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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

"Wordle" has become a popular online game, recently bought by The New York Times (Madelaine Vikse | Northern Star)

A look at ‘Wordle’: a popular online game with a daily challenge

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | March 6, 2022

You’ve probably heard of the new word game “Wordle” because that’s all anyone is talking about these days. Here are the rules of the games and facts about how the game came to be. “Wordle” was created by Josh Wardle, a play on his last...

Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (©Disney | UK Press)

What to expect from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”

By Kyron Lewis, Lifestyle Writer | March 6, 2022

The possibilities of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are seemingly endless at this point. The concept of the multiverse was explored in the Marvel animated series “What If…?” and came to fruition with the live-action film “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”...

The Netflix home page shows a list of trending shows on a laptop screen.

What I’m watching this weekend: Madelaine Vikse

By Madelaine Vikse, Editor-in-Chief | March 3, 2022

There are new shows and films coming out constantly across a variety of platforms. Here are some ideas on what you should watch over the weekend, as this is what I will be watching to relax. The Office: Superfan Episodes (Peacock) I know I can’t...

Bowl of popcorn with TV remote control on a black textured background (Getty Images)

5 Black films that don’t focus on trauma

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | March 3, 2022

When a Black story is told in Hollywood it is most likely about slavery, segregation or the Black struggle. While these topics are important and these films can be used for educational purposes, they don’t always accurately portray the Black experience....

Avril Lavigne performing live at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in Sept. 2019 (Justin Higuchi | Wikimedia Commons)

Album review: ‘Love Sux’

By Elisa Reamer | March 3, 2022

Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne released her seventh studio album, “Love Sux” on Feb. 25, featuring 12 songs centering around the theme of love and heartache. The title is exactly what the album is about: how much love sucks. Before releasing...

The NIU Steelband will perform “88 Degrees in the Shade,” “Branches of Snow” and “Ivory Coast” composed by Robert Chappell, Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2” and “Dream” composed by Liam Teague.

Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra to hold Spring Pops Concert

By Bailey Eschbach, Lifestyle Writer | March 2, 2022

DeKALB— The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be putting on their Spring Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5. The concert will be led by music director and conductor Linc Smelser and held in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall inside the NIU...

There are two films based on the 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Pablo RM | Wikimedia Commons)

Comparing the films based on the novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

By Kyron Lewis, Lifestyle Writer | March 2, 2022

Those of us with a sweet tooth have probably dreamed of a wonderland of sweet confections. In 1971, audiences witnessed the closest thing to a sweet world of wonder in the form of the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”  The film was...

Being a college student during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a unique and stressful experience (Madelaine Vikse | Northern Star)

Advice from college students to college students

By Bailey Eschbach, Lifestyle writer | March 1, 2022

College can be difficult; trying to juggle higher education, a job, extracurriculars, friends, family and time for yourself seems impossible at times. Parents and other adults who have gone to college often offer advice, but the scene has changed. Those...

Rebecca Sugar, the creator of "Steven Universe," at a New York Comic Con in 2014 (Peter Dzubay | Wikimedia Commons)

TV series ‘Steven Universe’ celebrates diversity

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist | March 1, 2022

“Steven Universe” was one of the most iconic cartoons of the 2010s. Although it ended over three years ago, the finale of “Steven Universe” left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths for a variety of reasons.  “Steven Universe,” created...

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance has different productions throughout the spring semester (Abigail Lamoreaux | Northern Star)

NIU School of Theatre and Dance shines with ‘You Are You’ performance

By Abigail Lamoreaux, Chief Copy Editor | February 28, 2022

On Friday, the NIU School of Theatre and Dance opened a new adaptation of Karel Čapek’s “R.U.R.” under the alternate title “You Are You.” Written by NIU alumnus Matthew Yee and directed by Matt O’Brien of GreatWorks Theatre Company, this...

Dwayne McDuffie was a founder of Milestone Media, with the goal of showcasing people from different ethnic groups (Kyron Lewis | Northern Star)

Dwayne McDuffie’s legacy lives on through his work

By Kyron Lewis, Lifestyle Writer | February 28, 2022

Oftentimes writers and creators remain out of the spotlight for their popular fictional works. We gravitate to the characters on screen or the page and understandably so, but often we don’t truly take time to appreciate the hard work of the creator.  A...

"The Proposal" and "The Wedding Party" are some novels that feature Black main characters (Daija Hammonds | Northern Star)

5 romance novels featuring Black main characters

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | February 28, 2022

There’s always a good time to read romance, whether you’re single or in a relationship, and they don’t have to always feature white characters. Here are five romance novels featuring Black main characters. “The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory...