Win a Trip for Two to The Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas

The Billboard Music Awards always kick off the summer season with the hottest acts in music and we've teamed up with Groupon to send you to Las Vegas to see it live! Enter to win airfare, two nighs' accomodations and tickets to The 2017 Billboard Music Awards on May 21st!

Click HERE or visit http://digitalivy.com/6JDWOM for your chance to win!

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FUN FACTS

• The nominees, which will be announced in April, are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital songs sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring, and social engagement.
• Last years's BBMA's broadcast  brought an average of 9.8 million viewers!

LAST YEAR'S WINNERS
Adele, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Fetty Wap

Kelly Miller Circus Family for a Day Giveaway

The Kelly Miller Circus is coming to Dexter, Missouri on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, and your family and friends have the chance to WIN the ultimate V.I.P. treatment in our Family for a Day Giveaway.

Here's what you will get!

• Family Pass to accommodate any family up to six persons
• Special V.I.P. treatment
• Special seating in front of the center ring
• badges and coupon books for six family members. These contain free soft drinks, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, programs for the adults or coloring books for the children. You will also receive free Pony Rides and Moon Bounce admittance for the children, and Elephant rides for "Children of All Ages!"
• If your family has already purchased tickets in advance of the circus performance, the circus will reimburse them in exchange for the tickets.

You have a lot of ways to win, and here's how!

• Tune-in to any of our radio stations and listen for special promos.

• Share, like, and comment on our Facebook posts regarding the Kelly Miller Circus
• Share this link on Facebook or Twitter
• Fill out the form below

If you are lucky enough to win, we will contact you and arrange a time for you to pick up your reward! Good luck!

Poplar Bluffian Trying Korea's "Favorite" Condiment

While most people have heard of popular Korean dish/condiment Kimchi, Gochujang might be just as popular in Korea. Lucky for you, you don't have to fly to Korea or visit a bigger city to try it! We found a bottle right here in Poplar Bluff, and here is what we thought about it!

Top 5 Super Bowl Commercials of 2017

2017 was a bit of a disappointment when it comes to Super Bowl commercials. So here are the ones that we think stood head and shoulders above this year's crop.
 

5. Tide | Terry-aki Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw needing a clean shirt doesn’t scream excitement, but the ad has some nice moments. It was even nice to see the two teams that were actually in the Super Bowl featured in the commercial. Let’s be honest though; the real reason this ad is on our list is because Poplar Bluff native, Sheldon Price can be seen in the first frame. We’re proud of you!

4. Hyundai | Better Together

Maybe you turned off the television by the time this ad showed, but it was undoubtably one of the most heartwarming of the bunch. One of the coolest things about the ad was that it was filmed and created DURING the Super Bowl. It features service men and women who are stationed away from home, and watching the big game together. A select few get the opportunity to be surprised by a 360-video feed of the Super Bowl and their family. It may or may not have made us shed a few tears.

3. Bai | Bai Bai

Christopher Walken has the uncanny ability to make any sequence of words interesting. It took a second to realize that he was just reciting lyrics from the classic *NSYNC hit “Bye Bye Bye.” Which would have been weird and interesting alone. The ad went the next step and revealed Justin Timberlake sitting next to the legendary actor. It could have been easy to fit in another joke to make it seem funnier, but they completely committed to the bit, and it paid off! Just when you begin to wonder “why why why,” it’s revealed that the ad was for Bai, Antioxidant Infusion Drinks. Well played.

2. Mr. Clean | I'm too sexy for this dirt..

Who’s the hottest man in Hollywood right now? Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, or some other “Ryan” perhaps. Nope, the hottest man in Hollywood right now is also living in your cabinets. Mr. Clean set the internet ablaze with their new and improved mascot. He’s fit, he can dance, and his eyes are the color of that necklace that lady through into the ocean at the end of Titanic.

1. Stranger Things 2

While news surrounding the new season of the Netflix original “Stranger Things” had been circulating throughout the week, we got our first trailer during the Super Bowl. Chances are, this may have caused one of the biggest cheers at Super Bowl parties around the country. Season one was incredibly special, it won our Best Show of 2016, and Halloween can’t get here soon enough!

An Evening with Vince Gill

Jonesboro, AR- For one night only, country music sensation, Vince Gill will be in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

For “Down to My Last Bad Habit”, his 18th studio album, it would have been easy for Vince Gill to kick back a bit. After all, when you’ve sold more than 26 million albums, won 20 Grammys, and earned 18 CMA Awards (including two Entertainer of the Year trophies), you’ve done it all, right?

Not a chance, says this musician extraordinaire, who produced his new album with engineer Justin Niebank. “Down to My Last Bad Habit” is his first solo album as part of a new deal with MCA, the label he joined in 1989.

“Forty years into this, it’s still as much fun as it’s ever been to play music,” says Gill, sitting in his home studio in Nashville. “At the end of the day, what I get excited about is doing something I haven’t done before. When I record a song, I feel successful if I’ve accomplished something new.”

Vince Gill will bring those 40 years of playing music and perform new songs and his mega hits during an Evening with Vince Gill. This will mark the first time Gill has performed a full show at The Convocation Center.

Tickets for an Evening with Vince Gill will go on-sale Friday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. To purchase tickets in person go to the Convocation Center Central Box Office, order by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information regarding this show go to AStateConvo.com

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AN EVENING WITH

VINCE GILL

Friday, March 17 @ 7:30 PM

Doors: 6:30 PM
Ticket Prices: $73 & $53
*Plus Applicable Service Fees*
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 @ 10 AM

Tickets are available at the Convocation Center Central Box Office, charge by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, and online at www.Tickets.AState.edu or www.Ticketmaster.com

Growing Up Asian in Missouri

I’ve lived 25 years on this planet, with the majority of them spent in Southeast Missouri. While this should be your typical story of an American boy growing up in classic small-town, U.S.A., I typically have to remind myself that my experience may have been slightly different from most. 

As you can tell from the headline, and adorable pictures, I am not white. I state it that way, because all of my life people have never been sure if I’m Asian, Mexican, Samoan, Eskimo, etc. Yes, I am an Asian man (or Pacific Islander, I still don’t know what to check when filling out legal documents). 

