Hainrihi's Discoveries: geek

Geek News | “Trese” Anime Series is Coming to Netflix on June 11!

2:28 AM

Promotion | Make Your Vacation Worthwhile with Nimo TV

1:02 AM

It’s the middle of April and, soon enough, summer vacation is here and kids will be at home playing their video games or out-of-town for their beach getaways. As for us adults, while most of us have work, we also try to relax by reading a book or playing games. However, we want to have an app where we can play various games wherever we are. Well, it’s a good thing there’s Nimo TV!

Nimo TV, one of the country's leading video game streaming platform, is an excellent past time for students who love gaming and learn new skills at the same time. It offers 8 – 12 MP quality live streaming and can be accessed via mobile or PC make it easier for everyone to start live streaming as a hobby and eventually make it a career.

Nimo TV’s unique ecosystem, which consists of streamers, viewers, brand sponsors and celebrity players can help newcomers discover different techniques in starting their channel. It has a chat feature where streamers and viewers can communicate with one another and exchange tips on how to win a game they play.

Games like Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), Mobile Legends, Dota 2, Rules of Survival and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are some of the exciting content that streamers can play via the app.

Nimo TV’s presence in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will also help you increase your fan base making it easier for every newbie to grow their channel and interact more with other gamers.

Download the Nimo TV app at Apple app store and Google Play store by clicking the link here https://nimotv.onelink.me/B6cW/25ba46b7 and start streaming your way to the top.

xxx

About NiMO TV

Nimo TV is a leading global platform that allows millions of gamers from all around the world to play and broadcast their games to other like-minded players building a community of players, gamers, and fans that drive conversation, and allows peer-to-peer rewards and recognition. Utilizing a high-quality interactive technology, audiences can interact with streamers, and gain access to exclusive esports events and tournaments, along with unprecedented access to the top streamers from across the region.

#apcc2017

Press Release | Geek News | Justice League’s Ray Fisher and “Teen Wolf” Star Tyler Hoechlin are Coming to AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC) 2017

6:12 AM

Hey Geekies! I know you have been waiting for the celebrity lineup for AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC) 2017 and it’s now here. The past days have been surreal for pop culture fans because APCC just announced that they’re bringing not just one, but two DC actors in Manila. Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome Ray Fisher and Tyler Hoechlin!

Cyborg Makes His Way to the Philippine Stage

AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 (APCC Manila) invites American actor Ray Fisher, aka Cyborg, from Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and the highly anticipated film Justice League. Fisher will be the first Hollywood celebrity headliner to take on the biggest pop culture event in the country.

“We have always believed in bringing unique talent and content to AsiaPOP Comicon Manila and this year is no different as we are bringing one of the brightest talents and potential future superstar, Ray Fisher who is reprising the role of Cyborg in the forthcoming blockbuster Justice League and will continue to be key superhero character within DC Universe,” said Abdulla Mahmood, Director, Marketing and International Business, Al Ahli Holding Group. “Die-hard DC fans who were craving for a superhero talent have their wishes fulfilled as they will get an opportunity to interact with Ray Fisher as Cyborg”.

Fisher expressed his excitement in coming to Manila via Twitter last August 5, the day APCC announced him as their first celebrity headliner.

Tyler Hoechlin Flies to Manila for APCC 2017

Sharpen your fangs and get your capes out, as AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 (APCC Manila) unveils its next celebrity guest: Hollywood actor Tyler Hoechlin.

Tyler Hoechlin plays tragic werewolf Derek Hale in the MTV series Teen Wolf. He also stunned audiences last year as the iconic Superman in the CW series Supergirl.

An established performer who had been acting since he was nine, Hoechlin's first big break came when he played the timid Michael Sullivan, Jr. in the crime film Road to Perdition. This landed him several nominations and awards, as well as the role of Martin Brewer in the long-running series 7th Heaven.

The rest was history, as he made more appearances in various movies and television series: 2008’s Solstice, 2011’s Hall Pass, and guest appearances in CSI Miami, Lincoln Heights, My Boys, and Castle.

