Prime Time Review

The online streaming industry is growing and growing every year. Standing at the forefront of this online explosion is Netflix, the well known provider of both online streaming of thousands of different programs ranging from movies, to T.V. shows, and documentaries as well as in home, through the mail deliveries of their content. Netflix began the road to online kingship back in 1997, when the company began as a traditional through the mail provider. By 1999 the company had introduced a monthly subscription policy and now operates on both monthly payment and unlimited online streaming. Over the past decade or so, Netflix has found its way into the homes of many families, college students, and anyone else who enjoys video entertainment. Netflix has been able to stand amongst the forefront of much of the development of the in-home and delivery movie craze, but this rise to the top has not been one without trials and setbacks.

In 2011 Netflix made the controversial decision to split its services in half and created the new service called Qwikster. Qwikster would be responsible for handling in home deliveries of DVD’s as well as the introduction of videogames. Customers wishing to receive both online streaming of their videos as well as an in-home delivery service would then have to pay for both the services of Netflix and Qwikster. This was not a popular decision amongst the public. Qwikster quickly received harsh feedback and the changes were reversed. In 2012, Netflix and Starz Network were unable to renew their contract for the rights to many of the programs that made up the majority of Netflix’s newer catalogue. This is just one of the multiple instances in which Netflix was unable to renew valuable contracts for the rights to air many popular and well known programming. Both of these occurrences have made it difficult for Netflix to hold a strong grasp at the top of the online movie service hill.

News came to the public a few days ago that would serve as another blow to the services provided by Netflix. Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, and MGM have decided to pull a collective sum of almost 2,000 titles from the Netflix catalogue. The titles that have been pulled are going to be added to the newly formed Warner Brothers Instant Archive, a program that Warner Brothers recently started as their own form of internet streaming entertainment. This comes as a major blow to the already straggling Netflix catalogue. The question then becomes, is the public willing to pay for multiple services just to get their movie and T.V. show fix? When is enough, enough and when are the media-rights-owning giants such as Universal and Starz Network going to come to some kind of agreement as to a single website or service to host their titles? The reason given by Warner Brothers for the massive removal of titles was to segment the Netflix offering as to diversify the market. This comes as a help to no one, especially us as the consumers. More of our hard earned income is spent on paying for different services that were all at one point under the banner of one website. Is this a move to diversify the market, or to try and cut in on some of the money made by Netflix over the past decade plus?

This removal of programs has led many a Netflix viewer to binge on the programs that are slated to be removed within the coming weeks. Will they go and pay for the Services of Warner Brothers Instant Archive? Probably not. More likely those forced to be without the programs they want to watch will have to just go without, as money becomes a growing commodity in need, the ability to pay for more and more services to get what you previously had lessens. All of this comes with an even bitterer follow up. A Netflix representative has mentioned the possibility that the company may be willing to let go of the contract the Netflix holds with Viacom. This would cut off all programming from MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon, amongst others.

Netflix has been the subject of more than solely bad news, though. In a recent interview with Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer for Netflix, a question was raised surrounding Netflix renewing fabled T.V. shows such as Arrested Development. The success that Arrested Development has enjoyed despite being off the air for years has prompted Netflix to renew the show’s filming and will be releasing new content soon. Netflix has also rolled out a group of Netflix exclusive programming, most successfully the acclaimed series House of Cards. The possibility for Netflix to expand their viewing catalogue exists, but it hardly outweighs the losses that the various contract expirations have caused.

Netflix is not the only source one can look towards for online entertainment. Hulu Plus is a similar service that provides up to date selections of some of cable’s most popular television, from Family Guy to How I Met Your Mother. Hulu Plus has contracts with multiple cable networks to air many popular television shows just as they air on cable, so those without a cable service provider will be able to enjoy the newest in T.V. entertainment. This unique offering, as well as Hulu’s impressive selection, has made Hulu Plus viable competition for Netflix. The provider of the most up to date T.V. and movie selections seems to be collecting viewership.

Do these recent losses in Netflix’s media holdings hold a grim forecast for the company’s future? For the future of internet T.V. streaming in general, more likely. As more and more big name titles disappear from the Netflix offerings, will the customers also disappear? Netflix has been shown to lessen the regularity at which people illegally torrent their entertainment, will the removal of so much of Netflix’s offerings bring about a renewed frenzy of illegal downloading? The coming months may brings us a lot of those answers as Netflix and other services like Hulu Plus look to hold on to as many of their entertainment rights as possible and retain their viewership.

It is now that time of year, the dreaded (or maybe loved) summer. In Tucson, we will be expecting temperatures well into the one-hundred plus region. We will go through sweltering heat, little to no cloud coverage, and burning winds, now this just seems awful. Many people may think to themselves, “Why would anyone want to do anything out in this heat?” Luckily for those of us who are a little braver to the summer heat, there is plenty fun to be had and entertainment to find. Tucson has a hidden little secret that may take some time for non-natives to realize, we have some of the best outdoor events you could ask for. If you take a drive out to Houghton and I-10, you may be surprised to see a growing figure out in the distance. No, that’s not a mirage; this small oasis of fun is real. Starting April 18 and running until April 28, the Pima County Fair graces us with droves of rides, entertainment, food, and fun for your whole family to enjoy, a place to “Get Your Fun On!” .

The Pima County Fair began 103 years ago here in Pima County, starting where Carillo Elementary Magnet School is located. For the past century has been growing and transforming to what we see today, smells of cotton candy wafting through the air (This year is the introduction of bacon flavored cotton candy), the shouts of children playing games at many of the prize booths, and the screams of those riding one of the many large-scale rides.

While the events may have begun on Aug. 18, there is a jammed packed calendar of events right up until the fair’s end. There will be concerts by bands such as the Silversun Pickups on Friday Aug. 19 as part of their larger national tour, as well as a host of others. The musical performances are aimed to please the palate of almost any attendee, children and adult alike. Whether this is your first time enjoying the sights and smells of the fair, or you have been there every year your entire life, everyone will find something to bring a smile to their face amongst the jumble of bright neon lights and crazy noises.

Now it is always assumed that fairs are going to be expensive, and they are. Luckily for us the Pima County Fair has a few different opportunities for patrons to save a little bit of cash while they have their fun. Coming up soonest, the fair will be offering both admission and parking for $2 each on Monday April 22. On the following day, Tuesday April 23, participating vendors on the fairgrounds will be offering menu items as well as some rides for only $2. On Thursday, April 24 the fair will also be offering $2 food and menu items between the hours of four and six in the afternoon. Now be careful driving down to try and take advantage of these deals, for parking is going to be pretty full with other deal-catchers. The regular operating prices at the fair will be $5 to park and $8 for admission for those who can’t make it for these deals. The fair opens at one during the week with events beginning at three. On the weekends, however, the main gate opens at ten in the morning with carnival events beginning at eleven. Now that money is out of the way, you may worry about the quality of the rides at the fair. Let me assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about. Each ride is inspected every morning across the board for all safety concerns.

This is not the only safety Tucson officials are worried about. In the wake of the terrible events that occurred last week in Boston, Pima County Sherriff’s Office will be beefing up security at the fair this year.

Find it within yourself and your family to break free of your posh air-conditioning and find some fun in the sun! The Pima County Fair is a place of excitement and entertainment for all ages, an experience that cannot be missed by any.

What: The Pima County Fair

Where: 11300 S Houghton Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747

When: April 18 – April 28

Main Gate: Monday-Friday: 1:00 p.m. Weekends: 10:00 a.m.

Carnival Hours: Monday-Friday: 3:00 p.m. Weekends: 11:00 a.m.

Cost: $8 Admission $5 Parking (Children 6-10 $3, younger for free)

What to Expect: Non-stop fun!

Late desert evenings carry with them a certain mysticism; quiet, yet full of life, possessing warmness and camaraderie in the most unexpected places. The dark alleyways of Tucson’s Church Avenue and Washington street ooze with this mysticism. Bouts of distant laughter cut the stillness of the air, and a closer look through the rustic wooden gates of La Cocina reveals a cozy conglomerate of friends huddled together in an old adobe building, drinks in hand, as they watch local Tucson band Ex-Cowboy serenade those in attendance. There are smiles all around, and everyone is basking in the celebration of Tucson’s local solidarity. From an outsider’s perspective this is a special moment in time, but for La Cocina’s friendly staff, this is Thursday. This magic occurs every night at the local eatery, bar, and music venue. And with additional local and national musicians pouring in to grace La Cocina’s stage, there is no doubt that the enchantment will continue to flourish for some time.

Located in the Old Town Artisans section of downtown Tucson, La Cocina’s establishment is rich with history. Its foundation lays atop the site of El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, a Spanish fort constructed in 1775. Apache raids were commonly thwarted along the north wall of present day La Cocina before the site opened to public merchants and civilians in the wake of the construction of adobe buildings in the 1850’s. In fact, those who pay attention to detail may even spot saguaro cactus ribs along the ceiling, packing crates, or whiskey barrel staves with remnants of imported wallpaper and gold-leaf mouldings that are over 150 years old.

Under new management in 2010, La Cocina’s current operators embrace this historical background, and have found a way to meld it with a current artistic aura that surrounds Tucson’s music culture. Housing both an indoor and outdoor music area, La Cocina accommodates performers of all genres. Bands that play a more mellow style of music are given a dinner-hour time slot, while more aggressive styles begin in the late evening and continue until the early morning hours. This dichotomy allows for a diverse clientele within La Cocina’s walls, and an even more diverse fluctuation in musical acts.

Though the business houses a somewhat mercurial variety of performances, this is not what sets it apart from other musical venues in Tucson. What truly makes La Cocina standout is its ability to conjure a laid back atmosphere night-in and night-out. Diehard music lovers and casual socializers alike have found a frequent home at La Cocina.

“People can come and hangout without letting the show interfere with their conversation, while at the same time, people can come expecting to see a concert and not be bothered by those who are just there to socialize”, Said frequent La Cocina performer Logan Greene of local rock band Logan Green and the Bricks. “Some venues don't really have a way to balance that, but something about the vibe at La Cocina does the trick”.

La Cocina has much more to offer than an average restaurant or music venue. It has become a public outlet of art and a hub of positive social gatherings. It harbors a special vibration as an avenue of opportunity for artists and an upbeat destination for entertainment seekers. In this way, La Cocina is a community venue, one that is much needed, appreciated, and utilized by people of all backgrounds.

Beginning over forty years ago, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair found its roots when shop owners in the area would open up their doors and set tables outside of their establishments to attract holiday shoppers and bring in a little extra business. Humble beginnings have brought the street fair far, every year over three hundred thousand people make their way to downtown Tucson to enjoy the sights, smells, and entertainment.

Twice a year in our fair city, once during the Spring and again in the Winter, Fourth Avenue transforms into one of the nation's most impressive and largest street fairs. Every shop on Fourth Avenue will opens their doors wide to the tens of thousands that make their way downtown to shop, eat, and enjoy the entertainment. In addition to the shops already present at the location of the street fair, vendors from across the country set up tents and pavilions to sell their interesting goods. Present this Spring street fair will be over four-hundred artists, featuring works of art in many different mediums: glass, clay, wood, metal, and other hand-made marvels. Thirty food vendors of almost every conceivable origin will be in attendance, as well as two main stages that will host local musicians and street performers. Any Tucsonan who has not been able to witness the splendor and grandeur of the Fourth Ave. Street Fair has missed Tucson's largest art venue that has been a tradition in Tucson since for over forty years.

The downtown Tucson area has become notorious for "Mom and Pop" businesses. Known for unique and artistic product and offerings, this area of town offers one of a kind experience for anyone shopping there, and the street fair brings all of these unique offerings to one central location. After the recession in 2007 and 2008, the central and downtown areas of Tucson, where so many of these hip and interesting shops can be found, were faced with neglect and mistreatment and began to fall into varying degrees of disrepair. Because of some recent large investments, however, the downtown and central Tucson areas have undergone drastic repair and revitalization in the past few years in an attempt to repair the amazing atmosphere in the heart of our city. While patrons at the Spring Street Fair will not be able to experience all of the renovations of the past few years, if you decide to return in the Winter you will witness the reopening of the downtown tram.

The question now becomes, how exactly do I get to the street fair? Where will I Park? How much does it cost? The Fourth Ave. Street Fair is located in central Tucson from University Blvd. down Fourth Ave. until Ninth St. Encompassing several city blocks, the street fair will be packed to burst with the infamous white stands. This area of Tucson has an notorious reputation for difficult parking, as many of the road-side parking fills up quickly and can be difficult to locate if you do not know the area well. If you are interested in parking nearby and being shuttled to the street fair, the city of Tucson will be providing a completely free shuttle transit drop-off and pickup point from Pennington Street Parking Garage (Located 110 E. Pennington) and at the corner of Seventh St. and Third Ave. In addition, all parking in the area from Speedway Blvd. to the Fourth Ave. Underpass and from Stone Ave. to Euclid Ave. will not be subject to parking enforcement for residential permits, allowing for street fair goers to find adequate parking. If street-side parking does not appeal to you, there are other options. The University of Arizona has several parking garages in the area that are all just short, few minute's walk away from the street fair festivities and will be operating during the fair. The city is pulling out all of the stops to make sure that everyone who wants to enjoy the street fair, will have to ability to park nearby.

Twice a year, every year, downtown Tucson becomes a spotlight for unique and interesting wares and goods. Hundreds and merchants and vendors come from around the nation to show off their creations and goods to the tens of thousands in attendance. Unlike other shopping hotspots in our state like Tempe's infamous Mill Ave., the Fourth Ave. Street Fair suffers not from the monotony of the giant chain stores selling the same things you can buy at the mall. Come down to the Fourth Ave. Street Fair and enjoy an experience that is completely unique to Tucson.

At the end of January, the popular TV sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother", was given the green light for what will be its ninth and final season. "How I Met Your Mother", or HIMYM, has been a run-away hit since its inception in 2005 and has been gaining a huge following over the past 8 seasons. HIMYM is based around the story of how Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) met his wife and mother of his two children. The entire show is told through flashbacks as future Ted recounts the story of how he met his wife to his children. The bulk of the show takes place around Ted's close knit group of friends: Marshall Eriksen(Jason Segel), his college sweetheart Lily Eriksen (Alyson Hannigan), the Canadian ex-pop sensation turned anchor woman Robin Scherbatsky(Cobie Smulders) , and the womanizing lady-killer Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris).

This colorful and comical group of friends spend most of their time drinking and enjoying each other's company in MacLaren's Pub or in various locations around New York City and the surrounding area. Struggling to find love, making difficult career changes, and figuring out the little issues of life make up the majority of the show's plot, and much of its humor. While many episodes may end with the viewer laughing hysterically at one of the endless inside jokes that stem up over the seasons, many also present real world problems as Ted and his friends try to find their way in life.

The majority of the show is presented through flashbacks, each one strung together by Ted as he tells his children how he came to meet their mother. However, the story more often than not , goes off on wild tangents and side stories as Ted tries to fully explain every aspect of how exactly he came to meet his wife. The depth of the flashbacks in HIMYM rivals even that of the popular 2010 Christopher Nolan hit movie "Inception". As Ted delves deeper and deeper into the story, a flash back seems to be added into every episode, just to make sure everything is explained in full detail.

So far, HIMYM has shown various budding relationships, marriages, almost marriages, new careers, separated friendships, and a host of other hilarious vignettes that all seem to somehow tie together to the greater story arc. Signing on for one final season means that all the last little questions will be answered, and the most important question of all will be answered. How exactly did Ted Mosby meet the mother of his children?

The final season of "How I Met Your Mother" will come to your television sets sometime in 2014. If you want to catch up on all the hilarity and inside jokes, the first seven seasons of HIMYM can be found on Netflix's instant queue for your viewing pleasure. I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

After achieving a $35 million opening weekend, the Seth Gordon-directed "Identity Thief" has staked its claim on the pockets and purses of the public. The new release falls into the sub-genres of buddy films and road comedies such as "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles," "Dumb and Dumber," and "Tommy Boy".

Despite its glimmering company of classics, "Identity Thief" falls terribly short of masking both its recycled jokes and its inferiority to its predecessors.

The film begins by introducing Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman), a mild-mannered family man with three children and a track record that is without blemish. However, once he falls victim to professional con-woman Diana (Melissa McCarthy), Patterson’s credit score, occupation, family finances, and history free of legal troubles are all placed in jeopardy. Defying all reasonable logic, Patterson, his boss, and local authorities resolve that it is in Patterson’s best interest to place himself in harms way by flying 2,000 miles from Denver to Orlando in order to perform a citizen’s arrest on the perpetrator. Fortunately for Patterson, Diana turns out to be a misunderstood portly women with comedic quirks rather than a homicidal maniac with a violent history.

What ensues is an agonizingly drawn out display of raunchy comedy as Patterson and Diana are forced to make the trek across the country with bounty hunters and revenge seekers in hot pursuit. This, of course, provides ample opportunity for Patterson and Diana to set aside their differences and embrace an unlikely friendship.

Doomed from the beginning, much of the film’s content is the work of screenwriter Craig Mazin, the man responsible for unfortunate scripts such as "Scary Movie 3", "Scary Movie 4", and "Super Hero Movie". This is made painfully clear by the abundance of crude jokes that may prove big hits with any adolescents who sneak into the R-rated feature by purchasing tickets to Warm Bodies. More mature viewers will grow bored with Mazin’s attempted punch lines at the constant expense of Sandy’s unisex name and Diana’s plump physique. These jokes are absolutely exhausted, and are separated only by bouts of over the top car chases and crass dialogue.

In order to bring depth to the shallow subject matter, Mazin and Gordon make vain attempts to draw on the emotions of the audience. The film stretches, squeezes, and pushes ever so desperately at the doorway to the dramatic comedy genre, but falls in embarrassing fashion. Though those responsible for the picture have high hopes of fetching feelings of sympathy toward Diana’s character, there is no point in which the audience truly does not wish her to end up in prison.

Given the elements that work against "Identity Thief", the film’s saving grace is the acting of Bateman and McCarthy. Though their characters are hollow and their dialogue is thin, the chemistry and delivery is top notch. Bateman and McCarthy do what they can with their wretched scripts, and they almost save the picture. Almost.

"Identity Thief" is not an icon of the comedy genre, nor does it raise bars by any definition. It is merely a cluster of cheap laughs trapped in a 115-minute mess. It may prove perfect for a sick day on the couch when it joins the new releases of the freebies on Netflix, but it is hardly worth the theater's hefty ticket price.

Hey fellow Tucsonans, did you all know that Tucson is the site of one of the top 25 annual rodeos in the country? If you didn't, or you haven't been to the rodeo yourself, then you are dearly missing out. Starting Feb. 16 and running through to Feb. 24, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (The Celebration of the Cowboys) will be held at the Tucson Rodeo grounds, located at 4823 S. 6th Ave.

