Taking a Shot with ‘Ballerina’ Director Len Wiseman and David Castañeda

June 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

How do you live up to the legacy of a legendary franchise like John Wick? It’s definitely not an easy feat to follow in the footsteps of director Chad Stahelski or actors like Keanu Reeves. Thankfully, Ballerina, the latest installment in the world of John Wick, is equipped with a stellar cast and a director who understands action incredibly well! So without further ado, we are proud to present to you all our conversations with Ballerina director Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free Die Hard) and star David Castañeda!

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Ballerina’ Heats Up the World of ‘John Wick’

June 4, 2025June 9, 2025 Mike Manalo

In the past decade, there has probably never been a franchise that has done as much for practical stuntwork as the John Wick series. Since the first hit the screen almost 11 years ago, many have seen and began to recognize the hard work and beauty in well choreographed, fast paced practical stunts. These amazing professionals put their lives on the line and the result is always stellar entertainment. And this Friday, we’re getting more, as we return to the World of Wick with another worthy installment: Ballerina.

Interview, Movies

Sharon Duncan-Brewster on Training the ‘Ballerina’

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 Mike Manalo

Get ready to return to The World of John Wick! Ballerina opens up in theaters this Friday! And to celebrate we were able to sit down with the cast and director of this awesome, ass-kicking epic! We’d love to start by bringing to you the amazing badass woman behind the badass woman, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, who plays Nogi, the mentor of Ana de Armas’ Eve, aka “The Ballerina.”

Movies, Trailers

The ‘Ballerina’ Strikes Back in Latest Trailer for the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff

March 25, 2025March 25, 2025 Mike Manalo

We’ve seen what happens when the Baba Yaga comes for you. However, just as terrifying for those who cross her will be the Ballerina! We have been so excited to return to the world of John Wick, and with Academy Award nominee Ana de Armas joining this universe, you know you’re in for a badass with charm, class, and guns… lots of guns! That’s what the latest trailer is absolutely promising us: a good time!

Movies, Trailers

First Official Trailer for ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off ‘Ballerina’ Dances Online

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 Mike Manalo

Much like The Continental Peacock series last year, we have another story “From the World of John Wick” and this one is a huge one! First introduced in John Wick Chapter 3, we got a glimpse of Anjelica Huston’s ballerinas in this world. Now we get the see the story of one of them unfold next summer in Ballerina!

Movies

Donnie Yen is Officially Returning as ‘Caine’ in ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off Film

May 15, 2024May 17, 2024 Mike Manalo

What more is there to say about the legend of Donnie Yen that hasn’t already been communicated through his fists? The unparalleled actor and master of martial arts was recently seen giving John Wick a hard time in John Wick: Chapter 4 last year. But we’re not done with this seeing-impaired assassin just yet! Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a Caine spin-off!

Interview, Movies

Hiroyuki Sanada and Shamier Anderson Unload on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

March 23, 2023March 27, 2023 Mike Manalo

Yeah, I’m thinking he’s back. This Friday, Keanu Reeves returns in action as the Baba Yaga himself, in John Wick: Chapter 4! And this time, he’s not alone. Along for the ride are the terrific Shamier Anderson (Stowaway) and the legendary Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train). And we, at The Nerds of Color, had a chance to speak with the new stars of the franchise about all the excitement the latest installment has to offer!

Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ is the Most Epic Installment in the Franchise

March 13, 2023March 24, 2023 Mike Manalo

Who would have predicted back in 2014 that John Wick, a movie starring Keanu Reeves as a former legendary assassin avenging the death of his puppy, would become a four-installment franchise phenomenon?

Movies, Trailers

The New Trailer for ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Takes its Shot

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023 Mike Manalo

It’s Wick Week! All week Lionsgate has been putting out really cool announcements leading up to the debut of the new John Wick Chapter 4 trailer. And behold! The trailer is finally here!

Movies1 Comment

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘John Wick’ For the First Time

December 23, 2022December 22, 2022 Lauren Lola

In 2019, in the midst of the Keanussance, I watched and documented my thoughts and reactions to watching The Matrix for the first time. Over two years later, in the lead-up to the release of The Matrix Resurrections, I watched and reacted to its sequels and anime anthology film as well. Now I am doing so once again, but this time for a different franchise.

Movies, Reviews

‘Hot Blooded: Once upon a Time’ is Intriguing But Disjointed

December 20, 2022 Bray Lawrence

How much are you willing to pay to become king? Is the price of having wealth, power, or respect worth the pain or death it brings? Hot Blooded: Once Upon A TIme In Korea succeeds in tackling these themes, as well as the perpetual cycle of violence, with a poetic focus that left me intrigued with what it was trying to say, even though I’m not sure if it was clear enough.

Conventions, Movies

‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Sizzle Reel from CCXP is Breathtaking

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022 Mike Manalo

CCXP this weekend was a banger! And if it wasn’t enough for us to get an awesome poster for John Wick Chapter 4 earlier this weekend, Lionsgate also dropped a new Sizzle Reel for the new movie featuring all the festivities with the man himself, Keanu Reeves! And it. Is. Breathtaking!

Conventions, Movies1 Comment

New ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Poster Features the Ultimate Head-Shot

December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 Mike Manalo

Baba Yaga is back! John Wick Chapter 4 is hitting theaters next March. And today at CCXP, ~~John Wick~~ Keanu Reeves took to the stage to unveil a new poster for the next chapter!

Movies, Trailers

New Trailer for ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Teases a Good Life or a Good Death

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 Mike Manalo

Oh I’ve been waiting for this one a long time! At one point, we were supposed to get John Wick: Chapter 4 and The Matrix Resurrections at the same time — May 2021. Sadly, of course, the pandemic had other plans. But while Matrix was finally released last December, our buddy John Wick had to be pushed out over a year to March 2023. So is Mr. Wick finally back? Yeah. I’m thinking he’s back!

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life 268: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ First Reactions

May 30, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Dominic, and Britney are here to review the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which dropped on Disney+ over Memorial Day Weekend. They also cover all the major news from Star Wars Celebration, including the Ahsoka series and the Andor trailer.

News, Podcasts

Southern Fried Asian: Gina Ortiz Jones

February 20, 2018March 28, 2018 Southern Fried Asian

This week on Southern Fried Asian, Keith speaks with Gina Ortiz Jones, a candidate for Congress representing the 23rd District of Texas. And if you happen to live in Texas, early voting for the primary elections has already begun. So get out and vote!

Continue reading “Southern Fried Asian: Gina Ortiz Jones”

Guest Post, Music, Nerdcore

Track Commentary: “Big Bad Man”

January 28, 2015January 29, 2015 Guest N.O.C.

by Adam WarRock | Originally posted on tumblr

All this week, I’ll be doing track-by-track commentary on the new EP. You should go grab the new EP at my bandcamp site, PHYSICAL COPIES OF THE CD WILL ONLY BE FOR SALE ON MY SITE UNTIL END-OF-DAY FRIDAY. If you want a copy of it, get it now, or get it at a show.

I’m literally traveling as this posts, so it will probably be a bit short. Believe it or not, I’m not traveling to do shows, but traveling for personal reasons. What? Not for touring? People do this?

Anyway, during the making of Gifted Student, Mikal and I were pretty dismayed by the constant news of police shootings. Dismayed is probably not the right word. Upset, angry, betrayed, whatever word fits best. We both talk daily in kind of a stream of consciousness running email chain, and for a bit, it was a daily dose of reading about how our justice system had gone so wrong.

Continue reading “Track Commentary: “Big Bad Man””