NOC Review: Toxic Love Entices and Torments in ‘Wuthering Heights’

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 Mike Manalo

Why are so many drawn to toxic love? Like an addiction, many cling to the idea that only a single person can complete their soul and possess their very being, holding on to the feeling of euphoria that exists when that person is by your side. However for any and all purity that might seemingly be derived from love, sometimes it can be utterly poisonous if the obsession consumes you.

Movies, Music, Reviews

Hope’s Still Alive in Eddie Vedder’s ‘Matter of Time’ Concert Film

February 6, 2026February 12, 2026 Keith Chow

There’s a particular gravity to watching Eddie Vedder perform on his own. Without the band, without the familiar roar of a Pearl Jam crowd, what’s left isn’t catharsis — it’s intention. Matter of Time understands that, and it’s why the film works. This isn’t just a concert movie, it’s a document about responsibility.

Reviews, Streaming, Television

‘The Muppets Special’ Sparks a Revival Rocket That Needs More Gonzo Fun to Take Off

February 5, 2026February 8, 2026 Sabina Graves

The Muppets are back with a special that aims to reintroduce the beloved Jim Henson icons to a new generation, paying homage to their original variety show roots. Kermit leads the rest of the Muppets ensemble, including planned showstoppers from the one and only Miss Piggy with special guests Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen, who serves as executive producer for the Disney+ revival.

Marvel, Streaming, Television5 Comments

The Relevance of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 in the Era of ICE

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Mike Manalo

Let’s make no mistake about this. This first month of 2026 has proven to be a disgusting era in US history, with the president’s ICE patrols continuing to kidnap and murder people on the streets of Minneapolis and all around the country. The irony of all of the horrors here is that it makes a Marvel Studios show, like Daredevil: Born Again — set in a fantastical universe — feel so tragically close to home. However, in many ways, that’s why we need Matt Murdock now way more than ever before.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a Technical Marvel Trapped in a Familiar Story

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Michael Lee

Every trip to Pandora brings in a visually stunning new adventure and family drama with Jake Sully and Neytiri. The new Avatar: Fire and Ash doubles down on both, throwing the family into a firestorm of grief, resilience, and jaw-dropping world-building that keeps expanding Pandora in bold, unexpected directions. Unfortunately, despite being epic in scale and scope, the film’s lack of a compelling story frustrates, and its many setups lead to surprisingly few satisfying payoff.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘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.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

‘The Running Man’ Delivers Sharp Truths Even When it’s a Bit Overhyped

November 12, 2025 Michael Lee

In a world where entertainment thrives on dehumanization, Stephen King’s The Running Man remains one of the most unsettlingly relevant dystopias. The book made for a memorable 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and now Edgar Wright’s adaptation pays clear homage to the source while recalibrating it for an era of algorithms, streaming spectacle, and disposable labor. The premise still excites, but the film’s frantic energy sometimes scatters its sharpest ideas.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

NOC Review: ‘Predator: Badlands’ is an Enjoyable Sci-Fi Romp

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 Mike Manalo

Redefining a classic franchise is a difficult thing to do. Countless remakes and reboots of beloved classics from Poltergeist to Child’s Play have withered and died at the cinema. The Predator franchise, specifically, has even seen its share of wasted potential (see Shane Black’s failed attempt from 2018).

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘In Your Dreams’ Balances Candy-Colored Chaos with Real Heart

November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 Michael Lee

Dreaming is one of the most powerful ways kids make sense of chaos or imagine what comes next. Whether it is school pressure, first crushes, or home shifting under their feet, dreams turn fear into something they can face.

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Palestine 36’ is an Epic Historical Film of Resounding Importance

November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 Edward Hong

Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 is an epic historical film that takes the audience back to 1936 when Palestine began to make a great push resisting British colonial rule. It is not only an astoundingly well made film with incredible performances, it is a film that is a much needed history lesson that needs to be shown in every school and university in western nations and around the world. At its core, the film shows the Palestinian resistance for what it really is: a fight for freedom and independence which has been going on for many, many decades.

Gaming, TableTop1 Comment

Pokémon’s Mega Evolution — Phantasmal Flames May Finally Shake Up the Meta

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 Jamal Michel

As you’d expect from the Pokémon TCG, collectors have plenty of chase cards to look forward to, but the real strength of the set comes from the potential of its meta-shifting cards. The Nerds of Color received a review sample courtesy of The Pokémon Company International.

