MenuHomeNewsHardwareGamingMobileFinanceDealsReviewsHow ToWccftechDealsGo Big Or Go Home; Sonys Larger Than Life 85-Inch 4K LED Smart TV Can Fill Up Any Room And Upgrade Your Viewing Experience, For Just $998 On AmazonOmar Sohail Apr 6, 2025 at 03:20pm EDTA spectacular cinema-type experience is what we all desire in different parts of our home, so obviously, a large-screen TV needs to be the center of attention to make that ambition possible. Unfortunately, for that, you need to spare a bigger budget. This would have been the case if you had been shopping any place else, but Amazon is a haven for those seeking hefty discounts, particularly mammoth-sized TVs. On the online retailer, the Sony KD85X77L 85-inch 4K smart LED has received a substantial 33 percent cut, which equates to a $500 discount.This makes the gargantuan TVs listing down to $998, making it one of the lowest prices we have seen for an 85-inch 4K LED smart TV. Now, you might be thinking to yourself that a $1,000 total is still a decent chunk of change, and we will ask you when was the last time that you saw a TV of this size available for this sum? Sure, you miss out on mini-LED and OLED technology, but unless you are used to comparing everything with an eagle eye, we doubt you will spot any difference in the image quality.Even with the LED technology employed, Sonys 4K Processor X1 intelligently improves the viewing experience by delivering lifelike colors. You also get an array of modern-day ports that you can use to hook up another laptop or PS5 to elevate your gaming sessions. You may experience some input lag during this playtime, which is why Sonys Motionflow XR 240 feature exists to deliver a more fluid frame output.Since there are a plethora of discounts available on 4K LED smart TVs like this, we doubt that this price reduction is going to vanish anytime soon. However, there is no reason to wait for another offer like this, so we highly recommend jumping on this opportunity as quickly as possible.Get the Sony KD85X77L 85-inch 4K LED smart TV from Amazon- $998 (33 percent off)Explore more large screen Sony smart TVs hereSee what else Amazon has discounted todayDeal of the DaySubscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inboxFollow us onTopicsSectionsCompanySome posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLCAssociates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earnadvertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Big business.A Scene From Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie2025 kicked off with the next big video game movie--A Minecraft Movie. It was not the first video game adaptation from Hollywood and won't be the last. But where does A Minecraft Movie rank all-time against biggest video game movies? In this gallery, we're rounding up the highest-grossing video game films of all time, breaking down box office results by domestic, international, and worldwide figures.The top 10 list is made up of massive franchises like Pokemon, Tomb Raider, Angry Birds, and Sonic, just to name a few. Looking ahead, there are a boatload of new video game films in the works.Without further ado, here are the top 14 highest-grossing video game movies of all time. All box office figures are pulled from Amazon's BoxOfficeMojo. 1: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)Following 1993's poorly received live-action Super Mario Bros. Movie starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, many wondered if Nintendo would ever again attempt to make a Mario movie. Well, 30 years later, the company partnered with Minions studio Illumination to do just that--and the movie is off to a fantastic start. Released on April 5, 2023 the movie quickly earned $377 million worldwide over its first five days and rapidly cleared more than $500 million. It's now earned more than $1.3 billion. The movie features the voice of Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Jack Black as Bowser. Domestic $574,934,330International $787,009,114Worldwide $1,361,943,444 2: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)Sonic the Hedgehog 3 released in December 2024 and became a fast success, zipping up to No. 2 all time for a video game movie. It's also just the second video game movie ever to exceed $200 million from the domestic market. Among other new additions, Keanu Reeves joined the film in the role of Shadow the Hedgehog.Domestic $230,549,154International $232,000,000Worldwide $462,549,154 3: Pokemon Detective Pikachu (2019)Warner Bros. 2019 video game movie Pokemon: Detective Pikachu was a hit with critics and fans alike, and it did big business at the box office to rank as the second-highest grossing video game movie of all time worldwide. It featured the voice of Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu and a heartwarming and rollercoaster story involving Pikachu teaming up with a young man, Justice Smith, to find his father. Bill Nighy also starred in the film, which featured incredible CGI pocket monsters and some epic fight scenes, including a showdown with Mewtwo.Domestic $144,174,568International $289,303,033Worldwide $449,762,638 4: Warcraft (2016)Legendary and Blizzard teamed up to make a Warcraft movie back in 2016, but development began much earlier and went through several changes before it was released. At one point, Spider-Man's Sam Raimi was attached to direct, but he dropped out due to the working conditions with Blizzard. Moon and Source Code director Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie, eventually signed on to direct the fantasy film. It bombed in the US but did massive numbers internationally to pull in $439 million worldwide, putting it at the top of the charts. Jones said he had plans for a trilogy, but the poor box office performance in the US means that will likely never happen.Domestic $47,365,290International $391,683,624Worldwide $439,048,914 5: Rampage (2018) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in 2018's Rampage, an adaptation of the classic video game in which The Rock plays a primatologist who works with a supersized gorilla to fight other massive monsters. Director Peyton Reed and The Rock