‘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, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Freakier Friday’ is a Fun, Chaotic Nostalgic Charmer

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

From The Parent Trap to Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan’s dominance in pop culture through the late ‘90s/early ‘00s was inescapable. And with good cause, because some of those films went on to become true classics, with many getting a second life with either musical remakes (Mean Girls) or in the case of Freaky Friday, legacy sequels. Surprisingly, that’s actually a great thing, because with Freakier Friday, the movies aren’t the only things getting a second life. Welcome back, Lohan!

Movies, Reviews, Streaming

‘The Pickup’ Blends Comedy, Chaos, and Reparative Justice — and I Was Not Ready

August 6, 2025August 5, 2025 Ainsley 'LadyL' Landry

When I pressed play on The Pickup, I was ready for a light, laugh-filled heist romp. Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, and Eddie Murphy in one film? Directed by Tim Story? I expected chaos. I expected jokes. I expected surface-level fun. What I didn’t expect was a film that would detour from slapstick and romance into a quiet story about Black grief, corporate neglect, and what happens when the system that takes from us decides we’re not worth the refund.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘The Bad Guys 2’ Walks a Fine Line Between Redemption and Hilarious Chaos

July 30, 2025 Michael Lee

The Bad Guys 2 delivers fast-paced action, high-concept heists, and plenty of laughs as the lovable criminal crew returns. Things are different this time as they find themselves teaming up with an all-female trio of criminals while struggling to prove they’ve truly turned over a new leaf.

Interview, Movies, Music

NOC Interview: Beatrice Grannò on ‘Daniela Forever’ and Dream Duets with Henry Golding

July 24, 2025 Dominic Mah

I got to chat with Beatrice Grannò about Daniela Forever, the new film from writer-director Nacho Vigalondo, starring Henry Golding. Grannò plays the title character Daniela and also sings on the soundtrack by Hidrogenesse, a Catalan electronic pop group. Audiences may remember Grannò as Mia in White Lotus Season 2. Here’s our interview:

Marvel, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘The Fantastic Four’ is a Loving Tribute to the Marvel Age of Comics

July 22, 2025July 23, 2025 Mike Manalo

There was a time, shortly after the Comics Code Authority was established, when DC Comics, after being attacked by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham and the Senate, was forced to make more campy, child-friendly stories for their most iconic heroes: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. As a result, sales plummeted, and fans of comics were looking for something more meaningful and relatable. Enter Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s The Fantastic Four!

Movies, Video Games

The ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Trailer Replaces Cole for Cage

July 17, 2025July 20, 2025 Mike Manalo

As huge fans of Johnny Cage and all of his action films, we were thrilled yesterday when we got a mysterious package with a DVD of Cage’s latest movie, Uncaged Fury. Little did we know that Cage himself went missing … Continue reading The ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Trailer Replaces Cole for Cage

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Daniela Forever’ is Henry Golding’s Indie Star Turn

July 13, 2025July 14, 2025 Dominic Mah

What a lovely film is Daniela Forever, the latest effort from Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo, starring Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò as the titular character. Vigalondo’s last feature as writer-director was 2016’s Colossal, which found Anne Hathaway clairvoyantly mind-linked to a gigantic city-stomping kaiju monster. Daniela Forever operates from a science-fanciful premise that is slightly less strange, but more gracefully executed:

DC Comics, Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ is Epic, Heartfelt, and Hopeful

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Mike Manalo

Why do we love superheroes? Yes, their powers are extraordinary, their costumes are cool, and their gadgets are incredible. The adventures they go on are exciting, and they symbolize the modern mythology of our time. However, it’s more than that. Superheroes embody the best of us. They give us hope, inspire awe, and encourage us to become better. All of this began with the original and greatest superhero of all time: Superman! And now, so too does James Gunn’s new era of the DC Universe.

Movies, Reviews

Lighthearted ‘Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado’ Ultimately Fails to be Inclusive

July 2, 2025July 1, 2025 Rosana Maris Arias

Nickelodeon is set to release a new live-action Dora film — Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado — tonight on Paramount+. It stars Samantha Lorraine as Dora and Jacob Rodriguez as Diego, who take over the live action roles from Isabela Merced and Jeff Wahlberg, respectively.

