Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ Proves Anyone Can Be a Hero, Says Director Jake Schreier and Cast

April 30, 2025May 5, 2025 Laura Sirikul

Marvel is no stranger to mental health and trauma when it comes to their heroes and villains. Many of their greatest heroes have been in a place of uncertainty – Thor losing himself (and gaining weight) after Infinity War; Rocket Raccoon’s past trauma and found family; Wanda’s grief overtaking an entire town; and many other heroes dealing with post-traumatic stress disorders. Yet, as the heroes in the story, they persevered while saving many lives.

Marvel, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Thunderbolts*’ is Marvel at its Most Mature and Emotionally Complex

April 29, 2025May 1, 2025 Mike Manalo

Superheroes have trauma. That’s not an original idea. However, what happens when these superheroes have to face something more real and unsolvable than saving the world, such as actual depression and mental health issues? You get something greater than your average superhero popcorn blockbuster. That’s where Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* truly excels.

Marvel, Movies

‘Thunderbolts*’ Teaser Trailer Gives the “Bad Guys” New Life

September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 Laura Sirikul

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* just released a teaser trailer and poster featuring depressed baddies Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits — Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Bob (Lewis Pullman).

Sci Fi, Television

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Officially Renewed in Growing MonsterVerse

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024 Mike Manalo

Breaking news! The Legendary MonsterVerse is expanding! And Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will be returning for another fun season!

Horror, Interview, Movies

Exploring ‘Night Swim’ with Writer/Director Bryce McGuire and Producer Ryan Turek

December 29, 2023January 4, 2024 Mike Manalo

Night Swim, the latest Blumhouse/Atomic Monster collaboration, is coming to terrify audiences in theaters everywhere January 5. And to celebrate, The Nerds of Color was given the opportunity to speak with some of the cast and crew who brought the latest Universal horror hit to the surface.

Horror, Interview, Movies

‘Night Swim’ Stars Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon Discuss a ‘Walking Dead’ Connection

December 28, 2023 Mike Manalo

Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are back! Fresh off the success of last year’s January sleeper, M3GAN, the two studios are joining forces once more to submerge you into the depths of a new horror hit with Night Swim! The new film is hitting theaters January 5, and to celebrate, we were given the opportunity to speak to its leads: MCU and Monarch star, Wyatt Russell, and Oscar nominee Kerry Condon!

Sci Fi, Streaming

Discovering the Truth with ‘Monarch’ Stars Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, and Kiersey Clemons

December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 Mike Manalo

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is proving to be a series commanded by two sets of trios. Earlier this week we had interviews with the first, with our discussions with Kurt and Wyatt Russell, as well as conversations with Mari Yamamoto and Anders Holm. But anchoring the present day events of the series are Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, and Kiersey Clemons, who play Cate and Kentaro Randa and May Olowe-Hewitt. And five episodes in, as a group, they’ve proven to be the scrappy heart and spunk of this terrific series. So it was a true honor to get to speak with the three of them.

Sci Fi, Streaming

Discussing ‘Monarch’ with Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, & Elisa Lasowski

December 15, 2023December 18, 2023 Mike Manalo

The legacy of monsters begins with the creation of an organization: Monarch. Dedicated to studying and monitoring titan activity on the planet, the fictional Monarch has been a staple of Legendary’s MonsterVerse since its first installment, Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla back in 2014.

Sci Fi, Streaming1 Comment

Uncovering the Secrets of ‘Monarch’ with Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell

December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 Mike Manalo

Legends don’t get any bigger than Godzilla… Unless their names are Kurt and Wyatt Russell! Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is stomping to the top of the charts on Apple TV+ right now. After five epic episodes, the latest installment in Legendary’s MonsterVerse is currently Certified Fresh sitting at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, and quite beloved by kaiju fans everywhere. And an exceptional part of that is due to the electric charm of The Russells. We were recently given the chance to talk to both of them about the series and their wonderful work on it.

Horror, Movies

New Trailer for ‘Night Swim’ Emerges from the Deep End

November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 Mike Manalo

These days, so many critics of the current film landscape like to point out the lack of originality in storytelling. But the horror genre is and always has been a breeding ground for that originality to flourish. Many directors are able to tell their stories in short film form, and go on to adapt them for feature-length films. David F. Sandberg did this with Lights Out. And now Bryce McGuire is doing it with his and Rod Blackhurst’s short film, Night Swim.

Interview, Sci Fi, Television

Meeting the Masterminds Behind ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’

November 15, 2023November 15, 2023 Mike Manalo

For decades, the legend and sounds of Godzilla have remained iconic. But less known about the mythology (at least in the latest iteration of Legendary’s MonsterVerse) are the shadowy figures that monitor Godzilla and other titans across the planet: the organization Monarch! Now, with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters debuting on Apple TV+ this Friday, November 17, the world of monsters will finally be brought into the light. And to celebrate, we were able to sit down with the showrunners and creators Matt Fraction and Chris Black, as well as director Matt Shakman, and producer Sean Konrad, to discuss the journey of bringing the MonsterVerse to streaming.

Sci Fi, Streaming

NOC Exclusive Clip: Meet ‘Monarch’ Scientist Dr. Miura

November 13, 2023November 10, 2023 Mike Manalo

The MonsterVerse is back! Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is almost here! The spin off of the epic Godzilla/Kong franchise is officially hitting Apple TV+ this Friday, November 17. And to celebrate, we have an exclusive first look clip for all of you to check out!

Books, Movies, Streaming

Get a Glimpse of Netflix’s Newest Thriller, ‘The Woman in the Window’

May 4, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

Back in April, Netflix got fans hyped with an official trailer and poster for The Woman in the Window, which is based on the best-selling novel and adapted by Tracy Letts. The film stars Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianne Moore. Recently, the social media accounts for the streaming platform released an exclusive clip, which has us counting down until May 14.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies, Streaming

Hard NOC Life 214: Oscars So What

April 26, 2021May 15, 2021 Hard NOC Media

Before Dominic, Jamal, Keith, and Britney break down the finale for Disney+’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, the trailer for Shang-Chi, or the #1 movie in America, Mortal Kombat, the crew has to talk about all the WTF moments from Sunday’s Oscars telecast!

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life 214: Oscars So What”

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel, Streaming

Hard NOC Life 213: One World, One Dovich (with Desmond Chiam)

April 19, 2021May 15, 2021 Hard NOC Media

Dominic, Jamal, Keith, and Britney analyze the penultimate episode of Disney+’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier with an actual Flagsmasher! Desmond Chiam, who plays Dovich on the series, sits in with the crew to talk about rebellion, revolution, and representation. He also talks about Cap’s shield, an irrational fear of water, and also nerding out on JRPG video games!

Continue reading “Hard NOC Life 213: One World, One Dovich (with Desmond Chiam)”

Books, Movies, Streaming

Amy Adams Stars in Netflix’s New Psychological Thriller, ‘The Woman in the Window’

April 9, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

The Woman in the Window premieres on May 14, and Netflix just dropped a trailer that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Along with Amy Adams, the film stars Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianne Moore. The Woman in the Window is based on the best-selling novel and adapted by Tracy Letts.