“It is great to have Tyler Hoechlin as one of our main talents at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 as he resonates very well with our target pop-culture Filipino fans who have loved him immensely in Teen Wolf, while he has also made an impact in the iconic character of Superman in Supergirl TV series” said Abdulla Mahmood, Director - Marketing and International Business Development, while further adding “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Tyler Hoechlin’s die-hard fans to meet and greet him in intimate session during the event in Manila”.

Hoechlin will next be seen in Fifty Shades Freed, the third installment in the bestselling Fifty Shades series, starring opposite Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. He is also slated to appear in the Peter Hutchings-directed series Departures, alongside Asa Butterfield, Nina Dobrev, and Maisie Williams.

More Artists Coming Your Way

Comic book fans rejoice, as another artist will grace APCC! Rodney Ramos is a veteran in the comics industry and has been a professional penciller and inker for more than 15 years. He has worked with various major studios such as Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Marvel U.K., Valiant, Acclaim, Malibu, and Continuity Comics. Some of Ramos’ inking credits include the critically-acclaimed Transmetropolitan, Spider-Man, X-Men, Batman, Wonder Woman, and many more.

Buy Your Tickets Now!

Catch all of these stars and more this coming August 25 to 27, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Enjoy a weekend of awesome experiences in movies, TV, comics, music, cosplay, and everything in between! You can also join meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signing sessions, and once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. Ticket prices and schedule for guests will be announced soon.

Day Passes are now available at SM Tickets outlets or at the SM Tickets website, with prices at PhP600 (one-day pass), PhP900 (two-day pass), and PhP1,100 (three-day pass). These tickets will give you access to stage activities, performances, and the main show floor. The event is free for children aged five years and below for all days, but a valid identification is required for verification purposes before entering the show floor.

For more information and event updates, visit www.asiapopcomicon.com/manila, or follow their official Facebook Page, Twitter account @AsiaPOPComicon, and Instagram account @asiapopcomicon.

I am looking forward to the next celebrity headliners of APCC! Keep on visiting my blog for APCC news and updates. :)

~Hainrihi

Are you excited to see Ray Fishers, Tyler Hoechlin, and other guests at AsiaPOP Comicon? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

blog challenge

Photo Challenge/Geekery | Tiny: Big Changes for Star Wars (LEGO Figures)

9:28 PM

“Star Wars” has been part of my growing up, thanks to my father. In 1997, when the original trilogy was re-mastered and re-released in theaters, he took me to the cinema to watch “A New Hope”. Since then, my love for Star Wars grew. Now, I’m really a happy fan because two new Star Wars just came out.

As far as fans are concerned, big changes are coming in the next Star Wars installments. So many changes that I myself am excited with what will happen.

Leia Organa

At the same time, the changes also made me sad because of Carrie Fisher’s death. It makes me wonder how they’re going to write Leia Organa in Episodes VIII and IX. I don’t know what will happen, but watching the Star Wars movies will never be the same again.

After her death, every Princess Leia merchandise I see tugs at my heartstrings. One of them is my LEGO Princess Leia keychain figure (Hoth version).

It saddens me every time I look at this small keychain because I know I will never see my female role model in the next installments. This keychain may be small for some, but it definitely leaves a big impact on me.

Han Solo and Leia Organa

Another big change happening in the next movies is the relationship between Han Solo and Leia Organa.

For those who don’t know (spoilers ahead), in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, Han died in the hands of his son, Kylo Ren aka Ben Solo. Han and Leia’s marriage were also on the rocks because of Ben going to the dark side. Unlike the original trilogy where the couple had a happy ending, this movie showed the opposite. Han died, Ben continued to go to the dark side, and Leia is mourning for his husband’s death.

Just seeing these LEGO figures of Han and Leia makes me teary-eyed because of what happened to their relationship. For Star Wars fans, people loved the Han/Leia pairing so much that some got devastated with its outcome. I’m one of those who was sad that it took me weeks to actually recover. These two figures may be small, but they are great characters that made a big impact on the fans even until now.

Rey

Of course, one of the biggest changes in the Star Wars universe is making Rey the lead protagonist of The Force Awakens. She turned out to be a Jedi who can wield Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber. After watching the movie, Rey became one of my favorite female role models. So I was happy when my sister gave me this LEGO Rey keychain figure.

I know Rey is going to have a BIG role in Episodes VIII and IX and I’m excited for that. Apart from Leia, this Rey keychain figure is one of my Star Wars collectibles that I truly love. Rey started small in the first half of the movie. But by the end, she became more matured and is now one of the best female leads of Star Wars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For others, LEGO figures are just toys that are displayed or given to kids. But for me, these figures expresses my love for Star Wars. While I treasure them way before, I treasure my Han, Leia, and Rey LEGO figures now more than ever because of the great impact they gave not just to me, but to all the fans. They are inspiring and big figures in the pop culture now.

~Hainrihi

Do you have your own Star Wars LEGO figures? If so, who or what are they? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

back to the future

Geekery | My Favorite Pop Culture Cars

5:02 PM

Geekery | My Favorite Pop Culture Cars

I am not into cars and I couldn’t care less about their parts. The only time I was into them was when someone asked me what car I would want to own. For a few seconds, I realized that small cars suit me well and decided on either Honda Jazz or the Toyota Wigo.

However, when it comes to pop culture, the cars that the characters use always fascinate me. When I looked at the vehicles of different fandoms, I noticed that most of them are extravagant or hard to acquire (unless you customize your own car, which is very expensive).

When I start loving certain cars from these fandoms, it just means that they left an impact on me. Seeing them not only made me love the fandom more, but they also make me wish that I own at least one of them. Here are some of my favorite cars from pop culture fandoms:

Batmobile - “Batman”

Image from Collider.com

My love for the Batmobile came only recently when Marc exposed to the DC Universe, specifically Batman. I love the Batmobile’s features, which shows how intelligent and resourceful Batman is. The car has a lot of versions, but my favorites are from “The Animated Series” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. They truly embody who Batman is: human yet knows how to deal the chaos of Gotham. Batman is tough and the same goes for his Batmobiles.

DeLorean - “Back to the Future”

Images from Times

Just like the Batmobiles, I only learned to love the DeLorean recently when Marc introduced me to the “Back to the Future” movie series. Yup, I’m that late hahaha, I’m sorry :)) Anyway, the DeLorean is a classic car in pop culture and I now understand why people love it!

It is a time machine where Doc and Marty go to various timelines to gain insights into history and the future. The DeLorean takes them anywhere in history so they can make things right while gaining useful knowledge about the past. This car was their companion in different timelines and has went through a lot of obstacles. In the end, it survived. Now, the DeLorean has received a wide fan base and now I know why.

Regalia - “Final Fantasy XV”

Image from my game :)

Image from Final Fantasy Wiki

This is the newest addition to my list of favorite pop culture cars because I just recently played Final Fantasy XV. The Regalia is the official car of the main game characters, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Ignis Scientia, Gladiolus Amicitia, and Prompto Argentum. This is their mode of transportation in the world of Eos, going from one place to another. It also serves as the sole witness in their journey to saving the kingdom.

I won’t be giving any spoilers for those who haven’t played or finished the game. One thing I can say about Regalia is she (yes she) is something worth taking care of. She is tough, but you still have to give her the pampering and care she deserves. It is a luxury car, but she is far from being high-maintenance.

For me, the Regalia is sort of a symbolism of what Insomnia should have been. It’s hard to explain, but let me summarize this part by quoting what Square Enix artist Yusaku Nakaaki says about this beautiful car:

“The inspiration for the Regalia in Final Fantasy XV came from King Regis, the owner of the car, meaning we wanted the car to embody royalty and things like dignity, elegance, and intellect.

I personally love cars as well, so I not only drew on elements that generate a sense of royalty, dignity, elegance, and intellect but also referenced many real-life cars — my own car; my friend’s cars; cars seen on TV, in movies, and in magazines; as well as cars I discovered while gathering sources.”

Impala - “Supernatural”

Image from BuddyTV

I have been a big fan of “Supernatural” ever since I laid eyes on Dean and Sam in 2006. Again, my boyfriend had to do with this because he introduced me to the TV series. I am proud to say that I never wavered throughout their run and even when they are on their 12th season, I am still loving “Supernatural” more than ever.