previously worked together on the movies San Andreas and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.Domestic $101,028,233International $327,000,000Worldwide $428,028,233 6: Uncharted (2022)Sony's Uncharted film starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, blasted off in February 2022 to bigtime box office numbers. It had a huge $44 million opening weekend in the US, and has to date earned more than $400 million globally. That's good enough for Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman to call Uncharted Sony's next big franchise, suggesting a sequel may be on the way. Director Ruben Fleischer has said he's game for a sequel and has even outlined some of his ideas for a follow-up, including putting Uncharted 4's epic car chase set piece into a potential Uncharted 2.Domestic $148,648,820International $258,492,438Worldwide $407,141,258 7: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)Sonic the Hedgehog 2 released in April 2022 and has become a quick success. It recently surpassed the 2020 original Sonic film to become the highest-grossing video game movie of all time in the US.Globally, it's not as high on the charts, but it's still performing well enough to become one of the highest-grossing video game movies ever. Unsurprisingly, plans are in motion for a Sonic movie cinematic universe, which will include Sonic 3 and a Knuckles TV series.Domestic -- $190,872,904International -- $214,548,614Worldwide -- $405,421,518 8: The Angry Birds Movie (2016) Rovio's Angry Birds is one of the best-known mobile games of all time, so it was no surprise that it became a movie. Sony Pictures produced the animated film, which boasted an all-star voice cast that featured Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Sean Penn, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage. The screenplay was written by The Simpsons veteran Jon Vitti, and the film was directed by Disney animation veterans Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly. A sequel was released in 2019, but it performed considerably worse, bringing in about $148 million.Domestic $107,509,366International $244,824,563Worldwide $352,333,929 9: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) Disney produced 2010's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan. The rest of the cast included Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Gemma Artertron, and Toby Kebbel. The movie, which is based on Ubisoft's popular series, was directed by Mike Newell, who previously directed Four Weddings and Funeral as well as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Similar to Warcraft, it made the bulk of its money from foreign markets, pulling in $245.6 million, or 73% of its worldwide total ($336.4 million), from markets outside the US.Domestic $90,759,676International $245,606,000Worldwide $336,365,676 10: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)After controversies surrounding its character models being not so good, the Sonic the Hedgehog came to the big screen in 2020 and was generally well-received and made a lot of money. The film features Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, with Jim Carrey playing the evil Dr. Robotnik. The success of the film led Paramount to quickly greenlight a sequel, which comes to theaters in April, featuring Knuckles and Tails, in addition to the returning cast.Domestic $148,974,665International $170,741,018Worldwide $319,715,683 11: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) Paul W.S. Anderson's Resident Evil movie series wrapped up with 2016's appropriately titled Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which once again starred his partner, Mila Jovovich, in the lead role. In total, Anderson's Resident Evil films, which are inspired by Capcom's scary longrunning zombie video game series, have made more than $1 billion at the box office. Anderson and Jovovich stayed in business with Capcom after The Final Chapter, as they made the Monster Hunter movie in 2020.Domestic $26,830,068International $285,412,558Worldwide $312,242,626 12. A Minecraft Movie (2025)A Minecraft Movie was released on April 4, and it had a gigantic debut, bringing in $157 million in the US and $144 million from international markets for a total first-weekend global tally of $301,000,000. That's right, after just three days, A Minecraft Movie is the No. 12 highest-grossing video game movie of all time. Keep checking back, as we will update this post as more box office numbers come in and A Minecraft Movie inevitably climbs up the charts.Domestic $157,000,000International $144,00000Worldwide $301,000,000 13: Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) The second Resident Evil movie to rank in the top 10 all-time highest-grossing video game movies, Paul W.S. Anderson's Resident Evil: Afterlife, based on Capcom's video game series, was released in 2010. Anderson returned to direct the film after stepping away from the series to direct Alien vs. Predator and work on other projects. Mila Jovovich starred as Alice, with a cast that also included Kim Coates, Wentworth Miller, and Shawn Roberts.Domestic $60,128,566International $240,099,518Worldwide $300,228,084 14: Tomb Raider (2018) After multiple films starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander took on the role of Lara Croft in the 2018 film from The Wave director Roar Uthaug. The film was partly inspired by Crystal Dynamics' 2013 reboot, telling an origin story for the character. Croft is trying to solve the mystery of her father's (Dominic West) disappearance. The film also starred Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas. The movie made the bulk of its money ($216.4 million; 78.8%) from international markets, with just $58.25 million from the US. A sequel is now said to be in the works, but whether or not it ever gets made remains to be seen.Domestic $58,250,803International $216,400,000Worldwide $274,650,803

Everyone with a semblance of a brain figured A Minecraft Movie would probably be a successful venture for Warner Bros. Pictures. That being said, even the company itself didn't see this kind of box office return coming.

