1-24-2022

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

CEDAR FALLS, IA

MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28

OPINION

CAMPUS LIFE

SPORTS

OPINION PAGE 3

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 5

SPORTS PAGE 6

An NI opinion columist argues for free menstrual products on campus.

Panthers take down NDSU 29-13 Saturday.

Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the top ten movies of 2021.

Behind the empty lunch counter

UNI’s dining centers continue to struggle with staffing shortages KATE GREENWOOD Guest Writer

In Piazza and Rialto, lunch counters sit empty and abandoned with “Help Wanted” signs dotting the dining room.

Menu options have been reduced, late night hours have shifted to “dine-out only” and Styrofoam plates (to avoid the work of dishwashing) fill their garbage bins – all this in an effort to combat the severe labor shortage hitting the dining centers. “Last year to this year has increased the workload by quite a lot.

We’re constantly moving and being rearranged,” said Emma Marshall, a student worker in Piazza.

The labor shortage at UNI is not a unique problem. If you did a quick search on the worker shortage in university dining centers, you would find your browser flooded with stories from campuses all over the country. At the University of Iowa, the dining operation has fallen to only 42% of its needed student staff of 1,400 workers, according to a report by the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Long lines and extended waits are the norm at Simpson College as it experiences record lows in student workers, and Michigan State has had to close off its residential dining centers to the public.

From 2019 to today, there are

Northern Iowan Archives

Piazza and Rialto have shifted to “dine out only” during late hours and have utilized disposable plates in reponse to low staff numbers.

Letter penned to BOR and administration expressing concern about COVID-19

NIXSON BENITEZ Executive Editor

Northern Iowan Archives

Dining centers at UNI and other college campuses around the country are struggling to find an adequate number of staff.

210 less employees working in the dining locations on UNI’s campus according to Matthew Copp, manager of Piazza.

Although the prominence of the worker shortage on campus is undeniable, the exact cause can only be speculated.

A common assumption is that the worker shortage is a consequence of the global pandemic.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say that working in the dining center used to be something everybody wanted to do, like that was the thing to do. But I

actually feel like the increase of technology and isolation because of COVID has driven people away from wanting to do social projects, and if they don’t have to work, they won’t,” said Jaydon VandeNoord, a student employee in Piazza.

Aside from COVID-19, a factor that could be contributing to the worker shortage is the not-so-glamorous reputation of the food service industry.

See STAFF SHORTAGE, page 2

Raygun to open location in Cedar Falls

“The Greatest Store in the Universe” is coming to Main Street this spring CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor

After years of setbacks and waiting, the locally popular clothing company Raygun will be moving into a location on Main Street in Cedar Falls this spring. Their other locations include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Chicago, Kansas City, Des Moines and Omaha.

According to Raygun’s website, the store is “a printing, design & clothing company owned and operated by extremely attractive Midwesterners,” offering witty t-shirts and merchandise aimed at midwesterners with a wry sense of humor. The company also sells merchandise encouraging activism and political involvement.

Raygun will open at 205 Main Street a block from the

Faculty and students demand updated COVID-19 precautions

On Jan. 12, faculty, staff and students with young children came together to form an open letter to the Board of Regents (BOR) and the three university presidents on the return for the spring semester.

The letter was promoted on Twitter and sent out and distributed in emails for people to sign through a google form. The letter included the COVID-19 positivity rates at the time.

See COVID CONCERNS, page 2

Shots fired reported Jan. 18 on Hudson Road NI STAFF

RAYGUN/Courtesy Photos

Raygun, the locally famous t-shirt shop offering midwest themed witty merchandise, will open a location on Cedar Falls’ Main Street.

Blackhawk Hotel and Cedar River. Raygun will be sharing the store location with Vinyl Cup Records whose mission is to “connect people over great music and brew.”

Raygun had attempted to open a location in Cedar Falls in 2012 and 2018, however setbacks pertaining to renting a space and the COVID-19 pandemic hindered their opening.

“We’re excited to be a small part of the phenomenal Waterloo-Cedar FallsUNI-Cedar Valley-Edge-OfThe-Driftless community,” Raygun’s blog stated.

UNI students received an alert Jan. 18 which stated, “Reported shots fired at 18th St. and Hudson Road three subjects dressed in black clothing. Last seen heading south on foot. Stay away from this area.” The updated alert read, “Cedar Falls Police have cleared the scene at 18th St. and Hudson Road. Subjects are still at large.”

Currently no updated reports by Cedar Falls Police Department have been released regarding the suspects.

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JANUARY 24, 2022 |

COVID CONCERNS

continued from page 1

Black Hawk county has had a 42.7% increase including a 28.8% increase in Johnson County as well as a 24.4% increase in Story county.

According to the Iowa COVID-19 tracker currently 59% of people are vaccinated and 25% are currently boosted in the state of Iowa. In Black Hawk County the numbers aren’t too far apart in regards to vaccination.

The open letter stated, “With the Omicron variant now dominating new cases, this spread will certainly increase over the coming weeks. We continue to see hospitalizations on the rise throughout Iowa, including hospitalized children.”

The letter continues, “Our campus and regents leaders can and must do more to protect our campus communities, with special attention to children of faculty, staff and students; these children are too young to be vaccinated or ineligible for COVID vaccine boosters.”

Later on in the open letter the community requested a uni-

STAFF SHORTAGE

continued from page 1

Heidi Boettcher, a former Rialto employee who spent all her shifts working in the dish room does not recall that time fondly. After three months of working, she lost hope that she would ever be moved out of the dish room and quit her job out of frustration. When people ask her if they should work in the dining center, she tells them it’s not worth their time.

“I guess if you know a lot of upperclassmen and they tell you about the dining center a lot of people end up not wanting to work there at all because of the experiences other people have had,” Boettcher said.

Another student employee, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed that reputation is a contributing factor to the worker shortage and makes a case for why the treatment of workers in the dining centers goes hand-inhand with this issue. After working at Piazza for two semesters, she began to see a theme of what she called “exploitation.” She described this as an uneven distribution of work hours between students and recalled how the

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CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor

NEWS

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28 return from break without any Our campus proof of (a) negative test result, and regents while at the current positivity leaders can rates, is beyond risky to every- and must do more to one on campus and within the protect our campus community.” communities An assistant professor of biology from the University of Northern Iowan Ai Wen, Ph.D., on go on to be a doctor. I don’t who also ratified the open letter want my doctor to have never said in an interview with the seen a lab.” Wen said.

A student from the College Northern Iowan, “After teachof Business majoring in ing sort of online, and then ANNA STEVENS/Northern Iowan Quantitative The BOR will not enforce a mask hybrid, and for the past two Economics: mandate at the request of several years I really want to keep in- Techniques Connor McGinnis students and faculty members. person (teaching). I think in also voiced concern. “A lot of versal mask mandate, enhanced order to do that, to be able to people have gotten sick over the air quality and including paid keep in-person for the students winter break, I got sick, returnleave options for employees to get the best learning expe- ing home from travel. I think who are caregivers impacted by rience, we really need a mask the university could do better by rolling out and encouraging COVID-19. In just two days the mandate.” letter gained 288 signatures and Wen mentioned that more people to take a booster supporters from community although these steps are minor shot. I haven’t taken the booster members, alumni and current/ it is important to reduce the shot myself, but I think it’s someformer faculty. transmissibility of COVID-19 thing that I want to do in the near An alumnus from the and other variants. Wen cur- future.”

Business Administration major University of Northern Iowa rently teaches biology and biolCassie Naaktegboren men- ogy lab and mentions that the Carsen Johnson said, “I think a tioned in the letter, “Many of lab portion is difficult to replace mask mandate would be helpful, I would wear them. I mean, I my beloved teachers have been virtually. put in harm’s way due to the “(For) Biology lab, I don’t wouldn’t be super excited about it negligence of the Iowa Board want to train a whole generation because I’ve taken the steps to get of Regents.” Other communi- of biology students that have my booster and everything, but I’d ty members wrote, “Having a never been to a lab then later be okay with it.”

