We’re halfway through 2019 and we all know that the best phones have yet to come. While we wait for new launches, here’s what’s Now Playing on GadgetMatch:

Movies to see

Spider-Man: Far From Home
Rodneil: This might just be Spider-Man’s best appearance on the MCU to date. It manages to address the somber events of Avengers: Endgame — a film it immediately follows — while maintaining its comedic tone. It’s perfect for what it’s trying to be — a Spidey film set in a larger Marvel universe.

The Carter Effect
Rodneil: This documentary details the massive impact of eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter on pop culture and the Canadian basketball scene. It’s a timely watch as the Toronto Raptors — the team that Carter helped put on the map — recently won the NBA Championship and with Carter entering the final season of his NBA career.

Black Hole Apocalypse
Kevin: What exactly are black holes? I played this documentary as background noise but then, like a black hole, it sucked me in. It explains what astrophysicists think about these hard-to-explain concepts and how they might behave. What got me hooked are the CGI-driven dramatizations of theories like what would physically happen to a person if they go near and into a black hole. It may not be for everyone but for the wondering minds, it’s really interesting.

TV shows to binge-watch

Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 3)
MJ: In the past two seasons, Jessica Jones didn’t give a shit. This time, she has no choice now that she’s branded as a hero. Now running on its final season, Jessica teams up with Trish to take down a genius psychopath, despite being haunted by a traumatic past that broke their relationship. The show also tackles every character’s moral compass and the concept of heroism, as well as their growth throughout the series.

The Kirlian Frequency
Kevin: Think The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt — only in animated form. The Kirlian Frequency is a collection of short stories revolving around the small, creepy town of Kirlian in Buenos Aires. This Argentinian web series follows a radio DJ who broadcasts his show only at night and tells the different stories of people losing their way to Kirlian. What happens next is for you to find out.

Stranger Things 3
Chay: The year is summer 1985 in Hawkins, Indiana. Our protagonists have grown up and are on a break from school, busy exploring being teenagers — they’re all in a relationship except for Will, who just wants to play Dungeons and Dragons. Who can blame him? He missed out on his childhood no thanks to the upside down. One thing that struck me this season, and what I think made it the best season yet, is the pattern of its strong female characters taking charge and telling us to 👏🏻 listen 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 women 👏🏻 — from Eleven fighting the Mind Flayer, to Joyce solving the mystery of her fridge magnets, to Max teaching Mike a lesson, to Nancy pursuing a story even if it means being fired by middle-aged misogynists, to newcomer Robin cracking Russian codes, to Erica (Lucas’ younger sister) taking no shit and standing up for herself.

Albums/Songs/Podcasts to listen to

FEVER by GFRIEND
Vincenz: GFRIEND has managed to keep their signature style with a newer song concept. Unlike their previous classical tracks, this one is a Moombahton summer song — and it’s a bop. Their vocals are still powerful even if they haven’t showcased the usual adlibs. The music video visuals blend well with the song’s rhythm, which captivated me a lot.

Racecar by Gabe Bondoc
Rodneil: Fil-Am acoustic artist Gabe Bondoc hasn’t released new music since 2016 so “Racecar” completely took me by surprise. The song talks about spending time with a person you want to get with. The song gives off a sexy vibe and I’ve had on repeat since its release.

Stranger Songs by Ingrid Michaelson
Chay: You might know her for the song “You and I”, but Ingrid Michaelson’s newest album sounds nothing like the popular hit from 2008. Inspired by Stranger Things, the songs on the album are actually tied to the show. My favorite tracks include “Pretty”, which is about Eleven becoming her own person, and “Young and in Love”, a fun bop that reminds me of the blossoming love stories in the show’s third season. Stranger Things fan or not, you will enjoy and occasionally find yourself singing along to the songs, as their themes are universal and relatable.

Games to play

Super Mario Maker 2
Luigi: Finally, the perfect Mario game comes to the Switch! Like Super Mario Odyssey before it, Super Mario Maker 2 fits perfectly in the Switch’s pantheon of games. You can breeze through thousands of creatively themed levels or take near-sadistic puzzles with you on-the-go. Most importantly, you can get those creative juices flowing in the improved game design mode with so many possibilities.

Matchketeers’ Pick

Lucifer
GadgetMatch: Our dear Matchketeers’ recommendation for this month is Lucifer. Based on DC Comics, it tells the story of what happens when the Lord of the Underworld decides he just wants to take a break. He ends up in Los Angeles where he meets Chloe — a female detective who’s presence renders him powerless. Lucifer enjoys the thrill of actually brushing with death and decides to play consultant to the smart and steadfast Chloe. It also helps that the Tom Ellis — the actor who plays Luficer — is a real charmer guaranteed to steal your heart.

Now Playing is the GadgetMatch team’s favorite games, movies, TV shows, and more each month. If you’re curious to know what we’re into at the moment, this is what you should check out. So grab your popcorn, get some drinks, and enjoy what’s now playing!