NOC Review: ‘Better Nate Than Ever’ is a Small Scale Success

March 28, 2022March 29, 2022 Laura Sirikul

It’s hard to not fall in love with Broadway-inspired films, especially ones that focus on growing up and trying to fit in someplace. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Billy Elliott are coming-of-age musicals of kids who are different, but still found a way to follow their dreams. Followed by fantastic music and fun dance sequences, these musicals tell a story for the ages and allow some kids to feel seen. Disney+’s upcoming original film Better Nate Than Ever does just that with a sweet story with some good songs.

Movies, Streaming

Disney’s ‘Better Nate Than Ever’ is a Musical All About Finding Yourself

March 27, 2022March 27, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Based on the award-winning novel by Tim Federle, Better Nate Than Ever tells the story of 13-year old Nate Foster (Rueby Wood) who has big dreams of being on Broadway, but the only problem is that no one would take a chance on him. That is, until his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks) tells him about an opportunity to audition for a Broadway production of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch in New York City.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Comedian Nick Kroll on Returning for Illumination’s ‘Sing 2’

December 22, 2021 Sophia Soto

Nick Kroll is back as the voice of Gunter in Illumination’s Sing 2. The film, which is a sequel to Sing, combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, and breathtaking artistry. Sing 2 is in theaters on December 22!

Animation, Interview, Movies

Pop Star Tori Kelly Talks All Things ‘Sing 2’

December 21, 2021 Sophia Soto

Tori Kelly reprises her role as Meena in Illumination’s Sing 2. The film, which is a sequel to Sing, combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, and breathtaking artistry. Sing 2 hits theaters on December 22!

Interview, Movies, Theatre

Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose Discuss Latina Representation and ‘West Side Story’

December 9, 2021 Sophia Soto

Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose star as María and Anita in West Side Story. The film was adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show, and tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release West Side Story in theaters on December 10.

Interview, Movies, Streaming

NOC Interview: Skylar Astin Talks ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’

November 30, 2021December 1, 2021 Sophia Soto

Skylar Astin reprises his role as Max Richman in Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, which is a new TV movie based on the Emmy-winning show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. The holiday film will begin streaming December 1 on The Roku Channel.

Movies, Music, Streaming

High School Performing Arts Students Celebrate ‘tick… tick… BOOM!’

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Laura Sirikul

It’s hard to not feel something when you listen to the work of the late composer and playwright Jonathan Larson. From his Tony Award-winning musical RENT to his futuristic rock opera Superbia to his autobiographical rock monologue-now-turned-film tick… tick… BOOM!, Larson has inspired many musicians and composers throughout the years. EGOT winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for his award-winning work on Broadway and off, was one of the many that were influenced by Larson’s work after seeing RENT as a performing arts teenager.

Movies, Streaming, Theatre

Official Trailer for Netflix’s ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ Has Arrived

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021 Lauren Lola

Years before Jonathan Larson’s hit rock musical, Rent, exploded in the theatre world, he was a struggling, up-and-coming composer, making ends meet by working at a local diner in New York, while the AIDS epidemic was raging on and taking lives of people he knew. All this and more was documented in an autobiographical musical he wrote called tick, tick… BOOM!, which originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2001, five years following his untimely death.

Recaps, Television

NOC Recap: ‘Riverdale’ Takes on ‘Next to Normal’ for This Season’s Musical

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 Sophia Soto

“Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal” is season 5’s highly anticipated musical episode and it was definitely the most emotional one yet. The series stars KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Mӓdchen Amick, Casey Cott, Mark Consuelos, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan, Erinn Westbrook, and Drew Ray Tanner. For the remainder of this recap, we will be getting into heavy spoilers; so only continue reading if you’ve seen episode 5×18.

Podcasts, Theatre

FDI Cast 120: I Want to Cast in America!

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 Jamie

When you’re a NOC you’re a NOC all the way from your first bubble tea to your last dying day! The boss, Keith Chow, stops by to talk musicals!

Movies, Theatre

Here’s the Official Trailer and Poster for Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’

September 15, 2021September 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

The Walt Disney Company has just shared a new trailer, poster, and stills for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the iconic musical, West Side Story. The screenplay comes from Tony Kushner and will tell the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. The cast includes Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle, Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James, and Rita Moreno.

