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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Nick Glover

Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor

All content by Nick Glover
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt look at each other in the new film "The Fall Guy." This film follows a stuntman as he returns to stunt acting after a disastrous injury. (Universal Pictures via AP)

‘The Fall Guy’ stunts on other films

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
May 5, 2024
The Northern Star lifestyle section hold up finger L’s for lifestyle. Lifestyle Editor Nick Glover is graduating and leaving the Star. (Jenny Javkhlantugs | Northern Star)

Lifestyle editor says goodbye

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 29, 2024
Mike Faist (from left), Zendaya and Josh O'Connor sit in a scene from "Challengers." This new Luca Guadagnino film released on April 26. (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)

‘Challengers’ hangs beauty out to dry

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 28, 2024
Actor Henry Cavill attends the premiere of "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," at AMC Lincoln Square, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. Both "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" and "Abigail" succeed at being fun cinema. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

‘Abigail,’ ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ master fun cinema

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 22, 2024
A squirrel munches on a donut while perched on a campus trash can. Squirrels are expert foragers, sure to pass on their skills to students if they took over campus. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Campus takeover, squirrels vs. geese

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson
April 22, 2024
Reggie Thomas cuts off the NIU Jazz Orchestra on a song where Sean Jones (left) and Wycliffe Gordon are featured. Thursday’s concert was Thomas’ final concert leading the orchestra. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

Jazz Orchestra plays Thomas out

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 18, 2024
Kirsten Dunst (from left), Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny stand inside the White House in a clip from "Civil War." "Civil War" follows a group of journalists looking to interview the president during a civil war. (Murray Close | A24)

‘Civil War’ masters filmmaking, not story

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 15, 2024
The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., has its lights on while the sun sets around it. The Egyptian Theatre will host the first annual Earth Fest Thursday. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] First annual Earth Fest coming to Egyptian Theatre

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor
April 14, 2024
A screen at the Egyptian Theatre reads "Reality Bytes Will be starting shortly." The second and final day of the 2024 Reality Bytes Student FIlm Festival occurred Wednesday. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

Egyptian Theatre screens Reality Bytes

By Nick Glover and Brynn Krug
April 10, 2024
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
A black and red poster is displayed against a gray wall. The global premiere of "Booked and Blessed...or Bust" will be April 5. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Play makes first-time performance at NIU

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
April 2, 2024
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
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
A boy and a girl stand next to each other overlooking a valley. Millie Bobby Brown stars as a warrior-princess in her new Netflix film "Damsel." (Netflix under Fair Use)

‘Damsel’ is just OK

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 21, 2024
Mayor Cohen Barnes begins the public hearing on an amendment to the 2020-2024 Community Development Block Grant consolidated action plan and 2024 CDBG annual action plan Monday in the Yusunas Meeting Room at the DeKalb Public Library. The amendment will move funds to Economic Development for Opportunity DeKalb’s Project Launchpad. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

55+ housing development approved

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 13, 2024
Emily Blunt (from left), Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh stand together at a premiere for "Oppenheimer" on July 13, 2023 in London. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

Film award contest to close Saturday

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 7, 2024
Reginald Thomas, the director of the NIU Jazz Orchestra, highlights the orchestra by extending his arm toward it. The orchestra played a concert Wednesday with the NIU Jazz Ensemble. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

NIU jazz plays tribute to Ronald Carter

By Nick Glover and Sofia Didenko
March 7, 2024
Cillian Murphy (from left), Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr. stand on a stage holding microphones. "Oppenheimer" has 13 nominations and could make a sweep at the Oscars. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Northern Star predicts, picks Oscar winners

By Nick Glover and Lindsay Curtis
March 5, 2024
Many gold trophies sit in a line. The 96th Academy Awards will occur Sunday, and the Northern Star is hosting a contest to see who can predict the winner of six of the biggest categories. (Prayitno | CCA2.0)

The Northern Star to host film awards contest

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 4, 2024
In a scene from "Dune: Part Two," three sandworms move toward a group of people. "Dune: Part Two" released Friday and is the follow-up of 2021's "Dune." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

‘Dune: Part Two’ masters cinema

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 29, 2024
"Perfect Days" actor Tokio Emoto (from left), director Wim Wenders and actor Koji Yakusho stand on the red carpet during the Tokyo International Film Festival. "Perfect Days" follows Yakusho's character Hirayama as he cleans toilets in Tokyo. (Dick Thomas Johnson | CC BY 2.0)

‘Perfect Days’ quietly finds joy

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 26, 2024
Anna Scanlan (from left), Olivia Zapf and Nick Glover in the Northern Star podcast room. Episode 5 of Star Notes discusses the upcoming Dune movie. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

‘Dune’ is very sandy

By Olivia Zapf, Anna Scanlan, and Nick Glover
February 21, 2024
The door of the Sally Stevens Players Theatre sits closed after a weekend full of performances. NIU’s most recent play “Anxious People!” opened this week. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] ‘Anxious People!’ gives exposure therapy for anxiety

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 18, 2024
Beyoncé combines bluegrass, pop in new music

Beyoncé combines bluegrass, pop in new music

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 15, 2024
A phone shows the cover of "Rye Lane," a new love story on Hulu. "Rye Lane" is an underrated rom-com, perfect for Valentine's Day. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Unconventional rom-coms for Valentine’s Day

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor
February 13, 2024
A phone shows a ticket for an NIU women's basketball game. A sporting event could be a great alternative event to an expensive dinner date on Valentine's Day. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] How-to sports date for Valentine’s day

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter
February 13, 2024
A photo illustration has a hand holding a pile of money in front of a property manager's sign. Getting an apartment is expensive, and it's important to plan ahead for the expenses that come with an apartment. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Apartments not cheap, plan accordingly

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 13, 2024
Toby Keith holds up a red Solo cup while standing in front of a microphone during a 2019 performance. Keith, known for his song "Red Solo Cup," died on Feb. 5. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

Toby Keith dies, American legacy stays behind

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 12, 2024
Taylor Swift accepts the Grammy award for Album of the Year on Feb. 4. Swift's album announcement during the ceremony was a selfish choice and took the attention away from other artists. (AP Photo | Chris Pizzello)

Grammys aren’t just Taylor Swift’s night

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 11, 2024
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
Zulauf Hall, the home of most offices for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, stands in front of some trees. The Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies hosted a hot cocoa event in Zulauf on Thursday. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Center for NNGO Studies hosts hot cocoa table

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
January 28, 2024
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
Paintings hang on the walls of the Jack Olson Gallery for the "Screenic Paradigms" exhibition. The exhibition opened Monday and looks at how painting has been influenced by digital art. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Screenic Paradigms exhibit opens in Jack Olson Gallery

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator
January 23, 2024
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)

[Photo] ‘A Drop Of Venom’ highlights female empowerment

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
January 23, 2024
Junior special education majors Desiree Hancock (from left), Alix Sommers and Nicholas Hays talk as they walk past Cole Hall. The trio spent time discussing Arizona to help avoid thinking about the cold. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Cold weather fashion at NIU

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 22, 2024
A photo illustration combines two album covers, The Smile's "Wall of Eyes" and Goth Babe's "Lola." These two records release Friday in both physical and digital media. (Mom + Pop Records/XL Recordings via AP)

The Smile to return with second album

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 22, 2024
Avantika (from left), Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp and Bebe Wood pose with a camera on the set of "Mean Girls." The 2024 release is an adaptation of a musical which itself is adapting an earlier film. (Jojo Whilden/Paramount via AP)

A guide to sitting through ‘Mean Girls’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 21, 2024
Play's premiere, "Napoleon Dynamite" highlight this weekend

Play’s premiere, “Napoleon Dynamite” highlight this weekend

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 18, 2024
Erika Alexander (left) and Jeffery Wright walk through some plants in a scene from "American Fiction." Wright was the lead actor in the December release. (Claire Folger/MGM-Orion via AP)

‘American Fiction’ lets down its best performances

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 18, 2024
Holt McCallany (from left), Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Stanley Simons and Harris Dickinson stand in a circle. The group of actors make up the main cast of "The Iron Claw." (Brian Roedel | A24)

‘The Iron Claw’: not wrestling film

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 17, 2024
A version of the Taylor Swift's album "Midnights" has the photo of Swift replaced with President Joseph Biden. Biden's presidency seems to match the "Midnights" era. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] US presidents as Taylor Swift eras

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief
January 16, 2024
Five people with mullets stand in a line, each representing an "era" in the history of the mullet. The mullet is a haircut that has a history more than just the stereotypical '80s style. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

