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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

Mustard Plug shows ska’s not dead

By Billy Kulpa | March 5, 2007

DeKALB | There was a lot of skankin' in town over the weekend - but not the kind you probably think. Punk and ska fans came out of the woodwork - or perhaps their parents' basements, as some longtime punks insinuated - Thursday evening to catch ska veterans...

Goo Goo Dolls ‘Dizzy up’ the Convo

By Evan Thorne | March 5, 2007

DeKALB | A roar of guitars, a flash of lights, and the ‘90s-rock staples the Goo Goo Dolls hit the stage in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Convocation Center Friday night. The show was a stop on the band's "Let Love In" tour with piano-rockers...

Music Review

By Christopher Schimmel | March 1, 2007

GRADE: B+ | The last time Billy Bob Thornton had a cinematic foray into space was in 1998. The movie? "Armageddon." Thankfully, "The Astronaut Farmer" doesn't make the same cheesy mistakes.

The story is simple - Charles Farmer's (Thornton) lifelong dream is to go into space with the help of the rocket he built from scratch in his barn. There are, however, a few problems with this plan: the bank is about to seize his house and ranch, no one but his family seems to believe he can do it and the government has deemed him a threat to national security and refuses to let him off the ground pending a full investigation. The majority of the film follows Farmer closely, exploring his struggle against adversity and doing what he believes is truly right. He remains undeterred by every obstacle that dares to stand in his way, and maintains the adage, "If we don't have our dreams, we have nothing."

Sound a bit too "family fun time?" It's understandable, as this can be classified as one of those feel-good movies-with-a-message that Disney likes to churn out. But if you only need one reason to go see this film, look no further than the infamous Thornton. If anyone else had been cast in the lead role, the film would be a campy disaster zone, guaranteed. But Thornton's unique, captivating presence allows the audience the chance to see some beautiful and believable character work. He is able to convince that this small-town, half-crazy, ex-astronaut-in-training rancher is for real, which is certainly no easy feat.

The plausibility of the storyline borders on non-existent, but it really doesn't matter. The overall message is something that everyone can appreciate, even, or perhaps especially, college students. Cynicism can abound all too easily (especially this time of year) when one is faced with tests, essays, payments and finally deciding on what you want to do with the rest of your life, but the blinding, heartfelt optimism of "The Astronaut Farmer" is definitely inspiring and can alleviate that sinking feeling, if only during the time spent sitting in the theater.

America’s Funnyman is in the House tonight

By Evan Thorne | February 28, 2007

America's funnyman Neil Hamburger is coming to, in his own words, "the hottest college town in the hemisphere" -- DeKalb. Hamburger's internet television show, "Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger," is one of the most popular on the web, he has just wrapped...

Comeback Kid’s comeback plagued by hardcore’s stubborn refusal to change

By Keith Beebe | February 27, 2007

Following the departure of lead singer Scott Wade in 2006, it would have been understandable for Comeback Kid to disband. Instead, the Canadian hardcore outfit stuck together and plugged guitarist Andrew Neufeld into the lead singer role, producing an...

Minus The Bear’s ‘pre-humous’ remixes make newer songs sound better

By Derek Wright | February 27, 2007

Following a growing trend, Minus the Bear is another name on the list of bands bridging the gap between outputs with an album of guest musicians' remixes. While a posthumous new take on a release can serve as icing on a short-lived cake (Test Icicles,...

The Ataris aim for darker themes on latest pop/punk hybrid album, only sort of succeed

By Mat Warrenfeltz | February 27, 2007

"Another one bites the dust." A phrase made famous by Freddie Mercury, so meaningful it has been adapted into everyday use in our society. Whether it is being related to death, a breakup or, in the case of The Ataris, a former pop/punk band turning to...

Conn’s persona in high gear on ‘King For A Day’

By Derek Wright | February 27, 2007

Bobby Conn is an expert at duality. The master of spectacle spends his nights in make-up and boas, but his days as a humble art hander. At home he's a quiet father and husband who claims to be an ace at changing diapers and whose wife hates when he's...

Packed house shows country is king at the Convo

By Keith Beebe | February 26, 2007

To say Sugarland's first visit to DeKalb was memorable would be an understatement. An energetic crowd looked on as the country act from Atlanta rocked the Convocation Center Friday night, mixing songs from their latest album, "Enjoy the Ride," with older...

Pseudo-realistic television isn’t real at all

By Jenna Andriano | February 23, 2007

Back in the carefree and car-free days of my junior high years, my friends and I had to be inventive with our free time. One favorite pastime was to turn on the TV, turn down the volume and dub in our own improvised versions of Spanish soap operas. The...

Independent films deliver a mixed bag

By Stacie Wieland | February 22, 2007

"Delivery Boy Chronicles" Grade: D | "Delivery Boy Chronicles" poses the question, "Is there life after college?" For four twenty-something friends and co-workers at a food delivery service in Atlanta, the answer is one filled with regret, disillusionment...

Murphy better one role at a time

By Christopher Schimmel | February 22, 2007

Grade: C + | OK, who would win this match - Hannibal Lecter, or Eddie Murphy in a fat suit? Many would say that Hannibal would win in a fight, but when it comes to box office numbers, Murphy's "Norbit" won out by roughly $20 million. While the two movies...