Entertainment

Now Playing: Thunderbolts*

The MCU is back on track

Published

April 30, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Trauma is the unbeaten final boss of the latter and post-Endgame Marvel Cinematic Universe. Throughout the MCU’s shows and films, characters struggled with the loss of five years due to the Blip, the death of loved ones during those lost years, and their troubled pasts. Now, what do you get when you gather the Universe’s most tragic characters into a single team? You get the Thunderbolts*, of course.

Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* brings together a few of the MCU’s more infamous antiheroes like Yelena Bulova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), and Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen). After years of teasing plots hidden in the shadows, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is finally ready to show her hand. Part of her plot involves trapping the above antiheroes in a lethal trap, necessitating them to work together to stop de Fontaine.

Everyone’s traumas laid to bare

The premise of Thunderbolts*, a band of misfit antiheroes, reeks of the Suicide Squad, DC’s take on the concept. In fact, the DC Extended Universe already developed a widely successful version of the team in 2021, thanks to James Gunn.

However, if you’re coming into Thunderbolts* expecting more of the same, you will be disappointed. James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad relied on the director’s relentless humor and a fun guess-who’s-dying gimmick. In contrast, Marvel’s antihero team is taking a different route.

Though the MCU’s classic quips are there, the main feature of Thunderbolts* is giving its main characters the chance to wrestle with their pasts. The film starts off with Yelena lacking a sense of purpose in her life from losing her sister in the events of Endgame. Throughout the film, she struggles with her cruel upbringing in the Red Room. We also get glimpses of John Walker’s personal life and troubles.

Thunderbolts* is a more character-driven movie. While it does feature traditional superhero fights, the film understands that not every conflict can be resolved with physicality. It’s refreshingly reminiscent of older MCU stories, such Tony Stark’s constant problems with his ego or Groot’s decision to sacrifice himself to save his friends.

Leave all expectations at the door

That said, the reason why Thunderbolts* makes a good film might be the same one that turns off some fans of the MCU. Because it’s more introspective, audiences won’t get huge moments such as what everyone saw in Endgame. To full enjoy the film, it’s better to forget those preconceived notions before entering the theater.

Instead, harken back to origin stories like the first Iron Man. Though Obadiah Stane was already a formidable opponent at the time, the plot revolved more around Tony Stark’s escape from captivity. The same can be said about Thunderbolts*. There is an antagonist in this film, but it’s better to treat this as an introduction to a new team.

This is still a superhero film

At the end of the day, Marvel still has an agenda to promote the next evolution of the MCU. If you’re turned off by a lack of superhero antics, then you’ll probably appreciate that Thunderbolts* maintains a very healthy helping of references, Easter eggs, and teasers.

Obviously, in the interest of keeping this spoiler-free, I can’t get into what was revealed during the film. But, if it’s any indication, the premiere’s audience had the loudest reactions I’ve heard from a Marvel film since Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Thunderbolts* is more than just a course correction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a stellar indication that Marvel Studios knows where it’s going next. I haven’t been this excited for the MCU in a long time.

Entertainment

KPop Demon Hunters 2 is reportedly scheduled for 2029 premiere

That’s a pretty long wait.

Published

November 6, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

“Golden” must be the most popular song this year. Months after the launch of KPop Demon Hunters, the catchy song is still an earworm. Capitalizing on the hit’s success, Netflix is already considering a sequel. Now, KPop Demon Hunters 2 has reportedly been confirmed with a distant release window.

After less than a year, KPop Demon Hunters is already Netflix’s most-watched title ever. The platform was even confident enough to release the film (and a special singalong version) in select theaters. Soon after the success, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix kept a potential sequel in mind.

Now, according to Deadline, Netflix has greenlit the sequel for production. KPop Demon Hunters 2, or whatever it might be called, will reportedly premiere sometime in 2029.

No, it’s not just you. Four years is a lengthy wait for a sequel. Then again, animated films take much longer to make. For example, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, coincidentally also coming from Sony Pictures Animation, will premiere in 2027, which is also four years after the previous film.

