Entertainment

Now Playing: Digimon Survive, Rise TMNT, Tekken

Right in the childhood

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Nostalgia is in full swing in some of the recent media I’ve consumed. Some of these franchises are near and dear to my heart so I figured I’d dedicate a space where I talk about them for a little bit. 

I’ll primarily talk about the game Digimon Survive, the movie Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, and the Netflix animated series Tekken: Bloodline. But I did see and play a few other things in between and around my travels during the last two weeks so I’ll touch on those too, briefly. 

The main trio

Digimon Survive 

I’m in the minority on this but I’ve always been a Digimon over Pokémon type of person. I was a big fan of the 1999 animé and its banger of an opening song. And I also dedicated an entire summer to playing the Digimon World game. I missed the train on the Digimon World: Next Order game so I was elated that Digimon Survive came out recently. 

I haven’t played it as much, but I feel like I’ve played it enough to let you know if this is something you should buy now or just wait for its price to drop. We got a review code from the publisher which is why I was able to play. 

Digimon Survive

To properly set expectations, Digimon Survive is a visual novel first and turn-based strategy game second. From what I’d experience so far, it’s about a 70-30 split. There’s a lot of dialogue to get through, and the prologue part is a bit of a slog. 

That said, the story is engaging. While it’s nothing entirely new, there’s enough care put into the characters and the narrative to keep you invested in the story. And how you interact with characters will ultimately decide their faith in the game. It’s not a light story by any means. If you neglect certain characters, they will ultimately meet their demise. 

Digimon Survive

The turn-based combat, though, is child’s play. It doesn’t really require that much thought and anyone should be able to pick it up without any trouble. If you’re looking for a challenge, this isn’t it. 

Digimon Survive is a tide-you-over kind of game. It’s mostly an okay way to gauge interest in the franchise but I don’t see this as something a lot of people will play. Even if you’re a die-hard Digimon fan, it might be prudent to wait for its price to drop or for it to show up on subscription services.  

Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie

It’s not something I’m loud about, but I really like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As a kid, my first exposure to these heroes in a half shell was through the 1987 cartoons. They were so big in the early 90s I remember we even had towels and bedsheets featuring the turtles (Team Mickey over here). 

There have been many iterations of these crime-fighting turtles since, and I never really got to follow any of those series. I did, however, enjoy all the live action movies. Yes. All of them. 

So, when the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie dropped on Netflix, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t even on my radar at all. And I didn’t know I needed a Turtles flick until I watched it. 

The movie serves as a sort of sequel to the two season cartoon series on Nickelodeon. But I hadn’t seen a single episode of that series before jumping into this movie. And that’s fine. If you have any sort of prior knowledge about the franchise, you won’t feel lost at all. 

This version of the Turtles mixes things up a little bit with Raphael taking the role of the leader first. And the movie primarily deals with the transition of leadership with Leonardo learning exactly what it is to be a leader. 

It’s a fun flick with some “Sakuga” level animation. Some characters might be jarring for long-time fans. But I think it’s a nice, fresh take on the franchise. The action is unrelenting and Leonardo’s character arc is one worth learning from especially if this will be seen by many kids around the world.

Watch Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The movie on Netflix.

Tekken: Bloodline

I wasn’t too hot on the art style when I first saw the trailer for Tekken:Bloodline, But between this and the Ultraman anime on Netflix, I guess I’m starting to warm up to it. 

I’m not too familiar with the story behind Tekken. And the only game I really spent a significant amount of time on is Tekken 3 – which is great because it seems like it’s the game that the show is most loosely based on. 

Netflix’s take focuses squarely on Jin Kazama and his family, hence the “bloodline” tag. I watched all six episodes in one sitting and, more than anything, I feel like it could have used a few more episodes. 

The only character you can really invest in is Jin. And perhaps that’s by design. But Tekken is filled with plenty of colorful characters that can certainly be fleshed out with more episodes. 

I sincerely hope more people watch it because I’d love to see more of it animated. 

Watch Tekken: Bloodline on Netflix.

Other things I’ve dabbled in

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

I missed this in the cinemas but thankfully, I was able to catch it as an in-flight entertainment. It’s a little more unhinged than the first one. The whole sequence with Sonic and Tails together was pretty darn weird. I’m not sure Idris Elba was the best choice to voice Knuckles. And Jim Carrey was fantastic as always. It’s a wild ride but there are probably better things to do than spend over two hours watching this. Unless, you’re in a long-haul flight like I was.