I did something horrible. I told Jafar, the scheming vizier villain in Disneys Aladdin, about cryptocurrency, and now hes determined to get WyshCoin off the ground by selling the luxurious lifestyle associated with the brand. The problem is hes actually broke, so I need to brew him teleportation potion after teleportation potion so he can sneak into increasingly extravagant venues in order to sell the illusion of the WyshCoin lifestyle.Thats just a day in the life of a potionista (a portmanteau of potion maker and barista) at the Cursed Caf, the coffee shop at the center of Disney Villains Cursed Caf. The game is a partnership between Disney Studios and indie team Bloom Digital Media. In Disney Villains Cursed Caf, I spend time brewing potions, talking to my villainous clientele and helping them achieve their goals (or sometimes, very specifically not helping them). Its a modern setting, which means the villains all have fun, contemporary designs and contemporary problems.Yes, Jafars setting up a cryptocurrency, and Snow Whites Evil Queen is running her own pyramid scheme. Meanwhile, Gaston is trying to impress his new golf bros at the country club he just joined. Its hilarious to see what sorts of villainous shenanigans these iconic characters get up to in a modern, low-stakes setting. Theyre taking over the world in their own ways. And hey, in the year 2025, that does mean having huge social media followings!The writing is sharp and funny, with some particularly pointed dialogue options (you can tell the villains that in this modern world, the rulers are the 1%, for instance). Seeing the characters interact is also a highlight. Cruella and the Evil Queen roll their eyes at Gastons attempts at dating on the apps. Maleficent and Ursula reluctantly team up for a social media collaboration. And throughout it all, the art style is incredibly charming, an elevated rendering of the characters Disney movie counterparts with some painterly accents.With each in-game day, I have three chances to serve customers. Most of the time, this means picking between two villains to serve. But dont worry if its Cruella and Jafar at the counter and I pick Jafar, the rest of Cruellas storyline will still unfold. The brewing mechanic is pretty straightforward; I just look at the recipe list to find the requested potion and then select the ingredients in my cupboards.Occasionally, the villains will have bigger requests, and taking those on will continue the next big chapters of their plots. Theyll present me with their desired potion, often something malevolent and more complicated. My handy potion book will suggest a good option as well: Itll have the same outcome, but probably result in less property damage. If you want to try a different option or if you accidentally add the wrong ingredients youll have the choice at the end of the day to buy a re-do from Yzma. The branching is simple, but enjoyable.There is also an overarching mystery about the previous owner of the caf that continues to perplex me and is surprisingly complicated to figure out. One time, after I had messed up a day and intended to redo it, Yzma handed me a key that unlocked a secret room that held clues about this mysterious owner. But since I had fumbled the Evil Queens storyline, I erased the memories of that day to try again. The second time, though, I didnt get the key and a few in-game days later, I still havent! Im not sure what conditions trigger more information about this storyline, but Im determined to keep selling potions to find out.But even if Im still struggling at figuring out the grander mystery of the Cursed Caf, Im invested in the storylines of my customers. Even if Im not actually investing in WyshCoin, every time I see Jafar at the counter, I eagerly select him to serve because I just want to know what the heck hes scheming next. Maybe Im tapping into my own inner villain by enabling him, but hey, you dont become the favorite potion brewer of some of the best Disney villains by playing hero.Disney Villains Cursed Cafwas released March 27 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC. The game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch using a download code provided by Disney Games. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can findadditional information about Polygons ethics policy here.

