Rian Johnson and the Cast of ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ on What Their Characters Represent

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out films have always featured some form of social commentary. The first film uses the death of a wealthy novelist, who has been estranged from his toxic and privileged family, to critique the selfish nature of the ultra-rich. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery adds another layer of commentary on the entitled 1%, especially those in power who rely heavily on sycophantic enablers. It also touches on toxic masculinity and the superficial nature and facade of wealth from online personalities.

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

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.

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We Have Friends Everywhere

Earlier this week, the Disney-owned broadcast network ABC abruptly pulled the late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live from the airwaves after being pressured by the U.S. government. A few days prior, Dan Gilroy1 and the show Andor, another Disney-owned entity, was being awarded an Emmy for outstanding writing for this powerful speech delivered by Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma — who was totally snubbed in the acting category, by the way — warning of “the monster who will come for us all soon enough.”

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Hard NOC Life 360: ‘Fantastic Four’ Lays the Foundation for the MCU’s Future

On a new Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic reminisce about Comic-Cons past before diving into the Peacemaker season 2 trailer and other San Diego tidbits. Then, they debate whether The Fantastic Four: First Steps did a better job than Superman in resurrecting their respective superhero franchise. Spoiler: there is disagreement!

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Hard NOC Life 359: ‘Superman’ Takes Us Home

Hard NOC Life is back—and so is Superman. In our return episode, Keith and Dominic dive deep into the latest take on the Man of Steel: How does he stack up against previous Superman incarnations? Is James Gunn’s DCU off to a flying start? And what does this movie say about the future of superheroes on screen?

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Hard NOC Life 358: ‘Andor’ and a New Hope for ‘Star Wars’

Before Hard NOC Life goes off the air for a few weeks, Keith and Dominic have a few more Andor takes to share. Not only did the final episodes rekindle a love for Star Wars for our hosts, it will forever change how they watch the franchise going forward.

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Hard NOC Life 357: One Day Ghor

Last week on Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic joked about how Andor was basically “Les Mis in Space France.” This week, they’re serious about the comparison. Also, Keith rants about the most recent episode of The Last of Us, and Dominic has a theory about the superstars in the NBA Playoffs and their superhero equivalents.

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Hard NOC Life 356: Some ‘Thunderbolts*’ Assembly Still Required

Keith and Dominic celebrate the extended Star Wars holiday weekend by reviewing the next batch of Andor episodes, aka Lucasfilm presents “Les Mis in Space France.” Then, they discuss what did and didn’t work for them in the latest MCU offering, Thunderbolts*. All this and more on a new episode of Hard NOC Life,

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Hard NOC Life 355: ‘Andor’ is a Prestige Drama for Adult Audiences, and That’s Alright

This week on Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic look back at the first three episodes of Andor season 2. Then, Lauren joins Keith to share about her experience at Star Wars Celebration in Japan.

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Hard NOC Life 354: The Last of Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Father Figures (& Grogu)

On a new episode of Hard NOC Life, Keith and Dominic break down the recent trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps and Pedro Pascal’s penchant for playing paternal characters in Last of Us and The Mandalorian. Then they review the first season of Daredevil: Born Again before recapping some news from Star Wars Celebration in Japan.

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Hard NOC Life 353: Fear of a Cinematic Universe

Hard NOC Life returns as Keith and Dominic catch up on the big CinemaCon announcements for Superman and Spider-Man and look back at the Avengers: Doomsday casting teaser and the first half of Daredevil: Born Again.

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How the United States is This World’s Fire Nation

In the 20 years since Avatar: The Last Airbender debuted on Nickelodeon, a common question that’s shared among the fan base is which of the four elements — water, earth, fire, air — would one want to bend. Whether it be based on the element of one’s astrological sign or the connection they feel for a character who bends said element, it makes for a fun conversation topic.

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Hard NOC Life 352: DAMN.

Shawn Taylor returns for a special Hard NOC Life to break down Kendrick Lamar’s instantly iconic halftime performance during Super Bowl LIX. Together, he and Keith take in the symbolism and artistry that was on display and speculate where hip-hop goes from here.

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Hard NOC Life 350: ‘Superman’ Returned + Jay Pharoah’s ‘Dragon Ball’ Love Language

Yes, Hard NOC Life wrapped up last week, but then James Gunn went and dropped the trailer for next summer’s Superman. Movie critic Julian Lytle stops by to break it down, plus Keith talks to Jay Pharoah about his virtual comedy special and why Dragon Ball is the way to his heart.

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Hard NOC Life 349: Dawn of Superman’s Legacy

Hard NOC Life returns to wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025 and whether Superman will bring back truth, justice, and a better tomorrow. Keith also announces the return of a podcast and Dominic reveals the release date of his album.

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FDI Cast 194: We Say Goodbye to ‘Power Rangers’

Is it possible to talk about Power Rangers for two hours?? With guest hosts Shawn Pryor and Julian Lytle, the FDIC discusses the end of Power Rangers as a television franchise here in the US and what possibly awaits the teenagers with attitude in the future.

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Tariffs and Generative AI: Challenges Artists Face With the Incoming US Administration

I tried my best to stay relatively calm while filming this. But on the inside I am screaming so loudly. I wanted to try to look at 47’s second term from a working artist’s point of view. Things are going to be challenging and there are so many unknowns right now.

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Hard NOC Life 348: Vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

On Hard NOC Life, Dominic and Keith chat about what it will take to help elect the first Black Asian Woman President.

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Comic Creators Assemble to ‘Stop Project 2025’ Ahead of the Election

With only a week to go before another consequential presidential election, perhaps the most consequential, it’s more vital than ever that voters are informed of the stakes before pulling that lever. That’s why comics industry giants like Denys Cowan, Greg Pak, Matt Fraction, Greg Rucka, Jen Van Meter, Jim Ottaviani, and dozens more came together earlier this month to publish Stop Project 2025.

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Crooked Media Teams with ‘Star Trek’ to Boldly Go to the Polls and Elect Kamala Harris

On October 2, podcast host and Survivor outcast, Jon Lovett will be hosting a Star Trek-studded benefit for the Harris-Walz campaign. Proceeds from tickets for the live-stream and in-person event will go to Vote Save America in support of the highest-impact down-ballot races, as well as state-level grassroots organizations and voter protection efforts across the country. 

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Hard NOC Life 346: To the Caleb Williams, To the Harris-Walz

Last week, all eyes were on Chicago… because the Bears, the subject of HBO’s Hard Knocks, went undefeated in the preseason! Oh, and the Democrats officially nominated Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy. On Hard NOC Life, Dominic and Keith react to it all, as well as Disney’s cancellation of The Acolyte.

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I’m Geeked To Vote For Kamala Harris For President, Here’s Why

Vice President Harris became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee yesterday when Joe Biden officially withdrew from the 2024 presidential race.

Opinions are @dommah’s and do not necessarily reflect all of the staff at The Nerds of Color. A version of this piece appeared originally on substack.

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The F’n Tokucast: ‘Kamen Rider Black Sun’ Episode 3, A Whale of a Time

Episode 3 of Kamen Rider Black Sun opens its blow hole all over us! If you’d like to follow along with our Tokucast, check out Kamen Rider Black Sun on Amazon Prime.

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