I was born in the Philippines to Filipino parents, named after a Steven Seagal character, and baptized in the Catholic church. I’m Filipino through, and through. Shortly after that, my family made its move to the good ol’ U.S. of A. We made short stops, living in North Dakota, Los Angeles, and Springfield, Missouri for a time. 

Eventually, we landed in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. When we finally settled here - we lived here before moving to Springfield, and then moved back - I was nearly 7 years old. I remember my first time visiting Sacred Heart School. I remember everyone circling around me, excited to have a new kid. Especially one who seemed so “different.” I always assumed they thought I was different because I came from bigger towns like Springfield and Los Angeles. I completely overlooked the fact that my face alone was very different from the predominantly white community. 

Throughout my 18 years here, I’ve had my fare share of being a “victim to racism.” One of the most ridiculous cases being my freshman year in high school. This was my first time in the public school system. I remember being scared, realizing how safe I was in my small class back at Sacred Heart. My first time being in PE was a bit of an awakening for me. We exercised harder than I ever had before. I kept up. I wasn’t lighting quick or as slow as molasses, but no one would have confused me for an athlete. We ran our laps, did our stretches, and waited for Coach Sievers to give us instructions. The only instructions we had received at that point were to sit down and be quiet and wait. Two students failed to do this extremely challenging task, and were rewarded with doing more laps. 

I sat criss-cross-applesauce and watched the two boys do their laps. At one point, one of the boys saw me, and said “this is how we run in America!” I remember feeling embarrassed, as if I had done something wrong. It’s pretty obvious that it has made a lasting mark on my life. This was back in 2005, and I remember incredibly vividly. 

I’ve had similar moments like this throughout my life. People telling me that “this is how we do [fill in the blank] in America,” as if I didn’t know. As if this wasn’t my home. As if I didn’t grow up here. As if I wasn’t an American.

There have been times where my race became in issue with romantic interests. Whether it be from them or their family. 

This hasn’t stopped entirely.

My entire life I’ve felt different. I have felt like a bit of an outsider. I have always felt like I have a little more to prove than my peers. I have never quite “fit in.”

Here’s the thing though; being different has helped me stand out and step up. 

The same way that the kids at Sacred Heart rallied around me when I first came here, my house became the hangout spot my freshman year of high school. I remember my old Sacred Heart classmates telling me that they heard through the grapevine that I had broken out of my shell, and had become quite popular. That was never my intent. I just wanted to love and be loved. So I did.

I look at our country today. I see the challenges that we are currently facing with race relations. At times it can seem like we have made no progress, but we have. Now, I’m not black, hispanic, or from the middle east, so what I went through is probably different from people growing up in those communities. With that being said; I am extremely proud to be from Southeast Missouri. I’ve been welcomed into this community, but I’ve also been allowed to stand out and celebrate our differences. 

The greatest lesson I have learned through all of this, is that I can’t judge an entire group of people by their race, age, politics, where they grew up, or whatever “defining” qualities. Unfortunately, there are some people who will hate me because of the color of my skin. The weird thing is that I don’t entirely blame them. I understand that they were raised to think that way. I understand that I’m different. All of that is completely fine to me. I’m going to continue to be different. I’m going to continue to stand out and step up. I’m going to continue to love others, and hope that others can love me back, not because or in spite of my skin color, but for who I am as a man.

Thank you Poplar Bluff. Thank you Missouri. I love you. God Bless.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2017

There are a lot of great movies coming out in 2017, so it's really hard to narrow down the list of the ones that we are most excited for. We did our best to trim down the list of our Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2017.

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10. The Dark Tower

If there is anything that the popularity of Game of Thrones and Westworld proves, is that the public has no qualms with heavy handed fantasy. The Dark Tower series, written by Stephen King, has set itself up as (potentially) the next big franchise. The series of novels have a dedicated following, and its first movie seems to have something interesting for long-time fans and new comers alike. One of the most interesting aspects is that this film does not appear to be a direct adaptation of the first book. So questions of linearity where the film lies in relation to the novels come up, and we’re excited for this grand adventure starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey.

Release date: July 28, 2017 (USA)

9. John Wick 2

John Wick caught the world by surprise. What many wrote off as something that could have been a straight-to-DVD action movie, turned out to be one of the best American made action movies in quite some time. With enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing, the film does a great job of getting from point A to point B without steering away from what makes the movie great: its slick “Gun-Fu.” That’s right! Kung-Fu with Guns! John Wick was a great ride, and even if the sequel didn’t have a lick of story, we’re still paying the price of admission to see Keanu Reeves gorgeous hair kicking some serious butt!

Release date: February 10, 2017 (USA)

8. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Park/Spider-Man might have been the best thing about Captain America: Civil War. Spider-Man: Homecoming is the first stand-alone Spider-Man film set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That means certain standards have to be met. Which means the floor (in terms of quality) will be pretty high, and it’s ceiling will be as high as this rendition of the Web-Head can take it. With this being the youngest Peter Parker we have seen, there’s potential for this to be the superhero equivalent to the Harry Potter franchise!

Release date: July 7, 2017 (USA)

7. Kong Skull Island

If there was one complaint that audiences had about 2014’s Godzilla, was that it took way too long to get a good glimpse of the world’s most famous lizard. The drawn-out reveal served the tone of tension and dread, but there was little “fun” to be had until the final act. Director Jordon Vogt-Roberts doesn’t appear to have that problem with Kong: Skull Island. There seems to be elements of horror, comedy, and action all jam packed into the first King Kong film that we have seen since Peter Jackson’s in 2005. How can you not be excited with a cast featuring the likes of Academy Award Winner, Brie Larson, Academy Award Nominated, Samuel L. Jackson, and Golden Globe Winners, John Goodman and Tom Hiddleston?

