Miyavi Makes Trouble for ‘The Wrecking Crew’

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Mike Manalo

Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista are currently crushing the charts on Prime Video right now, with their new-API centric action film, The Wrecking Crew. We recently had a chance to sit down with Director, Ángel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle), as well as stars Morena Baccarin, Jacob Batalon, Temuera Morrison, Frankie Adams, and Roimata Fox. Now it’s time to get a bit darker as we chat with the actor behind one of the film’s most memorable villains – global music and film sensation, Miyavi!

Interview, Movies1 Comment

Wreaking Havoc with the Cast and Director of ‘The Wrecking Crew’

January 30, 2026 Mike Manalo

Back in 2023, director Angel Manuel Soto brought us one of the best films in the DCEU with Blue Beetle. As a filmmaker he approaches his films with a kinetic energy and charm that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, while also laughing at the comedic chemistry of his lead actors. He also is a POC filmmaker who does tremendous things by promoting POC talent. And this is all the more apparent with his latest action film, The Wrecking Crew, headlined by stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista!

Interview, Streaming, Television

Siua Ikale’o on Bringing Life to His Breakout Role in ‘Chief of War’

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Lauren Lola

In the Apple TV+ historical drama, Chief of War, the cast is made up of many Polynesian actors; ranging from the hot shot that is Jason Momoa, to industry mainstays like Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis, and newcomers like Kaina Makua.

Interview, Streaming, Television

Temuera Morrison on Portraying Ruthless Chief Kahekili in ‘Chief of War’

August 1, 2025July 31, 2025 Lauren Lola

Chief of War is a historical drama series co-created by Thomas Pa’a Sibbett and Jason Momoa. Set at the turn of the 19th century, it tells the story of how the warring Hawaiian Islands were unified, in the midst of the threat of colonization.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘Moana 2’ is a Beautiful Sonic and Visual Feast

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Michael Lee

The first Moana was a journey of self-discovery for the title character (Auliʻi Cravalho) who teamed up with the awesome fishhook-wielding and shapeshifting and sometimes self-centered demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to restore the heart of Tefiti. Eight years later, audiences are reunited with the characters they love in Moana 2, a sequel that’s worthy of your time.

Animation, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Featurette Inspires Explorers to Protect the Oceans

November 20, 2024November 27, 2024 Michael Lee

To celebrate the forthcoming release of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Moana 2, fans are invited to join Disney, National Geographic Pristine Seas, and Polynesian Voyaging Society to celebrate the explorer and Moana in all of us and answer the call to protect our oceans together. And they have released a featurette to help inspire the conservationist in us all.

Animation, Movies

Sound and Animation Team Talk New Sights and Sounds of ‘Moana 2’

November 18, 2024November 18, 2024 Michael Lee

Post-production is essential to completing any film, especially an animated one like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2.

Animation, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Footage Reaction: Disney’s Latest Sets Sail for a New Adventure

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana was more than a commercial and critical hit of 2016; it was also a celebration of the Polynesian culture. Set on the fictional island of celebrates Motunui, the film followed the title character (Auliʻi Cravalho) who embarks on a oceanic adventure with the mighty demigod Maui (Dwyane Johnson) to save her village from a blight.

Animation, Movies

Reo Māori Dub of ‘Moana 2’ Arrives the Same Day as English-Language Counterpart

October 23, 2024November 25, 2024 Lauren Lola

A little over a month remains until Moana 2 hits theaters, and for folks in New Zealand, they’ll have more than one way of experiencing it.

Animation, Movies

New ‘Moana 2’ TV Spot Teases “We’re Back” Song

September 26, 2024September 27, 2024 Michael Lee

Disney has released the newest TV spot for Moana 2, which gives a sneak peek of the newest song: “We’re Back.”

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

‘Occupation: Rainfall’ is a Fun Sci-Fi Opera Hindered By its Own Weight

March 28, 2022March 29, 2022 Bray Lawrence

Occupation: Rainfall is a confusing enigma. At moments, it feels at home in B-movie schlock delivering campy actor performances that chew on scenery and heavy action sequences drenched in CGI screen filters and explosions. Other moments, there’s a sincerity in its attention to detail in the story it weaves. Crafting interesting cinematography to amplify its thoughts on trauma, war, and moving forward.

Star Wars, Streaming1 Comment

Why Boba Fett’s Character Development Matters

February 15, 2022February 15, 2022 Lauren Lola

WARNING: The following contains spoilers from the first season of The Book of Boba Fett.

All the episodes of the first season of the second Star Wars live-action series, The Book of Boba Fett, are now streaming on Disney+. The underworld of Tatooine is turned on its head when Boba Fett and Fennec Shand roll into town, looking to rule over the territory that once belonged to Jabba the Hutt. It’s easier said than done, as the two are quick to realize.

