We Aren’t Talking About the ‘Wendell & Wild’ Trailer Enough

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 Adonis Gonzalez

Okay, it’s been a pretty crazy news cycle recently. The monarchy has shifted, the Emmys happened, and we’ve been hooked on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Don’t Worry, Darling more than the movie itself. So it’s understandable that a few newsworthy moments have kind of slipped beneath the radar amidst the chaos. But… nah, I’m sorry guys, it’s absolutely ridiculous how much we aren’t discussing Wendell & Wild right now.

Animation, Movies

Laika Announces Cast for ‘Wildwood’

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 Mike Manalo

It’s no exaggeration to say that one of the best names in storytelling today is Laika! I’ve said it before, shouted it to the heavens, and will do so continuously and vigorously until the rest of the world sees it too. Which is why I couldn’t be more excited for their next release, Wildwood!

Animation, Movies

The Official Trailer and Poster for ‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’ Finally Comes to Life

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022 Mike Manalo

It’s a personal point of joy for me to be posting this given that Guillermo Del Toro is officially one of my heroes. As a director, his sense of style, imagination, and heart coupled with brutal honesty has paved the way for films like Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, The Devil’s Backbone, and countless others to become cinematic classics. But as a human being, there’s no celebrity out there with a bigger heart and a more magical soul. And this holiday season, he will be injecting both into one of the most timeless characters of all time: Pinocchio!

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Sneak Peek at New Stop Motion Film ‘Wendell & Wild’

June 7, 2022September 13, 2022 Laura Sirikul

From the great animation director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Coraline, Henry Selick has teamed up with Jordan Peele to create his next stop motion animation, Wendell & Wild.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Guillermo Del Toro Teases Bringing ‘Pinocchio’ to Life

January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 Mike Manalo

We are just recovering from some amazing Guillermo del Toro goodness, having just taken a walk down Nightmare Alley. But now, ahead of its December 2022 premiere date, del Toro has teased a first look at his stop-motion animated vision for Pinocchio. And as with all things he touches, it looks utterly divine!

Animation, Movies

‘Wildwood’ Confirmed as Next Film from Laika

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 Mike Manalo

I’ve said it numerous times before. Laika is the most exciting animation studio working today. Their work is always bold, beautiful, daring, and original. And at a time when Pixar is starting to be hit and miss, to the point where the prospect of a future projects tends to raise eyebrows more than excitement levels, the announcement of a new Laika project continues to thrill!

Movies, Toys

Knowing ‘Snake Eyes’ Tickets are on Sale is Half the Battle

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 Keith Chow

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is just around the corner, and advanced tickets are finally available to purchase! To spread the news, Paramount and Hasbro have teamed up with the team behind Robot Chicken to share this stop-motion version of the classic G.I. Joe PSA.

Animation, Movies

NOC Review: Light and Funny ‘Missing Link’ is Highly Laika-ble

April 3, 2019October 7, 2019 Mike Manalo

Laika is back, and nothing makes me happier. More than any other American-based family animation studio, and yes, I’m including Disney and Pixar, there is a level of maturity and sophistication to everything Laika has done so far in their … Continue reading NOC Review: Light and Funny ‘Missing Link’ is Highly Laika-ble

Animation, Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies1 Comment

‘Isle of Dogs’ and the Need for Film Critics of Color

March 30, 2018May 8, 2020 Hard NOC Media

LA Times film reporter Jen Yamato is the special guest on Hard NOC Life as we break down the reaction to Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs.

Continue reading “‘Isle of Dogs’ and the Need for Film Critics of Color”

Animation, Guest Post, Movies49 Comments

Why is the Kubo and the Two Strings Cast So White?

January 5, 2016January 5, 2016 Guest N.O.C.

by Phil Yu | Originally posted at Angry Asian Man

LAIKA, the acclaimed stop-motion animation studio that brought you Coraline and ParaNorman, recently released the trailer for its latest feature Kubo and the Two Strings, an epic adventure set in fantastical Japan.

The story centers on a young boy named Kubo who lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down. On the run from gods and monsters, Kubo must find a magical suit of armor once worn by his father, the greatest samurai the world has ever known.

The movie looks incredible. Check out this trailer:

Continue reading “Why is the Kubo and the Two Strings Cast So White?”

Animation, Television3 Comments

Reading Past Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

December 9, 2014December 3, 2016 Dennis R. Upkins

For those of you who aren’t aware, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rankin/Bass Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer holiday special which airs annually on CBS. It’s a holiday special that I’ve always found unsettling.

I attended Catholic school between the third and the fifth grade and with the exception of two Asian students, I was the only POC in our entire class. Let’s just say at 8 years old I received a crash course in racism and we’re going to leave it at that.

Each year we would watch the animated classic of Rudolph. There was always something disturbing about the story. It wasn’t until last year when I came to the epiphany that the tale is a metaphor for minority plight.

Continue reading “Reading Past Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer“