Editor's Note: Illinois State University senior Caleb Lawler will join The Vidette every week to share his perspective on music throughout history and throughout today's society.
Illinois State University has instructed students to remain at home for the remainder of the semester after Thanksgiving break. While students are home, they are recommended to stay home as much as possible in order to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases.
Due to the order on restaurants and bars in Illinois to close their indoor seating as well limit their hours, many will now find themselves indoors during the weekend. For those who are worried about facing boredom, here are some binge-worthy TV shows you could give a try.
Netflix and Hulu have recently added plenty of must-see television shows for the month of October that will keep you entertained and occupied while in quarantine. Below you will find five binge-worthy shows that you can bundle up on the couch to watch as the weather turns chilly.
With online Zoom classes in full effect, students find themselves overwhelmed with the copious amounts of free time on their hands. To help, below is a list of movie recommendations that will not only fit different interests and help pass the time but are also relevant.
With the mandate to shelter in place, I have been watching many movies to stay entertained. Here are some of the films I have been enjoying if you are looking for something to pass the time!
Since “Sanditon” premiered Jan. 12 in the United States, I have been fully invested every week, right up to the finale.
The show “Girlboss” came out on Netflix in 2017. I just recently watched it and I absolutely loved the story. It is based on true events that transpired to form the clothing company Nasty Gal.
If you’re a fan of "Suicide Squad," you’ll like "Birds of Prey" even better. It’s basically a light-hearted, funnier and female-dominated "Suicide Squad" and it’s everything we could have asked for.
“After” is a book written by Anna Todd that was recently made into a movie now available on Netflix. The book follows the story of Tessa Young, a new freshman college student.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Anna Vinton is a new blogger for videtteonline.com. She will be writing film reviews as well as providing insight into cinema over the course of this semester.
I wrote a review earlier this school year on Mary H.K. Choi’s book “Emergency Contact.” Her recently released book, “Permanent Record,” was also extremely good.
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith is a classic American novel that I really enjoyed over winter break. The story follows Francie Nolan and her family in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 1900s.
Over the four-week winter break, there was plenty of time to cash in on the time off while catching up on movies. So, I put together a breakdown of all the films I watched over break.
Blinded by the Light is a movie about a Pakistani boy named Javed living in England who loves to write but is restricted by his very traditional father. He dreams of going to college outside of the small town of Luton, England.
"Let It Snow" was just recently made into a Netflix movie, but first it was a book. This book was written by three different authors: John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle.
Recently, Netflix released a new movie called The King. This movie stars Timothée Chalamet as Henry V. It is a historical drama about Henry V’s rise to power after the deaths of his father and brother, which force him into his position as the King of England.
Little Women is one of my absolute favorite books. It is a classic story by Louisa May Alcott that was published in 1868.
“Endless Love” is a romantic drama that takes place the summer after senior year between Jade, a quiet girl and David, a boy who has liked her all throughout high school.
I just recently re-watched “Five Feet Apart” since the first time I saw it in the theater. This movie is a heartbreaking romance that tells the story of two teenagers with cystic fibrosis, a disease that does not allow them to get within five feet of each other.
“Turtles All the Way Down,” by John Green, is a book about mental illness and a girl trying to find a way to be who she wants to be, past her disability.
The last year of my life has been a pretty crazy rollercoaster ride.
"Persuasion" by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books from her long line of classic selection. I love the main character of this novel and her suitor, Captain Wentworth.
EDITOR'S NOTE: 2019's “Joker” is not your average superhero movie or the typical way the classic villain has been portrayed. As an R-rated solo film depicting the rise of Joker's prominence and decrepit nature in Gotham City, reviews for the film's indecency and overall discomfort it causes …
Another summer read for me, "Again, but Better," written by Christine Riccio, was one of my favorites this year.
I recently read "Emergency Contact" by Mary H.K. Choi. This realistic fiction book was a wonderful summer read, although at times heart-wrenching, and kept me guessing the whole way through at what was going to happen next.
I love many types of rock and roll artists from earlier decades, but I also love newer versions of rock that are gaining popularity today. Here are some recent bands and artists that are forging the way for modern rock and roll.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kylie Hagmann is a new blogger for videtteonline.com. She will be writing about music and sports-related issues. Hagmann is also a member the Illinois State cross country team.
The novelist Yukio Mishima has been a controversial figure in Japan both before and after his suicide in 1970.
Quentin Tarantino has made a career of immersing himself and his viewers in bygone cinematic genres and time periods.
