Interview, Martial Arts, MoviesLeave a comment

‘The Furious’ Director and Cast on Translating Fighting into Emotional Storytelling

June 12, 2026June 15, 2026 Michael Lee

Action films are cinema, pure and simple. Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious not only embraces this truth, it elevates it. Although the dialogue is sparse and often serves only to advance the exposition, the film’s real storytelling unfolds through exhilarating action. Every punch, kick, and movement drives the narrative forward, proving that action can be as eloquent as words. Tanigaki, along with Joe Taslim and Joey Iwanaga, shares their thoughts on the process, rehearsals, and what it took to make all those fights feel emotional.

Martial Arts, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

‘The Furious’ Proves Pure Action Spectacle Speaks Louder Than Words

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 Michael Lee

Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious is the kind of action film that demands to be experienced in a theater, where the fight choreography explodes on the screen. After earning strong festival buzz at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section and playing Beyond Fest as a sold-out U.S. premiere, Tanigaki’s latest makes good on its reputation as a bruising, crowd-pleasing showcase for practical martial arts filmmaking.

Movies, Music, ReviewsLeave a comment

‘Michael’ is an Ode to the King of Pop

May 29, 2026 Rosana Maris Arias

It’s a late May afternoon at The Paseo on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, CA. I’m about to see Michael three weeks after its premiere. Though initially put off by the fact that I was about to see the film later than I would’ve liked to, I shake this pessimism off because I’m about to watch a biopic of Michael Jackson, just mere steps from the Pasadena Convention Center where the film was shot, and more importantly, where the King of Pop debuted himself as a solo performer in 1984 at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

Movies, Reviews

‘The Gates’ is a Tense Study of Race, Power, and Belonging

March 22, 2026 Ainsley 'LadyL' Landry

A gated community is supposed to represent safety. Order. Protection from the chaos of the outside world. But The Gates quickly reveals that promise to be something else entirely.

Interview, Movies

Tonatiuh of ‘Kiss of the Spiderwoman’ on Becoming an Actor and the Birthright to Joy

October 9, 2025 Rosana Maris Arias

Tonatiuh plays Molina in the 2025 rendition of Kiss of the Spiderwoman, slated to hit theaters on October 10. We had the opportunity to speak to Tonatiuh about their journey to becoming an actor, one’s birthright to joy, and what this film can teach audiences in light of ongoing ICE raids in the United States.

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

September 23, 2025October 10, 2025 Rosana Maris Arias

Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh, is slated to hit theaters on October 10. The two-hour film pays tribute to Hollywood, the film industry, the movie musical, actors, and the idea of celebrity. Highlights from the film include actor Tonatiuh’s performance, Lopez’s dancing, and the use of Technicolor film processing.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

NOC Review: ‘The Long Walk’ is a Harrowing Journey Worth Taking

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Mike Manalo

At the time of writing this, I’ve had the opportunity to see The Long Walk twice. Once at a conventional screening, and another at an interactive experience where we walked on a treadmill for 3.4 MPH for the full screening to simulate the film’s experience. Why put myself through an emotionally devastating movie twice in a row, with a second experience being a physically exhausting one? Because this emotionally devastating movie is actually one of the year’s best.

Interview, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

‘Americana’ is a Dark Comedy About Cultural and Literal Theft, For Our Times

August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 Dominic Mah

I got to chat with director Tony Tost and star Paul Walter Hauser about Americana, the new Western/heist/comedy opening this week from Lionsgate Films. The interviews and my review of this thoroughly enjoyable genre-mashing romp, featured below. Americana also stars Halsey (yeaaah, “Without Me,” “Closer,” “Boy With Luv,” that Halsey!), Sydney Sweeney, Zahn McClarnon, Eric Dane, and Simon Rex.