Release date: March 10, 2017 (USA)

6. The Lego Batman Movie

2014’s The Lego Movie had to be pretty darn good to stand out from the other heavy hitters from that year. It was only a matter of time until we got the “sequel,” but we couldn’t have predicted it to be primarily focused on the Caped Crusader. We still hope there is room for an official sequel, but with Robot Chicken’s Chris McKay at the helm, and having the entire DC Comic’s arsenal of characters at his disposal, this has potential to be one of the best DC movies of all time. Yes, we are going there!

Release date: February 10, 2017 (USA)

 

5. Power Rangers

Yeah... this one surprised us too. We weren’t impressed by actual Power suits when they were first revealed, and the first teaser trailer made it look like a Twilight spin-off. It could still be awful, but here’s the thing, that might be okay. Power Rangers is stupid. If you grew up with it and don’t think so, you are remembering it with rose tinted glasses. I loved the Power Rangers. I have a Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers Morpher on my desk (with the Mastodon Power Coin in, of course). Even with my love for it, I know that it’s dumb, campy, and cringeworthy fun. As long as there are some great action sequences, and it doesn’t take itself seriously, Power Rangers could be back in a big way.

Release date: March 24, 2017 (USA)
 

4. Dunkirk

Director Christopher Nolan has set an exceptionally high bar for himself. His cerebral approach to film is always exciting and will put butts in seats for anything with his name on it. While Dunkirk appears to be a “straight-forward” war film, you have to wonder what Nolan has up his sleeve to make Dunkirk stand-out. We’re not expecting Interstellar level twists, but we are going to learn something about Christopher Nolan that we didn’t know before. Whatever that is, count us in.

Release date: July 21, 2017 (USA)

3. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHO IS THE LAST JEDI? The Force Awakens was a great love letter to the original Star Wars trilogy, and a perfect way to pull audiences in to the final chapters of the Skywalker stories. Our biggest hope, is that The Last Jedi takes some risks, while continuing to stay true to the spirit of the original trilogy. The Force Awakens was a safe bet. Let’s see if The Last Jedi raises, folds, or goes all-in.

Release date: December 15, 2017 (USA)
 

2. Logan

The end of the road. We have finally reached the end of Hugh Jackman’s run as Wolverine. While the movies he has starred in may not have been consistently good, it’s hard to imagine anyone else with those claws. The first trailer for Logan might be the best trailer in superhero movie history. We get to see Wolverine at his rawest and most unhinged. It also doesn't hurt that it sort of looks like The Last of Us movie that Playstation fans have been begging for.

Release date: March 3, 2017 (USA)

1. Baby Driver

Alright, this is probably the movie you haven’t heard of, so how can it be number one?!? Simple: Edgar Wright. We haven’t heard from the director since the fallout between him and Marvel in regards to Ant-Man. Wright is a visionary who loves playing with bending and breaking genres, whiles also paying homage to what makes them so great. Baby Driver is about a young getaway driver that listens to music while he does his thing. We don’t know much else about the movie, other than the fact that the action sequences were choreographed with the music in mind. Wrights films are edited to enhance each experience so well and appropriately. There hasn’t been too much buzz, but those who have seen early cuts have already stated that this could easily be the best movie of the year.

Release date: August 11, 2017 (USA)

The Best Movies of 2016

The blockbusters disappointed in 2016, but that doesn't mean there weren't great films released. Here are our favorite movies for the year of 2016.

BEST MOVIE OF 2016: Don't Think Twice

Most people who have heard of Don’t Think Twice’s writer/director, Mike Birbiglia, know him for his stellar stand-up comedy specials. In those specials, Birbiglia proves to be more than just your typical funny man, but instead, he manages to also touch the heart in very vulnerable and real ways.

While Don’t Think Twice is set in the world of improv comedy, it truly is about the balance of friendship, love, ambition, failure, and success. It can be uncomfortably relatable, and hit close to home for most, but even in that awkwardness and unpleasantness, Birbiglia manages to bring out some incredibly light hearted moments that would only make sense between close friends. Don't Think Twice is the easiest movie to suggest to just about anyone, and 2016 must-watch film.

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THE BEST MOVIES OF 2016

The Witch

Imagine that you and I are holding a rubber band. While you remain still, I proceed to walk away, consistently increasing the tension of the rubber band. I could release the band, and have it snap at you at any point. I could also continue walking away until the rubber band breaks. This constant tension is what defines The Witch, and makes it so memorable.

The Witch is a masterpiece on every level. The naturalistic lighting draws the audience in and adds to its authenticity. The writing is dense, but still comprehensible. The performances are spectacular, especially Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Ineson. 

Everything about The Witch, immerses you into a terrifying world of witchcraft and misery. The Witch may be the most unnervingly tense film we have seen since The Shining or Eraserhead.

Zootopia

Zootopia is cute, funny, visually stunning, and has one of the greatest concepts we’ve seen in a family film since Toy Story. What makes it really special, though, is how well it succeeds at its well executed timely morale. The social commentary regarding race, gender, culture, and classes in our country is fully realized, but also doesn’t come off as being “preachy.”  Zootopia hits the nail on the head, but it doesn’t beat a dead horse. The message is strong and effective for younger viewers, but also highly entertaining for audiences of all ages.

Green Room

Anton Yelchin’s death definitely paints this film in an entirely different light. What could have been easily overlooked by the general public, became a final “hoo-rah” for one of the most likable actors in Hollywood. 

Green Room is one of the most visceral movies that I have ever seen. The hardcore/punk music really sets the tone for how relentless and punishing this film would be. At the same time, the band playing that music is a group of wide-eyed and bushy tailed kids. That contrast directly correlates to the overwhelming reality of everyone’s inevitable demise. The gore and violence is reminiscent of movies like Hostel, but luckily the film doesn’t linger too long on these extremely disturbing shots. 

The film also features Sir Patrick Stewart playing a mild-mannered, yet homicidal white supremacist, and he’s quite good.

10 Cloverfield Lane

This pseudo-sequel to the 2008 found footage film, Cloverfield, was quite the surprise. It wasn’t a found footage film. The story doesn’t focus on an extraterrestrial threat. It also doesn’t appear to be tied to the original film in any way.