While the worker shortage has altered the dining experience of many students and student workers, it has potentially had the greatest impact on the full-time dining staff. The environment in the dining centers was labeled as “busy, hectic, and stressful” by full time staff member Nancy Klodt, who also commented, “People are very cautious, not knowing if others have been vaccinated or may be CATHERINE CROW/Northern Iowan In response to low staff numbers, Piazza and Rialto have increased their sick.” hourly wage by $2.

Another full-time staff memsame student workers, specifi- when he first started the job. ber, Joe Silva stated, “We hold cally the student managers, were “Usually, they just keep ourselves to expectations of high constantly expected to pick up expecting you to do more if quality… that hasn’t changed, extra shifts. you’re doing a good job because but the number of people to do it “It seems like a lot of issues they know you’re capable of it.” has changed.” that came about were over the Working in the dining cenTo combat this issue, the dinsummer. I think a lot of people ters often requires employees to ing centers have added an incenquit during that time period and stand for hours, serving students tive for potential student-workthey entered the semester with a from behind a glass window ers, raising starting wages by major, major, major shortage in in a noisy dining hall and is $2. According to Copp, this has workers. People were sick of the often seen as a physically taxing helped to increase staffing levels way they were being treated and job. With the wide variety of by 50% from what they were they had to set their own bound- on-campus jobs available, work- in August. Unfortunately, the aries and put themselves first.” ing in the dining centers may not effort to incentivize workers has VandeNoord also spoke on be the most appealing option for been concentrated on students, this theme of uneven work dis- students, even with the increased excluding full-time staff memtribution among some of the wages. bers. staff. After five semesters in “There’s just a lot of other “Those here haven’t received Piazza, he has started to gain jobs, like all over campus. And, anything for working through recognition from the full-time I think, other ones that sound it,” remarked Klodt. staff and works more now than more enticing,” said Marshall.

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The BOR has received the letter and on the meeting of Jan. 12. President Michael Richard stated the Board’s COVID-19 guidance at the universities for the spring semester would not change.

“We are all tired of COVID. But the single most important thing that anyone can do is get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.”

President Richard said.

The BOR supports the COVID-19 vaccines and continues to strongly encourage all faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated. They express they want as many people to get vaccinated as possible as this is by far the best form of protection against COVID-19.

The Panther Health Survey is currently available to those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed or unable to attend/report to class/work regardless of vaccination status. The Panther Health Survey helps navigate campus resources and services to individuals impacted by COVID-19.

With less hands to do the same amount of work, the past year has undoubtedly been a struggle for dining center employees. Despite the circumstances, there are benefits of working in the dining center that can be recognized. In a busy and stressful work environment, employees still find enjoyment in their jobs.

“I enjoy working there because of the people I work with, and I’ve had good luck with that,” Marshall said.

Another student worker who commented on the environment in the dining halls said, “The culture implemented by the other student employees was great. I loved my coworkers and I’m still friends with them.”

Although the situation seems bleak, the dining staff looks to the future with a positive attitude and continues to find new ways to recruit students. Carol Fletcher, the director of dining services, is proud of her staff for their ability to adjust and adapt to the ongoing changes.

“They continue to focus on students and how to best serve them both from a dining perspective as well as an employer standpoint,” Fletcher said.

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PAGE 3

OPINION

NIXSON BENITEZ Executive Editor

JANUARY 24, 2022 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28

Disclaimer: The following opinion articles featured do not reflect the opinion of the Northern Iowan newspaper or staff as a whole.

Why we need to free the tampon Menstrual products should be free to access and free to use CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Opinion Columnist

Every woman (or menstruator) has a period horror story. Whether they got their period in gym class, while swimming, or in front of their middle school crush, these slightly traumatic experiences usually end up with a frantic and somewhat embarrassing hunt for a tampon or pad. In some cases wads of toilet paper are a last ditch resort if a tampon is nowhere to be found.

79% of women surveyed in a national study about menstrual equity admitted to improvising and “Macgyvering” a tampon or pad out of toilet paper in an emergency.

Toilet paper, paper towels and soap are all seen as basic human necessities, yet why are menstrual products viewed as a luxury? In some bathrooms women must pay 25 cents for a menstrual product like they are candy in a vending machine. A product that is

Karla DeBruin/Northern Iowan

59% of the students at UNI are women and should recieve free access to tampons or pads in restrooms.

essential to helping more than half the population go about their daily lives should be available for free and easy access.

As a senator for Northern Iowan Student Government (NISG), I continued the initiative (which began in 2019), supplying UNI students with free menstrual products in bathrooms across campus along with UNI Feminists. Since we began stocking six highly trafficked bathrooms across campus with readily available pads and tampons, these products have been heavily utilized. Some

have even left their extra period products on the shelf for those in need. Although providing a few free pads and tampons may seem like an insignif icant investment, this is an overlooked and desperately needed service for the women and menstruators on our campus.

According to multiple state and nationwide surveys, period poverty among college students is rampant. More than four in five students in the United States have either missed class time or know someone who has missed class

time because they did not have access to period products. One in five teens have struggled to afford period products or were not able to purchase them at all while 61% have worn a tampon or pad for more than four hours because they did not have access to period products which put them at risk of infection.

Although NISG and UNI Feminists have been able to supply a few bathrooms with products for this year, we have no sustainable funding for upcoming semesters. For just $2,500 a year we would be able

to supply free products across majorly trafficked restrooms across campus.

UNI’s student population is majority women who deserve to focus on getting their education, not on whether or not they have access to a basic sanitary necessity. By funding this initiative the university would be investing in not only a basic hygienic necessity for more than half of the student population, but will be actively supporting and empowering menstruators in their pursuit of education and healthy reproductive health.

To voice your support and lobby the university for funding this program, please scan the QR code and fill out the survey.

Navigating negative religious experiences LENNON JANES

Opinion Columnist

In my time at UNI I have found that maintaining spiritual well-being has been crucial to both my overall college experience as well as my individual journey through life. With this being said, I have also found that truly nurturing my spiritual well-being has taken disciplined research before joining any religious or spiritual group. This was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way during my freshman year of college when I was so eager to get involved that I didn’t stop and learn the core values of the religious groups I was joining. Rather than fostering positive spiritual growth, I contributed to my own religious harm and stopped any maintenance or growth of my spiritual well-being altogether.

Thankfully, I was not alone in my struggle and quickly found others with similar negative on campus religious experiences.

In some ways, these experiences allowed me to not only understand the conse-

Karla DeBruin/Northern Iowan

College is a time where students explore different interest and engage in community activities.

quences of my own misconceptions of religious groups that I had blindly joined, but also acknowledge the harm that had been done in a religious context before I had arrived at college.

This allowed me to become more objective in how I perceived my own negative religious experiences and more specifically how I wanted to move forward from there.

College is a time in life where many are first able

to acknowledge the negative spiritual and religious experiences that they have had both in the past and the present.

This can make college both an exploratory and vulnerable time for spiritual well-being. Despite the vulnerability in exploring, there are ways to explore religion and spirituality safely and effectively.

Acknowledging that the beliefs of varying campus religious and spiritu-

al groups may not support your beliefs and identity can be a good first step. Along with this, it is important to note the importance of asking questions about values and goals of a community, this can seem like a daunting or blunt task but it can be important to maintaining personal wellbeing while exploring. Similar to joining other groups, it is important to build a diverse support network that comes from a few different com-

munities which can provide assurance that if there becomes a need to leave a religious group there will still be existing support outside of that.

Aside from taking personal precautions before joining various religious groups, it is important to know that there are resources on campus that can provide support. It is possible to look up different student organizations at UNI to learn more about them before attending all together. If a harmful experience does occur at a religious or spiritual student organization the UNI counseling center is also available to help work through those experiences. Along with these resources it is also important to note that spiritual well being can be maintained through other means that don’t require a communal element. This is important to keep in mind, especially if a break from religious or spiritual groups becomes necessary to preserve the well-being of oneself.

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CATHERINE CROW

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus Life Editor

‘Who’ takes Dome by storm JANUARY 24, 2022 |

NI ARCHIVES

Editors Note: The original article is from the Northern Iowan January 31, 1986.

Two days before tickets were to go on sale, the lawn in front of the UNI-Dome became the campground for expectant fans hoping to be the first in line to purchase tickets for the concert. This scene was re-enacted on Friday, Oct. 15, when for the first time and last time, the legendary rock group ‘The Who’ performed in the UNI-Dome.

Most concert-goers were taken by surprise at the sight of the 40 foot high set which the Who was to perform in front of. Illuminated letters that spelled out “WHO” formed the proscenium of the stage and became part of the spectacular lighting effects throughout the concert.

By the time the opening act began to play, nearly 23,000 fans had crowded into the arena. “Novo Combo” served as a credible warm-up band for an audience that needed little to prepare them for the main attraction.

After a very irritating but necessary 40 minute delay for an equipment change, the crowd took to its feet as the lights of the Dome went down and The Who burst onto stage with a shattering rendition of “Substitute,” one of their early hits. Following right on its

heels was another early song, “Can’t Explain.”

Unfortunately, the crowd seemed to be at times more content to sit and listen to the band unlike many of the “Who” concerts of previous years.

Daltry seemed to re-vitalize the crowd on “Sister Disco” with the help of Pete Townsend, John Entwhistle, and Kenny Jones, and some rotating spotlights that searched the crowd and swept down over the stage.

Almost as entertaining as the music were the classic and expected antics of the group.

Though there were no guitars or drum sets smashed.

Townsend managed to slip in quite a few of his standard windmills on the guitar and Daltry whipped the microphone through the air and feigned suicidal stabs to his heart with it.

Stepping into the spotlight for a rare performance on guitar, was Daltry singing the title song from their latest album, “It’s Hard.”

The distinctive melodic strains followed by searching guitar and the frenzied drums of Kenny Jones, immediately brought a roaring response from the crowd. The audience took the bands lead, realizing that it was once again time to rock. Fans on the floor were a mass of swaying bodies and clapping hands.

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Courtesy / ROD LIBRARY

Performing at the UNI - Dome in was “The Who” on Oct. 22 1982. The original members include Pete Townshend (left) Rodger Daltry (right).

From “Blue Eyes,” the band moved deftly into a rebellious version of “Baba O’Riley.”

Daltry defiantly reminded the crowd of the “teenage wastelands” reminiscent of the 60s and the earlier “Who” days.

Perhaps the most refreshing selection of the evening was “My Generation.” The song, practically their theme song in fact, was reported to

have been done at only a few stops on the current tours. This probably explains the remarkable energy the group injected into the number.

Seemingly out of character for the group were two very low-key selections entitled “Tattooed” and “Cry If You Want To.” Though an unexpected and welcome surprise from the rockers, the crowd

once again took to their seats for the duration of the two songs.

The audience lull did not last long however as the band immediately changed gears and cranked out the famous namesake song, “Who Are You?” Featured on that selection were Townsend and Entwhistle harmonizing with the abrasive vocals of Daltry.

Other highlights included selection from the rock opera “Tommy.” “Pinball Wizard” and “See Me/Feel Me” brought a long overdue hearty response from the crowd.

Somehow, it seemed appropriate that the Who concluded the concert with “Long Live Rock” and “Won’t Be Fooled Again.”

Returning to the stage as a result of insistent fans, the “Who” started off a set of three songs with “Magic Bus” and then sailed into a an Eddie Cochran song, (Aint’ No Cure For The) Summertime Blues.

Catching the crowd off guard, the Who concluded the encore with an early Beatles song, “Twist and Shout.”

Townsend managed to rouse the audience once more with his “duck walk,” reminiscent of Chuck Berry, as Daltry relinquished the microphone and spotlight to Entwhistle.

With the last concert tour See ‘WHO’ TAKES DOME BY STORM, page 8

UNI-Dome concerts KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

When the UNI-Dome was first built there was a promise of amazing concerts. Mostly in the 1970s and 1980s some of these concerts included some well-known performers such as Harry Chapin, Chicago, Alice Cooper, the

Doobie Brothers, the Grateful Dead, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and the Rolling Stones.

On Dec. 1, 1979, the UNIDome was packed for the Fleetwood Mac concert with a record breaking 25,547 people.

With freezing outdoor tem-

peratures on Nov. 20, 1981 the Rolling Stones played in the UNI-Dome. The amount of people – 24,000 – caused water vapor on top of the roof to fall down onto the stage.

Causing Mick Jagger to say, “Strange weather you have in Iowa.”

Courtesy / ROD LIBRARY

Throught the years of the 1970’s - 1980’s the Dome held many concerts that included big names like Alice Cooper and Fleetwood Mac

PAGE 5 CATHERINE CROW Campus Life Editor

CAMPUS LIFE

Ten best films of 2021 JANUARY 24, 2022 |

HUNTER FRIESEN Film Critic

In the movie world, 2021 was a year to be thankful for what we have because sometimes you never know how much you appreciate something until you’ve lost it. This year brought back a slight return to normalcy, with theaters reopening and new films of all shapes and sizes demanding your attention.

And while not everything that came out this year was a slam dunk, there are some truly incredible films that deserve some special praise.

So, after seeing nearly one-hundred new films in 2021, here are the ten best in my eyes. Some of these films I expected to be on this list, while others came out of left field. It goes to show that you can experience something truly incredible if you dig a little deeper.

There’s also the bonus of a few honorable mentions, as well as a little revenge I get by naming the five worst films of the year.

Worst Films of the Year The United States vs. Billie Holiday Red Notice Venom: Let There Be Carnage Cry Macho Army of the Dead Best Film Honorable Mentions The Dig Licorice Pizza A Hero Belfast The Tragedy of Macbeth 10. Pig I’m as surprised as you are that a Nicolas Cage film appears on this list. But “Pig”

is something special, a film that truly subverted my expectations. Along with Cage’s outstanding performance, equal credit should go to firsttime feature writer/director Michael Sarnoski for taking the film down a different path.

It only makes sense that in the year 2021, the best film about regret and grief would also be about the search for a lost truffle pig.

9. The Worst Person in the World Norway’s “The Worst Person in the World” packs a richly emotional story fitting to its title. With a killer soundtrack and an amazing performance from Renate Reinsve, writer/director Joachim Trier is able to balance tone and time to deliver something equal to more than the sum of its parts. A perfect piece for anyone dealing with the crisis of not knowing where they are in life.

8. The Power of the Dog Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” is one of the most violent films of the year - and of the Western genre - all without featuring a gun, knife, or fistfight. Instead, the violence that the film harbors is purely emotional and under the surface, carrying far more damaging effects than any external wound. And with a career-best Benedict Cumberbatch and a surprise turn by Kodi Smit-McPhee, it makes this film the equivalent of fine wine, as it’s near-perfect at the moment, and will only get better with age.

7. Swan Song Can a clone - even the most perfect one imaginable

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Film critic Hunter Friesen reviews the best movies of the past year.

- seamlessly take the place of a human? And is it better to lie to your loved ones to protect them from grief than to leave them with the ugly truth? These are the weighty questions at hand in Benjamin Cleary’s film, which features Mahershala Ali in dual roles.

It’s a slow burn with a lot going on behind the scenes.

It buries itself in your head while watching as you wrestle with it in the moment and continue to interact with it long after it’s over.

6. The Father Like “Schindler’s List” and “Requiem for a Dream,” “The Father” is a superb film that you will only want to watch once. Its subject matter may hit too close to home for some viewers, or be an introduction for others. No matter your familiarity, the film’s take on dementia and the toll it places on everyone involved is so incredibly well done that it demands to be seen.

5. Judas and the Black Messiah Debuting all the way back in January, this is an

all-powerful work from director Shaka King and the two leads of Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield (both Oscar-nominated, with the former winning). It’s both historical and timely, with the tragically short life story of Fred Hampton delivered with spine-chilling moments that educate and entertain.

4. The Last Duel Bolstered by spectacle and substance, Ridley Scott’s (who also had “House of Gucci” this year) medieval tale of betrayal is one of his finest films. It was one of the few films to exceed my already lofty expectations, and one of the few blockbusters of the modern age to be propelled by collaborative artistry, rather than preconceived properties and overblown budgets.