Streaming, Theatre

Broadway Smash, ‘Come From Away’ is Coming to Apple TV+

August 27, 2021August 31, 2021 Mike Manalo

Since the pandemic closed theaters, the Big Apple has been longing for the amazing allure of the Broadway lights, sights, and songs! Thankfully, Broadway is making a major comeback this fall, so fans can immerse themselves in the glory of the stage once more. But while we all await the rise of live curtains, theater geeks everywhere can at least get their fix through the magic of streaming, from the debut of Hamilton on Disney+ last year, and now once more with the upcoming premiere of Come From Away on Apple TV+.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Netflix Has Released the Official Trailer for ‘Vivo’

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 Sophia Soto

Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s Vivo will release globally August 6 on Netflix. The animated film includes the voices of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Rooker, Nicole Byer, Ynairaly Simo, and Gloria Estefan. As we get closer to the premiere, Netflix just dropped the official trailer and poster for Vivo, only adding to fans excitement about the movie.

Animation, Television

Matthew A. Cherry and Chaz Bottoms Bring Us New Animated Series ‘Battu’

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

Cartoon Network Studios is teaming up with award-winning filmmaker Matthew Cherry (Hair Love) and award-winning director Chaz Bottoms (Dear John: Legendary Love Letters) to bring us a beautiful new animated series that celebrates the creative arts culture of Chicago, set to a sonic landscape inspired by hip-hop beats and classical broadway melodies.

Marvel, Movies, Television

HULK REMIND YOU OF GREATEST THINGS MARVEL MOVIES EVER DID!

July 1, 2021July 3, 2021 Dominic Mah

In case the moment is, indeed, slipping away from us*, here are nine Marvel Cinematic Universe achievements that Hulk will enjoy for all time, always:

Animation, Interview

NOC Interview: Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith Tease ‘Central Park’ Season 2

June 24, 2021June 25, 2021 Sophia Soto

Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith are the creators, writers, and executive producers of Central Park season two alongside Josh Gad. The animated musical comedy series first premiered last May and is produced by 20th Television for Apple. It has also been recognized with an Emmy Award nomination for star Leslie Odom Jr., as well as an NAACP Image Award nomination in the Outstanding Animated Series category. The complete first season of Central Park is now streaming on Apple TV+.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 222: ‘Loki’ and the Multiverse of Mad Segues

June 21, 2021June 21, 2021 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Britney and Dominic break down episode 2 of Loki. And go on many tangents. From Spider-Man to Game of Thrones to Ms. Marvel and eventually back to Loki.

Streaming, Television

Disney+ Greenlights New Limited Musical Series, ‘Beauty and the Beast’

June 15, 2021June 18, 2021 Sophia Soto

The news of the Disney+ series comes as fans all over the world celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic animated 1991 classic! Stars Luke Evans and Josh Gad will be reprising their roles as Gaston and LeFou (Louie) in the eight-episode prequel. Briana Middleton will also be joining Beauty and the Beast as Louie’s stepsister, Tilly.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 221: There are 96,000 ‘Loki’ Variants ‘In the Heights’

June 14, 2021 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Britney, Keith, and Dominic discuss In the Heights and Loki.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

Hard NOC Life 220: Issa Rae is Spider-Woman

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Britney basks in the glory of her favorite superhero, Spider-Woman, finally getting shine as the crew — aka Keith and Dominic — break down news of Issa Rae’s casting in the Spider-Verse sequel, plus sneak peeks at Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Michael Keaton in The Flash.

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life 220: Issa Rae is Spider-Woman”

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies2 Comments

Hard NOC Life 219: Lin-Manuel Miranda! + The ‘Eternals’ Trailer Reaction

May 31, 2021June 15, 2021 Hard NOC Media

On a new Hard NOC Life, Keith finally talks to Lin-Manuel Miranda about adapting his first musical, In the Heights, for the big screen. But before that, he is joined by Dominic, Britney, and Shawn to break down the Eternals trailer.

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life 219: Lin-Manuel Miranda! + The ‘Eternals’ Trailer Reaction”

Movies, Reviews, Theatre

‘In the Heights’ Captures the Beauty of Washington Heights and the Community Behind It

May 21, 2021June 17, 2021 Laura Sirikul

It seems like only yesterday when national treasure and lyricist genius Lin-Manuel Miranda graced the Richard Rodgers Theatre as Usnavi in the Broadway production of In the Heights. Now, 13 years later, the Tony Award-winning musical is finally premiering on the big screen next month.

Movies, Theatre

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Film Adaptation’s Emotional Trailer Will Be Found Here

May 18, 2021June 11, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Universal Pictures has finally released the trailer to the anticipated film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. Ben Platt returns to reprise his Broadway role as the troubled teen, Evan Hansen.