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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

A person holds a paper cutout of intestines over their stomach. Gut health is important to ensuring proper physical health. (SewcreamStudio | Getty Images)

Prioritize your gut health

By Sierra Usmani, Lifestyle Writer | April 10, 2024

Our gut is the king of our body. As humans, we need to eat to stay alive. If our gut is having issues, then everything else in our body and health will be negatively impacted.  The gut controls the breakdown of our food and helps turn it into nutrients,...

A Nintendo Switch with the title screen for "South Park: Snow Day!" sits on a white surface. The newest game in the South Park universe, "South Park: Snow Day!" changes animation and play style from previous games. (Lindsay Curtis | Northern Star)

New ‘South Park’ game disappoints

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | April 9, 2024

The newest installment of the “South Park” game franchise, “South Park: Snow Day!,” reinvents itself, and, just like recent seasons of the show, it isn’t good. A direct sequel to previous video games, “Snow Day!” continues to follow the...

A man in a monkey mask kicks another man standing in a fighting ring in a scene from "Monkey Man." "Monkey Man," Dev Patel's directorial debut, released Friday. (Universal Pictures via AP)

‘Monkey Man’ adds soul to action

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | April 8, 2024

English actor – and now director – Dev Patel has released his first film as a director, “Monkey Man,” and it is a modern action masterpiece.  Released Friday, the film follows a young boy from India who is in poverty and forced into the underground...

Beyoncé accepts the Innovator Award from Stevie Wonder at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Beyoncé's albums have changed throughout history nad have spanned multiple genres. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Beyoncé’s career spans decade, genres

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | April 4, 2024

From “Dangerously In Love” to “COWBOY CARTER,” Beyoncé has found a way to transform as an artist without losing herself. With the recent release of Beyoncé’s newest album, “COWBOY CARTER,” it is time to take a deep dive into her 34...

Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian embrace in a scene from "Love Lies Bleeding." The film follows two women as they explore body building, crime and family. (Anna Kooris | A24)

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ should’ve stuck to its guns

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | April 3, 2024

“Love Lies Bleeding” tries too hard to simultaneously be a romance and thriller. Instead, it misses the mark on both. This new A24 film follows Lou, played by Kristen Stewart, a gym manager, who falls in love with new-to-town bodybuilder, Jackie...

Godzilla stands next to Kong in a scene from "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" featured both monsters fighting each other. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ should have been solo act

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 3, 2024

I wish I could say I’m most disappointed this isn’t a romantic comedy, but I’m more disappointed this story doesn’t hold up to its own standards. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is the latest entry in Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse...

Actor Sydney Sweeney poses at The 92nd Street Y on March 20 in New York City. Many online figures are arguing Sydney Sweeney's career will be similar to Marilyn Monroe. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Sydney Sweeney is not ‘our’ Marilyn Monroe

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | April 2, 2024

Every decade or two, some star is lauded as the second coming of Marilyn Monroe.  In recent years, that star has been Sydney Sweeney. Known for her performances in “Euphoria” and “Anyone But You,” Sweeney is an emerging star, even...

Many Marvel superheroes fight in a large-scale clash. "Marvel Rivals" is the newest Marvel game and features multiplayer PVP. (Marvel)

‘Marvel Rivals’ takes page from ‘Overwatch,’ ‘Valorant’

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 1, 2024

Marvel games are famous for their hypnotic single and multiplayer experiences with bombastic and beloved characters.  While most of these games have been majorly successful, Marvel is now working on a new type of game, different from any they have...

Three men sit on horses next to each other in a scene from "Casa de mi Padre." There are several films released that can be watched for April Fools' Day this year. (Pantelion Films via Fair Use)

April Fools’ Day, parodies, offensive jokes

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | March 31, 2024

From harmless jokes to straight up criminal offenses, April Fools' Day pranks come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s no better time to hide from your scheming friends and watch a good raunchy comedy. Here’s a variety of parody movies to watch...

A woman stands beside an old neon sign with some trees and a red pickup in the background. This image is the cover to Waxahatchee's newest album "Tigers Blood," one of three major indie-folk albums to release this week. (ANTI Records via AP)

Trio of simple folk records released

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | March 28, 2024

If the 2020s can be classified as a big decade for one of the indie scenes, it has for indie folk. Rock-based indie bands dropped their Fenders and grabbed acoustic guitars, and the banjo is making more and more appearances. Women are for the most...

The word Launchpad sits in front of a background, and the final use of the letter "a" in the word is replaced with a camera and a tripod. Disney Launchpad is a program to give young directors the opportunity to share their films. (Disney+ Press)

Disney Launchpad highlights underrepresented voices

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | March 27, 2024

Beyond mere words or language, voice connects all, the purest most spiritual expression of our souls to our inner thoughts and feelings.  Often only the voices of those in power are heard, and those who are underrepresented are forgotten and overlooked.  To...

A white Lollapalooza sign sits in front of trees in Chicago. Chicago will host over a dozen music festivals this summer. (CC BY-SA 4.0 | Lacrossewi)

Chicago summer playlist: must-hit music festivals

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | March 27, 2024

Open the gates, and let the festivals begin. As summer inches closer, music festivals around the country have begun to drop their latest lineups. Chicago is no stranger to the summer music festival scene, as millions of people gather each summer to partake...