The mullet: ‘It didn’t go away for some people’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 15, 2024
Sigma Sigma Sigma tugger Cayley Frolik runs while holding Tri Sigs’ first-place trophy. Tri Sigs took the women’s tugs trophy home for the third year in a row. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] IN PICTURES: Fall breezes by, recapping semester

By Northern Star Staff
December 11, 2023

[Video] NIU students make fashion Christmas list

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator
December 11, 2023
Rapper André 3000 performing on stage at the Rock'n'Heim Rock Festival. His new album "New Blue Sun" is his first album in 20 years. (Wikimedia Commons)

André 3000’s ‘New Blue Sun’ calms, terrifies

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
November 18, 2023
Alpha Phi coach Matteo de Leon sprays water into a tugger’s mouth. The second match of the women’s Tugs championships lasted almost 45 minutes. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Sigma Sigma Sigma stays undefeated

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
November 12, 2023
Director Alexander Payne speaks to an audience at the premiere of "The Holdovers." The film's plot may seem fast-paced at some moments, but the emotional elements drive the story forward. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)

‘The Holdovers’ hits emotions, too slow

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
November 12, 2023
Jay Mueller, Tri Sigs coach and member of Phi Sigma Kappa, hoists the Sigma Sigma Sigma flag while Tri Sigs members hold up their first place trophy. Sigma Sigma Sigma won the Tugs tournament Saturday, increasing its win streak to three years in a row. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Tri Sigma completes three-peat in women’s Tugs

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor
November 11, 2023
From left: Sofia Coppola, Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi pose at the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. The A24 film delves into the life of Priscilla Pressley. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

‘Priscilla’ highlights power imbalance

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
November 7, 2023
Emergency vehicles flash their lights. A structure fire occurred at 2120 Pleasant Street. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Structure fire at 2120 Pleasant St., no injuries

By Northern Star Staff
November 1, 2023
Snow falls on an NIU lamp post with Adams Hall in the background. The university saw its first snow fall of the year on Oct. 31. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] First sign of NIU winter, Wednesday travel to be unaffected

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor
October 31, 2023
Lily Gladstone (left) and director Martin Scorsese sit in church pew on the set of "Killers of the Flower Moon." The film released in theaters on Oct. 20 and tells the story of the genocide of the Osage tribe. (Melinda Sue Gordon/Apple TV+ via AP)

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ reinvents Scorsese

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
October 23, 2023
A person wears a white mask with a black hood over their head in a scene from "A Haunting in Venice." The film is now in theaters and is based on the Agatha Christie novel titled "Hallowe'en Party." (Courtesy of YouTube)

‘A Haunting in Venice’ good, not necessary

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
October 18, 2023
The cartoon for this column has been banned. In a country that supposedly values free speech, books should not be banned so easily. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

[Photo] Book bans harm students

By Lexi Nebel, Opinion Columnist
September 28, 2023
Shailene Woodley (left) and Paul Dano interacting in a scene from the film "Dumb Money." The movie is out in theaters and tells the story about how GameStop turned into a popular business because of normal Reddit users. (Claire Folger/Sony Pictures via AP)

‘Dumb Money’ fails to tell narrative tale it’s based on

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 26, 2023
The movie poster for "Stop Making Sense," which features a man in a yellow colored suit staring into the distance. The film hit its 40-year anniversary and has been showing in select theaters across the country. (Amazon Prime Video)

‘Stop Making Sense’ makes sense

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 25, 2023
(left) Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dog perform at Yankee Stadium to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The two artists are a part of dozens who have shaped the hip-hop genre into what it is now. (Scott Roth/Invision/AP)

Honor 50 years of hip-hop with generational artists

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 19, 2023
The album cover for Olivia Rodrigo's album "Guts." This is Rodrigo's sophomore album which released on Sept. 8, two years after her debut album "Sour." (Geffen Records via AP)

Olivia Rodrigo hits musical heights on ‘GUTS’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 10, 2023
An audience member holding up a phone to record a concert. While it can be good to capture moments of a concert on a camera, it is also important to be in the moment with the artist. (Courtesy of Wikicommons)

Stop using your phone at concerts

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 10, 2023
The Sept. 1 fire at the former Fanatico restaurant building was deemed an arson, and three people were arrested. (Getty Images)

Former Fanatico restaurant fire deemed arson

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 8, 2023
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones embraces New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after an NFL preseason game on Aug. 26. (Adam Hunger | Associated Press)

COLUMN: Daniel Jones, Roschon Johnson could win your fantasy league

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 5, 2023
(From left) Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri in a scene from the film "Bottoms." The movie is a coming-of-age that mimics "Mean Girls" and "Superbad." (AP newsroom)

‘Bottoms’ is this generation’s ‘Mean Girls’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
September 5, 2023
(from left) Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas perform on stage wearing different colored suits. The Jonas Brothers have a new album releasing next Friday titled "The Album.

