‘Zootopia 2’ Twists the Buddy-Cop Formula Without Losing Social Commentary

November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 Michael Lee

To say that Disney’s Zootopia is just another animated feature with anthropomorphized animals would be completely reductive. It’s a buddy cop comedy full of laughs and pop culture references, threaded with themes of tolerance, bias, and who gets to feel safe in a city that prides itself on being for “anyone” and “anything.” Asking Zootopia 2 to match, let alone surpass, that mix of vibrant visuals, sharp humor, and pointed social commentary feels like a tall order, yet somehow the sequel rises to it and then some.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Zootopia 2’ Stars on Creating Something Wildly Entertaining and Thought Provoking

November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 Michael Lee

When the first Zootopia hit theaters in 2016, it turned out to be more than an animated menagerie about predator and prey sharing a city peacefully. It was stealth social commentary about bias, belonging, and who gets to feel safe. Zootopia 2 dials that up with more humor, more banter, and another timely message. And the directors and cast talk about what it means to carry the franchise’s legacy forward.

Animation, Movies

‘Zootopia 2’ Expands Disney’s Animal Metropolis with New Characters and Timely Themes

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 Michael Lee

As Walt Disney Animation enters its second century, Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush says the studio is guided by three principles: joy, collaboration, and the courage to “swing for the fences.” That ethos is alive in Zootopia 2, which reunites Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) on a case involving a slithering new suspect, Gary DeSnake (Ke Huy Quan), challenging both their partnership and their cross-species friendship.

Animation, Movies, Trailers

‘Zootopia 2’ Teaser Slithers in with Sneak Peeks and EDM Beats

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released a new music-driven trailer for Zootopia 2. The sequel, following in the footsteps of Disney hits like Frozen, Moana, and Wreck-It Ralph, returns to a world of anthropomorphic animals that mirrors our own.

Martial Arts, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Love Hurts’ is a Sweet But Messy Valentine

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 Mike Manalo

Last year I reviewed an action movie that I had incredibly high hopes for based on its cast and action-proficient filmmakers, called Argylle. While the movie had its moments, ultimately, it was a pretty big mess. A little over a year to the date at which that film premiered, I found myself about 70 minutes into Love Hurts thinking, “This is 2025’s Argylle; just only slightly better.” That is not really a great thing.

Interview, Martial Arts, Movies1 Comment

‘Love Hurts’ Star Daniel Wu on Asian Representation in Cinema

February 4, 2025 Mike Manalo

Love Hurts starring Ke Huy Quan is hitting theaters this Friday. In the film, Quan’s Marvin Gable finds the ultimate villain in Daniel Wu’s Alvin “Knuckles” Gable, Marvin’s brother. After all, you can’t have an epic series of stunts and fights from the team behind John Wick, without two incredible forces of action leading the charge. Recently we were given the tremendous opportunity to chat with Wu about his role in the movie, as well as Asian representation in cinema.

Martial Arts, Movies

Ke Huy Quan to be Immortalized at TCL Chinese Theater

January 31, 2025February 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

Despite its historic and ironic namesake, the TCL Chinese Theater has seen only a handful of hand and foot print ceremonies for Asian and Asian American actors. Naturally, this can be attributed to the lack of Asian and Asian American representation in cinematic history overall. However, with that now changing gradually, it fills us with joy to learn that on February 3rd, a new legend will join the ranks of Jackie Chan, James Hong, John Woo, and Justin Lin in this tremendous honor: Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan!

Movies, Trailers

The Trailer for ‘Love Hurts’ Packs a Punch

October 22, 2024October 23, 2024 Mike Manalo

We previously reported that a new action movie, starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose, was officially in the works from 87 North (John Wick, Nobody, The Fall Guy). Well happy to say that today we got our first trailer for the film, formerly known as With Love, now titled Love Hurts.

Movies

Production Officially Starts on Ke Huy Quan Action Vehicle ‘With Love’

April 3, 2024 Mike Manalo

We know Ke Huy Quan can kick ass. We’ve seen it in Everything Everywhere All at Once. So it’s only logical to give the man his own action role! And it’s exciting to hear that production has officially started on that action film, With Love!

