I was 8-years-old when my best friend called me to brag about his latest video game console, Nintendo's Virtual Boy. "It's so cool," he said with a hint of boyhood glee in his voice. "Say no more," I responded. "I want one, too." The day after that phone...

Jason Akst was going to pick five movies NIU students should have seen by now, but he changed his mind. The NIU journalism instructor said after hearing news of actor Paul Newman's death, he decided to devote his list to him. "For half a century and more...

In order for an artist to earn their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they need to be considered a definitive act, an innovator and a top performer of their genre. When you think of a genre of music, what are the first three or four acts that...

In the heat of the election year, the right wing actors of Hollywood have joined forces to create what looks to be the worst comedy of the year. "American Carol," directed by David Zucker ("Airplane"), tells the story of documentary film maker Michael...

The new Bond theme, sadly, is just another song. "Another Way to Die," from the upcoming film "Quantum of Solace," seeks to impress the listener with imagery pertaining to Bond. "A woman walking by / A drop in the water / A look in the eye" can all relate...

Clifford "T.I." Harris' career should be over. Last year, the Atlanta rapper was arrested on two counts of felony weapon charges that could have landed him in jail until 2027. Somehow, he beat the rap and will now serve only one year in jail after he...

U.S. writers have borrowed ideas from television shows from around the world for years and brought them to our TV screens. Here are just a few you may not have known began overseas. 1. "Survivor" This long running reality show started its life in Sweden...

One of, if not my favorite movie of all time, is "Swingers." The 1996 film featured the much younger, much thinner and much more un-schulb like Vince Vaughn as Trent. The script, penned by star Jon Favreau, allowed Vaughn to kickstart his career, thanks...

Is there a need for a traditional radio anymore? Unless listening to talk programs, I find that traditional radios are pointless. I personally abandoned radio about a year ago when I realized there's nothing new on it. All the pop stations (103.5 Kiss...

Ben Folds's new album "Way to Normal" delivers several sensational tracks, but wastes a handful on an experimental New-Age sound. Folds, who has impressed us for years with his solo career after leaving his band Ben Folds Five, brings us his latest studio-recorded...

Andrew McMahon, the brainchild of Jack's Mannequin, has finally released his greatly anticipated second album, "The Glass Passenger." The band released its first album, "Everything in Transit," three years ago, and was hoping to have released its sophomore...

The NIU Wind Ensemble performed a concert entitled "Suite Dreams" at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall Tuesday evening. Conductor Ronnie Wooten directed the ensemble with great enthusiasm. He gave very distinct cues that were always on time. The acoustics...