Look out for novels, album releasing next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
May 4, 2023
Gordon Lightfoot performs during the evening ceremonies of Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation. Lightfoot died on Monday at age 84. (Sean Kilpatrick | AP Newsroom)

Looking back on Gordon Lightfoot’s legendary songs

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
May 3, 2023
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival in 2018. Ed Sheeran has a new album releasing next Friday.

Look out for new albums, novel next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 27, 2023
Students await a comedy show in the Carl Sandburg auditorium. NIU student Xavier Smith hosted a comedy show Tuesday. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

NIU student hosts standout comedian standups

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 26, 2023
A young woman working on laptop and listening to music while taking notes. Music can help motivate students who are studying for finals. (Getty Images)

Study for finals with inspiring, stimulating music

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 20, 2023
Indigo De Souza performing on stage with guitar. De Souza has a new album releasing next Friday. (Wikimedia Commons)

Look forward to new essays, album releasing next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 20, 2023
Ahmad Jamal plays the piano while James Cammack plays bass. Ahmad Jamal passed away on Sunday. (Wikimedia Commons)

Best works of late pianist Ahmad Jamal

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 19, 2023
(from left) Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix pose together at the premiere of the film "Beau Is Afraid." The movie will release in theaters next Friday. (AP Photo | Chris Pizzello)

Compelling films and novels to release next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 13, 2023
Angel Olsen on stage performing. Her EP is releasing next week, along with music by Black Thought and books by Anjan Sundaram and Izumi Suzuki.

Experimental content hits shelves next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 6, 2023
A passer-by walks away from a Silicon Valley Bank branch location, in Wellesley, Mass., Monday, March 27, 2023. North Carolina-based First Citizens is to buy Silicon Valley Bank, the tech industry-focused financial institution that collapsed earlier this month. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Bank collapses are a problem for our future

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
April 3, 2023
The cast of "Air" Chris Messina (left), Marlon Wayans, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Matt Damon, Julius Tennon, Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker during the premiere of the film. "Air" releases next week along with the other pieces of content on this list.

Next week’s releases will be hit or miss

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 30, 2023

CAB to host free drag show for students

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 23, 2023
A screenshot of the "Shadow and Bone" page on Netflix. The show's second season came out Thursday.

[Photo] New season of ‘Shadow and Bone’ honors the books

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor
March 22, 2023
Helen Mirren, Zachary Levi, Rachel Zegler and Lucy Liu, the stars of "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," at the premiere of the film in London. "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" will be releasing to next week along with T-Pain's cover album and more.

Releasing next week T-Pain cover album, new ‘Shazam!’ film

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 9, 2023
The album cover of Norman Lake's debut album, "Songs for Long Distance Lovers," which features a woman standing looking out over a field. Lake sat down and talked about this album with the Northern Star last week.

Norman Lake on ‘the emotions that terrify us and we run from’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 7, 2023
The bassist and guitarist of Manchester Orchestra playing on stage during a show.

Greats return, pay homage to classics

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
March 2, 2023
The Netflix pop-up of "Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre" with a description of the show.

[Photo] Another bad Netflix anime turns horror to comedy

By Anika Haley, Lifestyle Writer
February 21, 2023
The "Lockwood & Co." page with a description on the Netflix website.

[Photo] ‘Lockwood & Co.’ delivers a fantastical story of a world plagued by ghosts

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor
February 21, 2023
Gracie Abrams on stage reaching out to the audience during a performance.

Look for new music and book coming out next week

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 16, 2023
The cast of "Life is a Dream" during the University of Arkansas performance of the play on stage.

‘Life is a Dream’ questions being born into honor

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 13, 2023
Director Steven Soderbergh and Actors Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum during a premiere of "Magic Mike's Last Dance."

Booker Prize-winning author releases new book, ‘Magic Mike’ ends

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
February 2, 2023
Lil Yachty performs on stage at FEQ, a massive festival held in Quebec, Canada.

Move over Yacht rock, Yachty rock is here

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor
January 31, 2023
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