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The Stars of ‘Bel-Air’ on Black Excellence and Representing for the Culture

January 18, 2023January 19, 2023 Elijah Isaiah Johnson

A cloudy evening over The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena did nothing to hide the high spirits inside The Tap Room — the resort’s cocktail bar and lounge — where the cast of NBC/Peacock’s NAACP award-nominated series Bel-Air came both to cool down and celebrate, post red carpet, after a long day of photos and interviews just an hour earlier.

Interview, Movies1 Comment

Speaking with the Stars of Lifetime’s First All-Latino Holiday Film, ‘Merry Textmas’

December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 Sophia Soto

Ariana Ron Pedrique and Rodrigo Massa star as Gaby Diaz and Alex Alvarado in Merry Textmas. The new holiday movie will premiere on Sunday, December 4 at 8/7c as part of Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime.”

Interview, Movies

‘Darby and the Dead’ Stars Riele Downs and Auliʻi Cravalho on Playing Against What’s Expected

November 30, 2022December 1, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Riele Downs and Auliʻi Cravalho are ready for a change.

Animation, Interview1 Comment

Uncovering the Secrets of Yorubaland with the Creators of ‘Iyanu’

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 Mike Manalo

In 2023, the world will meet Iyanu! Based on the acclaimed Dark Horse graphic novel, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, HBO Max is teaming with Lion Forge Animation to bring the world its first Nigerian/Yoruban inspired animated fantasy epic series. And The Nerds of Color was able to get an exclusive look with creators, David Steward II and Saxton Moore.

Fantasy, Interview

‘Willow’ Cast and Crew Talk about Continuing the Fantasy Mythology

November 23, 2022December 20, 2022 Michael Lee

It’s been almost 35 years since Willow hit the big screen. The fantasy adventure epic from Lucasfilm starred Warwick Davis as the titular dwarf with a heart of gold who goes on a perilous quest to save Tir Asleen from Bavmorda, the evil queen of Nockmoor. Together with Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and Sorsha (Joanne Walley), they protect Elora Danan, an infant princess who is prophesied to bring about Bavmorda’s downfall. Praised for its special effects and pupperty, the film lives on as a cult classic, especially to those who may not be fans of Star Wars or Indiana Jones.

Interview, Marvel, Movies

Alex Livinalli on the Indigenous Story Within ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Mike Manalo

Talocan is coming for the surface world! After decades of stories on the printed page, Namor, Namora, and powerful behemoth Attuma are finally making their grand cinematic debuts in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever this Friday! And we, at The Nerds of Color, were blessed to have gotten an opportunity to speak with the man behind Attuma, Alex Livinalli!

Interview, Movies

Staying Sharp with Anna Akana and Yoshi Sudarso from ‘Blade of the 47 Ronin’

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022 Mike Manalo

Blade of the 47 Ronin hits Netflix today! Back in 2013, the original film, 47 Ronin, debuted in theaters to unfortunate critical reception and low box office grosses. Nevertheless it was a moment in which Keanu Reeves really first acknowledged/embraced his Asian roots on film. In that grand tradition, it seemed fitting to reboot the franchise, but in the hands of Asian filmmakers, including director and expert stunt choreographer, Ron Yuan. He was able to recruit two amazing folks to the cast, renowned actress, comedian, and outspoken creator Anna Akana, and famed stuntman, actor, and all around Power Ranger, Yoshi Sudarso.

Interview, Movies

Talking Rom-Coms with ‘Ticket to Paradise’ Star Lucas Bravo

October 21, 2022 Mike Manalo

The rom-com is back! It’s been a while since a proper romantic comedy has hit theaters, but today, the two most legendary names in the genre are back: Julia Roberts and George Clooney star in Ticket to Paradise! But as the two superstars will confirm, it takes more than just two stars to craft an iconic rom-com. Which is where co-star Lucas Bravo comes in!

Interview, Movies

A ‘Ticket to Paradise’ with Kaitlyn Dever and Maxime Bouttier

October 19, 2022October 20, 2022 Mike Manalo

You can’t get any more charming than Julia and George, can you? At least, that’s what I thought prior to meeting Ticket to Paradise stars Kaitlyn Dever and Maxime Bouttier!

Movies, Sports16 Comments

‘Creed III’ Director Michael B. Jordan Brings Positive Change to Representation in Film

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022 Michael Lee

Creed III is the third chapter of the titular film franchise and marks Michael B. Jordan‘s directorial debut. While the sequel won’t see Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Rocky Balboa, it takes Adonis Creed (Jordan) in a new direction as he is forced to confront his past when Anderson Dame (Jonathan Majors), a former friend turned new boxing rival blames him for his previous incarnation and attempts to claim the title of world champion by humiliating him on the biggest stage.

DC Comics, Interview, Movies1 Comment

Sarah Shahi and Mo Amer on ‘Black Adam’ and Speaking Truth to (Super)Power

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 Jason Sperber

With Black Adam poised to be the DCEU’s latest foray onto the big screen, we recently got to sit down with stars Sarah Shahi and Mohammed “Mo” Amer to talk about their roles in the film, the importance of representation, and the ability of diverse stories to speak truth to power.