10 Cloverfield Lane is succinct, but it also manages to play with your expectations to heighten the mystery and tension. It manages to be dark, tense, scary, and quite sweet all at the same time. A lot of that is achieved through John Goodman’s unsettling performance. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Many fans struggled with the idea that Disney was going to be releasing anthology films set in the Star Wars universe. When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was announced, many were nervous, but the story line seemed promising.

No one could have predicted how good Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was going to be. That’s not to say that the movie is perfect. It is undoubtably flawed, too slow at times, with some less than great performances, but it still manages to have one of the best payoffs we’ve ever seen in a sci-fi film. 

The Best Songs of 2016

With the first hit songs of 2017 being released, let's take a look back at some of the head-bopping and toe-tapping highlights of 2016!

BEST SONG OF 2016: "The Sound" - The 1975

This might be the sneakiest song, album, and band. The 1975 have successfully worked their way to the top of the charts with their incredibly bubbly tunes. While other artists have done the same, by creating some similarly catchy grooves, The 1975 has managed to do this while degrading the majority of their “fanbase.”  It’s a wonderful example of the public not actually listening to the lyrics. Most would tell you that “The Sound” is a love song, when it is actually about being shallow, needy, and conceited. While this could seem like a cruel joke, The 1975 don’t let themselves off the hook either. “The Sound” also addresses the clichés that surround the band and its members.

The rest of the album, “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” addresses similar themes, and contain harsh lyrics hidden behind the bubble-gum masquerade.

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THE BEST SONGS OF 2016

"Heathens" - Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots is the biggest band in the world right now. Selling out venue after venue. Releasing chart topping single after chart topping single. At this point, it appears the duo from Ohio can do no wrong. The only struggle is having to pick which song or single is their best. While they also released a beautiful cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Cancer” this year, “Heathens” easily became their biggest hit of the year. Being tied to the superhero hype machine solidified its undeniable success. 

Heathen’s has an interesting blend of visceral tones, a minor key, and an almost nursery-rhyme-like melody for the chorus. It’s catchy, cool, and a little bit creepy. It perfectly captures the tone that Warner Bros. tried to achieve with Suicide Squad.
 

"Hello" - Adele

Adele has already solidified as one of the best vocalists of her generation. It’d be hard for anyone to follow up an album like 21, yet Adele has managed to step back into the spotlight with “25.” This could be another big year for Adele at the Grammy’s, and “Hello” was the powerful spark to the success of this heavily celebrated album.  

"Starboy" - The Weeknd

The Weeknd continues to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with. He teamed up with electronic music legends, Daft Punk, for two of his singles off of his new album. One of those songs being a track that emulates the groove ofMichael Jackson, and the other being prideful anthem with a relentless beat. Starboy is the Steve McQueen of pop singles in 2016. There’s a effortless sense of style, cool, and swagger. The song is an anti-hero; there’s a lot of reasons we should’t, but we can’t help but love it.
 

"Redbone" - Childish Gambino

If we had to give an award to the entertainer of the year, it would probably go to Donald Glover. His show “Atlanta” and his album “Awaken, My Love!” are some of the most intriguing works in their respective mediums. While many expected a new hip-hop record from Childish Gambino, but his new album turned out to be a funk record. It was loved by some, hated by others, and just caused a lot of questions. One of the biggest issues was being unable to tell where Glover’s voice started or ended. We’ve never heard him like this, so we are diving into uncharted territory. 

What really sold us on the record was Glover’s live performance of the song “Redbone” on The Tonight Show. The performance showed off his range, and laid to rest any questions or reservations we had of Glover becoming a new-funk superstar.

"Sabotage/Home" - Kings Kaleidoscope 

While most Christian bands do everything they can to simplify their music for church settings, Kings Kaleidoscope doesn’t shy away from using their creative gifts to their fullest extent. “Sabotage/Home” is busy with layered guitar licks, a constantly running bass line, and boisterous horn section.

The song is a bold declaration against our views on success and ambition, and calls into question what we should hold most dear and important. The song provides an interesting challenge to the listener, but does so with such confidence and determination, that it’s hard not to buy in. There is strength to be found in the weakness and vulnerability of the lyrics that is complimented by the groove and relentlessness of the music itself.

LISTEN NOW: Ed Sheeran Releases Two New Singles

The wait is over! Ed Sheeran had not released a new song since 2014, but one week into 2017, and we now have two new singles from the red-headed singer-songwriter! You can enjoy the new tunes and lyrics below!

Castle On The Hill

Shape of You

The Best Games of 2016

What could have been a year that suffered from the many delays, 2016 turned out to be one of the strongest years in video games for quite some time. While there might not be the standout landslide victory, many games deserve the title "Game of the Year." Let's see which games made the cut for us!

BEST GAME OF 2016: Oxenfree

In 2015, Rocket League won our “Game of the Year” award based on its incredibly addictive and polished gameplay. Oxenfree has some pacing issues, and isn’t particularly fun to “play,” but it provides one of the best stories to ever be told in the medium. Much of the excitement comes from plot-heavy twists and turns, but what really makes the game shine are the moments where you get to unwrap the backstories of these characters. While we have experienced game changing dialogue trees in games before, Oxenfree’s dialogue decisions feel varied, yet true to the characters and tone. There are multiple ways for the game to end, and what may even be more mind blowing than the game itself, is when you play the game a second time. Not only do you experience deja vu, your character Alex does as well. Your familiarity with the game and Alex’s familiarity with the game opens some interesting new options.

Oxenfree is an excellent coming of age tale set to the background of the paranormal. It’s beautiful in sound, art, style, concept, writing, and execution, that is easily accessible to gamers of all experience levels. 

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THE BEST GAMES OF 2016

THE WITNESS

I’ve never thought more about a game in my entire life. Playing The Witness is less like playing a game, but more like learning a new language. The puzzles are simple enough to start with, but as you explore the island and attempt to unlock its mysteries, you will find yourself scratching your head, completely stumped multiple times. That’s not because the puzzles are harder. Mechanically, every puzzle works the same, but over time, the puzzles will throw in new rules with no explanations. You can technically finish the “hardest” puzzle in the game at the very start, but only if you understand the “language.” The Witness took over my thoughts during my time playing it. It got to the point where I was dreaming about these puzzles. It sounds completely insane, and that’s because it sort of is insane. The Witness isn’t a puzzle game; it’s Rosetta Stone on a mission.

