Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Taylor Swift accepts the Grammy award for Album of the Year on Feb. 4. Swift's album announcement during the ceremony was a selfish choice and took the attention away from other artists. (AP Photo | Chris Pizzello)

Grammys aren’t just Taylor Swift’s night

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | February 11, 2024

It was a warm September night in 2009, reaching almost 70 degrees, when some famous words were spoken by an even more famous man. New York City’s Radio City Music Hall was aglow with celebs, and the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” was at...

Rebecca Franzen sits on her phone, illuminated by morning light. Coming to Cast Iron Coffee is a part of her morning routine because she “likes the quiet atmosphere and minimal distractions,” Franzen said. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

Change your life with morning, night routines

By Sierra Usmani , Lifestyle Writer | February 8, 2024

Tired but you have an 8 a.m.? Wake yourself up with a head-splitting alarm that sounds like a street parade in your room. Place your phone in the farthest corner of your room, so you have no choice but to get up and turn it off, and since you’re up,...

Sam Rockwell (left) and Bryce Dallas Howard stand opposite of each other in a scene from "Argylle." The new action film will leave fans bored and irritated. (Peter Mountain/Apple via AP)

‘Argylle:’ Another average attempt at action

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | February 6, 2024

“Argylle” is just another action movie you’re going to forget about in a month. Matthew Vaughn, director and producer of the film, is also known for directing “Kick-Ass” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”  The film centers around...

A screenshot shows Godzilla walking while on fire. Sony's State of Play event announced several games that will release in 2024. (Courtesy of YouTube)

Helldivers, Horror, Hedgehogs coming to PS5

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | February 5, 2024

In the next few months there will be a plethora of games that will be released, as revealed Jan. 31 in Sony’s first “State of Play” event of the year.  During the event premiere, critical information and gameplay of games releasing in the next...

Taylor Swift holds a Grammy award as she accepts the award for “Album of the Year.” The 66th Grammy awards took place in Los Angeles on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Taylor Swift makes history at 66th Grammys

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | February 5, 2024

The 66th annual Grammys brought jaw dropping moments, stunning fashion and breathtaking performances.   Dua Lipa opened the award show at 7 p.m. Sunday with her song “Training Season.”  After the opening performance, host Trevor Noah walked...

Lego depictions of Victor E. Huskie and a person in NIU merch sip drinks while sitting at a wooden table. International Lego Day was celebrated Jan. 28. (Isabel Cambray | Northern Star)

Unleash your creativity: It’s Lego Day!

By Isabel Cambray, Lifestyle Writer | February 2, 2024

As a kid, I remember seeing Lego get more popular with shows like “Lego- Ninjago” along with the many sets being added to their collection to date.  Although I didn’t play then, I now have many unopened boxes sitting in my bedroom waiting to...

A phone sits on carpet with the screen open to the Letterboxd app. The app helps connect film watchers with films they want to watch and other people who love the medium of film. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Social media app for film lovers

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | February 1, 2024

From casual moviegoers to cinephiles, Letterboxd is the best place on the internet for people to track all the films they’ve ever watched. Letterboxd was started in 2011 by New Zealand entrepreneurs Matt Buchanan and Karl von Randow. Its purpose...

Pearl (Mia Goth) from the film "Pearl" embraces a scarecrow. "Pearl" is one of the films A24 and AMC Theatres will release each Wednesday in February for Valentine's Day. (Christopher Moss | A24)

AMC, A24 to rerelease ‘Valentine’s Day’ films

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | January 31, 2024

AMC Theatres is partnering with indie film company A24 for special screenings of some of their previously released films. The series of films, “A Lovers Series,” will showcase four movies, one each Wednesday in February. The purchase of a ticket...

In a screenshot from "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," Sargon motions his fist into the air with rage on his face. "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" released Jan. 28 and is available to play now. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

The Return of a decade old series

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | January 31, 2024

After more than a decade without the series, a new game, “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown,” has been released to join the “Prince of Persia” series.  Developed by Ubisoft and released Jan. 18, “The Lost Crown” continues with the series’...

A phone with “Avatar: The Last Airbender” pulled up in it sits on a wood table. The newest version of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” releases in February. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Stunning visuals: Last Airbender reborn

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 30, 2024

From the ashes of war, the Fire Nation seeks to conquer the lands of Air, Earth and Water. Only the Avatar, one who wields all four elements, can stop them and restore balance to the world.  In Netflix's second trailer to the highly anticipated, if...

A mix of characters from "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2 The Indigo Disk DLC" pose in space. The game's newest DLC concludes the game's first DLC release. (Courtesy of Nintendo)

Indigo Disk Epilogue leaves fans wanting more

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 30, 2024

From the lush hills of Kitakami to the blue shores of Unova, Pokémon comes full circle in the final epilogue of “The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.”  Recently, Nintendo distributed the Mythical Pecha Berry to players of their most recent titles...

Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) sits at a table looking at a plan for a new furnace. Höss is the patriarch of the main family in the 2023 film "The Zone of Interest." (Agata Grzybowska | A24)

‘The Zone of Interest’ feels lazy

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | January 29, 2024

A film that follows a Nazi commandant while not showing any of the concentration camps and instead uses sound as a means of navigating the experience of the banality of evil sounds like something great.  Having it be directed by Jonathan Glazer and,...