A Minecraft Movie has reportedly surpassed the record previously set by 2023s The Super Mario Bros. Movie for the biggest ever domestic box office opening of a video game adaptation. The new movie, which was released in theaters on Friday, raked in $157 million in the US in its opening weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A Minecraft Movie is doing well internationally, too; THR reports that its earned $301M altogether in its global debut. The Super Mario Bros. Movie pulled in $146 million in its domestic opening and $377 million globally.A Minecraft Movie stars Jack Black, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Coolidge. And while the trailers left us with pretty low expectations in the leadup to its release, Engadgets Devindra Hardawar found that its actually a pretty good kids movie that delivers a decent message about championing creativity in a world that wants to beat down free-thinking non-conformists. You can read the full review here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/a-minecraft-movie-just-set-a-new-record-with-the-biggest-opening-ever-for-a-video-game-adaptation-in-the-us-192934482.html?src=rss

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Apple will keep TikTok on its App Store for at least 75 more days after receiving assurances from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Bloomberg News reported.

Over the past few years, experts have been sounding the alarm over how much time Americans spend alone.Statistics show that were choosing to be solitary for more of our waking hours than ever before, tucked away at home rather than mingling in public. Increasing numbers of us are dining alone and traveling solo, and rates of living alone have nearly doubled in the past 50 years.These trends coincided with the surgeon generals 2023 declaration of a loneliness epidemic, leading to recent claims that the U.S. is living in an anti-social century.Loneliness and isolation are indeed social problems that warrant serious attention, especially since chronic states of loneliness are linked with poor outcomes such as depression and a shortened life span.But there is another side to this story, one that deserves a closer look. For some people, the shift toward aloneness represents a desire for what researchers call positive solitude, a state that is associated with well-being, not loneliness.As a psychologist, Ive spent the past decade researching why people like to be aloneand spending a fair amount of time there myselfso Im deeply familiar with the joys of solitude. My findings join a host of others that have documented a long list of benefits gained when we choose to spend time by ourselves, ranging from opportunities to recharge our batteries and experience personal growth to making time to connect with our emotions and our creativity.So it makes sense to me why people live alone as soon as their financial circumstances allow, and when asked why they prefer to dine solo, people say simply, I want more me time.Its also why Im not surprised that a 2024 national survey found that 56% of Americans considered alone time essential for their mental health. Or that Costco is now selling solitude sheds where for around $2,000 you can buy yourself some peace and quiet.Its clear there is a desire, and a market, for solitude right now in American culture. But why does this side of the story often get lost amid the warnings about social isolation?I suspect it has to do with a collective anxiety about being alone.The stigma of solitudeThis anxiety stems in large part from our cultures deficit view of solitude. In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.This isnt just my own observation. A study published in February 2025 found that U.S. news headlines are 10 times more likely to frame being alone negatively than positively. This type of bias shapes peoples beliefs, with studies showing that adults and children alike have clear judgments about when it isand, importantly, when it is notacceptable for their peers to be alone.This makes sense given that American culture holds up extroversion as the ideal, indeed as the basis for whats normal. The hallmarks of extraversion include being sociable and assertive, as well as expressing more positive emotions and seeking more stimulation than the opposite personalitythe more reserved and risk-averse introverts. Even though not all Americans are extroverts, most of us have been conditioned to cultivate that trait, and those who do reap social and professional rewards. In this cultural milieu, preferring to be alone carries stigma.But the desire for solitude is not pathological, and its not just for introverts. Nor does it automatically spell social isolation and a lonely life. In fact, the data doesnt fully support current fears of a loneliness epidemic, something scholars and journalists have recently acknowledged.In other words, although Americans are indeed spending more time alone than previous generations did, its not clear that we are actually getting lonelier. And despite our fears for the eldest members of our society, research shows that older adults are happier in solitude than the loneliness narrative would lead us to believe.Social media disrupts our solitudeHowever, solitudes benefits dont automatically appear whenever we take a break from the social world. They arrive when we are truly alonewhen we intentionally carve out the time and space to connect with ourselvesnot when we are alone on our devices.My research has found that solitudes positive effects on well-being are far less likely