DC Comics, Interview, StreamingLeave a comment

‘Titans’ Star Jay Lycurgo on Representing and That Major Moment For Tim Drake

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Jay Lycurgo is ready to represent mixed kids everywhere as Tim Drake in HBO Max’s Titans.

The 23-year-old British actor, who is himself a fanboy of comic books and pop culture, never saw someone who looked like him on television or in film. Prior to his casting, Lycurgo tweeted about needing more people of color as superheroes because these kids need more role models. After he was cast as Tim Drake, the biracial actor recalled seeing a mixed race kid wearing a Robin suit and feeling proud about it.

Animation, DC Comics, StreamingLeave a comment

‘Aquaman: King of Atlantis’ Makes a Splash in First HBO Max Promo

September 10, 2021 Keith Chow

The first promo for Aquaman: King of Atlantis, a new animated reimagining of the iconic DC Super Hero. This original story follows Aquaman’s first adventures as King of Atlantis alongside his royal advisor Vulko, and warrior-princess Mera.

Horror, Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

NOC Review: ‘Malignant’ is a Bloody Bonkers B-Movie Blast

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021 Mike Manalo

Recently during a roundtable discussion with director James Wan, Wan went on the record to say he thought Malignant would be polarizing. And if you were to take into account the films Wan has done post-Insidious, as well as the marketing campaigns that have been released for the film, it’s clear to see why he’d think that. Based on trailers and the past 10 years of Wan’s filmography, you’d think you were walking into a creepy jump-scare fueled haunted house film. But that’s not the film Wan wanted to create, nor is it the one he created.

Streaming, Television3 Comments

HBO Max Has Renewed ‘Gossip Girl’ for Season 2

September 9, 2021September 9, 2021 Sophia Soto

The Max Original series Gossip Girl has officially been renewed for another season! The first six episodes of season one are currently available to stream on HBO Max and the remaining six episodes will debut in November. Gossip Girl premiered on July 8 and has become the best launch for a Max Original Drama series this year. The cast includes Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, Whitney Peak, Savannah Lee Smith, Todd Almond, Adam Chanler-Berat, Johnathan Fernandez, and Jason Gotay.

Horror, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

A Conversation with the ‘Malignant’ Mr. Wan

September 9, 2021September 9, 2021 Mike Manalo

This Friday marks the release of the next highly anticipated horror classic from director James Wan — the man who brought you Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring! The movie not only represents a return to horror for Wan, who has been crushing the action game with Aquaman and Furious 7, but also a return to smaller, original titles as well. To commemorate this, Wan was able to meet with members of the press, including The Nerds of Color, to discuss his triumphant return to horror as well as his general love for the genre, and the chilling inspirations behind Malignant!

Movies, Sci Fi, StreamingLeave a comment

Whoa! Return to The Matrix with ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ Trailer

September 9, 2021September 9, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s finally here folks! After the crazy buzz from Cinema Con and a bit of Easter egg hunting from WhatIsTheMatrix.com, the trailer for the highly anticipated fourth Matrix film has dropped: The Matrix Resurrections!

Movies, Sci Fi, StreamingLeave a comment

New Teaser Website for ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ Launches

September 7, 2021September 8, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s coming folks! Ever since the buzz came out of Cinema Con two weeks ago the world has been beaming with anticipation to return to The Matrix!

And today, fans are going to get that chance, as WB just launched WhatIsTheMatrix.com and dropped the latest teaser poster for the film as well.

Animation, Interview, StreamingLeave a comment

Finding ‘Courage’ Again: An Interview with Marty Grabstein

September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 Mike Manalo

If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching Cartoon Network cartoons in the late ’90s and early ’00s. There were a ton to enjoy, from Powerpuff Girls to Dexter’s Lab, and even classics like Samurai Jack. However one of the best and most underrated was a little cartoon called Courage the Cowardly Dog.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Dune’ is Decent

September 3, 2021September 3, 2021 Mike Manalo

Sometimes there are movies that just come into your life, and live rent free in your brain days or weeks after you’ve seen them. That’s how you know you generally love them, and they make a profound impact on you. Either you replay or relive scenes that made you smile or blew you away. Furthermore, when you see them again, you still smile, or laugh, or get goosebumps. The Matrix in 1999. The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001. The Dark Knight in 2008. The Avengers in 2012 and Endgame in 2019.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi7 Comments

Is ‘Dune’ Truly a White-Savior Story?

September 3, 2021September 3, 2021 Mike Manalo

Not according to Denis Villeneuve.

Recently, members of the press, including The Nerds of Color, were given the privilege of speaking directly with the visionary director behind Dune. During the conversation, Villeneuve was asked about Dune being an example of the White Savior trope, among many other questions, and he wanted to make it specifically clear that while many have taken the surface-level concept of the story and expressed condemnations for it based on that, interpreting the story as such would actually be missing the true point of it.

Horror, Movies, Streaming

New Nightmarish Clip from ‘Malignant’

September 1, 2021September 1, 2021 Mike Manalo

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of debuting a new trailer from director James Wan’s future horror masterpiece, Malignant. Today, we are pleased to share with you the terrifying first clip from the film!

Horror, Movies, Streaming2 Comments

Witness a Terrifying New Trailer for James Wan’s ‘Malignant’

August 31, 2021August 31, 2021 Mike Manalo

In late July, horror fans everywhere got a first glimpse of what horror master, James Wan (Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, The Conjuring) was cooking up next, when the first trailer for his new film, Malignant, debuted!

If that gave you nightmares, then get ready for another sleepless night! Because this morning the good folks at WB have dropped an exclusive new look at Wan’s new upcoming tale of horror! Take a look for yourselves — If you dare!