HITMAN

No game in 2016 offers a better sandbox than the newest entry into the Hitman series. This series has always been known for giving players a slew of options to assassinate their targets in the way that best suits their play style.The previous installment was much more linear and action friendly than most other Hitman titles. So getting large open environments that are nearly impossible to shoot your way out of, is an excellent treat for fans of the series and newcomers alike. 

What makes Hitman (2016) extremely interesting was how it was released. While many episodic games, like Telltale’s The Walking Dead, seemed to release episodes quite sporadically with no clear timeline, Hitman released levels, objectives, and more content at a consistent rate. Developer IO Interactive has also stated that they will continue to use Hitman as a platform to release multiple seasons of content. Sign us up for that!

UNCHARTED 4

Naughty Dog continues to prove that they are one of, if not the best studio in the video game industry. Uncharted 4 takes a slightly more serious turn compared to previous entries in the series, but it still has the fun campiness, characters, and action sequences that made us fall in love with the series in the first place. The environments, narrative, character models, performances, performance capture, and animations, are something to behold. The love and effort put behind Uncharted 4 makes it a worthy end to the Nathan Drake story.
 

INSIDE

Inside is the newest game from Limbo developer, Playdead. Much like Limbo, Inside places our young protagonist in a dark environment and in a dire situation that continues to unravel as you play. What Playdead was able to achieve in Limbo was incredible and deserving of all the accolades it received, but Inside achieves almost all of those same things, and improves on them. Inside is a masterpiece in terms of mechanics and animation, and that all blends with a story that may leave some players wanting. Inside is a piece of art that we will be talking about for years.

OVERCOOKED

You won’t play a better multiplayer game in 2016. While the mechanics of franchises like Call of Duty and Battlefield get deeper and more complex; Overcooked offers an experience that is accessible to gamers of all experience levels, but also provides a challenge that can frustrate even the most seasoned veterans. That’s because Overcooked is a game that is completely reliant on communication and team work. The frustration that you may have with your fellow chefs is oddly satisfying. While other games have you screaming because you are on the verge of death, Overcooked will have you screaming because somebody forgot to wash the dishes. The game is incredibly charming, and one of the rare games that can be enjoyed by the entire family together.

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Honorable Mentions
 

Batman: A Telltale Series

On a storytelling and narrative front, Batman: A Telltale Series belongs at the very top of this list. This is easily the best Batman narrative in this medium since Batman: Arkham Asylum, and might even be better. Telltale Games takes some interesting risks with this beloved franchise and its characters. While their are some new takes on characters and lore, it never seems to betray the spirit of Batman. The most exciting aspect may be the emphasis on being Bruce Wayne, who is just as compelling as his alter ego.

While the narrative ramps up with each episode, so do the technical bugs. Throughout my time with the game, I had at least one crash for each of the five episodes. There are also frame rate dips which and delayed cuts that will have you questioning what is even happening on screen. Batman: A Telltale Series is a DC Comic fan's dream come true, but it is also a nightmare on the technical side of things. Which is a darn shame.
 

DOOM

I don't have anything bad to say about DOOM. It should be on the list, and the fact that its not shows you how great of a year it has actually been for video games. DOOM is fast, fun, irreverent, and just absolutely insane. It's rock n'roll. It's where many of us were expecting video games to go, but they never did. It's crushing the skulls of demons. It's punching the only communication you have with a friend in the face. It's rising up from the grave, just to fill it with another body. It doesn't have to be on our list, because it probably wouldn't care to be.

The Best Shows of 2016

The year has come to an end, and it's time to see what shows stood out as The Best Shows of 2016. We have awarded one show "Fox Radio Network's Best Show of 2016," as well as listed some of the best shows that TV (or web) had to offer!

Best Show of 2016: STRANGER THINGS

There wasn’t another show this year that “forced” me to binge watch the entire season in one day. Stranger Things offers the perfect blend of laughs, scares, wonder, nostalgia, and freshness. While we have seen films, music, and television, exploit our love for everything 80’s, Stranger Things might as well have been a show made in the 80’s and for the 80’s. The music, the fashion, and the tropes all fit. What makes the show exceptional, though, are the best child actors we have seen in a long time. These kids have a shot at being on our big and small screens for quite some time. Don’t be surprised if Millie Bobby Brown becomes the biggest name in Hollywood at some point in her life.

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THE BEST SHOWS OF 2016

Game of Thrones

The 6th season of GoT gave us something that it and another popular drama, The Walking Dead, have failed to give us up to this point: an end in sight. “If it’s good, why would you want it to end?” Good question! Stories have always been designed to have a beginning, middle, and end. When you don’t have a goal or cut-off, you can perpetually feel like you are stuck in the middle. It’s hard to tell what is important when you’re in that limbo. Now that we are working our way to the end of GoT, every second feels important, and if it doesn’t, it’s wasted time. GoT has set the bar for television during its 6 seasons, but now, it has set the bar for itself, in its best season so far. 
 

Westworld

Westworld satisfies and satiates the craving for those “what just happened” moments, but struggles in its sterility at times. You’ll want to care about the cast of characters, but unfortunately it takes nearly the entire season to pull that off. There are great moments throughout the series, even with a bit of a slow start. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and intrigue you enough to watch the next episode. The final two episodes and the major twists and revelations that completely change the way you view the series are worth the price of admission .

The Night Of

This limited series from HBO could be the best procedural on television since The Wire. Instead of focusing on the details and intricacies of police work, The Night Of is an interesting look at incarceration and due process. The Night Of blends elements of The Wire, Oz, and American Crime Story. In a weird way, it’s also much like watching The Office or The League. The situations surrounding our protagonist, Nasir Khan, are the ultimate illustrations for Murphy’s Law ( whatever can go wrong, will go wrong). It’s a beautiful train wreck, that also manages to let viewers in on a world that audiences rarely get to see: people of Middle Eastern descent living in a post-September 11 world. 

