Making ‘The Monkey’ Shine with Cinematographer Nico Aguilar

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Mike Manalo

Death is a really hard topic for all of us to grasp. Often it’s understandably met with trepidation, repulsion, and obvious sorrow. However, cinematographer Nico Aguilar is an expert in finding and capturing the beauty in death. His film, The Monkey, written and directed by Longlegs auteur, Osgood Perkins, is one such film that tackles the difficult subject matter of death with some dark levity, and, oddly enough thanks to Aguilar, a surprising amount of beauty and depth.

Movies, Trailers

True OC Abduction Case ‘The Accidental Getaway Driver’ Gets Limited Theatrical Release

February 18, 2025February 18, 2025 Laura Sirikul

Stories based on or inspired by true events — that center Asians — are often ignored or given whitewashed treatment, as in the 2008 film 21. It takes an independent studio and team to tell these kinds of stories fully, like Justin Lin’s 2002 film Better Luck Tomorrow and now – Sing J. Lee’s The Accidental Getaway Driver.

Interview, Martial Arts, Movies1 Comment

‘Love Hurts’ Star Daniel Wu on Asian Representation in Cinema

February 4, 2025 Mike Manalo

Love Hurts starring Ke Huy Quan is hitting theaters this Friday. In the film, Quan’s Marvin Gable finds the ultimate villain in Daniel Wu’s Alvin “Knuckles” Gable, Marvin’s brother. After all, you can’t have an epic series of stunts and fights from the team behind John Wick, without two incredible forces of action leading the charge. Recently we were given the tremendous opportunity to chat with Wu about his role in the movie, as well as Asian representation in cinema.

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!

Martial Arts, Movies

Ke Huy Quan to be Immortalized at TCL Chinese Theater

January 31, 2025February 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

Despite its historic and ironic namesake, the TCL Chinese Theater has seen only a handful of hand and foot print ceremonies for Asian and Asian American actors. Naturally, this can be attributed to the lack of Asian and Asian American representation in cinematic history overall. However, with that now changing gradually, it fills us with joy to learn that on February 3rd, a new legend will join the ranks of Jackie Chan, James Hong, John Woo, and Justin Lin in this tremendous honor: Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan!

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Director Drew Hancock Discusses Directing His First Film

January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

The smart, hilarious, sci-fi satire Companion is officially hitting theaters this week! And this one is hands down one of the best surprises I’ve seen in theaters in recent years. To celebrate we were given the tremendous opportunity to discuss the film with its stars, Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, as well as cast members Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri. Now today, we’re pleased to bring you all our conversation with the writer and director of the film, himself, Drew Hancock!

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi

‘Companion’ Stars Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri Tackle Twisted Relationships

January 30, 2025January 31, 2025 Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, we were able to chat with the incredible Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid to discuss their wicked new film, Companion. The film, which comes out this Friday, succeeds as a sharp and hilarious takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships. And while the story admittedly centers on Thatcher and her iconic character, Iris, it takes a terrific ensemble to help the movie reach the true levels of brilliance and comedy it ultimately achieves. Enter the terrific trio of Harvey Guillén, Lukas Gage, and Megan Suri

Horror, Interview, Movies, Sci Fi2 Comments

The Sensational Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid Converse about ‘Companion’

January 29, 2025 Mike Manalo

Valentine’s Day kicks off early this year with the best kind of rom-com coming out this Friday: a bloody horror comedy. The genre-defying, brilliant and twisted Companion, which I loved, is finally hitting theaters! Anchoring this terrific takedown of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships are the charming Jack Quaid, and one of the best breakout actresses working in the industry today, the sensational Sophie Thatcher!

Horror, Movies

Director Ryan Coogler Takes Us Inside the Newest Trailer for ‘Sinners’

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 Mike Manalo

The impact director Ryan Coogler has had on Black cinema over the past few years is undeniable. From his debut film, Fruitvale Station to shattering records and making cinematic history with Black Panther, Coogler has not only demonstrated his incredible talents as a writer and director, but also showcased that he is one of the most prolific, game changing filmmakers working today. This April, he’s going to do it one more time, with his first horror feature, Sinners.

Movies, Sci Fi

Finding Meaning in the New Trailer for Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 Mike Manalo

Few directors working in cinema today are as passionate and outspoken as the incredible Bong Joon Ho. From Snowpiercer to Parasite, the legendary Oscar winner has taken sharp, scathing looks at the inequality that exists in society; particularly within its socioeconomic caste systems. This March he’ll be doing it once more in his latest sci-fi satire, Mickey 17!

Horror, Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi2 Comments

NOC Review: You’re Not Prepared for ‘Companion’

January 22, 2025January 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

I know it’s been less than a month since 2025 started, but I’m calling it right now: Companion is already going to be one of my favorite movies this year. As of writing this, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this one twice already, and I honestly feel like I could see it many more times and still enjoy every minute of it. It’s brilliant, twisted and wickedly funny.

Marvel, Streaming, Television

Matt Murdock Takes on Corrupt Politicians in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Trailer

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 Mike Manalo

Corruption and politics go hand in hand. Just look at the upcoming state of the presidency and the current state of the Supreme Court. And it’s an issue that the MCU is tackling in Daredevil: Born Again! “Devil’s Reign” is coming, and the only one who can stop Wilson Fisk’s rise to power as Mayor of New York City is the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, himself: Matt Murdock! If only Daredevil existed in our world today.

Horror, Television, Video Games

New Trailer for ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 and Why We Need This Now

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 Mike Manalo

Last night, HBO and Naughty Dog dropped the latest trailer and release date information for the next season of its Emmy-nominated series adaptation of The Last Of Us. And frankly, the timing couldn’t be better. Here’s why we need this season of the show now more than ever.

DC Comics, Movies2 Comments

Look Up at the Official Teaser Trailer for ‘Superman’

December 19, 2024December 19, 2024 Mike Manalo

This week we were given the very special opportunity to see the Superman trailer before anyone else at a press event this past Monday. So we know how very special this one is. In fact, all of the insights we got from the event will be on a separate post, but this trailer is such an event in and of itself, that it genuinely deserves its own article.

Marvel, Movies

New Trailer for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Flies in from Brazil

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 Mike Manalo

On your left! This weekend D23 Brazil celebrated Marvel Studios with some early looks at their upcoming 2025 slate, and chief among them was the latest trailer for Captain America: Brave New World!

Horror, Interview, Streaming

Preparing for The End with ‘Teacup’ Stars Rob Morgan and Jackson Kelly

November 5, 2024 Mike Manalo

The whole first season of Teacup has officially hit Peacock. So if your mind hasn’t been blown yet, there’s still time to catch up and enjoy the thrills! In honor of the full season being fully available to binge now, we were able to sit down with two of the show’s terrific stars, Rob Morgan and Jackson Kelly.

Horror, Interview, Streaming1 Comment

A Tea Time Talk with ‘Teacup’ Showrunner Ian McCulloch

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 Mike Manalo

Happy Halloween folks! If you aren’t watching Peacock’s Teacup, you are missing out on the new Stranger Things! The new twisty, mysterious streaming addiction is filled with thrills, chills, gore, and compelling drama. All this is thanks to the amazing showrunner behind it, Ian McCulloch. And we recently had a terrific opportunity to sit down with McCulloch for an in-depth conversation about the new series.

Marvel, Streaming

Marvel Studios Unveils 2025 Disney+ Slate

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 Mike Manalo

If you went on Disney+ last night and played the first episode of Agatha All Along from the very beginning, you were treated to a nice surprise. That surprise has since gone public as Marvel Studios has officially unveiled its slate of upcoming Disney+ releases, including new looks at Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart, and Wonder Man!

Streaming, Television1 Comment

Prime Video Unveils Trailer for New ‘Cruel Intentions’ Series

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Kelly Martinez

It’s still a bittersweet symphony. Prime Video just released the trailer for its upcoming series Cruel Intentions, and it looks deliciously twisted. The new teen drama is a “ruthless,” modern take on the cult classic 1999 film of the same name.

Sci Fi, Streaming

Refiners Must Report Back to the Office When ‘Severance’ Returns in January

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 Keith Chow

The teaser for the long awaited second season of Severance is here, announcing the award-winning phenomenon finally comes back to Apple TV+ this January.

Movies, Trailers

The Trailer for ‘Love Hurts’ Packs a Punch

October 22, 2024October 23, 2024 Mike Manalo

We previously reported that a new action movie, starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose, was officially in the works from 87 North (John Wick, Nobody, The Fall Guy). Well happy to say that today we got our first trailer for the film, formerly known as With Love, now titled Love Hurts.

Television, Trailers

‘Interior Chinatown’ Trailer Sees Jimmy O. Yang Thrust into the Spotlight

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024 Michael Lee

Hulu has released the first trailer for Interior Chinatown. The limited series is an adaptation of Charles Yu’s award-winning book of the same name and stars Jimmy O. Yang, a mild-mannered waiter who is tired of feeling like the background character of his own story. But his life is turned upside down when he becomes the main character after witnessing a crime that’s connected to a high-profile case.

Horror, Interview, Movies

Gabbing About Ghastly Grins with ‘Smile 2’ Star Naomi Scott

October 18, 2024October 19, 2024 Mike Manalo

The term “triple threat” is rare these days in Hollywood. However, not only does Smile 2 star, Naomi Scott, embody the very definition of that term, as a gifted singer, dancer and actor, she reinvents it completely. With her performance in the terrifying new sequel to Parker Finn’s Smile, Scott proves to everyone she is a dynamic force of charismatic nature to be reckoned with. And we were fortunate enough to chat with her about this stellar performance in the critically acclaimed horror film, hitting theaters today!