However, if the Spider-Verse trilogy is any indication, the longer production time can easily churn out a film that tops charts. Both Across the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters are easily the top animated contenders of its respective years.

Entertainment

Xolo Maridueña cast as Portgas D. Ace in Netflix One Piece Season 3

The Fire Fist joins production later this year

Published

November 6, 2025

GadgetMatch

Xolo Maridueña has been cast to star as Portgas D. Ace in Season 3 of Netflix’s One Piece adaptation.

The 24-year-old actor is known for his roles in Blue Beetle and Cobra Kai. He joins previously announced new cast member Cole Escola, who shall play Bon Clay. Additional cast will be revealed in the future.

Along with this update, Netflix has bared that One Piece will return into production later this year in Cape Town, South Africa. It wasn’t long ago when Netflix confirmed that the live action adaptation is getting another season.

That was when streaming giant also released the trailer for Season 2. Officially titled One Piece: Into The Grand Line, Season 2 features the Grand Line stretch of the bigger Arabasta Saga.

@onepiecenetflix

Fire Fist has arrived, Nakama!! 🔥👊🔥 We’re thrilled to welcome Xolo Maridueña to the crew as Portgas D. Ace in ONE PIECE: Season 3! 🏴‍☠️🔥

♬ original sound – One Piece Netflix – One Piece Netflix

Portgas D. Ace joining the Netflix’s One Piece sets up the live adaptation’s expansion with the broader Arabasta Saga for Season 3.

Ace, or Fire Fist, is a crucial character, and briefly appeared after the end of the Drum Island arc to meet Luffy and help the latter’s crew in Alabasta.

His introduction is important to set up the events of Season 3, as well as the future conflict with Marshall D. Teach, or Blackbeard.

But of course, as much as fans want to get ahead of themselves, Season 2 will also set up several events and open the live action world to wider horizons for every stop their favorite Straw Hat pirates make. There’s a lot to look forward to.

Season 3’s co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers are Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes.

Accessories

Samsung Sound Tower, Sound Sessions: When great sound meets great music

OPM takes the spotlight

Published

October 29, 2025

Rodneil Quiteles

I grew up surrounded by OPM. I spent years dreaming of being in a band and listening to songs I wish I wrote, which is why I appreciate it when brands highlight local talent instead of relying on specs alone. Samsung’s new Sound Towers arrive with that same approach—powerful audio paired with an even stronger push for Filipino music.

Instead of a standard tech launch, Samsung turned the debut of its latest Sound Towers into a celebration of OPM. Guests didn’t just hear product features; they heard live performances from Over October and The Itchyworms. For anyone (like me) who grew up with the latter, hearing their songs carried by deep, room-filling audio felt like the perfect match between familiarity and innovation.

Built for people who live through music

The ST50F and ST40F are made for moments when sound needs to fill a space and set the tone. The ST50F comes with a telescopic handle, built-in wheels, and up to 18 hours of battery life. You can bring it anywhere and still get the same bold, thumping sound. Its custom bass modes and adjustable party lights let you shape the atmosphere until it matches the playlist.

The ST40F leans into creativity. It has built-in DJ sound effects and samplers, plus ports for microphones and guitars for instant jam sessions. And when you want something bigger, Group Play links up to ten Sound Towers into a shared soundstage that feels like a small concert.

Both towers work with the Samsung Sound Tower App, so you can adjust settings, control the lights, or switch into Karaoke Mode straight from your phone.

Where hardware becomes a platform

Samsung followed the launch with Samsung Sound Sessions, an ongoing digital series that highlights top Filipino artists. The pilot features Over October, with more acts—including The Itchyworms—set to take the stage next.

The idea is simple: pair great music with great audio, then let the artists carry the experience. Instead of showing what the Sound Towers can do, Samsung lets you hear it through musicians you already connect with. For OPM fans, it turns the hardware into a platform that amplifies talent rather than eclipsing it.

Sound built to bring people together

Samsung’s new Sound Towers bring back the feeling of sharing music—whether it’s a weekend gathering or a living room turned into a stage. They can be loud and energetic or warm and intimate. They match the many moods and eras of Filipino music.