It's also worth mentioning the year that Riz Ahmed is having. He's the breakout star from this series, as well as one of the stars of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The Grand Tour

“The boys are back, and they’re looking for trouble!” It’s strange that The Dropckick Murphy’s anthemic rally isn’t featured in this series. Following some very public drama with the BBC, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, are back behind the wheel for a new Amazon original series, The Grand Tour. You wouldn’t be wrong for mistaking The Grand Tour for an old episode of Top Gear. It is unabashedly the “same” show, and that’s completely fine. The chemistry and dry wit between the hosts is what made the original Top Gear so enjoyable. Oh, and there are cars. Lots of cars. It’s safe to say that Amazon has managed to capture that magic, and could have its first true must-watch original series.

Atlanta

Donald Glover, Childish Gambino, or whatever you want to call him, is having one of the best years we have ever seen an entertainer have. He has a song and television show both featured in our “Best of 2016” wrap-up. Though they are in two different mediums, his song and show have a lot in common. They’re fun, entertaining, cool, and artistic. That isn’t something you often say about comedy television, but Glover has accomplished something very special with Atlanta. It’s funny, experimental, but also an honest depiction of those trying to climb their way up in the Atlanta hip-hop scene. Glover was also casted as a young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo film. Glover is a star, no question about it, but we have to wonder if it is even possible for him to shine even brighter. We wouldn’t bet against it.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story MOVIE REVIEW | Worth a Watch

The first standalone Star Wars film is here, but does it live up to the high bar set by The Force Awakens? Is it worth the extra dollars to see it in 3D? Here is our review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!

Luke Bryan: Kill the Lights Tour Coming to Jonesboro in 2017

Jonesboro, AR- The Arkansas State University Convocation Center and Live Nation are proud to announce Luke Bryan and special guest Brett Eldredge will perform inside The Convo on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 7:00 PM.  This event will be a part of the 30th Anniversary of the Convocation Center.

Bryan began his musical career when he moved to Nashville in 2001 and earned a contract with one of the many publishing houses in the city. In his free time, he performed at local clubs. After someone from Capital Records saw him perform a set of his original material, he was given a record deal.  Capital Records released Bryan’s first widely distributed album, “I’ll stay Me,” in the summer of 2007, following with “Doin’ My Thing” in 2009.  Bryan then returned with his third album, Tailgates and Tanlines in the summer of 2011, its release preceded by the single “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”  His latest Album, “Kill The Lights” was released in August of 2015 and he has recently been on tour in support of that album. 

Luke Bryan has played in 58 cities on his Kill the Lights Tour earlier this year.  He is now extending the tour with 11 additional dates including the February 18th show to be held in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Joining Bryan on the extended tour is special guest, Brett Eldredge. 

Brett Eldredge released his first single, “Raymond,” in September of 2010. He then released his next single “It Ain’t Gotta be Love” in 2011. The single in 2012, “Don’t Ya,” sold over a million units and peaked at number 5 on the Country Singles Chart. His first album was a success and released in 2013. After a few more hit singles, he then released his second album in September of 2015. He then had two more singles that reached number two on Billboard’s Hot Country Charts that went into 2016. In October of 2016, he released his holiday album “Glow.”

Ticket prices for this show will be $55 and $75 (plus any applicable service fees) and will go on sale December 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Tickets can be purchased at the Convocation Center Central Box Office, by phone at 870-972-2781, or online at www.Tickets.AState.edu or www.Ticketmaster.com.  For more information go to AStateConvo.com.  

# # # # #

LUKE BRYAN

With special guest

Brett Eldredge

Saturday, February 18 @ 7:00 PM

Ticket Prices: $55 & $75

*Plus Applicable Service Fees*

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 @ 10 AM

Tickets are available at the Convocation Center Central Box Office, 

Charge by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, and online at

www.Tickets.AState.edu or www.Ticketmaster.com  

Cardinals Sign Free-Agent Reliever Brett Cecil

ST. LOUIS, Mo., November 21, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed free-agent left-handed reliever Brett Cecil to a four-year deal that extends through the 2020 season.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Adding a proven late-game performer like Brett Cecil, who has consistently been among the game’s top set-up relievers, gives us another solid option late in games,” stated Cardinals Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak.   “Having multiple bullpen options during the crucial latter portions of games is an area that we have placed significant importance on over the years, and to know that Brett is now going to be part of that mix is very exciting.”

Cecil, 30, has been used exclusively as a reliever since 2013, ranking among American League relief leaders in strikeouts (261, 7th), strikeouts per nine innings pitched (11.46, 10th), games pitched (243, 8th) and Holds (53, T13th).

The 6-3, 235-pound Maryland native was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (38th player overall) in 2007 and debuted with the Jays in 2009.   He has pitched his entire Major League career with Toronto, compiling a 41-42 mark with a 4.20 ERA and 11 saves in 330 games (74 games started), striking out 585 in 656.0 innings pitched. 

Cecil, who was named an American League All-Star in 2013 ranks among the majors Top-10 active leaders in career strikeouts/9 innings (11.05) and strikeout to walk ratio (5.63) among left-handed relievers.   Since moving into the bullpen exclusively in 2013, he’s allowed just one earned run in 28.2 innings pitched (0.31 ERA) in September while striking out 48 and he is unscored upon in his eight career postseason appearances between 2015 and 2016.

Last season, Cecil appeared in 54 games (36.2 IP) and struck out 45 batters while walking eight and he worked six scoreless appearances during the Blue Jays run to the American League Championship Series last month.  Forty-five of his 54 appearances this past season came in the 7th and/or 8th innings and 192 of his 243 relief appearances since 2013 have been in either of those two innings.

Since 2013, Cecil has limited left-handed batters to a .218 batting average, while right-handers have hit just .221.   He’s limited the opposition to a .177 batting mark with runners in scoring position over the past four seasons.  Cecil had a record string of 38 consecutive appearances between 2015 and 2016 during which he allowed no earned runs.