Horror, Interview, Movies

‘Black Phone 2’ Star Madeleine McGraw Answers the Call

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025 Mike Manalo

Black Phone 2 is terrifying audiences everywhere now! While the first film was all about Mason Thames’ character, Finney, the amazing Madeleine McGraw takes center stage this time as Gwen. What does The Grabber have in store for this clairvoyant badass? We had a chance to chat with McGraw about the answer to that, plus much more!

Horror, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: Blumhouse Phones It In with ‘Black Phone 2’

October 17, 2025October 30, 2025 Mike Manalo

Traveling back to 2022, I remember leaving my screening of The Black Phone, touched, thrilled, and genuinely surprised having seen what became one of my favorites of that year.

Gaming, TableTop1 Comment

Mega Evolution is a Solid New Set in the Pokémon Trading Card Game

October 6, 2025October 6, 2025 Jamal Michel

The latest set for the Pokémon TCG adds to the scene’s fervor with rare gold cards for collectors and heavy hitting, mega-evolved Pocket Monsters still finding their identity in the competitive space. The Nerds of Color received a review sample courtesy of The Pokémon Company International.

Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘One Battle After Another’ is the Movie We Need Right Now

September 26, 2025 Mike Manalo

Every day we wake up to a divided nation. Anti-immigration sentiment is at an all-time high. White privilege has never been more prevalent and has inserted itself into the nation’s capital. Elected officials use BS excuses to invade our cities and shut down free speech. At this point, all we can do is laugh about the state of the country. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Paul Thomas Anderson does in his cathartic satirical triumph, One Battle After Another.

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.

Horror, Movies, Reviews, Sports

How ‘HIM’ Exposes the Cult of Sports and the Commodification of Black Athletes

September 20, 2025 Ainsley 'LadyL' Landry

American football isn’t just a game; it’s a religion. The rituals, the chants, the stadiums packed with worshippers draped in team colors, it all mirrors a form of collective devotion. In Justin Tipping’s new psychological thriller HIM, produced by Jordan Peele, football becomes something far more literal: a site of sacrifice, worship, and horror.

Animation, Reviews

‘LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past’ Mixes Fun and Brick-Built Chaos

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Michael Lee

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past is more than just kids with a wild imagination playing “what if” with their minifigs, brick builds, and BrickHeadz. It’s a fully realized box of bricks clicking together, where one can play with iconic Star Wars moments to their heart’s content.

Reviews, Streaming, Television

‘The Comic Shop’ Turns Traditional TV on Its Head

September 3, 2025September 18, 2025 Nikita Francois

The Comic Shop is a new web series that delivers big laughs and dynamic characters in the world of comic book geeks. After a highly successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, Cheyenne Ewulu’s series brings to life a workplace comedy that centers a Black female lead and a diverse group of supporting characters.

Movies, Reviews

‘Eenie Meanie’ Revs Up the Screen with Action, Thrills, and Humor

August 21, 2025 Nikita Francois

Eenie Meanie is a high-octane thrill ride that will take you from the edge of your seat in anticipation, to laughing hysterically. Shawn Simmons expertly weaves the intricacies of an action thriller with a heist movie, featuring dynamic characters that leave you cheering for multiple sides.

Horror, Reviews, Streaming

Breaking Curses and Burning Bridges: The True Mystery of ‘Wednesday’ Season 2

August 14, 2025 Ainsley 'LadyL' Landry

The murders are grisly. The new headmaster is suspicious. The shadows of Nevermore stretch darker than before. But in Wednesday Season 2, Part One, the real tension doesn’t come from what’s lurking in the woods; it comes from the dining table. This is a season about family, the kind you inherit and the kind you choose, and the impossible line between protecting someone and controlling them.

Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘The Glassworker’ Masterfully Crafts its Anti-War Message

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 Swara Salih

Writer, director, and co-composer of The Glassworker, Usman Riaz, worked on his inaugural animated film for over a decade. And the results show vividly in the finished feature, giving us a simultaneously intimate and grand story showcasing the beauty of art against the horrors of war.

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.