Interview, Streaming, Television

Jenna Ortega on ‘Wednesday,’ Latina Representation, and More at NYCC

October 12, 2022October 29, 2022 Sophia Soto

Jenna Ortega stars as Wednesday Addams in the new Netflix series, Wednesday, which is set to premiere on November 23. This year, at New York Comic Con, I had the privilege of speaking with the actress during a roundtable interview!

Interview, Television

‘Thai Cave Rescue’ Producers Wanted the Diaspora to Feel Connected

September 26, 2022September 26, 2022 Laura Sirikul

When Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue was first announced, executive producer Jon M. Chu immediately tweeted that this project belonged to the people who lived it — the Thai people. He was determined to not let the series be whitewashed or center on white saviors.

Martial Arts, Streaming

The Quality of Asian Representation in ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 5

September 16, 2022September 15, 2022 Lauren Lola

WARNING: The following contains spoilers from Season 5 of Cobra Kai.

For five seasons, I’ve been saying the same thing: For a show – and franchise, for that matter – centered on a Japanese martial art, there aren’t a ton of Asian people on the Netflix series, Cobra Kai.

Fandom, Interview, Star Trek

Star Trek Day 2022: A Celebration of Family and Belonging

September 9, 2022September 9, 2022 Jason Sperber

On Wednesday, September 8, 2022, the Star Trek fandom community and many of the stars and creators of that universe marked the 56th anniversary of The Original Series’ premiere with a teaser-filled celebration at Los Angeles’ Skirball Cultural Center, and The Nerds of Color were there on the star-crowded purple carpet and in the fan-filled theater to witness a gathering that was, underneath it all, about the power of found family and the magic of finding a place in which to belong.

Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke Talk ‘Do Revenge’ and Making an Impact

September 8, 2022 Sophia Soto

Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke star as Drea and Eleanor in Do Revenge. The new dark comedy will be released Friday, September 16, only on Netflix.

Fantasy, Television

‘House of the Dragon’ Creatives Learned From ‘Game Of Thrones’ Mistakes

August 16, 2022August 16, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Game of Thrones has had its fair share of controversies — from the handling of sexual assault to the treatment of people of color, the creatives of HBO’s House of the Dragon says they’ve learned from the mistakes of the past.

Interview, Streaming, Television

Lee Rodriguez and Ramona Young Talk ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 3 and More

August 16, 2022 Sophia Soto

Lee Rodriguez and Ramona Young star in Never Have I Ever. Season 3 of the Netflix comedy is now streaming. The series has already been renewed for a fourth and final season, which is set to premiere in premiere in 2023.

Interview, Movies1 Comment

Hiroyuki Sanada Felt Respected in the Ending of ‘Bullet Train’

August 8, 2022August 8, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Bullet Train hit theaters this past weekend with a whopping $60 million at the global box office. The film, which stars Brad Pitt as Ladybug – an unlucky assassin who takes a job on the bullet train in Japan when there are other assassins at play – leading him to hilarious and action-packed situations. One of his unlikely allies turns out to be The Elder (played by Hiroyuki Sanada) and his foolish yet equally deadly son, Yuichi (Andrew Koji).

DC Comics, Movies, Streaming3 Comments

The Killing of ‘Batgirl’ (and DC’s Dance with Diversity)

August 5, 2022August 10, 2022 Adonis Gonzalez

Let’s go way, way back to a time that maybe a lot of us don’t quite remember. It was a simpler time — before global pandemics, when a worldwide conflict was perhaps a bit less of a certainty — a bygone era known as “2017.”

Interview, Movies

How ‘Thirteen Lives’ Represents the Humanity of Thailand and its People

August 2, 2022 Laura Sirikul

When westerners think about Thailand, there are many thoughts that come to mind: the food, Muay Thai, or martial artist Tony Jaa. There are also many harmful stereotypes of the Thai people that Hollywood gets very wrong. Movies like The Beach or The Hangover II that showcase Thai people as dirty, thuggish gangsters and the country as an untrustworthy place. With Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives, based on true events from the 2018 Thai Cave Rescue, Thais are finally being seen as they truly are – people who love their country and its people.

Conventions, Marvel, Movies

SDCC 2022: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Explores the Consistency of Excellence

July 28, 2022July 28, 2022 The Nerds of Color

After Ryan Coogler and the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever brought the house down in Hall H, some of the film’s stars stopped by our spot on the press line and spoke to Ron from POC Culture about what the new film will mean to audiences, but especially to Black and Indigenous moviegoers.

Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Prey’ Cast and Crew on Breaking Barriers in the ‘Predator’ Franchise

July 22, 2022 Michael Lee

The Predator movies of the past have featured some soldiers of fortune being hunted by its titular alien race of hunters seeking to add to their trophy case. But in Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg takes a different approach to that dynamic by setting the film 300 years in the Comanche nation and follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a fierce and highly skilled warrior who will do anything to protect her tribe, including hunting a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal. The result is a primal David and Goliath match unlike anything we’ve ever seen from the Predator franchise.