3. Annette From the visionary minds of The Sparks Brothers and director Leos Carax comes a rock musical of pure boldness. Stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard grab onto that boldness and run with it, creating several musical num-

than to actually watch, as the action is not up to the usual standard and the literal story lacks a biting hook.

Don’t Look Up (3/5) Does it count for anything if the feeling a film is intended for you to have is the same one you feel every day?

How much can Adam McKay expect me to react to his thickly veiled climate change film when the specific anger he wants to incite out of me is already inside of me?

Even in its unoriginality, “Don’t Look Up” can be quite funny, mainly thanks to its legendary cast. But it’s not laughout-loud funny. It’s the kind of funny where each laugh is greeted by an equal groan by the film trying to be too smart for its own good.

Nightmare Alley (3/5) Heavy on atmosphere, light on substance. I’m happy Guillermo del Toro got to

indulge himself once again in the macabre material that he so lovingly adores. I actually wish he would have indulged himself more! It’s all a little too pristine for my tastes.

Almost as if he’s cognizant that he needs to appeal to Oscar voters now that he’s in the club. But this is a technical masterpiece, even if the script can’t apply the finishing touches to this lush world.

Being the Ricardos (3.5/5) There’s an opportunity cost every time Aaron Sorkin decides to director one of his own scripts. The thought of “what could have been...” continually creeps through. This was good, but it could have been way better. I wish Sorkin would get off his self-aggrandizing streak of thinking he needs to be a director.

Unfortunately, the man may be able to write anything he wants, but he still doesn’t

Winter break movie reviews HUNTER FRIESEN Film Critic

At this point last year, movie theaters were still closed and streaming services had become the dominant medium for movie watching. And while we haven’t completely snapped back to reality, this winter break did provide us with a slew of good reasons to venture back to the cinema, apart from escaping the cold weather.

There were stories about a shady conman in the 1940s carnival world, two young adults falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, and a web-slinging hero trying to save the day just one more time. Of course, streaming services still delivered their fair share of interesting stories too with works by big-name talents such as Adam McKay, Aaron Sorkin, and George Clooney.

Listed below are some of

my thoughts, both good and bad, on a few of the new films I was able to see over the holiday break.

Films not given a full review: The Lost Daughter (2/5) The Hand of God (2.5/5) CODA (3/5) The Tender Bar (3/5) Cyrano (3.5/5) Drive My Car (3.5/5) Parallel Mothers (3.5/5) Swan Song (4/5)

The Matrix Resurrections (2.5/5) Both the most and least original entry in the series, this (supposedly) final entry earns extra points for not following the industry trend of way-too-late nostalgia-bait sequels (I’m looking at you “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and “Coming 2 America”). But it also loses points because it’s much more fun to think about

bers that need to be seen to be believed. With Carax’s output being irregular, each of his features is something to treasure, especially when they’re this good.

2. West Side Story With The Great Musical War of 2021 coming to a close, Steven Spielberg has emerged as the predictable winner.

Perfectly melding the work of Bernstein and Sondheim with the newfound talents of Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, and Rachel Zegler, this new “West Side Story” makes the case for why some remakes should be allowed to happen.

Because sometimes, they can meet (or surpass) the original, such as how this one does by bringing classic cinema into the modern world.

1. The French Dispatch A visual masterpiece bursting at the seams with talent both on and off the screen, “The French Dispatch” is a film by a filmmaker working at the absolute height of their powers. And while I’m not a proponent of rewatching films, I’ve seen this specific one three times in as many months, and will surely be watching it on a regular basis for the foreseeable future.

I worry about how Wes Anderson will be able to top this with his next film (which is due this year). But until then, I’ll stay in the present and be thankful that something this magical is allowed to exist in a world that only seems to get bleaker.

know the definition of humility.

Licorice Pizza (3.5/5) Turning away from the youthful chaotic energy of his earlier San Fernando Valley films of “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia,” “Licorice Pizza” marks PTA’s shaggiest film to date, which is truly something considering the aloofness of “Inherent Vice.”