Interview, Star Wars, Streaming

The Stars of ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Being AAPI Leads of a ‘Star Wars’ Production

January 7, 2022January 7, 2022 Lauren Lola

2021 closed out with the long awaited release of the second-ever live-action Star Wars series, The Book of Boba Fett. Starring Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen, the crime world is about to turn on its head with Boba Fett and Fennec Shand in town, who want to shake things up.

Reviews, Star Wars, Streaming

NOC Review: The Word According to ‘The Book of Boba Fett’

December 29, 2021January 5, 2022 Mike Manalo

And so it begins. For 37 years, the faithful followers of the holy trilogy (I suppose I should call it “the sacred saga” instead since it’s nine movies, but the overzealous purists may protest) have sat and wondered whether or not their beloved would-be badass bounty hunter, Boba Fett, survived literally the stupidest accidental death ever caught on film.

Star Wars, Streaming

TV Spots and Poster Art Galore for ‘The Book of Boba Fett’

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 Lauren Lola

One month remains until the second Star Wars live-action series, The Book of Boba Fett, premieres on Disney+ and the hype is starting to build up. Within the last few days, two new TV spots have been released — the one today teasing just some of the struggle Boba has had to endure following the events of Return of the Jedi — and with it are two new posters; one of Temuera Morrison as Boba, the other of Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand.

Star Wars, Streaming

Changes Are Coming for the Underworld in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ Trailer

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 Lauren Lola

“Every galaxy has an underworld” is the tagline going into the second live-action Star Wars series, The Book of Boba Fett, whose official trailer — and new poster art — came out today.

Star Wars, Streaming, Television1 Comment

Poster and Premiere Date Announced for ‘The Book of Boba Fett’

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 Lauren Lola

Previously on The Mandalorian, the remainder of Jabba the Hutt’s crime syndicate is wiped clean when Boba Fett and Fennec Shand come busting in, killing off Bib Fortuna and his guards, before claiming the space for themselves. Immediately afterwards revealed a title: The Book of Boba Fett; the second live-action series set in the galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars, Streaming, Television

What the Season 2 Finale Means for the Future of ‘The Mandalorian’

December 18, 2020April 8, 2024 Keith Chow

A year ago, when Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon emerged from a wrecked Tie Fighter wielding the Darksaber in the end-credits stinger to season one of The Mandalorian, it was a signal to the audience that season two would tie more directly to established Star Wars canon than initially expected. Fast forward to the end of season two and it’s safe to say no one was prepared for just how extensive those ties would be.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars, Streaming1 Comment

Hard NOC Life: The Lin-Mando Takeover of Disney+

May 18, 2020May 15, 2021 Hard NOC Media

On Hard NOC Life, Dominic and Keith welcome Lauren Lola — who took a moment out of her busy CAAMFest schedule — to talk about Hamilton and Mandalorian season 2 coming to Disney+.

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life: The Lin-Mando Takeover of Disney+”

Hard N.O.C. Life, Star Wars

Hard NOC Life: The Phantom Attack of the Sith Menace Revenge Clones

December 2, 2019January 30, 2020 Hard NOC Media

With Rise of Skywalker and the end of the Skywalker Saga at the end of the month to look forward to, Hard NOC Life is going to be a Star Wars podcast for the month of December. Because there aren’t enough Star Wars podcasts on the internet!

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life: The Phantom Attack of the Sith Menace Revenge Clones”

DC Comics, Guest Post, Movies2 Comments

Aquaman: A Mixed Kid’s Journey

January 3, 2019January 5, 2019 Guest N.O.C.

by Maha Chehlaoui

I went to Aquaman for two reasons: First, the ticket was free. Second, this is basically underwater Magic Mike, right? I came for the pecs, I stayed for the pecs. But also for the analysis of what it is to be of two cultures. I mean races. I mean… worlds?

Continue reading “Aquaman: A Mixed Kid’s Journey”

DC Comics, Movies

The Protector of the Deep Arrives in the Final Trailer for ‘Aquaman’

November 20, 2018November 28, 2018 Mike Manalo

Yesterday, Warner Bros. and DC dropped the epic final trailer of Aquaman, which dives deep into the origin story of the protector of the deep!

Continue reading “The Protector of the Deep Arrives in the Final Trailer for ‘Aquaman’”

Star Wars2 Comments

Go Asians: A History of AAPI Representation in ‘Star Wars’

May 10, 2018October 2, 2023 Keith Chow

The month of May holds a special place in the hearts of Asian American and Pacific Islander Star Wars fans. For starters, May has been AAPI Heritage Month since 1990, though it originally began as “Asian Pacific Heritage Week” when it was proposed in Congress by Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta in 1977. That’s right, 1977. You know what else debuted in May 1977?