Entertainment
Deadpool & Wolverine review (Spoiler-free): MCU saved?
They surely gave Maximum Effort
Deadpool & Wolverine is the only MCU or Marvel Cinematic Universe film in 2024. It’s the first Deadpool film in the MCU. The first appearance of Wolverine in the MCU. And it’s the first time back in these iconic characters by actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman since 2018. Given all that, there’s this expectation that it’s supposed to save what is, at best, a shaky past few years since the highs of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
It’s ironic that a Superhero Cinematic Universe needs saving and the task falls in the hands of an anti-hero and someone who’s supposed to be dead. As it turns out, they may indeed have been the perfect pair for the job.
What we know from the trailers
If you’re in the internet at all at any capacity, it’s highly likely that you’ve at least caught a whiff of this film’s many trailers and massive marketing campaigns. But if you haven’t pieced anything together at all, here’s what’s going on.
Like the MCU, Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is in a bit of a low point. He is then recruited by the TVA or Time Variance Authority. This initially perks him up but quickly realizes the job isn’t something he’s down for and immediately goes off book.
It’s for this reason that he seeks out the Wolverine that he spends the rest of the film with.
For a deeper recap, watch this video by ScreenCrush:
Unapologetically Deadpool

(L-R): Dogpool and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
As the trailers suggest, this film is unapologetically Deadpool. There’s no shortage of gore, action, and humor that did not pull its punches. It managed to poke fun at every single movie and show associated with it. It didn’t matter if it was from the MCU or from 20th Century Fox which produced the X-Men movies of the 2000s. Deadpool was firing on everything, point blank.
For the most part, the humor lands. But you would have to be a little deep into the MCU and the general news and conversations around it to really understand all the punchlines.
If you are, then this film will be an absolute treat. Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is perhaps the only character they could have done this with.
Undeniably Wolverine

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
Wolverine, especially Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, is revered. He had the perfect swan song in the critically acclaimed film Logan. Deciding to suit up once more was a risk.
How the Deadpool & Wolverine respects the events that transpired in Logan is immediately addressed in the opening minutes of the film. Personally, I’m not sure if it will sit well with everyone. But as the movie progresses, it was able to do the delicate balance of poking fun and at the same time showing respect to not only Logan, but also the other films that came before it.
Hugh Jackman’s performance in this film embodies that balance perfectly. The Wolverine here isn’t the exact same one we knew for the past 20 years. But his character’s journey speak to what the film is expected to deliver: redemption.
Cameos and MCU-isms

(L-R): Director Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman on the set of Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
All that said, Deapool & Wolverine isn’t immune to many of the same trappings of the MCU.
The story, for instance, required a plot device to keep things moving. Yes, Deadpool calls this out, but it doesn’t make it anything more than what it is.

Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
The villain, meanwhile, also feels very MCU. Cassandra Nova is sort of the twin of Professor X. Her origin seem pretty convoluted that I suggest you watch explainer videos on YouTube to understand even the brief backgrounder she gives about herself. Actress Emma Corrin played her perfectly and I sincerely wish she’s brought back in some capacity to better explore this character. She does work for this movie but I’m not entirely sure she’s the only villain that could have worked.
Oh and the cameos, of which there were plenty, were all gratifying. They also didn’t feel like cameos for the sake of cameos. They all had a part to play in both the film’s story and its balancing act of taking jabs at MCU and Marvel Fox superhero movies while still showing them reverence.
The crowd I saw the film with was pretty loud when these cameos showed up and I’m excited to learn if the same is true for the general audience that’s about to see this film.
MCU saved?

(L-R): Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
I’m not sure where the notion that a single film can fix all the MCU’s woes came from. That’s just not how these things work. But for what it’s worth, Deapool & Wolverine delivered maximum effort and in doing so, might have given the MCU an opening to pivot from what may be considered its missteps.
A lot of the punch lines, quips, and jokes were so meta which is to be expected from a Deadpool film. However, instead of outright “fixing” things, it left more things open in terms of the future of the MCU.
The whole situation feels like being broke but finding cash in one of your old jeans. It doesn’t feel like a save just yet, but it certainly gives one hope. Sometimes, that’s all we can really ask for.
Entertainment
ITZY’s YUNA is Infinix’s first ever global brand ambassador
Infinix is in with YUNA in the scene
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.
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.
Entertainment
Netflix does the unthinkable: Mayweather-Pacquiao II set for September
Streaming globally on the app
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.
-
News3 hours agoXiaomi 17 Ultra is now available outside China
-
Accessories2 weeks agoApple AirTag 2 Review
-
Camera Walkthrough1 week agoOPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review
-
First Look1 week agoMatch Pulse: Infinix NOTE 60 Pro
-
Cameras1 week agoOsmo Pocket 4 makes a surprising appearance in public
-
Gaming2 weeks agoStar Wars: Galactic Racer shows off new gameplay at State of Play
-
Gaming1 week agoLG unveils UltraGear evo, redefines 5K gaming with AI Upscaling
-
News1 week agoiPhone 17 Pro Max is somehow the most traded-in phone today






