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

A screenshot from the trailer of the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet game pack. The company recently released a new DLC that expands the base game. (Nintendo)

Pokémon delivers fresh cultural experience with new DLC

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 18, 2023

With the newest release by the Pokémon company, players enter the beautiful land of Kitakami, a mountainous region inspired by real-world Japanese culture.  “The Teal Mask” is a downloadable content for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. This...

(From left) Irving Bacon, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy and Rosalind Russell in the 1940's film "His Girl Friday." Destress from college with this ridiculously witty film. (Wikimedia Commons)

Destress with comedy films

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | September 17, 2023

With the stress of school increasing, it’s important to take the time to unwind and give your brain a rest. Here are three great comedy films to watch as you relax and decompress after a long day. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” This 2008 breakup...

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five perform during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12. Several hip-hop artists joined together to give a standout performance that honored 50 years of hip-hop. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

2023 VMAs: A throwback concert

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 17, 2023

Nicki Minaj hosted the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards which focused on celebrating 50 years of hip hop and the music videos that further shaped the songs we all know and love.  Lil Wayne opened the show with a fiery bang by performing hit songs such...

Drake attends the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Drake's new album "For All the Dogs" comes out Sept. 22 on all music streaming platforms. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Music from Drake, meet-cute film to release next week

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 14, 2023

Be on the lookout for new music from famed rapper Drake, witness a new love story and get a feel for British schools next week. “Love at First Sight” For Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) and Oliver (Ben Hardy), all it takes is one flight from New...

A screenshot from the docuseries "Telemarketers" shows a man in distress while sitting at his computer. The series aims to expose the telemarket industry and expose its corruption. (YouTube)

‘Telemarketers’ highlights highs, lows of humanity

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | September 13, 2023

Editor’s note: This piece contains spoilers HBO’s latest docuseries “Telemarketers” offers viewers everything from ex-convict telemarketers shooting up heroin in a warehouse office to a confrontational interaction with a circus promoter. The...

The logo for the animation series "Disenchantment" stands out against a black background. From the creators of "Futurama," the show's final season recently released on Netflix. (Wikimedia Commons)

Become enchanted with ‘Disenchantment’

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 13, 2023

Magic, darkness and whimsy collide in the fantastical final season of the hit Netflix show "Disenchantment."  Inspired by classic fairy-tales and medieval role-playing games, the show follows the misadventures of Bean, the human princess of Dreamland,...

An Electrohome Archer Briefcase portable turntable sits on a table. Get into the fall season by tuning into albums that echo autumn. (AP Photo/ Ron Harris)

Melancholic albums for when the leaves start falling

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | September 11, 2023

For some reason, I find more music to be evocative of autumn than any other season. Each time I hear an album with a strikingly contemplative mood and subdued instrumentation, I instantly find myself imagining sidewalks cluttered with brown and red leaves....

Cover image for singer-songwriter Mitski's new album "The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We." This album will be her seventh studio album and will release on Sept. 15. (Dead Oceans via AP)

Zombie wasteland, beloved detective return next week

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 7, 2023

Reenter worlds discovered and enjoy a range of music next week.  “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” Beloved “The Walking Dead” character Daryl Dixon gets his own spinoff show, simply called “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” which will premiere...

A screenshot from the trailer of the game "Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical." The interactive game will take players on a mission in a world where Greek gods walk among humans. (YouTube)

Become captivated in ‘Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical’

By Elizabeth Nowak, Lifestyle Writer | September 7, 2023

Editor's note: This piece contains minor spoilers If you love Greek Mythology, television shows with random musical numbers, musical theater or choose-your-own-adventure stories, listen up. This video game is a must play.  OVERVIEW Stray Gods...

Xolo Maridueña starring as Jamie Reyes in DC's new superhero movie "Blue Beetle." The film is out in theaters and based on the DC comics. (YouTube)

‘Blue Beetle,’ movie of incredible power

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 6, 2023

Blue Beetle, directed by Angel Soto, is currently one of the best superhero movies of 2023. Xolo Maridueña gives a stunning performance as DC's titular Blue Beetle in what feels like resounding box office success. According to Box Office Mojo,...

(From left) Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri in a scene from the film "Bottoms." The movie is a coming-of-age that mimics "Mean Girls" and "Superbad." (AP newsroom)

‘Bottoms’ is this generation’s ‘Mean Girls’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | September 5, 2023

The rated-R comedy genre is back; and though I’m not ready to say it’s better than ever, the films are looking pretty great. “No Hard Feelings” starring Jennifer Lawrence arguably started the genre’s return, but “Bottoms” is where the...

Various vinyl records stacked upright at a Barnes & Noble. Albums from Hail the Sun, PJ Harvey and Hot Mulligan released over the summer. (Sarah Rose | Northern Star)

Whimsical, punk albums missed over the summer

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | September 4, 2023

With so much new music coming out every week, it can be hard to decide what’s worth listening to. Here are a few of the best albums released over the summer that you may have missed.  Hot Mulligan - “Why Would I Watch” Hot Mulligan is sure...