Find out how to perform a Mercy, seek out cameos in the Krypt, and solve some of the more devious puzzles in Mortal Kombat 11.
Avengers: Endgame: The Endings Explained
The time has finally come. Avengers: Endgame is now in theaters and brought with it the end of not only this era of the MCU, but grand finales for a bunch of our favorite superheroes and superhero teams–which means we have a lot of ground to cover here.
Watch yourself: From here on out, we are in spoiler country.
The End (Of Phase 3)
Shockingly, Marvel broke their decades-long tradition of having multiple post-credits sequences for this one–the end of this movie actually is the end, with no stingers or gags to cap it off. It goes like this: Some creative maneuvering from 2014 Nebula (not present day Nebula, who is a good guy) brings the fight with 2014 Thanos (not present day Thanos, who is dead) to Earth after the Avengers scavenge through the time stream for the Infinity Stones in the past.
Luckily, before the fight actually starts up, Bruce is able to use their time-heisted Stones to bring back everyone who was dusted, so the team has some serious reinforcements when Thanos and the Chitauri arrive. The ensuing fight is beyond epic, with legions of Wakandan soldiers, Asgardian refugees, sorcerers in training–really you name it, if they’ve shown up in the MCU before, they’re probably here and duking it out with Thanos’s alien hordes.
But of course, even with all the backup in the world, Thanos isn’t going to go down easy. The fight actually allows Steve Rogers to finally prove his worth and wield Mjolnir (remember that moment in Age of Ultron when he couldn’t pick it up?). The fight amounts to a few truly beautiful spotlight moments, including both Carol and Wanda getting their own shot at Thanos himself, all while the Avengers play cosmic hot potato with the new Infinity Gauntlet they’ve made. That’s the name of the game for most of the fight: keep the Stones away from Thanos while beating back the Chitauri and the Black Order.
Thank god this fight happens in an otherwise totally abandoned crater, right? For as huge as the battle is, there really isn’t any collateral damage outside of the Avengers compound, which is pretty thoroughly demolished. RIP.
Anyway, the fight ultimately concludes with a narrow miss–Thanos manages to get the Gauntlet back, but Tony is fast enough to pull the Stones out before he has a chance to use them. That’s when Tony gets to have his big moment. Thanos, undeterred, says “I am inevitable” to which Tony gets to make the ultimate Iron Man 1 callback by responding, “I am Iron Man.” He integrates the Stones into his armor and snaps his fingers, which results in a mirror of Infinity War’s final moments, except this time it’s Thanos and the Chitauri who turn to dust.
Unfortunately, that sort of power comes with a price.
The End (For Tony Stark)
Tony’s use of the Gauntlet takes a massive toll and, tragically (if expectedly), costs him his life. He stays alive long enough to get to say some poignant goodbyes to the people he cares about most, like Pepper and Peter and Rhodey–so get your tissues ready.
The funeral is where it gets really tough. It’s not the most traditional–Pepper makes a memorial with her “Proof That Tony Stark Has A Heart” trophy from back in the first Iron Man movie and sets it to sail on the peaceful lake behind their property. It’s well-attended by all of Tony’s friends and family–even Nick Fury, who has otherwise been MIA for the whole movie, shows up. The kid from Iron Man 3 is there, too–though it might take you a second to recognize him.
Tony leaves behind both Pepper and their daughter, Morgan, who gets a very cute moment with Happy. He asks if she’s hungry, she replies yes, and that she’d like a cheeseburger. Happy laughs and tells her that her dad liked cheeseburgers too–another Iron Man 1 callback. Tony’s first request after setting foot back stateside was for a cheeseburger. Apparently the Stark family has a very specific method of coping with trauma.
Joking aside, Tony’s arc culminates in a major pay off for a moment back in Avengers 1 when Steve and Tony have one of their first fights. Steve called out Tony’s selfishness, saying he only fights for himself; that he’s “not the guy to make the sacrifice play.” It may have taken six whole movies, but Tony finally has a chance to prove himself a hero once and for all.
The End (For Steve Rogers)
Despite all the evidence and predictions to the contrary, Steve Rogers did not die in the final fight with Thanos–but he did get a pretty definitive ending.
After all the time-heisting went down, someone had to take the stolen Infinity Stones back to their respective spots in history to prevent a bunch of branching timelines from splitting off and causing temporal chaos. Steve does this alone, using a hastily rebuilt quantum portal–but it doesn’t exactly go as planned. Rather than just dropping each Stone back where it came from and returning to the present, Steve decides to peel off and–you guessed it–go live a full life with Peggy Carter back in the past.
Instead of teleporting back to the current time, an elderly Steve shows up at the rendezvous point. The logic here gets a little fuzzy from a time travel perspective, but apparently going back and marrying Peggy didn’t cause a branched timeline and they finally got their dance. In his own words, he took Tony’s advice to try just living a normal life.
As an old man, Steve clearly won’t be doing any more superheroics–but don’t worry, the world won’t be without a Captain America for too long. He passes the shield over to Sam, who will officially take up the mantle when next there is a need.
The End (For Thor)
During the five-year post-Thanos time jump, Thor and the Asgardian refugees on Earth formed New Asgard, a little oceanside town where Thor, uh, kind of let himself go. However, by the end of the movie, he’s decidedly gotten his groove back and is ready to get back in the proverbial saddle. He accomplishes this by first leaving New Asgard to a new ruler, Valkyrie, and then joining the Guardians of the Galaxy–er, the Asgardians of the Galaxy, sorry–to go adventure through space.
There’s some conflict right away, however, when Quill and Thor can’t quite agree about who’s in charge.
It’s definitely Quill, right?
We’ll see how that goes come Guardians 3, probably.
Florida Legislature Passes Ban On Sanctuary Cities
The anti-immigrant bill, in a state where 1 in 5 residents is an immigrant, will likely be signed into law.
Joe Biden Addresses Anita Hill Apology On ‘The View’
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Mortal Kombat 11’s $10,000 Question: How Much Can You Spend on Microtransactions?
On Wednesday, IGN reported on a Reddit post in which a user laid out some math and alleged that if you were to buy every cosmetic skin in Mortal Kombat 11, it would cost $6,440. Our video was based on calculations by Reddit user AccomplishedPoet8, which was posted on the PS4 subreddit. However, shortly after, NetherRealm Creative Director Ed Boon responded on Twitter, saying: “LOL OMG! The $6440 story is complete bullshit! Where do these people get their information? The VAST VAST majority of MK11 skins are NOT for sale. That’s not how NetherRealm makes games. You have to EARN them IN GAME. #FactCheckB4reporting.”
Does Avengers: Endgame Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Please be advised we are talking Avengers: Endgame, a movie where for many people literally knowing even one iota of information about the film is a ruinous spoiler!
Avengers: Endgame doesn’t have a mid-credits or post-credits scene per se but it does have … something you should nevertheless stick around for after the end credits are done rolling on the 181-minute superhero epic. (If you’re itching for more, we have rounded up all the best callbacks, easter eggs, and cameos in Endgame for your viewing pleasure.)
As with all MCU movies, the last image seen after the end credits roll in Endgame is the Marvel Studios logo. But this time, rather than a score or simply silence, there is a curious sound effect.
Texas Agrees To Halt Botched Effort To Find Noncitizens On Its Voter Rolls
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20 Geeky Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – Best Gifts For Gamer Moms
We’re now just a few weeks out from Mother’s Day, and we can assume that since you’re here, you probably have no idea what to get her this year. Flowers and spa gift cards start to feel generic after a while, and honestly, they require very little forethought–so why not surprise your mom (or wife) with something unique that shows you really thought about what she’d enjoy?
If she’s into gaming or some other nerdy aspect of pop culture, feed her obsession with an unconventional gift she’ll actually remember and enjoy long-term this Mother’s Day. From consoles and accessories to apparel, collectibles, and more, we’ve gathered some creative ideas to make the gift search a bit easier for you.
If you think you might want to get her a game, check out our top picks for each console below, and read on for more quirky Mother’s Day gift ideas.
- The Best Xbox One Games Available Now
- The Best PS4 Games Available Now
- The Best Nintendo Switch Games Available Now
1. PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch
We’ve talked up PowerA’s third-party Nintendo Switch controllers in the past–not only are they $20 cheaper than first-party Switch controllers, which generally sell for $70, but they also feature a variety of stunning Nintendo-inspired designs. This new Zelda design will be released April 30 and makes a great gift for a Zelda fan, especially if she fell in love with Breath of the Wild.
2. House Stark Frosted Pine-Scented Tin Candle
There are candles–and then there are Game of Thrones candles. If mom is just as hyped about the upcoming Season 8 finale as the rest of the world, she’ll enjoy lighting this little pine-scented candle featuring House Stark’s sigil that’ll leave her home smelling fresh.
3. NES Classic and SNES Classic
Retro mini consoles are all the rage these days, but the NES Classic and SNES Classic are both worth the hype. The two systems come pre-installed with dozens of the most iconic games of their era, offering hours of entertainment and a fun trip down memory lane for long-time gamers.
4. Critical Hit D20 Waffle Maker
Whether she’s a seasoned DM or plays tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons casually, she’ll get a kick out of this delicious ode to the D20 die. Fact: Fluffy Belgian waffles taste even better when they come in cool shapes.
5. Geek Parenting by Stephen H. Segal and Valya Dudycz Lupescu
This gift is definitely aimed at younger moms who still have little ones in the home. Both humorous and useful, Geek Parenting offers an enlightening look at the deeper lessons that can be gleaned from some of pop culture’s most famous fictional relationships, like Frodo and Bilbo, Carl and Michonne, and even Cersei and Joffrey.
6. Protective Case for Nintendo Switch
A hard-cover case is an absolute must for Nintendo Switch owners who take the console with them on-the-go. This particular brand offers a range of gorgeous designs that she may appreciate, but if you’re looking for a plain black case, this sturdy Orzly case is another favorite of ours (and thousands of Amazon reviewers).
7. Overwatch Glass Water Bottle
What better gift exists than the gift of hydration? If she’s into Overwatch, then this durable glass bottle is not only cool merch but a practical accessory she can take with her everywhere she goes.
8. Star Wars Cookie Cutters
This set of four Star Wars-inspired cookie cutters are perfect for creating themed treats next time she feels like watching the films.
9. Razer Kraken Pro V2
The Razer Kraken Pro V2, which was tested and included in GameSpot’s list of the best gaming headsets, is a reliable, affordable option for PC gamers (last time we checked, it was on sale at Amazon for just $65). Sturdy and comfortable enough for hours of wear, the Kraken Pro V2 has a retractable mic and solid sound quality and will work well if she often plays online with friends.
10. Wonder Woman Sweatshirt
First of all, one can never have too many cozy sweatshirts. Secondly, this striking blue top isn’t just an homage to Wonder Woman; it’s also a way of showing your mom how much you think of her–strong and inspiring, just like DC’s fierce heroine.
11. Undertale Soundtrack Vinyl 2LP
ThinkGeek has a variety of officially licensed collectible vinyl records inspired by games, movies, and TV shows, and each one would make a great gift for someone who’s a fan. Aside from Undertale’s unforgettable 16-bit soundtrack, you can find other options like this vinyl with music from Pokemon Gold and Silver, or this one with tracks from Stranger Things. Even if she doesn’t have a record player, vinyl records can also double as a gorgeous piece of home decor when displayed on a shelf.
12. Hello Kitty Face Masks with Pearl Powder – Set of 7
Korean face masks are the beauty trend that’s not disappearing anytime soon, and they’re the perfect self-care accessory all women should keep around. This seven-piece set contains restorative pearl powder, a natural source of proteins and minerals that can help boost collagen in the skin and leave it looking luminous.
13. Philips Hue White and Color Smart Bulbs
You don’t realize how convenient voice-controlled lights are until you start using them on a daily basis. Not only will she be able to easily control these lights using her voice; she can also choose the color, level of warmth, and more. The voice control works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, and you can also control the lights through the Philips Hue App.
14. Museum of Gudetama Two-Sided Tote Bag
This vibrant bag is for anyone who appreciates Gudetama (Sanrio’s popular “lazy egg” character), breakfast, colorful accessories, and/or art references. The bag features Gudetama posing as Edvard Munch’s The Scream on one side and as Mona Lisa on the other. It’s weird, it’s artsy, it’s a clash of references–and if she’s into that type of thing, this cute tote is the perfect fit for her.
15. Personalized Cutting Board
Cutting boards aren’t just useful–they can also function as a tasteful piece of kitchen decor. You can customize this cutting board’s size, type of wood, and message, which will adjust the pricing.
16. Kindle Paperwhite
The Amazon Kindle has been around for more than 10 years, and many models later, it’s still going strong and serving up digital books to readers. The Kindle Paperwhite is considered one of the best e-readers on the market for its affordability, portable slimness, Bluetooth capability, waterproof protection, and long battery life. If mom loves curling up with a book but can’t always make it to the bookstore, an e-reader is a thoughtful gift she’ll use for years.
17. Star Wars Galactic Necklace
Jewelry is a classic Mother’s Day gift–but this isn’t any old necklace. Featuring Star Wars planets, an X-Wing, a TIE Fighter, an asteroid belt, and even the Death Star, this gorgeous chain contains various gemstones and charms made from stainless steel. This statement necklace adds color to any outfit and is definitely a conversation starter. And if you think she’d prefer a similar necklace without the Star Wars references, consider picking up this regular solar system-themed version instead (it’s on sale!).
18. Pusheen Slippers
Perfect for cat lovers (particularly Pusheen), these cozy slippers will help cushion her feet and keep them warm while she’s at home. The outsoles also provide a bit of traction to keep her from slipping on hard floors.
19. Funko Pop Captain Marvel
This Funko featuring the Avengers’ feisty new heroine would make an excellent addition to anyone’s collection. Of course, there are also countless other Funko characters to choose from–browse more options at Amazon.
20. Potion earrings
There’s no shortage of game-inspired and generally geeky earrings available on Etsy, but we’re particularly fond of this red-and-blue potion earrings set reminiscent of the health and magic potions from The Legend of Zelda. Made with real cork and glass, this stunning little pair adds a pop of color and personality to any outfit. You can also purchase two red or two blue potions together, if desired.