Movies

Ke Huy Quan to Star in Universal Action Flick ‘With Love’

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024 Mike Manalo

No one can deny how much of a badass Ke Huy Quan is! We saw him kicking so much ass in Everything Everywhere All At Once. And he’s also a big MCU star too, with the debut of O.B. in Loki Season 2! But now, it’s time for the Oscar-winning actor to headline his own action film.

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.

Marvel, Streaming

‘Loki’ Season 2 Gets a New Date and Time

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Sophia Soto

Season 2 of Marvel Studios’ Loki just time-slipped into a new launch date: 6:00 PM PT on Thursday, October 5! To celebrate, Disney+ has shared a new featurette with Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Ke Huy Quan, and executive producer Kevin R. Wright discussing what it means to be Loki in this upcoming season.

Marvel, Streaming

Get Ready for More Mischief with Tom Hiddleston in Season 2 of ‘Loki’

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 Sophia Soto

There is no better way to start your week than with a brand-new trailer and poster and today, Disney+ delivered just that for season 2 of Loki. The first season is the most watched Marvel Studios series on Disney+, so it’s only right that Tom Hiddleston is back once again as the beloved God of Mischief, who gets thrown into some new adventures with the TVA.

Movies, Television

Gold House to Honor Sandra Oh, Ke Huy Quan, Iman Vellani, and More at Annual Gala

April 19, 2023April 20, 2023 Laura Sirikul

Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan and Emmy-nominated actress Sandra Oh will be honored at the second annual Gold House Gala in May.

DC Comics, Hard N.O.C. Life

Hard NOC Life 304: ‘Shazam’ Fury of the Pod

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023 Hard NOC Media

On this episode of Hard NOC Life, Keith and Britney say the magic word while breaking down the latest DCEU entry, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and its place in the dysfunctional DC Movie Universe(s). Britney also shares her thoughts on last week’s Academy Awards and the latest episode of The Mandalorian.

Movies, Sci Fi1 Comment

When Something is Nearly ‘Everything’

March 16, 2023November 25, 2024 Bao Phi

There’s no fucking way they’re gonna be able to land this, I thought to myself.

I’m in a movie theater seeing Everything Everywhere All at Once for the first time. I had heard about it long ago, and was cautiously optimistic.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies1 Comment

Hard NOC Life 303: Winning Every Oscar Everywhere All At Once with Jeff Yang

March 13, 2023March 13, 2023 Hard NOC Media

Keith is joined by his friend, writer and critic Jeff Yang — author of the forthcoming book, The Golden Screen: The Movies That Made Asian America — to reflect on a historic Oscars ceremony that saw Everything Everywhere All at Once become the most awarded film in Academy history.

Streaming, Television

‘American Born Chinese’ Premieres May 24 on Disney+

March 12, 2023March 12, 2023 Laura Sirikul

The anticipated Disney+ original series American Born Chinese has a premiere date — May 24! In honor of Everything Everywhere All At Once‘s Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu, all who all appear in American Born Chinese, Disney+ released a 30-second TV spot that will air during tonight’s Oscars telecast commercial breaks.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 301: Award Tour

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 Hard NOC Media

On Hard NOC Life, Keith and Britney take a look at how Everything Everywhere All at Once is doing during the current awards season on its way to the Oscars ceremony in March.

Streaming, Television1 Comment

‘American Born Chinese’ Teaser Announces Full List of Guest Stars

February 10, 2023March 12, 2023 Michael Lee

The cast of Disney’s live-action adaptation of American Born Chinese was already stacked with the likes of Academy Award-Nominees and Golden Globe winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) joining Ben Wang (Chang Can Dunk), and two-time International Emmy Award nominee Yeo Yann Yann (Wet Season), Chin Han (Mortal Kombat), Daniel Wu (Reminiscence), former Taekwondo champion Jimmy Liu, and Sydney Taylor (Just Add Magic).

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 297: Every Oscar Nom Reaction All at Once

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 Hard NOC Media

Hard NOC Life is back! Keith is joined by guest co-host Lauran Lola to break down the 95th Annual Oscar nominees, including the historic showing by Everything Everywhere All at Once, which leads with 11 overall nominations!

Hard N.O.C. Life, Podcasts

Hard NOC Life 282: Madisynn, Wongers, and D23

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Britney, Keith, and Dominic go over all of the best announcements from the D23 Expo. They also break down the importance of the Wong and Madisynn relationship on She-Hulk. The discussion goes in many different directions. But not where you think!