Tower of Fantasy

The Tencent game that boldly claimed to be the next Genshin Impact. As of writing, Tower of Fantasy seems to be enjoying a plethora of players. But with any MMORPG, the challenge is being able to sustain this momentum. I’ve played a little bit and as I was thinking about what to write, I realized one thing – I’m not an MMO enjoyer. I totally skipped the whole Ragnarok wave and everything else that came after. That’s not to say that I think the game is bad. I was just not looking at it properly. 

 

What I’m looking forward to

She-hulk 

I have surprisingly been able to keep up with Marvel’s offerings. I guess I’m an MCU nut after all. Ms. Marvel was fun but teenager me would’ve enjoyed it more. It was great for representation and the finalé had a couple of big reveals that’ll affect the greater MCU picture.

Now comes She-Hulk. I’ve seen the trailers and reactions to the first episode but I have yet to watch it myself. I’ll probably wait until the series has wrapped up and binge it on a weekend. I’m excited to do so because it looks like it might not be a usual MCU thing. Hope it turns out great. 

Watch She-Hulk on Disney+

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Gohan is my favorite Dragon Ball character. After his being relegated to the side since the Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z, Gohan has been on a downward spiral with his lowest moment probably coming in the Resurrection F movie. 

But Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero looks to rectify that. I’ve already been spoiled with the transformation he’s going to make but I still am looking forward to watching the movie and seeing how it unfolds. Bad-ass Gohan is back and I’m here for it.

NBA 2K23

NBA 2K is my comfort game. I have been playing NBA simulations since NBA Live 98. And I use basketball to relax my mind. 2K seems to be adding plenty of new things to keep it interesting. I’ll detail everything that’s new in a separate article. But as always, I can’t wait to play it.

Entertainment

ITZY’s YUNA is Infinix’s first ever global brand ambassador

Infinix is in with YUNA in the scene

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Infinix is entering a new era — and the brand is bringing one of K-Pop’s most sought-after stars along the ride.

A first for Infinix

In line with the launch of the latest NOTE 60 series, Infinix has also named YUNA of ITZY as its very first Global Brand Ambassador. The company calls this a bold step forward for both innovation and style.

For the record, this is the first time Infinix has tapped a global ambassador — and the choice makes sense. YUNA is known for her confidence, vibrant energy, and unapologetic self-expression. These qualities align closely with Infinix’s “Joy Tech, Beyond Limits” philosophy.

In a statement, YUNA shared her excitement about the partnership. She said she’s looking forward to connecting with fans in a new way and creating meaningful stories together with the brand.

For Infinix, this collaboration is more than just a celebrity endorsement. It signals a shift in how the company wants to position itself globally — not just as a smartphone maker, but as a lifestyle tech brand for expressive, tech-savvy youth.

The more, the merrier

The partnership goes along the debut of the NOTE 60 Series, further fueling Infinix’s move toward a more premium smartphone experience.

Like YUNA, the NOTE 60 line also brings notable names in the table:

  • Powered by Snapdragon from Qualcomm
  • Design collaboration with Pininfarina
  • Audio tuned with JBL

It’s a clear attempt that Infinix wanted to elevate both performance and design by blending in flagship-level specs, more refined aesthetics, and immersive sound altogether.

Infinix says this launch also marks its expansion into more premium international markets.

With YUNA as the face of the brand, the company hopes to strengthen its appeal among younger users who want both powerful hardware and a device that matches their personality.

Rather than focusing purely on specs, Infinix is leaning into storytelling — highlighting how technology can spark creativity, joy, and individuality.

With the NOTE 60 Series and YUNA front and center, Infinix appears ready to redefine its brand identity on a global scale.

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Now Playing: Iron Lung

The premise will leave you wanting for more.

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I’m starting to think that cosmic horror is near-impossible to adapt to the big screen. Often, the point of this subgenre of horror is to showcase the unfathomable, a horror so unknowable that it’s impossible to describe. Now, for a medium that thrives on “show, don’t tell,” a full-length movie doesn’t seem like the best format for this type of horror. I’ve seen so many cosmic horror films, and a majority of them fail to land the satisfaction of a more traditional horror film.

Iron Lung, directed by and starring Markiplier, takes a stab at this elusively complex genre.

After the sudden disappearance of stars and planets in the universe, a lone space station explores a nearby moon to search for a way to save humanity. The catch is that the entire moon is covered in an ocean of blood. A convict, played by Markiplier, is tasked with exploring the moon in a one-man submersible, in exchange for his freedom.

Naturally, an ocean of blood isn’t the best place to be. The moon’s ocean hides mysteries and monsters beneath all the gore.

On the impossibility of cosmic horror

Though a movie is all about showing and not telling, Iron Lung navigates through these intricacies by not showing anything.