The Tucson Rodeo has been a tradition in the city since 1925, when Tucson was no more than a frontier town out in the Wild West. A man by the name of Leighton Kramer was the mind behind the rodeo. As president of the local polo club, Kramer was interested in capitalizing on the excitement of the Wild West and the notoriety that Tucson held, being a frontier town out West. He and the polo association set up the first Fiesta de los Vaqueros to try and bring in visitors to live some of the excitement of the Wild West and see what it was like first hand to handle cattle, horses, and other farm animals. After The Arizona State prohibition officials spent weeks cleaning up the town of all illegal moonshining stills, the rodeo was ready to begin in full.

What started as an opportunity to bring some winter visitors into Tucson of old, has now become the location of a nine-day affair, bringing you the sights and smells (you get used to it after a while) of the rodeo, and the excitement it brings with it.

The rodeo hosts multiple professional events; bareback riding, steer wrestling, and bull riding just to name a few. These are no amateur cowboys. The Tucson Rodeo is a collection of some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world, who use this as a chance to show their skill and win cash prizes. The fun is not limited to professionals, though. There are multiple children's events that are guaranteed to entertain. Children can compete in Mutton Bustin' and a full junior rodeo, bringing the fun to riders of all ages.

The riders and competitors are not the only professional athletes on showcase at the rodeo, the animals used in the rodeo are some of the best in the world. From Elk City, Okla., Beutler & Son Rodeo Company provides some of the highest quality bulls and horses around. As half the score many of the competitors receive is based on the performance of the animals, the best profession’s best are needed.

Many of the animals competing also compete in the Wrangler National Rodeo in Las Vegas, one of the most prestigious arenas for rodeo. Those animals not supplied for the competitors, such as for steer wrestling, roping, and barrel racing, are trained and owned by the competitors themselves.

The Fiesta de los Vaqueros is an opportunity for you and your family to see that a small part of the Wild West days lives on in the men, women, and children who compete in the sport of rodeo and it's many different aspects. So, spend some time out in the sun, take in the varied sights and smells, and take that opportunity to get some delicious Indian fry bread and a hotdog and enjoy the show.

Since the conclusion of the AFC and NFC championship games, the talk has finally turned to the upcoming Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens are set to face off in what is expected to be a nail-biting game for the ages and potentially one of the most exciting Super Bowls in the past few seasons.

However, while most people are excited to see these two teams face off Feb. 3, there are many who are more interested in the performing artists that will be performing in front of hundreds of thousands of television sets before the game and during halftime.

The NFL has slated up two impressive female singers to woo audiences during the biggest football game of the year. Alicia Keys will be singing the National Anthem before the game commences and Beyonce will be on stage during the always-heavily anticipated halftime show.

While most people are analyzing stats and hedging bets on Colin Kapaernick and Joe Flacco, some are just as interested to see the performance of the two beautiful performers. Super Bowl XLVII marks the third time that we get to see Keys perform, she sang the National Anthem in 2005 and performed during the pregame show in 2008. There is just as much pressure for the artist singing the National Anthem as there is on the two teams competing for the championship.

Every year, viewers place their bets on whether or not the National Anthem will be sang without mistake. The question this year is will Alicia Keys go the route of Christina Aguilera in 2011 and completely flub a line? Or will she perform a flawless rendition of The Star Spangled Banner as did Kelly Clarkson last year?

There is no less pressure for Beyonce this year. As infamous as the tension surrounding the National Anthem can be, it does little to compare to the scrutiny that the halftime performance is under. Year after year, critics point out errors, mistakes, and completely inappropriate moments during one, if not, the most widely watched performance on television of the year.

Last year, we saw The Black Eyed Peas have difficulty with their microphones, auto-tuning, and a plain lack of talent on the national stage.

In 2007, Prince gave the nation a questionable silhouette of him playing his guitar during the solo in "Purple Rain", bringing about the outcry millions watching.

Of course, who could forget the most infamous of halftime slipups is the infamous 2003 Janet Jackson breast exposure. Beyonce has always been known for her powerful singing and performances, let's hope she and Alicia Keys can set a new standard for Super Bowl performances.