Nolan McBride
@nolanmcbride
living in a highly excited state of overstimulation | horror, sci-fi, martial arts, video games | Mortal Kombat obsessive | host, producer, occasional writer @ Dead Ringers podcast
Seated for THE ODYSSEY in IMAX (but I think not “true” IMAX). Not the biggest Nolan head but I’ve gotten pretty excited about this one.
Stuck at the ER vet while we wait for Edie to get looked at. Sent here by the regular vet but they forgot to send her records, which has held up the doctor here. She seems to have ITP and a related gastric ulcer. Any and all good vibes would be appreciated for our sweet lil’ baby.
Finally seated for THE FURIOUS with @monsterpopcorn.com. Been very excited to see a new Hong Kong martial arts flick featuring Joe Taslim.
Ducked outta work early to see MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE in 4DX, more for circumstances than a rush to see it. Though I’m a mild, only in the last 5ish years kinda MOTU fan, I think this looks like it knows what it’s doing and it looks fun. Also a fan of Travis Knight.
Made a big batch of homemade, MORTAL KOMBAT-themed Oreos to celebrate the release of MKII last month.
Seated for MORTAL KOMBAT II with @ahouseingotham.bsky.social (and sadly without @katmcbride.bsky.social). To say I’m hyped would be an understatement.
It’s MKII week and I’m labbing Kung Lao; time for a quick look at last season of Kombat League. Coming off my best season plus a 2-month break with less training, I knew Sektor was going to be tough. I did fairly well despite hitting a ceiling with her combo routes. Still a very fun aggro character.
Took an extra long time again because I wanted to put together some highlights. I love how fluid and unrelenting his move set is. (music credit to Joey Valence and Brae)
Little over a week into my run with Sektor, time to look at last season of Kombat League. I planned to avoid maining Smoke in MK1 cuz of how frustrating & formulaic Smoke players usually are, but this turned out to be my best competitive season. Hit Demi God for the 2nd time and with a solid W/L.
Seated for SEND HELP in 3D 4DX. This is one of the last movies I’d expect to see in 3D, but this combo feels especially appropriate for a Sam Raimi flick. I better feel like Bruce Campbell in THE EVIL DEAD by the end of this.
Buncha banger first-time watches. 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE is equally stellar to the previous movie but in different ways. DANGEROUS ANIMALS feels like Sean Byrne hitting similar highs to his debut and Jai Courtney rules. THE UGLY STEPSISTER’s dreamy body-horror fairy tale is fantastic.
Seated for 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE. Haven’t been able to make it to the theater much lately, but 28 YEARS LATER is my favorite horror movie of 2025 and I needed to see this one on the big screen.
Seated for AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH in 3D 4DX, which I’m very stoked to see, mostly for the spectacle. I don’t like the first movie but loved the sequel and was surprised how much I dug the HFR 3D.
Finally catching up with Guillermo del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN, which I’m very excited for. After two failed attempts at finishing the book (once in college, once years ago; both times my fault since I loved what I’d read), I finally finished it this year & adored it. This looks appropriately faithful.
Doing some end of year catch-up tonight with TORNADO. I really dug SLOW WEST and am very on board with the idea of Maclean adding samurais to his westerns.
The 4K restoration of the first TMNT is fantastic. Revisiting TMNT II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE tonight. This loses a lot of the bite of the original (and I think it was my preferred movie of the trilogy as a kid) but it’s still a fun time.
Got my copy of Arrow’s 4K TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES trilogy earlier this week and tonight I’m revisiting the original. This movie rules unbelievably hard.
Rest in peace, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. The guy was instant gravitas. He brought so much to a character like Shang Tsung that he ended up defining him.
Started my run with Smoke last night, time to look back at last season of Kombat League. I mained Nitara, easily one of the most unique characters I’ve played. She’s got a whole button dedicated to flight & air dashes. Had a positive W/L, but feel like I hit a wall competitively. Still rad though.
BURNING PARADISE is one of my favorite discoveries from recent years and I’m very eager to see more of Ringo Lam’s filmography. Just got a copy of CITY ON FIRE so that’s what I’m doing tonight.
My copy of THE CAT still hasn’t arrived, but @monsterpopcorn.com brought his and that’s how we’re celebrating my birthday (well that and pizza and cupcakes). First time watch and very stoked.
Kicking off my birthday (as of midnight) with Steven Kostanski’s DEATHSTALKER, which I’ve been pretty excited for despite not having much affection for the original. But Kostanski applying his practical/special effects wizardry to a dark fantasy action flick starring Daniel Bernhardt sounds great.
Seated for PREDATOR: BADLANDS in 3D 4DX. I adore both PREY and KILLER OF KILLERS and am very excited to see Dan Trachtenberg & the series get the deserving big-screen treatment again.
Closing out this year with BODY SNATCHERS. Big fan of both previous adaptations but never seen this one.
Movie #3 is one I’ve been meaning to see for a while, THE MANITOU, which sounds bonkers.
Movie #2 is a pick from @katmcbride.bsky.social, HISTORY OF THE OCCULT.
Today is Night Of The Creeps, @monsterpopcorn.com’s and my annual horror marathon. Six brand-new-to-us spooky flicks from across decades and sub-genres. First up this year is LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH.