NIU alumni Craig James Pietrowiak, Dale Spencer and Louis Coty never had to ask "what now?" after graduation. In 1999, the trio developed Squid Brothers, a successful independent film company. "Film is a very cutthroat business," Spencer said. "We have...

The foundations of democracy are wavering under the pressure of the United States General Accounting Office’s lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney. As acting Comptroller General, and vital part of the legislative branch, David Walker is obliged...

NIU President John Peters will deliver the annual State of the University Address at 3 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the event. Typically, the president uses his...

The ladies of Sleater-Kinney — guitarists and vocalists Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, and drummer Janet Weiss — never have been ones to mince words. The Portland, Ore., by-way-of Olympia, Wash., trio always has worn its heart on its sleeve,...

"40 Days and 40 Nights" is a spicy, sexy comedy about a guy who swears off anything sex-related for 40 days and 40 nights. The problem is that it's unclear why he takes this vow. It's got something to do with some issues he has with his ex-girlfriend,...

A romantic comedy, or any other style of comedy for that matter, gains extra points for overall likability if the characters speak with Southern accents. That being said, "Sweet Home Alabama" (Touchstone Pictures PG-13) is pleasant to the ears, but the...

As the second Faculty Senate meeting of the year began on Wednesday, Senate President Sue Willis held up a copy of Tuesday’s Chicago Tribune. "As you can see," she said, "things are not getting better." Willis was referring to the front-page headline...

For years, the Irish have shown the world that they give birth to some of the greatest filmmakers around. From Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" to Jim Sherridan's "In the Name of the Father," Irish films have gotten critical acclaim both domestically and...

Four concerts will keep the Music Building busy today through Monday. The School of Music will present the NIU Philharmonic tonight, the Bugallo-Williams Piano Duo with Gregory Barrett on Friday, the NIU Wind Symphony and University Band on Sunday and...

Want to be cast in a movie? A "Dragonball Z" film is going to be made on campus. Tryouts will be held today at 7 p.m. at the Stevens Building, Room 224, and all are welcome to audition. "Me and my friends had been playing with the idea of a ‘Dragonball...

"In Absentia," Porcupine Tree's latest and first U. S. release, looks funny, but it's not. The English quartet consists of Steve Wilson on guitar and vocals, Richard Barbieri on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass and Gavin Harrison on drums. "In Absentia"...

What happened to the album? Sure, you hear modern groups and artists talking about how they released their new albums and that everyone should pick them up. I ask them a simple question: Why? I have many reasons to defend my hatred toward the modern album....