Early in Stanley Kubrick’s career, the then unknown director would team up with Kirk Douglas for a war movie the likes of which American audiences were not ready for.
In my review of John Wick III, I brought up several important recent martial arts and action films from Asia.
To understand the appeal of the John Wick franchise you must look at the drought of hard-R action movies in Hollywood’s current climate.
For most people, the 1966 film Blow-Up will be a waste of time.
Editor's Note: Manasi Kinikar is a high school senior at Normal Community High School. Kinikar blogs for The Vidette under an internship program.
During my spring break travels, I decided to pick up “Crazy Rich Asians” for my airport reading. I thought it would be a fun, light-hearted read for vacation — and I wasn’t disappointed. I read the book rather quickly, and while there were certain aspects that clearly stood out to me indicat…
One of the greatest twists of irony that falls on students who major in what they’re passionate about is the slow decline and eventual loss of any and all interest in that passion throughout their college career. I have definitely found this to be the case when it comes to my love of reading.
Fans of Comedy Central’s hit show Broad City will be excited to learn that Abbi Jacobson, one of the two stars and creators of the show, released a new book on October 30.
Kill the Boy Band
It’s October, and that means it’s officially the month of Halloween. With crisp fall weather and that spooky chill in the air, there’s no better time to curl up with a hot beverage and a nice cozy blanket and read a good book. Personally, I have never been brave enough to watch very many sca…
This past Sunday, pop sensation and former country sweetheart Taylor Swift, practically broke the internet with an extensive Instagram caption. The post stressed the importance for her young fans to vote during this year’s midterm elections, while also exposing her personal views on many pol…
Netflix’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before has quickly become the latest feel-good obsession. As someone who has been a fan of the books since the publication of the first installment back in 2014, I’m incredibly happy that this series is getting the love it deserves, and rightly being prai…
In light of the most recent celebrity tragedies such as the death of Mac Miller, the weight of someone gone too soon hangs even more heavy on our hearts as we are reminded to take advantage of every single day we have here with our loved ones.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kim Larsen is a night editor at The Vidette. . A senior at ISU from Chicago, Illinois, Larsen is publication major in the Department of English Her blog will concentrate on book reviews.
Colorful streets, home made tortillas and lush green backdrops are at the forefront of my memories as I look back to where I was at the beginning of the New Year.
Brockhampton
Packed with unpredictable beats yet mellow themes, Jaden Smith’s debut studio album is an ambitious attempt at a genre bending sound as he attempts to find his voice in today’s music industry.
WARNING: SPOILERS
WARNING: SPOILERS
Recently, musicians have visited death's doorstep with an alarming frequency, so frequent that reactions to these deaths often turn into apathy after a single news headline.
Mike Golden. If this name doesn’t ring a bell, it should. Originally from Hammond, Ind., this musician moved to Chicago and has created a decent buzz for himself lately. Chicago seems to be a good spot to be coming from with names like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa arising from the “Windy …
The new season of American Horror Story premiered last night. There were many "NOPE"-worthy moments.
Donald Glover, also known by his stage name, Childish Gambino, has recently been on a Frank-Ocean-like hiatus since his Sophomore album, Because the Internet. You may know this man from his appearances in the movies, The Martian, Magic Mike XXL or even through his role as Troy from the comed…
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams."
Last weekend, R&B artist and famous procrastinator Frank Ocean released a 46 minute visual album titled, Endless. This piece of art was a precursor to his (nonvisual?) album Blonde that was released before people could even get used to Endless. Both of the albums are similar, being mostl…
FRANK IS BACK. After 4 years, Frank Ocean finally presents us the release of his highly anticipated and long awaited album titled Blonde along with a photobook magazine, which includes the physical copy inside, exclusive to pop up shops in four locations in the cities of Los Angeles, New Yor…
Carpool Karaoke is one of the most popular late-night talk-show segments on TV right now. James Corden is the host and the driver of the segment. It basically involves Corden driving around famous musicians and singing their songs. Everyone has probably at least seen one episode since it sta…
John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982): A horror movie you've probably ignored
As a senior, I can say that I have driven down Main Street into Bloomington many, many times throughout college. I have seen the sign for Mugsy’s Pub countless times as well, but it never looked inviting or somewhere I would ever try.
I get this question all the time when I tell people it's my major. There isn't one simple answer though. I try my best to give people a comprehensive one. I usually say things like "creating virtual environments" or "developing easy-to-use user interfaces" but I want this post to expand on w…
While many students are pretty familiar with downtown Bloomington around 11:30 on Friday or Saturday nights, there are definitely some places downtown that deserve to be visited, even in the light of day. Rosie’s Pub is one of them.
Having so many forms of social media available to us can make it easy for one funny video to blow up in a matter of days. In between classes and study sessions, it’s likely that we’re going to share that video with our friends, either in person or online. Recently, the world was given ‘Damn …
Following and continuing to listen to a music artist for 10 years is a long time. I’m sure everyone has a few favorite artists that were there when they started listening to music, and are still one of their favorites today. Artists that come to mind when I first got into music are John Lege…
When picking a college to attend, one of the things I looked for was a college with an awesome music scene. Back at home, bands had shows anywhere we could talk someone into letting us be loud for a few hours.
8 Gifs to Help Explain Senior Year | Part 1
2015 came and went. A lot of good music happened in 2015, but there were a few major albums and projects that did not end up happening for one reason or another. These are my 5 albums that I’m looking forward to in 2016. I’m looking forward to these albums for a variety of reasons.
We all remember this Bieber.The guy was new to the scene. He had the shag haircut, he had that song that you most definitely have heard more than “One Time,” but we weren’t ready to anoint him a star yet. I really think that an artist’s fanbase dictates how seriously he or she can be taken a…
We all remember this Bieber.
There's nothing like a little retail therapy, especially when it can be done in your PJ's! Shopaholics everywhere know that this online shopping addiction is a process and the emotional stages that one can go through. Lets break down those stages!
What is your favorite food? Have you ever thought about or cared to know how many calories are in your favorite foods? One of my favorite foods is sushi. I was reading an article recently about how many calories are in our favorite sushi rolls. I was imagining a list of all tempura fried rol…
I just got back from my annual family skiing vacation. The weather was beautiful. The temperature was in the twenties, which if you think about it, can be considered a heat wave these days. Especially, since when I came back to Blono on Sunday the temperature was frigid. Needless to say, the…
“50 Shades of Grey” premiered this past weekend. Although it has grossed over $80 million in the box office, there are other movies to watch that don’t portray borderline abusive relationships. Here are a few out right now that are a lot more appealing:
Last night was the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and this year was a disappointment. Compared to last year’s show, this year’s awards were boring.
Sunday, Feb. 1 marked the 49 Superbowl and as an entertainment blogger and someone who doesn’t know much about football, I’m here to discuss the most important part of the whole game, the Halftime show.
Tuesday, January 15th was the announcement date for the 87th annual Academy Awards, and if you were on Twitter at all that day, you probably saw a few congratulation tweets to certain actors, but you also probably saw the backlash that the Academy received and the hate tweets that are still …
Feminism is about wanting the social, political, and economic equality for all women and men. For us millennials, that mostly means posting stories about catcalling and sexual harassment situations on Facebook and hoping that writing a long rant about it will call attention and get a bunch o…
Disney and Pixar are known for their iconic movies. Films like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story have all been favorites that bring us back to our childhood whenever we watch. After the huge success of the Toy Story trilogy, Disney surprised us by announcing recently that …
With the holiday season right around the corner, theres going to be several vacations days with nothing to do. A convenient activity for this time of the year is a trip to the movies. Here is my list of must-see holiday movies!
What a wonderful time for women on television, Julianna Margulies, who plays Alicia Florrick, the main character of the CBS legal drama, The Good Wife, said when she accepted her 2014 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama.
So if youve been following any entertainment news recently, then youd see the most recent spiral of Amanda Bynes.
Sunday evening, Bravo shed light on the beloved Manzo family like viewers have never seen them before and the matriarch herself Caroline Manzo is back with an all new show Manzod With Children.
This past weekend was the premiere of the 40th season of Saturday Night Live with host Chris Pratt from Guardians of the Galaxy, and musical guest Ariana Grande. While I wasnt a fan of this episode, there was one sketch that I did enjoy.
Ive been looking on the internet recently for apartments in Boston, Mass., as it is my hope to get a job there after graduation. After perusing many realtor websites and Craigs List, I came across an ad that was, lets just put it this way, more unique than the rest. The ad was looking for…
And I mean that in the most kind and sincere way. Do not take me begging you as an insult, how could I ever insult a writer of your talent? I do however have a problem. All of your books do not need to become movies. I know that nowadays a majority of movies are based off of books, but all o…
Oh, iTunes, I love you. Ive used you since the very first iPod came out, and you continued to surprise me when you came out with iTunes radio which I listen to all the time. I kept thinking of the many ways you could get better. And then you go and surprise me and millions of other iTunes u…
Fall is a wonderful time filled with pumpkin spice lattes and football games. But its time we talk about something really important: TV. Shows are returning and new ones are approaching, and heres what to look out for this fall.