Horror, Interview, Movies

The Stars of ‘M3GAN 2.0’ on Surviving an AI Apocalypse

June 30, 2025 Mike Manalo

The Baddest Bot B of all is back! M3GAN 2.0 is now officially in theaters. The sequel to the surprise horror charmer, M3GAN, promises a complete genre shift, and bigger, crazier challenges for Allison Williams’ Gemma and Violet McGraw’s Cady, as they are forced to team up with their favorite homicidal TikTok-ing robo-doll to stop another killer AI from destroying the world.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Turns First Contact Into an Emotionally Rich Feel Trip

June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 Michael Lee

Growing up with Pixar means growing up with stories that shape us. From Toy Story to Inside Out, the studio has built a legacy of emotionally resonant, visually stunning films that speak to audiences of all ages. Now, with Elio, Pixar introduces a brand-new original story that explores loneliness, identity, and belonging — through the eyes of a child who longs for connection and finds it in the most unlikely of places: space.

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.

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Bring Her Back’ is as Horrifying and Heartbreaking as Cinema Gets

May 30, 2025May 27, 2025 Mike Manalo

As a critic and film fan, I find myself drawn to movies that make me smile and weep in equal measures. I’m much less accustomed to movies that make me scream and weep. However, surprisingly, those are just as effective, as I have recently discovered with The Philippou Brothers’ Bring Her Back, a modern-day horror masterpiece.

Movies, Reviews

‘The Phoenician Scheme’ is Charming Yet Predictable

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025 Edward Hong

One thing is for sure, Wes Anderson will keep repeating the same signature formula he has honed and defined over the years and film lovers and movie stars will flock to whatever he has to offer. Such is the case for his latest, The Phoenician Scheme, which stars Benicio Del Toro and a whole cast of his usual favorites alongside some newcomers like Riz Ahmed and Mia Threapleton.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Captures the Heart of Animated Original While Adding More Layers

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 Laura Sirikul

It has been 23 years since Disney’s animated film Lilo & Stitch premiered. And though what was considered cultural appropriation was different back then, the film was a bit ahead of its time by casting a few Asian or Pacific Islander voices for the main humans (except for Daveigh Chase as Lilo).

Marvel, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Thunderbolts*’ is Marvel at its Most Mature and Emotionally Complex

April 29, 2025May 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

Superheroes have trauma. That’s not an original idea. However, what happens when these superheroes have to face something more real and unsolvable than saving the world, such as actual depression and mental health issues? You get something greater than your average superhero popcorn blockbuster. That’s where Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* truly excels.

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Sinners’ is a Profound Masterpiece of Survival Horror!

April 10, 2025April 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

There’s room in this world for all sorts of horror, be it schlock or awe. For every Exorcist there’s a Paranormal Activity. For every Fly there’s a Re-Animator. And for every Halloween there’s a Terrifier. They all can exist without conflict for every horror fan to embrace. However, when horror is made by storytellers that get it, love it, but have much more to say than “Ooh! Look! Blood!” that’s how masterpieces are born, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is one such film: a profound masterpiece of survival horror!

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.

Documentary, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 72: ‘Leila and the Wolves’ Review

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 Swara Salih

We review the 1984 film, Leila and the Wolves, which chronicles the revolutionary role of women in the Levant.

Documentary, Reviews2 Comments

‘The Encampments’ is an Essential Documentary for the Ages

March 26, 2025March 27, 2025 Edward Hong

What exactly happened during the student protests at Columbia University last year and similar universities in the United States and worldwide? What were they fighting for? Was it as truly antisemitic as the Democratic Party, mainstream media, and now the MAGA-led Trump administration say it was?

Movies, Reviews4 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Snow White’ is a Half-Baked Hypocritical Hodgepodge

March 19, 2025March 19, 2025 Mike Manalo

Disney is in a pickle. The company that used to be a four-quadrant factory has to survive in a world where nobody is satisfied. The challenge of which results in something of an identity crisis. Do they aim for progress and alienate half the country? Or play it safe? There is no better representation of this confusion than Mark Webb’s Snow White.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, and Toni Collette Talk About ‘Mickey 17’

March 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

A brilliant director is only as good as the cast of players he works with. This has always been true with the works of Bong Joon Ho. From The Host to Parasite, Bong has the incredible ability to bring out the best performances imaginable from stellar ensembles. His latest film, the stunning sci-fi satire, Mickey 17, once more features a cadre of the best actors working today, and it is our honor to say we were able to chat with three of the film’s biggest stars: Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, and Toni Collette.