However, as much as I love Sam and Dean (especially Dean), there is no doubt that the TV series would not be complete without their beloved Impala. Dean and Sam’s father, John Winchester, once owned the Impala and it has been with their family for so many years. It is revealed to hold various weaponry to fight the supernatural. Just like the Regalia from “Final Fantasy XV”, the Impala is the official car of the brothers, Dean’s Baby, the one who brings them to their adventures, and the sole witness to their whole journey from day 1 to the present.

The Impala is such a fan favorite that it had its own episode entitled “Baby” in Season 11. Here, viewers got a look at Dean and Sam’s adventures through the car’s point of view. Just like the brothers, the Impala left an impact on me and is one of the main reasons why I love “Supernatural”. I would really be very sad if this beloved car disappeared in the show.

Ecto-1 - “Ghostbusters”

Image from Amazon

I was actually having a hard time deciding between Impala and Ecto-1 as my top favorite car, but in the end, my childhood won. Ecto-1 is the winner because I have known this cool and vibrant car since the 1990s.

My exposure to the Ecto-1 started when I watched 1986 animated TV series “The Real Ghostbusters”. I was the type of kid who watched almost any cartoons shown in TV, but Ghostbusters caught my eye more. I loved the concept of four guys fighting ghosts using their special weapons and it made me happy when a live-action movie was made in 1984. I watched all of these when I was elementary.

While I loved the story and the characters (my favorite was Egon Spengler), it is the Ecto-1 that really latched into my heart. Just like all the cars in my list, Ecto-1 is the official car of the Ghostbusters series and the sole witness of the characters’ adventures.

Without it, Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston would not have been able to go to their destinations and eliminate the ghosts. In fact, when Ecto-1 appeared in the recent female-led Ghostbusters film, I sort of teared up out of nostalgia. It was part of my childhood, so it was nice to see it again. While I know I won’t be able to get the real thing, I still want to have a toy replica of Ecto-1.

What I noticed with my favorite pop culture cars is they’re used for long trips or rocky adventures. They don’t just stay in one place; you see them in different states, various fantasy worlds, and in chaotic circumstances. However, no matter what these cars go through, they are tough as hell.

Just like these special and wonderful pop culture cars, you should get a car that will take you to places. I don’t remember where I saw it, but one of the great cars best for out-of-town trips is the Ford Escape Aviato. If this car is perfect for your outdoor adventures, you can rent it via Turo. You can book anytime, anywhere and rentals are always within your budget.

Indeed, these pop culture cars have made an impact in my geek life. Whenever I see them anywhere, my love for their designated fandoms grew more. They will always have a special place in my heart.

~Hainrihi

What are your favorite pop culture cars? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Movie Review | “Doctor Strange” is Not Your Usual Marvel Superhero Movie and It’s a Good Thing (Spoilers Ahead)

1:03 AM

Disclaimer: Spoilers Ahead. Leave now if you haven’t watched “Doctor Strange” yet.

Before watching “Doctor Strange”, I had little information about it. But I was very curious because I felt he was an unusual superhero. So, Marc and I spontaneously watched it on the first day.

Just a note: Since I was exposed to the usual Marvel movies full of physical action and almost having the same formula (Iron Man, Thor, Avengers, Captain America, Civil War), I expected “Doctor Strange” to be like that. However, the moment the first scene came out, I knew it’s gong to be an interesting Marvel movie. So I sat back, relaxed, listened, and watched.

Another warning: Everything after this post will contain spoilers. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, it’s best to stop reading and just look at my other blog posts haha XD

“Doctor Strange” is not your usual Marvel movie and that’s good. It was something new, giving everyone a different perspective on what being a superhero is about.

Cinematography/Visualization

One of the things that I loved about “Doctor Strange” is the visualization. Seeing the magical and colorful visuals made the movie more awesome than the usual brawns of other Marvel movies. For lack of better term, it is livelier with sorcerers using magic together with physical combat.

While the visuals and special effects are all over the movie, they don’t feel forced are not that hard to follow. Well, there were times when we got dizzy of the kaleidoscope visuals done by the magic (which actually reminded me of Inception). But after a few minutes, we got used to it and was actually great to watch. I guess these visuals are one of the reasons why I love “Doctor Strange”. You don’t get to see those in past Marvel movies.

