‘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.

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!

Interview, Marvel, Movies2 Comments

Kevin Feige on ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ and the Future of the MCU

July 21, 2025September 18, 2025 Mike Manalo

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, has always made himself available for the media circuit, while also displaying professional skill at giving cryptic responses to questions about upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe events. However, at a recent roundtable discussion, Feige confidently and graciously allowed us to chat not only about the MCU’s latest film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but in a surprising turn, also spoke on the future of the MCU.

Marvel, Movies

Breaking Down the Latest ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Mike Manalo

It’s June 4, which means tickets for The Fantastic Four: First Steps are officially on sale! I don’t know about you all, but I cannot wait to see Marvel’s First Family tearing up the big screen. All signs point to this one being a banger, and we got another new look at the film today. Let’s break down some of the key moments from this 75-second sneak peek, and deconstruct what it might showcase for the new movie and, perhaps, the greater MCU!

Marvel, Movies, Trailers

A New Silver Surfer Arrives with a New Trailer for ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

April 17, 2025April 17, 2025 Mike Manalo

Prepare yourselves because Galactus is coming! The herald of Galactus has come to this world to inform us that tonight, the role will be played by an actual purple planet-eating humanoid Goliath and not a storm cloud of nothing. More than that, they brought the official trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps with them, and boy, it looks phenomenal!

Marvel, Movies

The Teaser Trailer for ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Launches

February 4, 2025February 27, 2025 Mike Manalo

At long last, we have our first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps! It had been a long time coming, but Marvel’s first family is officially here!

Marvel, Movies1 Comment

Massive Marvel Studios Lineup Lines Up at SDCC 2024!

July 28, 2024August 15, 2024 Mike Manalo

On the most anticipated evening of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, 6,000 fans crowded into the massive convention center auditorium known as Hall H to hear about the highly anticipated new projects from SDCC MVPs Marvel Studios.

Conventions, Marvel, Movies1 Comment

Marvel Studios Hits Hall H Hard with Huge Announcements and Surprises

July 28, 2024July 28, 2024 Mike Manalo

Comic-Con is like Christmas for Marvel Nerds! The annual convention in San Diego has been the home of major Marvel Studios announcements since 2007, when Kevin Feige and Robert Downey Jr. brought the first Iron Man to Hall H. Well it’s wonderful to know some things don’t change. And almost 20 years later, the duo has united once more to deliver some jaw dropping bombs to the unsuspecting attendees in Hall H this year.

Marvel, Movies

Filming Launches on ‘The Fantastic Four’

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 Mike Manalo

Exciting times for Marvel Studios! In addition to Deadpool & Wolverine hitting theaters this weekend, the House of Feige is at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, rumored to announce several projects. Chief among them, further news of The Fantastic Four!

Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

‘Inside Out 2’ Makes Sense of Being a Teenager By Using Heart, Humor, and Lots of Color

June 12, 2024June 13, 2024 Michael Lee

Inside Out 2′s themes can best be encapsulated by its use of The Linda Lindas’ hit song, “Growing Up.” The song is a perfect anthem for teenagers trying to make sense of a world that’s messy and full of uncertainty, and how friendships and outlets help get through those struggles of finding your identity, fitting in, and the pressures of meeting self-imposed expectations.

Animation, Movies

Cinematographer Adam Habib on the Cinematic Inspirations Behind ‘Inside Out 2’

May 14, 2024May 14, 2024 Michael Lee

If Pixar’s Inside Out captured the adolescent experience of processing a life-changing cross country move, then Inside Out 2 promises to show audiences “what it means to be young and growing up” and how more complex emotions navigate the complications of life.

Marvel, Movies

John Malkovich and Ralph Ineson Enter ‘The Fantastic Four’

May 9, 2024May 11, 2024 Mike Manalo

The cast just keeps getting more and more stacked, and so does the MCU! On the heels of Black Bird star, Emmy Winner Paul Walter Hauser joining the cast of The Fantastic Four last week, today we got official news that legendary Academy Award Nominee John Malkovich and The First Omen star, Ralph Ineson, have also joined the ever growing cast of the highly anticipated upcoming Marvel Studios film!

Marvel, Movies1 Comment

‘The Fantastic Four’ Welcomes Paul Walter Hauser

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024 Mike Manalo

This cast just keeps getting more “fantastic!” While a lot is still being kept under lock and key by penalty of Marvel Studios prison, we know that the cast and crew of 2025’s The Fantastic Four is absolutely coming together.

Animation, Movies

Meet the New Emotions from ‘Inside Out 2’

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 Michael Lee

In 2015, Pixar’s Inside Out was a hilarious but honest portrayal of how we process our feelings and respond to certain situations. Not much time has passed for these characters, but it’s been an eternity for audiences. Inside Out 2 focuses on the next chapter of Riley’s life as a teenager who experiences puberty and shakeups in her relationships with her parents and friends. It’s all a part of the process of growing up. And the sequel will reveal how she processes Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui on her uncharted emotional journey.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Inside Out 2’ Footage Reaction: Pixar Gets in Touch With New Emotions

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 Michael Lee

Pixar’s Inside Out was an opportunity for the animation studio to explore uncharted territory. The human mind. It was a playful yet informative character study on emotions like Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear. The critical and commercially successful film helped audiences embrace their emotions while also normalizing discarded ones. Nine years later, Inside Out 2, revisits the inside of Riley’s mind and sees Joy and the gang making room for four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui.