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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

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, 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, Lifestyle Writer | 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 Valentines Day. (Christopher Moss | A24)

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

By Brynn Krug, Chief Copy 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, Lifestyle Writer | 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 games newest DLC concludes the games 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,...

A character from the video game Elden Ring looks out over a chasm. Elden Ring is one of the many games receiving DLC this year. (Business Wire)

Video games to look out for this year

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Writer | January 29, 2024

There is nothing more exciting for a gamer than finding out a game they’re hyped for is releasing soon or one they’re absolutely infatuated with is getting DLC in the near future.  Feeling your heart skip a beat as you read the news blowing up...

The Oscars trophy stands in front of red curtains. This years Oscar Nominations were announced Tuesday. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

2024 Oscar nominations disappoint

By Lindsay Curtis, Lifestyle Writer | January 24, 2024

The long-awaited nominations for the 96th Academy Awards were finally revealed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday. Like any other award show, this year’s nominations are filled with snubs and surprises, so here’s a list...

Ryan Gosling (from left), Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig look at a screen on the set of Barbie. Gosling has been receiving far more praise for his performance as Ken in the film, where Robbie and Gerwig are receiving less praise. (Jaap Buitendijk | Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

The Oscars didn’t do ‘Ken-ough’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | January 24, 2024

It’s Ken’s world, and we’re just living in it. Well, at least that’s what the award shows want us to think. Oscar nominations came out Tuesday, and, like always, they caused some stir in the film world.  Whether it be the Flamin’ Hot...

Two books by Sajni Patel, “The Knockout” and “My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding,” sit upright on a desk. Patel’s newest book, “A Drop of Venom,” released last week. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

‘A Drop Of Venom’ highlights female empowerment

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 23, 2024

An enchanting tale of tragedy, triumph and love entices readers as we enter a world of heroes, villains and magic.   Sajni Patel delivers a beautifully diverse and colorful story, dripping with female empowerment, in her latest novel "A Drop of Venom."  On...