Movies, Trailers

Keanu and Aziz Give Nurturing Dude Vibes in ‘Good Fortune’ Trailer

July 23, 2025September 18, 2025 Dominic Mah

I wasn’t aware of the “Goodnight Bro” trend happening on TikTok, until yesterday. I also recently became aware that Good Fortune is a film coming out in October from Lionsgate, written and directed by Aziz Ansari, starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Oh, Keke Palmer, Seth Rogen, and Ansari.

Interview, Movies

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.”

Interview, Movies, Reviews

‘Freaky Tales’ is a Love Letter for Funny Folks Fighting Fascism

April 4, 2025May 20, 2025 Dominic Mah

The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers last night, as they do in the closing act of the new film Freaky Tales from filmmakers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, set in the East Bay Area (Oakland and Berkeley mainly) in 1987, in which many cultural rivalries are lovingly recreated. The genre-bending mixtape movie from the directors of Captain Marvel and Half Nelson is timely, nostalgic, punk rock and old-school hiphop, inspiring and often hilarious.

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!

Interview, Movies

Laura Murphy, Lucy Hale, and Virginia Gardner on the Twist of ‘F Marry Kill’

March 10, 2025 Sophia Soto

Lucy Hale and Virginia Gardner star in Laura Murphy’s F Marry Kill, which is now on digital and playing in select theaters. This discussion will contain major spoilers.

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, Video Games

‘Borderlands’ LA Fan Event Takes Over Hollywood

August 9, 2024August 9, 2024 Mike Manalo

Borderlands, the new video game adaptation, is officially hitting theaters today. This week Lionsgate held a special fan event for hardcore gamers, and the stars were out to celebrate with them!

Conventions, Movies, Video Games1 Comment

Exploring the ‘Borderlands’ at Moxxi’s Bar During SDCC 2024

July 30, 2024August 9, 2024 Mike Manalo

This weekend has been an absolute whirlwind of news for genre fans, as San Diego Comic-Con 2024 raged its way through fandom with the latest and greatest news imaginable. We covered some of the Hall H experiences we attended (Marvel Studios and Alien: Romulus), as well as some of the parties (Fandom). However, one of the most fun experiences was the activation for the highly anticipated video game adaptation, Borderlands. Over the weekend, we were able to attend a replica of Moxxi’s Bar from the film and games in real life!

Movies, Video Games

New Trailer for ‘Borderlands’ Explodes onto the Scene

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024 Mike Manalo

Borderlands is almost here folks! And to celebrate the chaos, Lionsgate has dropped a brand new trailer for the highly anticipated video game adaptation! The live action feature adaptation of the popular video game franchise is hitting theaters August 9, and it brings with it an all-star cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis. And man, if you’ve ever played the games, you know how crazy this is gonna get!

Movies, Trailers

Watch the Official Trailer for ‘The Killer’s Game’

June 10, 2024 Sophia Soto

Get excited because Lionsgate has shared the trailer for JJ Perry’s The Killer’s Game, which will be released in theaters on September 13. The film stars Dave Bautista, who is also an executive producer, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley.

Movies, Streaming

Production Officially Begins on ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’

June 10, 2024June 10, 2024 Mike Manalo

We’ve been hearing rumblings the past several weeks about the cast getting stacked for the next Knives Out mystery, entitled Wake Up Dead Man. And today we got, some incredibly exciting updates regarding the upcoming feature!

Horror, Interview, Movies

Director Renny Harlin on the Ending of ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ and What Comes Next

May 24, 2024 Sophia Soto

Renny Harlin directed The Strangers: Chapter 1, which is the first part of the three-chapter saga. The movie is currently playing in theaters and this interview will contain major spoilers.

Movies, Streaming1 Comment

The Title and First Cast Members for the Next ‘Knives Out’ Mystery Announced!

May 24, 2024June 4, 2024 Mike Manalo

Get ready folks, because the game is once more afoot! Daniel Craig’s ever charming southern gentleman detective, Benoit Blanc, is back! And so is the amazing Rian Johnson for the third installment in the Knives Out mystery series, and today we got a title for it!