Because everything is just blood outside, the submarine needs a special camera that takes only grainy photos directly in front of the submersible. There’s always a sense of claustrophobic dread. What’s outside the submarine? What were those sounds? Did the camera really take a photo of something alive?

The film’s premise alone is a perfect source of horror. This is where cosmic horror thrives: on the questions, on the tiny sneak peeks of a monster lurking around the corner.

But, then again, this is also where the subgenre can paint itself into a corner. Eventually, audiences ask for more. They need to see and know the beast for real. Think Cloverfield, when the massive alien finally shows its face, or The Nun with… well, The Nun.

It’s an unwritten rule in horror films that the monster must make an appearance. It becomes a paradox for cosmic horror because the beast must also be unknowable.

When the beast finally shows up in Iron Lung, the audience never learns an understandable reason why it’s stalking the submarine. It’s not hungry, it doesn’t want revenge, and it doesn’t want to take over the world. It just is.

Is that a satisfying enough conclusion? If you’re a fan of cosmic horror, then it’s par for the course. However, if you’re more used to the more traditional horror film, it might leave you wanting more.

On madness

A mysterious monster isn’t the only thing that cosmic horror is known for. It’s also about madness and how the protagonist goes insane after seeing the unknown.

It’s apropos, then, that the convict starts hallucinating right after seeing a glimpse of the ocean’s beast. He starts to lose track of what’s real and what’s not.

In other movies, madness is an effective tool in subverting expectations and amplifying the horror. For example, in The Lighthouse, Winslow, the protagonist, also loses his sanity and questions reality. The film is all about this descent into madness and the questionable actions as a result from it. In Shutter Island, madness is a punchline, a plot twist that invites the audience to revisit the entire film and question their own perception.

Iron Lung, however, is neither a complete descent nor a plot twist. Rather, it’s a clear third act stemming from the convict’s encounter with the monster.

Since it’s clearly delineated in the third act, it’s hard to empathize with the convict’s plight. There’s a sense of vertigo moving from a creature feature into, in the convict’s own words, “alien shit” where you’re not sure of what’s real. Likewise, it’s not a plot twist either. You don’t reevaluate whether the entire movie was a hallucination.

Madness is understandably a major plot point of the original game that the movie is based on. However, its translation into film isn’t the smoothest. It’s both too short and too long.

But is it a good film?

Despite its struggle with the format, Iron Lung is still a spirited attempt at a one-room horror film. Markiplier melds into his role and doesn’t just showcase his on-screen YouTube personality.

The premise is, at once, frightening. It’s eerie and creepy. There is always a pervasive need to figure out what comes next. That’s pretty much what you want from a movie anyway. Yes, the ending might be polarizing, especially to those more used to the usual horror film, but the journey is still worth the price of admission.

And, at the very least, the film got me interested in watching Mark’s original playthroughs.

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Netflix does the unthinkable: Mayweather-Pacquiao II set for September

Streaming globally on the app

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Netflix has done the seemingly impossible: a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao mega fight rematch is set for September 19. It will stream globally on Netflix with no additional cost for standard subscribers.

The historic bout will be the first-ever boxing match to be held at The Sphere, the 20,000-seater modern indoor venue in Las Vegas known for its immersive, 16K wraparound LED display.

Arguably two of the greatest icons in boxing history, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), will square off in an official, professional rematch.

The development comes on the heels of Mayweather announcing coming out of retirement an almost decade-long hiatus.

Meanwhile, it will be Pacquiao’s first professional fight since July 2025 when he and Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw. At the time, he also came out of a four-year retirement.

During the span, both fighters have been active in exhibition boxing matches. Notably, Mayweather fought against Tenshin Nasukawa and Logan Paul, whose brother Jake popularized novelty exhibition boxing matches. Pacquiao, for his part, fought against DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo.

Interestingly, both Mayweather and Pacquiao

The upcoming rematch follows the two protagonists’ 2015 “Fight of the Century” wherein Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao via a unanimous decision.

A rematch had been sought for so long, especially with both fighters having encounters with each other numerous times.

Full details regarding undercard and ticket availability will be announced in the coming weeks.

Netflix taking over sports broadcasts

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch comes just a few days after Netflix announced a Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano MMA super fight.

This match is a collaboration between the streaming giant and MVP promotions, which is co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.

On the other hand, the upcoming boxing slate in September is primarily more of a broadcast for Netflix.

The platform has actively been getting into broadcasting premier sporting events, including the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight last year.

Unlike pay-per-views (PPV), Netflix does not require extra payment for viewers to be able to watch such sporting events. A standard subscription to their platform is already enough.

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