Characters

The characters were also different from the usual Marvel roster. However, in my opinion, I think Dr. Stephen Strange is the most complex superhero---more complicated than Hulk or Iron Man. This is because he faced many non-stop mental, physical, and emotional hardships.

Dr. Stephen Strange was a great and well-known surgeon who is also arrogant. I guess fate interfered and taught him a lesson. Strange got into a car accident and, while he was alive, his hands were damaged so bad that he can’t perform surgery anymore. After looking and trying on different medical procedures to fix his hands, Strange swallowed his pride and asked for help on how to heal them.

He ended up in Katmandu, where he had his mind opened by the Ancient One about the multi-universe and other dimensions. Strange trained not only to find a way to heal his hands, but also to open his mind on things he never thought existed. Yes, Strange is stubborn and arrogant (which, I think, never disappeared), but he was willing to learn about other things that are beyond what he can see, feel, touch, taste, or hear.

Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Strange so well. He specifically showed viewers the struggles of Strange on whether he should accept his destiny or just go back to being a doctor with his “healed” hands. It’s not easy to act out a very complex character, but Cumberbatch did it so well that I can’t help but be at awe to his acting the whole time I was watching. I’m glad Marvel decided to get Cumberbatch to envision Strange.

Throughout the movie, Strange had difficulty choosing of either thinking about himself or thinking about others. In the end, he saw the importance of saving others first before himself through his new powers and abilities. While he may still be a bit arrogant, Strange has truly opened his mind and accepted a new path of selflessness. He became a man of science to a man of faith who traverses on both worlds. Despite his big ego, I learned to love Doctor Stephen Strange.

Apart from Doctor Strange, I loved Wong because of his (lack of) sense of humor. Then there are Karl Mordo and the Ancient One, some of the serious characters of the movie. While I still don’t agree with the whitewashing of the Ancient One, I have to admit that Tilda Swinton did a good job.

All in all, with the diverse characters, I never got tired of watching and getting to know them. Each character has their own unique personality that made me curious on why they are like this and why they are like that. It’s very interesting to watch the characters that you will never get bored.

Story/Flow

While “Doctor Strange” is an origin movie, it’s not the usual one that focuses on the lead character’s beginnings, training, and then fighting the enemy for a long time. In fact, I like the fast-paced flow of how Strange injured his hands all the way to training his new abilities. If I read it correctly, his training took one year, but the movie narrated it in just a few minutes. But I didn’t get lost because when I saw Strange mastering his new powers, I realized that training took months.

The flow is also perfect, organized, and detailed. I really listened to the whole movie because there were some talkies about magic, science, dark dimension, and multiverse. Since I am not familiar with those topics and with “Doctor Strange”, I had to watch and listen carefully to understand everything. And it paid off because when Marc asked me at the end of the movie if I had any questions, I answered “none so far” (though I had 1-2 questions, but they were just minor).

Despite the story being more on magic and a little bit of physical combat, “Doctor Strange” had a smooth flow in terms of story and plot.

Overall Say

Overall, “Doctor Strange” is indeed a breath of fresh air from the usual Marvel movies. It's different, but in a good way. Since I am used to the physical and science aspects from past MCU movies, seeing “Doctor Strange” is very refreshing---something that is pleasant to both the eyes and ears. And also, I learned about other aspects of the Marvel Universe that I have never knew before.

I am putting Dr. Stephen Strange as one of my favorite Marvel characters because of his abilities and his willingness to open his mind on things unheard of. While watching, I was hoping that Strange will embrace his destiny and show everyone that he can be a great superhero in his own right. And I’m glad he did.

Oh and can I just say: I love Strange’s red cape. I want one. Period. :D

I really recommend watching “Doctor Strange” while it is still showing in theaters. And watch it in the cinema! Don’t wait for the download, DVD, or Blu-ray. Watch it in the cinema because it is here you will truly appreciate everything about the movie.

~Hainrihi

Have you watched “Doctor Strange” already? Did you like it or not? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.