to materialize if the majority of our alone time is spent staring at our screens, especially when were passively scrolling social media.This is where I believe the collective anxiety is well placed, especially the focus on young adults who are increasingly forgoing face-to-face social interaction in favor of a virtual life, and who may face significant distress as a result.Social media is by definition social. Its in the name. We cannot be truly alone when were on it. Whats more, its not the type of nourishing me time I suspect many people are longing for.True solitude turns attention inward. Its a time to slow down and reflect. A time to do as we please, not to please anyone else. A time to be emotionally available to ourselves, rather than to others. When we spend our solitude in these ways, the benefits accrue: We feel rested and rejuvenated, we gain clarity and emotional balance, we feel freer and more connected to ourselves.But if were addicted to being busy, it can be hard to slow down. If were used to looking at a screen, it can be scary to look inside. And if we dont have the skills to validate being alone as a normal and healthy human need, then we waste our alone time feeling guilty, weird, or selfish.The importance of reframing solitudeAmericans choosing to spend more time alone is indeed a challenge to the cultural script, and the stigmatization of solitude can be difficult to change. Nevertheless, a small but growing body of research indicates that it is possible, and effective, to reframe the way we think about solitude.For example, viewing solitude as a beneficial experience rather than a lonely one has been shown to help alleviate negative feelings about being alone, even for the participants who were severely lonely. People who perceive their time alone as full rather than empty are more likely to experience their alone time as meaningful, using it for growth-oriented purposes such as self-reflection or spiritual connection.Even something as simple as a linguistic shiftreplacing isolation with me timecauses people to view their alone time more positively and likely affects how their friends and family view it as well.It is true that if we dont have a community of close relationships to return to after being alone, solitude can lead to social isolation. But its also true that too much social interaction is taxing, and such overload negatively affects the quality of our relationships. The countrys recent gravitational pull toward more alone time may partially reflect a desire for more balance in a life that is too busy, too scheduled, and, yes, too social.Just as connection with others is essential for our well-being, so is connection with ourselves.Virginia Thomas is an assistant professor of psychology at Middlebury.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Gas grills are finding their place for obvious reasons, including precise temperature control and their convenience. Traeger has been building models one after another of wood-burning grills, but has a solitary entry in the accessibility sector. However, now the company is making a stride forward to ensure the backyard cook space is more exciting than just being better and convenient.Traeger is rolling out a two-burner griddle to add to its existing gas-powered option called the Flatrock 3 Zone, a slightly larger cooking station with folding wings. The new Flatrock 2 Zone is no sucker, in addition to two burners, it borrows almost all the traits of its predecessor and happens to put that inside a much smaller form factor.Designer: TraegerThe Flatrock 2 Zone thus takes up little space, wherever you choose to place it, and is perhaps billed as being the only Traeger Flatrock griddles that will let you explore new frontiers of true flavors, all while looking good whether on the patio or in the backyard. The new model has two separate propane cooking sections that ensure precise heat in both and can let you cook at temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Most interesting aspect, the two burners can also be controlled separately, so you can make breakfast on one and have smashed burgers on low flame on the other.The two cooking zones allow you to cook at different temperatures and provide precise temperature control in them. The burner is U-shaped for consistent edge-to-edge cooking and the prep area can open out thanks to the folding shelves that, along with PAL (Pop-And-Lock) rail system, let you prepare, cook, and also have your griddle setup organized. The grilling season is just upon us and while you are looking for options, you can give this Traeger Flatrock a try because despite only measuring 18 x 26 inches, it has a total cooking area of 468 square inches to let you prepare for and cook up to 18 burgers, 22 bacon strips, and 20 eggs that should be more than enough for your afternoon get together.And when you are done with the fun, the Flatrock 2 Zone with carbon steel surface is meant to leave no mess behind. It comes with EZ-Clean grease keg that ensures you can easily get rid of the debris and oil stains from the cooking most easily before putting it away to be used another day. The convenience of the Traegers new griddle is slightly cheaper than the original Flatrock 3 Zone, but itll still set you back $700. There is no word on when the company will start shipping it, but its website says it will be available soon.The post Traeger Flatrock 2-Zone griddle has two burners in a small form factor first appeared on Yanko Design.

All the files, resources and videos to accompany issue 252 of ImagineFX magazine.