Did you watch this months series finale of How I Met Your Mother? There were some big surprises, and while I'm not outraged with the ending like some people seem to be, it isn't the way that I would have chosen to end the show. What did resonate with me from this episode is the realistic wa…
I have this thing I like to do. It is kind of weird and fairly recent but it feels like it is evolving. I began by laughing incredibly hard while using Photoshop to place my friends heads onto animals. It was easily the funniest thing to see the hybrid friends on the plains of Africa, or as…
The Oscars have come and gone for the year, leaving in its wake a string of wins for 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, and Dallas Buyers Club, amongst others. There was no one movie that dominated the nominations and wins this year like there is some years. During the mid 90s there was one su…
I really do not want to spend a blog post complaining about television, but I have a point to make. I do not watch a lot of television, but I do have some shows I watch sometimes. In the last few years, there have been a few shows that I have become fond of and have caught my interest, perha…
Snapchat is one of the latest apps you can find on most people's smartphone these days. Snapchat is a photo messaging application where one can send others "messages" as pictures to your friends with drawings and text. The trick is that the pictures you send are only visible for between 3-10…
I was having a discussion with a friend earlier this week about what falls under the category of good music, and what should get tossed into the garbage category of bad music. As I do with most discussions, I wanted to see its full scale, so I decided to play devils advocate just to get…
Looking for a new show to binge watch this winter? 90's pop culture enthusiasts may want to check out Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 on Netflix. While its run only lasted two seasons, it is certainly entertainment worthy of a couple of cold, weekday nights. The "B" is Chloe, a modern …
For those of you who watch "American Horror Story" or are contemplating whether or not you can handle the show, here is a first time viewers take on the show.
Just a little over a month from now, HBO will premier season three of their hit series, "Girls". Girls has received much press over the past two years due to its success, writing and the unstoppable force that is Lena Dunham. Simply put, Girls is where its at!
On Nov. 30, the devastating news came a shock to the world when news sites reported that the beloved Fast and Furious star Paul Walker had died due to a car accident. Walker was 40. The crash happened around 3:30pm in Los Angeles where Walker was attending a function for his charity: Reach o…
DVR is one of the great technological advances of our time. We have the ability to record, pause, fast forward and rewind any and all shows that air on Television. If you are not going to be home to catch "Mad Men" no worries, just record it. Did you just miss the hilarity of our favorite ac…
Remember in seventh grade when we all had an iPod Mini in an obnoxious color of green or pink? Apple has recently rolled out a new iPod touch in a variety of colors that would blow our old iPod out of the water. But does anyone really go out and buy an iPod anymore? My current phone has enou…
Guess who just started watching NBCs "Parks and Recreation"? Answer: Me!
Recently, Selena Gomez and Lourde struck an argument about Gomezs song Come and Get It. 17-year-old rising star, Lourde started bashing the song saying it is anti-feminist.
With the start of November comes the beginning of No Shave November. Throughout this month-long event, some guys will go all out growing a complete beard, while some will only partially commit.
Over Thanksgiving break, I will be jet setting to Paris, France and I am so, so, so excited. Aside from the packing, planning and booking, I have been taking some time to research the City of Lights. My extensive exploration led me to the 2011 Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris.
Are you kidding, you really watch Duck Dynasty?
Let me start of this blog by telling you about my (un) healthy obsession with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Ever since seeing 500 Days of Summer, Ive really felt a connection with Joe. Its kind of like were really close friends, even though he totally doesnt know I exist. I remember watching a f…
Thats right, folks. YouTube is officially aboard the award-show-season train. In early Oct., it was announced that the video broadcasting company, owned by Google, would be hosting their first live awards show, the YouTube Music Awards (YTMAs). On Sunday, Nov. 3, the show will air on YouTub…
It is that time of year once again; scurrying to find the best Halloween Costume. This is always a hard decision because you dont want to look like you are trying to hard, but at the same time you want people to compliment your outfit. If you are single you are obviously going to looking fo…
Lets be honest. We all feel seriously sorry for kids today, simply because their Halloween movies dont even come close to the classics we grew up with. Halloween Town, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas these are the movies that made me fall in love with this season. Looking bac…
Alright, lets talk about music. Have you heard of the band Arcade Fire? If you answered yes, good job. If you answered no, today is the day you learn.
College is not easy. Sure, we all have at least one class that we can skip every once and a while, but for the most part, class is completely consuming: homework, GROUP PROJECTS, term papers and exams. Any combination of these things can lead to stress, and it is fairly possible that a bad t…
The public was in shock when it was announced that Sons of Anarchy star, Charlie Hunnam was cast to play the character of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey film.
For those of you who watch TLC, I am sure you have seen previews for the new show Alaskan Women Looking for Love, which is set to premier Sunday, Oct. 6. For those of you who are not familiar with the new series, it is a new show about Alaskan women looking for love. Yes, this is a real concept.
The beloved show Breaking Bad has ended, and the world is no longer the same. Instead of mourning the loss of Walter White for the rest of your life, I have found that the best way to get past this tragedy is by beginning a new show. Thanks to todays technological advances, the selection of…
Some may know that Lamar Odom, husband to Khloe Kardashian, has been in the news for some not great reasons recently. There have been rumors of drug addiction, cheating and just not being home in general.
This past week there has been buzz around Hollywood or you may have even seen for yourself Kanye West's freak out towards Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter. Everyone saw friends tweet about how Kanye has gone off the crazy cliff, but what really happened?
If you ever find yourself needing a movie day (and we all dofrankly, the more the better), movies of the 90s are an obvious choice. This decade churned out so many awesome movies that fully deserve revisiting.
Perhaps you have tuned into the radio recently and heard a catchy, sort of tehno-y song coming through your speakers. Maybe you have heard this chorus .
Over the summer, actress and dirctor Sofia Coppola directed a scandalous movie based off of real events called The Bling Ring. I finally got around to seeing the film this past weekend it was long overdue. The movie follows the lives of five, wealthy high schoolers: Rebecca, Marc, Nicki, C…
Pop quiz! What important event occurred 20 years ago this month?
Alright everyone, it is that time of year again, award show season! Of course, award shows are not for everyone. I might find that idea hard to grasp, but I am trying to come to terms with it. If you categorize yourself as someone who does not like award shows, I would highly suggest you giv…
I am not too proud to admit that I am still a fan of Disney classic movies. Give me the chance to go to Disney World (specifically, Magic Kingdom) and I might never come back.
The term "guilty pleasure" is tossed around pretty frequently. It refers to the things we are not really supposed to like, and God forbid, if we do, we are supposed to keep mum about them. But I do not buy it. And I do not think you should either. Below, you will find just some of the things…
There are countless characters in the entertainment realm that inspire a magnitude in viewers. These are usually the characters that audiences feel they can relate to, make fun of, or just have fun watching to see what they do next. Below, I have listed just a few characters who I think are …
Finish this sentence: Live from New York
If you have checked a social media site, tuned into the radio or read any pop culture article online, there is a good chance you have read about Miley Cyrus. She has become the girl we love to hate and hate to love. No matter gender, race, or sexual orientation, when the song We Cant Stop…
I recently watched the new romantic-comedy Drinking Buddies. I didnt know much about the movie before pressing play, but my love for Anna Kendrick had me intrigued. Basically, Drinking Buddies is the story of Luke (Jake Johnson) and Kate (Olivia Wilde) co-workers who spend most of the…
How many times have you been part of a conversation that goes a little something like this?
The autumn season is many a persons favorite, and I am no exception. The gold air, the event of Homecoming each year, and, of course, Halloween, there is this sort of undeniable magic to fall. Here, I have listed a few songs that should be on your playlist this season.
Whether you are a freshman, senior, or grad student, college is stereotypically the time to explore and discover new music. If we are speaking stereotypically, this new music we find ourselves seeking is often classified as Indie, or in other words, lesser known bands. I realize that there a…
This past week, leading roles for the very anticipated film, based on the novels Fifty Shades of Grey, have been announced! Dakota Johnson, from 21 Jump Street and The Five-Year Engagement, will be playing Anastasia Steele. Charlie Hunnam, star of Pacific Rim and Sons of Anarchy will be play…
On Labor Day weekend, I was lucky enough to attend summers last stand, better known as North Coast Music Festival. What makes this festival a truly unique experience compared to others, is the size of the festival and how much it has to offer. North Coast brings a strong local presence of pe…
Even though many of us are too young to be nostalgic, there is certainly no harm in recapturing the pastespecially when it comes to television. Most people fondly remember 90s TV, and since I am no exception, I have come up with a list of a few shows that I think helped define the decade in…