Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

Beatle-mania rocks Cornfest

By Carlene Eck | August 27, 2007

Despite DeKalb's high waters, Beatlemania came alive Saturday afternoon with the three-hour performance of American English at Cornfest. The Beatles tribute band played to a crowd of more than 400 fans, ranging from diaper-aged toddlers to punk-rock teens...

Bolivian culture as alive today as in past

By Colin Leicht | June 26, 2007

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia | We are sitting at the Cochabamba pub Dali on Friday night, drinking liters of Taquina beer and playing Liar's Dice with Alejandro, a younger middle-class Bolivian who lives in a loft apartment with some friends, living it up "the...

The Spot brings urban style to town

By Megan Fry | June 19, 2007

DeKALB | Students can find unique apparel in more than just one place now. In March of 2007, the owners of Unique Apparel, located at 311 E. Lincoln Highway, opened The Spot, located at 866 W. Lincoln Highway. Unique Apparel got its name by being the...

LIVE

By Michael Van Der Harst | May 7, 2007

DeKALB | From toilet humor to political correctness, Larry the Cable Guy told DeKalb about it on Thursday in front of a more-than-half-full Convocation Center crowd. Throughout the 90-minute set, Larry was able to captivate the audience with his unique...

FILM

By David Rauch | May 3, 2007

GRADE: C | "Next" surprises in some ways, but not many.

Who'd have thought someone with the same wig worn by Tom Hanks in "The Da Vinci Code" could hook up with Jessica Biel?

Since 9/11, how many movies portray a French terrorist organization as being the one to smuggle a nuclear bomb into the U.S.?

In most other ways, "Next" is the same old shtick: the government needs help from a Las Vegas clairvoyant (Nicolas Cage) to prevent a nuclear disaster.

The movie is entertaining but hollow, with plot holes and a serious lack of personality.

To attract the few talented actors and disappointing box office numbers, the movie uses a now-patented questioning of reality and twist ending.

There is always a twist ending in this genre of movies, this genre being Phillip K. Dick novel adaptations.

Dick is responsible for the original works that spawned "Total Recall," "Blade Runner," "Minority Report," "A Scanner Darkly" and others. This film is arguably the worst of the lot.

"Next" is crafted from the 1954 short story, "The Golden Man." As I suspected in the theater, Cage's character, Cris Johnson, was originally an inhuman mutant. Even though the movie takes great liberties in reinterpreting the story, it leaves Johnson just as inhuman and just as creepy.

The closest I got to liking Cage's character was when he threw a nightstick into the middle of an empty hallway and hit an unsuspecting military recruit as he barges around a corner.

His scenes with Biel are disturbing because they lack chemistry. How should we react to Cage seducing Biel? She obviously has no chance when he can play every scenario in his head beforehand. Is there any way to make a character that sees into the future, albeit for only two minutes, likeable or capable of normal romance?

With his power, Johnson has no weakness, which is extremely disengaging, but it's not like the bad guys (introduced chewing tooth picks and muttering in French accents) have a chance anyway.

It's not surprising this is not the film to usher in the summer blockbusters; you don't have to see into the future to know that.

Grammy-winning Vermeet Quartet to perform final concert at NIU

By Evan Thorne | May 2, 2007

DeKALB | NIU's resident Grammy-nominated chamber group, the Vermeer Quartet, will perform their final concert in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall and Recital Hall at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the NIU Music Building. The performance will include Mozart's...

…the Taste.

By Keith Cameron | May 2, 2007

While surfing through Google news, I found, under the entertainment section, an article which turned my stomach ever so slightly.

Courtney Love has decided to auction off the possessions of her late husband, father of grunge rock, Kurt Cobain. This is one of those situations I read about and wonder: What is the reason behind this?

In an article published on BostonHerald.com, Love explains that money from the sales will go to charity, but some are wondering if she is simply using the opportunity to gain publicity.

I am reminded of recent past, when Love protested the release of the "With the Lights Out" Nirvana box set, which included the track "You know You're Right (supposedly an anthem to Cobain's hate for Love).

I can't say that Cobain's clothes are vastly important, but remember that grunge rock is a piece of Americana. Cobain still remains the staple of grunge and the rebellious attitude of the early ‘90s; selling his things seems to dampen the image.

Then again, what's an image to a grunge rocker?

The bottom line in this matter is that Love will do what she wants with what is legally hers, and the Nirvana fans will still continue to throw odes back to the time when torn flannel ruled the world.

If a person defines a music scene, remember the person and the ideas that came with the music, and don't let a scene dictate opinion.

The Tossers/ The Effigies

By Keith Cameron | April 30, 2007

Otto's Niteclub and Underground proved that it is now host to a wide variety of fans over the weekend. The Effigies and The Tossers, two bands from the Chicago punk-rock scene, celebrated the release of their new albums at Otto's, 118 E. Lincoln Highway,...

Hinder to perform Rockford show in May

By Evan Thorne | April 30, 2007

On May 12, the Rockford MetroCentre, 300 Elm St., Rockford, will play host to multiplatinum-selling rockers Hinder and Fuel on the MadPackers.com "Door To Dorm" national tour. The tour began and will end in Pennsylvania, kicking off April 13 in Jonestown...

APO to rock for organs

By Keith Beebe | April 27, 2007

DeKALB | Get ready to rock out for a good cause. Alpha Phi Omega will present Rock the Cure in the Holmes Student Center on Friday to raise money for the Children's Organ Transplant Association. The show will take place at 7 p.m. in the Diversions Lounge...

Gay Jam raises funds and awareness

By Herminia Irizarry | April 27, 2007

DeKALB | A culmination of talent, drag and raffle prizes will invade Caven Auditorium (Gabel 126) this weekend, all to raise money for a good cause. Prism will host its 11th annual drag and variety show, the Gay Jam, Saturday to raise money for the Questioning...

Convo goes ‘Blue Collar’

By Herminia Irizarry | April 27, 2007

DeKALB | Larry the Cable Guy will greet the Convocation Center next Thursday with his comedy act. Tickets will be $40.75 for the general public and $35.75 for NIU students. "We've had Larry here a couple of years ago," said Kevin Selover, director of...