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

Students await in the Carl Sandburg auditorium for night two of the Reality Bytes Film Festival. The film festival is an annual event at NIU. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Second night highlights of Reality Bytes

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 13, 2023

The Reality Bytes film festival came to a formidable end Wednesday. The annual independent student festival, directed by Dr. Laura Vazquez, showcased 20 short films from all over the globe. The 20 short films, chosen from 100 submissions, were shown free...

The crowd in Sandburg Auditorium preparing for the Reality Bytes Film Festival. The festivals first night was a success with nine films showcased. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

First night highlights of Reality Bytes

By Daniel Massa, Lifestyle Writer | April 12, 2023

The 2023 Reality Bytes Film Festival premiered Tuesday night and was a stellar showcase of short films from all over the world. Reality Bytes is an annual film festival at NIU directed by undergraduate program director of media studies, Laura Vazquez....

(from left) Togo Igawa, Nino Furuhata and Taron Egerton from the film Tetris share a drink. The film premiered on March 31 on Apple TV+. (Apple TV+ via AP)

‘Tetris’ as complex as its real-life story

By Daniel Massa, Lifestyle Writer | April 6, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following piece contains spoilers for “Tetris,” which is currently on Apple TV+ “Tetris” gets very close to perfectly portraying the complex legal troubles its creator and other parties had to jump through for the rights...

A poster for Reality Bytes Film Festival with two theater seats and a bucket of popcorn. The festival will take place April 11 and 12 showing 10 short films each night. (Courtesy of Reality Bytes Film Festival)

Lights, camera, action on film festival

By Daniel Massa, Lifestyle Writer | April 5, 2023

NIU’s annual film festival is right around the corner and welcomes all film buffs to watch and discuss the many works crafted by student filmmakers.  NIU will be hosting its annual Reality Bytes Film Festival on April 11-12. The festival will showcase...

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

“The Society of Shame” by Jan Roper Jan Roper’s third book, “The Society of Shame,” is releasing Tuesday. Roper’s book focuses on the shame that pervades society. When the main character Kathleen Held’s husband, who is running for senate,...

Keanu Reeves, star of John Wick Chapter 4 at the Los Angeles premiere of the film. Reeves returns in the titular role for a film that is surprisingly great.

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ succeeds in a flooded market

By Daniel Massa, Lifestyle Writer | March 27, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following piece contains spoilers for “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which is currently in theaters. “John Wick: Chapter 4” is the ultimate personification of the action genre in Hollywood amidst an oversaturated sea of superhero...

Academy Award winners Ke Huy Quan (left), Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Fraser and Jamie Lee Curtis pose after winning. While Quan and Yeoh were the consensus picks, viewers were unhappy with Curtis win.

The Academy once again disappoints

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | March 20, 2023

Every year the Oscars remind us why we turn to cinema: to become inspired by intoxicating stories from around the world. The 95th Oscars award ceremony kicked off with Jimmy Kimmel making a sweeping appearance on stage by way of a parachute. Kimmel,...

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-Pains cover album and more.

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

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | March 9, 2023

“The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery” - Adam Gopnik New Yorker writer and “Tár” actor Adam Gopnik will release his 10th book titled “The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery” on Tuesday. “The Real Work” looks at masters of their...

Apple TV+ was launched Nov. 1, 2019.

Does Apple TV+ pay off or fall flat?

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | March 7, 2023

With a multitude of recent awards season wins, Apple TV+ is quickly becoming one of the premier streaming services. But is it worth the price? Apple TV+ launched on Nov. 1, 2019, with eight original shows to start things off including “The Morning...

Actor OShea Jackson Jr. and Director Elizabeth Banks on the red carpet during the World Premier of Cocaine Bear.

‘Cocaine Bear’ is exactly what it sounds like

By Anika Haley, Lifestyle Writer | March 6, 2023

My expectations for “Cocaine Bear” were not high but that black bear sure was. I went into “Cocaine Bear” thinking it would be a bad survivalist movie that takes itself far too seriously. Then, in the end, the viewer would learn everything...

Howl and Sophie from the film Howls Moving Castle flying over a village. Studio Ghiblies 2004 release Howls Moving Castle is one of the five films featured on this list of the top five Studio Ghibli films © 2004 Studio Ghibli - NDDMT

Narrowing down the top 5 Studio Ghibli films

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | March 6, 2023

Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation company, has produced 23 films that are full of magic, nature and love. Choosing the best films from Ghibli’s almost 40 years of work is an intense debate. In no particular order, here are the top five best Studio...

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

Sleepy music, the new Scream film and the next book by Margaret Atwood will be coming out next week.  Margaret Atwood’s “Old Babes in the Wood: Stories” Margaret Atwood, known for her books “The Testament” and The Handmaid’s Tale,” is...