simply never enough of it. Which makes it the perfect theme for Pixar’s Lightyear. Billed as their first Sci-Fi epic, the Toy Story spinoff is an origins story — and film that Andy watched as a kid — for the title character who accidentally maroon’s his entire crew on an uninhabited planet.

Animation, Movies

‘Lightyear’ Footage Goes “To Infinity and Beyond”

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022 Michael Lee

It’s been 27 years since Pixar released the first Toy Story in 1995. Since then, the animation studio has told us stories about innovative bugs, family fish, a lonely geriatric man and his flying house, not-so-scary monsters, romantic robots, our inner emotions, and 13-year-old Chinese Canadians who turn into red pandas. Audiences everywhere have connected with each title emotionally while being wowed at the incredible visuals. So with Lightyear hitting theaters later in June, we will get to see the man that made the beloved toy.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 262: Moon and Thunder

April 18, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Keith and Britney were going to discuss the most recent episode of Moon Knight, but Marvel just dropped the first teaser for Thor: Love and Thunder! After breaking that down, they turn back the skies to discuss Moon Knight and speculate what Discovery’s takeover of Warner Bros. means for the future of DC Films.

Marvel, Movies1 Comment

Check Out the New Teaser for ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 Sophia Soto

After much anticipation, the official teaser trailer and new poster for Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder are finally here! Directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Kevin Feige as well as Brad Winderbaum, the movie will reveal what’s next for the God of Thunder.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Streaming

Hard NOC Life 261: SWANASA Excellence (Feat. Swara Salih and Simone Ashley)

April 11, 2022April 8, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Dominic and Britney are joined by our very own Swara to break down episode two of Disney+’s Moon Knight and continue the debate over Kamala Khan’s power set in the latest Ms. Marvel promo. Then, newest NOC Lyra interviews Bridgerton star Simone Ashley about representing on the popular Netflix series before the crew speculates about what Ezra Miller’s predicament means for the future of The Flash in the DCEU.

Marvel, Movies

The Madness Continues with New “Doctor Strange” Character Posters

April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 Mike Manalo

The countdown to the Multiverse of Madness continues! And as with any good MCU marketing campaign, we are getting a good look at our key players with six new character posters for the eagerly anticipated film. Wanna get a look at some really good looking actors on some fabulous looking posters? Then click here for more!

Marvel, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 36: ‘Moon Knight’ Episodes 1-2

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022 Swara Salih

We discuss episodes 1-2 of the new MCU Disney+ series Moon Knight starring Oscar Isaac, May Calamawy, and Ethan Hawke.

Marvel, Movies

New Posters and Teaser for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

April 6, 2022April 6, 2022 Mike Manalo

Tickets are now officially on sale for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. I know I’m super psyched about this one! Do you have your tickets yet?

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 260: Oscar (Isaac) Season

April 4, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Dominic, and Britney aren’t done talking about the Oscars — both the Academy Awards fallout and the star of Disney+’s Moon Knight.

Marvel, Movies

New ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Spot Reveals Ticket Sale Dates

April 2, 2022April 3, 2022 Mike Manalo

This Wednesday, April 6, your tickets to The Multiverse will be available! Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters May 6 and fans are super excited to uncover all of the insane secrets that await them! In anticipation of this Marvel Studios has released a new spot for the next highly anticipated installment in the MCU!

Marvel, Reviews, Streaming

NOC Review: ‘Moon Knight’ Raises the Bar for What the MCU Can Be

March 29, 2022March 27, 2022 Swara Salih

Many new viewers may ask themselves “Who the hell are Moon Knight and Marc Spector?” The protagonist of the titular Disney+ series, Steven Grant, grapples with the same question as he’s swept on a psychological and mythological ride across the globe.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 259: An Oscars Telecast That Slaps

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Dominic and Britney recap the most eventful Oscars broadcast of all time.

Movies, Reviews, Streaming

NOC Review: ‘Better Nate Than Ever’ is a Small Scale Success

March 28, 2022March 29, 2022 Laura Sirikul

It’s hard to not fall in love with Broadway-inspired films, especially ones that focus on growing up and trying to fit in someplace. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Billy Elliott are coming-of-age musicals of kids who are different, but still found a way to follow their dreams. Followed by fantastic music and fun dance sequences, these musicals tell a story for the ages and allow some kids to feel seen. Disney+’s upcoming original film Better Nate Than Ever does just that with a sweet story with some good songs.

Movies, Streaming

Disney’s ‘Better Nate Than Ever’ is a Musical All About Finding Yourself

March 27, 2022March 27, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Based on the award-winning novel by Tim Federle, Better Nate Than Ever tells the story of 13-year old Nate Foster (Rueby Wood) who has big dreams of being on Broadway, but the only problem is that no one would take a chance on him. That is, until his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks) tells him about an opportunity to audition for a Broadway production of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch in New York City.

Marvel, Streaming

The ‘Moon Knight’ Team on the Making of the Series

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 Swara Salih

Moon Knight meets the hype as one of the most standout Marvel Studios productions. Combing elements of psychology, horror, Egyptology (that for once doesn’t feel Orientalist), and action-adventure, it’s sure to make a distinct impression on audiences so used to the Marvel formula. But what exactly went into the creative process of this series?

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 258: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Stretch Goals

March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Dominic and Britney break down the Ms. Marvel trailer — including the live action version’s controversial power set — and discuss the character’s pop cultural significance before speculating about Moon Knight and other sides of Disney+ Marvel.

Movies, Music, Streaming

Watch the Official Trailer for ‘OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)’

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022 Sophia Soto

Multiple GRAMMY-nominated artist Olivia Rodrigo has just shared the official poster and trailer for OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film). The new original movie, which debuts March 25 on Disney+, will have viewers following the singer-songwriter on a cinematic experience to discover the story of her hit album.

Marvel, Streaming1 Comment

The First ‘Ms. Marvel’ Trailer is Here

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 Swara Salih

Ms. Marvel is finally coming to the MCU! And we finally have a trailer! In it, we get to see Kamala Khan as a regular Pakistani American Muslim teen girl fantasize about Captain Marvel and the Avengers, drawing fanart, and dealing with the ins and outs of American high school as a brown girl.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 257: Certain Points of View on ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

March 14, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Dominic, and Britney are joined by fellow NOC, Preeti Chhibber, author of the forthcoming Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma to discuss her new book and break down the Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer, as well as DC’s movie schedule shakeup and Disney+ adding Netflix’s slate of Marvel shows.

Animation, Television

Sneak Peek: D’Arcy Carden and Danny Trejo on ‘The Ghost and Molly McGee’

March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Disney Channel’s The Ghost and Molly McGee have had its fair share of star-studded guest stars including Kelsey Grammar, Natasha Rothwell, Greta Gerwig, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jane Lynch. Now, D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) and Danny Trejo (Machete) joins the list as they appear in this Saturday morning’s episode, titled “Scare Tactics/The Bad Boy Bobby Daniels.”

Marvel, Streaming

‘Moon Knight’ Featurette Gives New Look at the Upcoming Series

March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 Swara Salih

We’re only weeks away from the hotly anticipated new MCU series Moon Knight, and Marvel has given us a new look at the series with a new featurette. We see sweeping landscapes of the Egyptian desert, Egyptian tombs, and new looks at Moon Knight and his master Khonshu, God of the Moon. It promises an epic and psychological adventure

Animation, Interview, Movies

All Grown Up with ‘Turning Red’ Stars Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh

March 8, 2022March 8, 2022 Michael Lee

Disney•Pixar’s Turning Red draws much of its inspiration from director Domee Shi’s experiences as a Chinese Canadian teenager growing up in Toronto, Canada. The coming-of-age film centers on Meilin Lee (Rosalie Chiang), a confident, albeit dorky, 13-year-old navigating the chaos of adolescence. As she figures out how to strike a balance between being herself around her best friends and revering her overprotective mother, Ming Lee (Sandra Oh), Meilin is shocked to learn that she becomes a giant red panda whenever she gets too stressed or excited.

DC Comics, Hard N.O.C. Life

Hard NOC Life 256: Begin ‘The Batman’ Spoiler Review

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 Hard NOC Media

After raking in $130 million at the box office, Keith, Dominic, and Britney are here to break down all the highs and lows of Matt Reeves’ epic film noir take on The Batman. How would Keith rewrite The Riddler? What did Britney think of Emo-Bruce? Where does Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman rank for Dominic?