Conventions, DC Comics1 Comment

Welcome Back to the DC FanDome

August 31, 2021August 31, 2021 Mike Manalo

Suit up, DC Fans! Because on Saturday, October 16, you’re needed back at the DC FanDome!

That’s right! After the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural virtual event, DC announced earlier this year that DC FanDome would be returning. And as of this morning, we are finally getting an official press release, and an announcement regarding the programming we can expect from this year’s event. And it’s looking to be just as epic the second time around.

Movies, Streaming

Get All the Details on HBO Max’s New ‘So She Did’ Initiative

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 Sophia Soto

In honor of Women’s Equality Day and to begin the new “So She Did” campaign platform, HBO Max is releasing a film to celebrate women who have been told they are “too much.” The film will feature nine female-identifying talent that break all the rules to be authentically who they are, including Jordan Alexander (Gossip Girl), Laura Donnelly (The Nevers), Susie Essman (Curb), Myha’la Herrold (Industry), Martha Plimpton (Genera+ion), Lisa Ling (CNN’s This is Life with Lisa Ling), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), Zión Moreno (Gossip Girl), and Eyricka Lanvin (Legendary).

Streaming, Television

Season 3 of ‘Selena + Chef’ is Coming to HBO Max This October

August 23, 2021August 23, 2021 Sophia Soto

Back in April, HBO Max renewed Selena Gomez’s cooking show, Selena + Chef for a third season. The series first premiered back in 2020 and is executive produced by Gomez for July Moon Productions, along with executive producers Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, and Leah Hariton on behalf of Industrial Media’s The Intellectual Property Corporation, as well as Melissa Stokes. It was just announced that season 3 will officially debut on the streaming service this October.

DC Comics, Movies

Jurnee Smollett to Reunite with Misha Green for ‘Black Canary’

August 20, 2021August 21, 2021 Keith Chow

After first breaking on the film blog Cinelinx this morning, the Black Canary-focused Birds of Prey spinoff has been confirmed by all the trades throughout the day. And if you’re still in doubt, the news also comes straight from the Canary’s mouth on Instagram:

Interview, Television

NOC Interview: Jake Lacy Talks HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’

August 20, 2021 Sophia Soto

Jake Lacy stars as Shane Patton in HBO’s The White Lotus. All six episodes of the series are now streaming on HBO Max and the show was already renewed for a second installment. According to a press release, it ranked #1 this month among all series on HBO Max and achieved consistent week over week growth for both premiere as well as digital audience.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Reminiscence’ Star Daniel Wu is a Saint

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021 Keith Chow

Recently, I had the pleasure to talk to the icon Daniel Wu about his role in the new Warner Bros. film, Reminiscence. In it, Wu plays the villainous Saint Joe, but does so in a way that upends the stereotype of the “Asian villain.” Of course, The NOC is no stranger to Wu’s body of work, having championed every season of AMC’s Into the Badlands.

Movies, Sci Fi

Inside the Music of ‘Reminiscence’

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021 Mike Manalo

This week, Warner Bros. releases Reminiscence, from the terrific Lisa Joy (co-creator of Westworld), in theaters and on HBO Max. And to celebrate, The Nerds of Color was recently invited to a virtual roundtable with Joy, Grammy-nominated music producer Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, musical artist Lonr, and legendary composer Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man, Pacific Rim, Game of Thrones, Westworld). Together they discussed the process of writing and composing the moody tones featured in the film, as well as Lonr’s original song for the film, “Save My Love.”

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi1 Comment

On a Journey with Lisa Joy, Director of ‘Reminiscence’ + a Clip From the Movie

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 Keith Chow

This Friday, Warner Bros. will be releasing Reminiscence, an original high-concept, sci-fi film noir, in theaters and on HBO Max. In a world where IP reigns supreme, to have a non-franchise, non-sequel get such a wide release is almost unheard of nowadays. The only person in recent memory who has been able to open an original blockbuster is Christopher Nolan. But, as Reminiscence points out, we can’t always rely on memory. What matters is the here and now, and right now is Lisa Joy’s time. If anyone can successfully tell a high concept sci-fi story, I’ll put my money on the co-creator of Westworld — who just so happens to be Nolan’s sister-in-law.

DC Comics, Movies

In Retrospect: ‘Birds of Prey’ and the Un-Fantabulous Omission of One Cathy Yan

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 Adonis Gonzalez

I don’t typically like to compare movies. Sure, most films of recent are either a reboot, sequel or adaptation. At the very least, they take reference from kind of source material. But some movies are more comparable than others, like Suicide Squad (2016) and The Suicide Squad (2021). However, aside from confusingly similar titles, a couple of returning players, and a similar world-saving plot, these two movies have almost nothing in common.

Streaming, Television

HBO Max’s ‘Gossip Girl’ Will Return This November

August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 Sophia Soto

Gossip Girl will return in November with Part Two of its 12-episode first season. The series stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, Whitney Peak, Savannah Lee Smith, Todd Almond, Adam Chanler-Berat, Johnathan Fernandez, and Jason Gotay. Gossip Girl is based on the bestselling novels by Cecily von Ziegesar as well as the original show, developed by Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage, which aired on The CW from 2007 – 2012.

DC Comics, Interview, Movies

Tyla Talks Task Force X: An Interview with Storm Reid of ‘The Suicide Squad’

August 11, 2021August 11, 2021 Mike Manalo

The Suicide Squad is my favorite movie of the year so far. James Gunn’s tribute to the pulpy demented works of John Ostrander’s DC run in the ’80s is bloody, bold, and brilliantly surreal. And none of it would be possible if it wasn’t for a stolen Style Watch!