Cecil will wear uniform no. 21 as a Cardinal.

The Cardinals also announced today that they have designated catcher Brayan Pena for assignment to make room for Cecil on the team’s 40-man Major League roster.

-STL-

Christmas Cash Extravaganza 2016

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! From now until December 22, 2016, you have a chance to win at least $100.00 per week in cash! The cash prize will increase to $500.00 in cash on the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday!

The $100.00 cash prize per week will continue until December 22, 2016, when the finalist will again be eligible to win $500.00 in cash to use for last minute Christmas shopping!

Enter for your chance to win at one of these participating locations:

• J&L Tack in Poplar Bluff
• Baker Implement Company in Malden
• My Mobile Store in Poplar Bluff
• Lisa Reynolds Insurance in Poplar Bluff
• Wilcoxson's Home Place Furniture in Kennett Mo
• JKM & Company in Puxico
• Cypress Creek Motorsports in Poplar Bluff
• Hefner Furniture & Appliance in Poplar Bluff
• Sterling Insurance Agency in Poplar Bluff   
• Christian Dowdy in Dexter
• Heartland Furniture in Dexter, Doniphan, and Piedmont
• Villa in Poplar Bluff
• Ozark Federal Credit Union
• Las Margaritas and Mayas in poplar Bluff

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Account Executive Carrie Schimweg (middle) presents $100 check to Donna Buhler (Left), the winner of our Christmas Cash Extravaganza for the week of November 18, 2016.

Marie Hicks won $500! She entered with our friends at My Mobile Store for the week of November 23, 2016.

Congratulations to Vickie LeCroy for winning some Christmas cash by entering our Christmas Cash Extravaganza with our friends at Ozark Federal Credit Union for the week of December 14, 2016.

Donna Boyers won $100 from our Christmas Cash Extravaganza by entering with our friends at J & L Tack in Poplar Bluff, for the week of December 19, 2016.

Nicole Robinson won $500 from our Christmas Cash Extravaganza by entering with our friends at Sterling Insurance in Poplar Bluff, for the week of December 22, 2016.

Cardinals Sign Mike Matheny to Three-Year Extension

ST. LOUIS, Mo., November 3, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed Manager Mike Matheny to a three-year extension through the 2020 season.

Matheny, 46, has led the Cardinals to a 461-349 record over his five seasons as manager, averaging 92 wins per season, the most wins among all Major League managers since 2012.  The Cardinals won three consecutive National League Central Division titles (2013-15), a National League Championship in 2013 and made the postseason in four of Matheny’s first five seasons.  Matheny’s .569 winning percentage currently ranks 18th all-time in the history of Major League Baseball managers and he stands 5th on the Cardinals all-time managerial wins list.

“Mike has continued the Cardinals tradition of winning in his first five years as manager and we are happy to extend his contract leading our club on the field through 2020,” said Cardinals Principal Owner and CEO, Bill DeWitt, Jr.

The Cardinals coaching staff has promoted Palm Beach manager Oliver Marmol to the Major League first base coaching position, while Memphis manager Mike Shildt was promoted to the Cardinals Quality Control Coach, a uniform position on the Major League staff.  Bill Mueller will return to his duties as Assistant Hitting Coach, a position he held in 2015.  All of the remaining coaches will return to their positions in 2017 except for Assistant Hitting Coach Derrick May, who will not return.  May was added to the staff for 2016 when third base coach Jose Oquendo had to take a medical leave of absence.

Several transactions were made in the Cardinals Scouting Department.  The Cardinals hired Bob Gebhard as a Senior Special Assistant to the General Manager.  Gebhard was a past member of the Cardinals front office staff from 2000-04 and will be entering his 53rd season working in professional baseball.  Jared Odom was promoted to Manager of Pro Scouting, giving Baseball Operations Analyst Tyler Hadzinsky an increased role in amateur scouting.

Matt Bayer received a new title of Amateur Baseball Analyst, increasing his role in scouting players with an emphasis on the department’s new incorporation of video scouting.

-more-

Long-time Cardinals National and Southeast Regional Cross Checker Roger Smith announced his retirement at the conclusion of 2016, leading to several promotions in the Cardinals Scouting department. 

Aaron Looper was promoted into Smith’s role of National Cross Checker, Aaron Krawiec was promoted to West Regional Cross Checker, Ty Boyles was promoted to Midwest Regional Cross Checker and Kevin Saucier (saw-SHAY), a 25-year veteran of the Major League Scouting Bureau, was hired as the Southeast Regional Cross Checker.

Changes in the Amateur Scouting department of the Cardinals include the hiring of Brock Ungricht, a former assistant baseball coach at Stanford University, as a Southern California area scout.  Jabari Barnett, who was the Amateur Scouting Video Coordinator with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will take over the role of an area scout for the Cardinals in South Texas and Western Louisiana.  T.C. Calhoun, a 4th Coach with the Cardinals Texas League affiliate in Springfield (AA), takes over as area scout in the Virginias and North Carolina.  Nathan Sopena, the Cardinals 4th Coach with the Cardinals Midwest League affiliate in Peoria (A), will become an area scout in the Upper Midwest.

“We are pleased to move forward with Mike’s contract and a revamped coaching staff.  We are excited about the changes to our scouting department and look forward to finalizing our Player Development staff in the near future,” said Cardinals Sr. Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak.

Halloween Activities in Poplar Bluff 2016

Wondering where you can bring your family this Halloween weekend? Here are some of the events that you can participate in within the Poplar Bluff area this year (2016). 

If you have an event you like added to the list, please fill out the form below!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Train Depot
4 Annual Fall Festival
Hosted by  Black River Heritage Artisans Iron Mountain Market
Goodies, games, Costume contests, pony rides, and bounce houses
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Second Baptist Church
Trunk or Treat
Candy, Bounce Houses, Free Food, and more
4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

First United Methodist Church Poplar Bluff
Trunk or Treat
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Black River Coliseum
Trunk or Treat
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Fellowship General Baptist Church
Trunk or Treat
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
 

Monday, October 31, 2016

First Church of God
Games, Prizes, Candy, Food, and More
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Qulin Lions Club
Trunk or Treat, Games, and more
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Enter to Win a Trip to See Tim McGraw in Las Vegas

Courtesy of Big Machine Records: We’re sending you to one of the biggest concerts of the year and now it’s your chance to see… Tim McGraw at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, December 10th! 

You and a guest could win airfare, 2 nights hotel at the beautiful MGM Grand, 2 tickets to the show and you’ll go backstage to meet… Tim McGraw! 

Enter now and you could be on your way to Las Vegas to see Tim McGraw.

Powered by The Eagle 92.5 and yourcountrystation.net.

Should You Buy Playstation VR?

Playstation VR is now available in stores and online, but it might not be a great purchase for everyone. After spending some time with the device, hopefully I can help provide some answers to some questions that you may have or that you should have when it comes to taking the plunge into virtual reality with Playstation.

Should I Get PSVR for my Kids?

If you're planning on getting Playstation VR for the family, be aware that Sony highly recommends players being at least 12 years of age. This may be due to the size of the device, children's susceptibility to motion sickness, or the optics not setting right with developing eyes. Chances are though, Sony is playing it safe. With very little research done on the effect of Virtual Reality on developing children, it might be best to take the wait and see approach.

How Much Does it Cost?

The price alone will steer some potential customers away. At $399.99, Playstation VR is one of the more “affordable” premiere headsets. While the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are more expensive and require a high-end PC, the Playstation VR is a new accessory for the Playstation 4. So, if you already have a PS4, jumping into VR will take less of a toll on your bank account.

But wait! There’s more! Along with the Playstation VR headset and the PS4, you will also need the Playstation Camera. Which should cost you around $59.99. This is not an option, you must absolutely have the camera to track the lights on the headset for motion tracking.

Another item that is kinda optional is the Playstation Move. You may remember these controllers from 2003, when everyone was trying to capture the Nintendo Wii motion control market. The Move may not be required for most games, but if you want that full VR experience, you will want to purchase two Playstation Move controllers. Playstation is kind enough to sell two in a bundle for $99.99. Luckily for you, you should be able to find them sold used for around $25. 

It is also important to note that you can’t use the micro USB cable that you use to charge your Dualshock 4 to charge your Playstation Move controllers. The Move uses a mini USB cable to charge and sync to your system.

So, if you already have your Playstation 4, no other accessories, the full Playstation VR experience will cost you a pretty $510, not including tax and games. (Playstation VR will come with a demo disc that includes demos for 9 different VR games/experiences.)

What Does it Feel Like?

PSVR is undoubtably the prettiest VR headset on the market today, but the design isn’t purely aesthetic. The headset is surprisingly light, while managing to not feel cheap. The rubber padding breathes quite nicely and doesn’t cause as much sweat as you might expect. The strap is easily adjustable, which makes taking turns with friends pretty easy.

If you wear glasses, it’s important to note that you must wear them when playing VR. Luckily, I didn’t find it too uncomfortable to wear my glasses in the headset, but because I’m a walking humidifier, I did have some issues with my glasses fogging up over time and would have to clean them and the lenses of the headset every couple of minutes.

What is virtual reality like?

This is the hardest question to answer. After playing the system before going to sleep, I realized that it is pretty similar to closing your eyes and trying to picture yourself somewhere else. When the VR is at its best it feels like dreams made tangible, and when it’s at its worst, it’s unsettling, but still interesting.

It is extremely difficult to explain the sensation of being present in a particular space. My first experience was the “Ocean Descent” experience within Playstation Worlds. The experience loads up, and being in this diver’s tank next to a coral reef was mind-blowing. It didn’t take me long to become a believer in the tech.

A lot of this depends on what you are playing or watching. There are multiple apps that play video, and some of these are immersive, and others feel completely archaic. 

The Playstation VR hardware is solid, but what developers and video content creators develop on the software side will make the headset sink or swim.

Will PSVR Cause Motion Sickness?

I would consider myself very susceptible to motion sickness. I have a difficult time doing 3D rides at Universal Studios and Disney World. So, I’m sure you can understand my concerns with VR. There are a lot of people who get pretty ill playing VR, and I should be one of them. I haven’t found Playstation VR to be an instant barf machine, but I have at times felt nauseous after extended playing periods. Once again, this really goes from game-to-game. The VR Street Luge experience in Playstation Worlds was almost unbearable, and unplayable, but the other experiences on that disc did not have the same effect on me.

What Games Can You Play in VR?

The launch lineup is actually pretty impressive. Out the gate, there are a significant amount of titles that you can purchase, ranging from FREE to $59.99. Some existing titles are also being patched to include VR specific modes. The Playstation VR demo disc that is included with the headset provides a substantial taste of what is possible with VR. Playstation Worlds is also an excellent showcase of the tech. Playstation Worlds is rated “Mature” for a reason, so if you plan on showing this to family, understand that there is some adult language and violence in some of the experiences.

Be sure to check out the Playstation Store to see what games are compatible with VR: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/PlayStation%C2%AEVR/cid=STORE-MSF77008-GAMESPSVRWEBHP

What Other Uses Are There?

While the resolution of the headset isn’t the greatest, you are able to view everything on your Playstation 4 in a theater mode. The standard “medium” looks like your sitting closely to your television, or sitting in your average movie theatre. The “large” setting almost feels like you’re seeing everything in IMAX. The fidelity of the headset may not cut it for those who want to experience their content at the highest resolution.

As mentioned before, there are multiple video apps that provide different 180-degree and 360-degree videos and experiences. Once again, the resolution can hurt the emersion, as well as the placement of the camera when those videos were created. You may feel like a giant in the room, or like a fly on the wall. As the technology continues to develop, these experiences should get better as well. 

Need something scary? These video apps will have some horror specific videos that will show you just how unsettling and scary horror can be in VR.

There you have it! I hope these answers can help you decide whether or not Playstation VR is for you. If you have anymore question about Playstation VR, comment below and we will try to answer your questions as quickly as possible.