It’s often a meandering film where you never truly know where it’s going. Sometimes you like where you’ve ended up, and sometimes you don’t.

Maybe that’s just what PTA intended for? Because sometimes in life - specifically in the area of love - you never truly know where you’re going to be.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (3.5/5) See WINTER BREAK MOVIE REVIEWS, page 8

PAGE 6

SPORTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

JANUARY 24, 2022 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28

UNI loses heartbreaker to Drake in OT, 82-74

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

A packed house at the McLeod Center on Saturday night pitted UNI against Drake for an in-state rivalry matchup. The Panthers and Bulldogs fought hard throughout the contest, which could not be decided in regulation. Drake prevailed in the overtime period 82-74, winning their fourth consecutive game against Northern Iowa.

DREW HILL

Sports Writer

A nearly sold-out McLeod Center hosted the intrastate rivalry between UNI men’s basketball and the Drake Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The Panthers came into the game with a conference record of 5-2, and the visitors from Des Moines came in with a conference record of 4-2. Both teams were coming off close losses, so this game between two of the top-four Missouri Valley teams was important to see who would establish conference supremacy. Trailing by 10 with under four minutes to play, the Bulldogs stormed back to force overtime, where

they prevailed by the score of 82-74.

UNI’s first big run began at the 13:41 mark of the firsthalf as they went on a 9-0 run to take a 15-9 lead. The Panthers then opened up an eight-point, 22-14 lead capped off by a Cole Henry layup.

The Bulldogs responded with a 12-2 run to take a 26-24 lead with 7:14 remaining in the first half, as forward Tucker DeVries knocked down a three-pointer to cap off the Drake run.

The teams combined for just five points over the next three-and-a-half minutes, but the last three minutes saw a flurry of scoring. A three-pointer from A.J. Green with 25 seconds left gave UNI

a 41-34 halftime lead, which was tied for their largest lead of the first half.

Drake cut the lead to three at 43-40 with just over 17:30 to go in regulation, but the Panthers went on a 7-0 run to get their first double-digit lead of the game at 50-40 after another three-pointer from Green sent the McLeod Center into a raucous. The largest lead UNI had was an eleven-point lead at 55-44 with 11 minutes to go in regulation.

Trae Berhow hit a three-pointer from the corner to extend the UNI lead to ten points, 69-59, with 3:37 to play. However, this would be the last made field goal of the entire game for

the Panthers, as Drake’s defense turned up the intensity. The Bulldogs outscored UNI 11-1 in the final three minutes of regulation, as Drake’s Roman Penn drove past Berhow for a layup with six seconds left to even up the score at 70. Green missed a long three at the buzzer, and the game went to overtime.

Drake scored first in overtime off a pair of Tremell Murphy free throws, and Green tied it up with two free throws of his own.

The strong defensive effort of Drake extended into the overtime period, as the UNI offense could not get anything going and did not make a shot from the field in over-

time. The Bulldogs capped off the game at the foul line, making all ten of their foul shots in the extra period. The final score from the McLeod Center was 82-74.

The loss drops the Panthers to 9-9 on the year and 5-3 in conference play, while Drake moves to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in the MVC. Green led UNI with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bowen Born chipped in a pair of assists and steals, and Tywhon Pickford and Nate Heise each added eight points. Drake had a balanced scoring night, as five players scored in double digits, led by Penn, who had 18 points. UNI’s next game is Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Evansville.

WRESTLING

Panther Train takes down NDSU in home dual opener, 29-13 COLIN HORNING

Sports Editor

The UNI wrestlers opened up their home dual season playing host to North Dakota State last Saturday night in the West Gym. The Panthers were coming off of a strong 27-11 victory on the mats on Jan. 14 against Air Force and looked to keep the momentum rolling.

NDSU won their last matchup against Wyoming, 22-14. A strong start from UNI early on proved to be too much for the Bison as the Panther men took the bout in convincing fashion, 29-13.

The Panthers came out of the gates strong, opening up an 18-0 lead after the first four matches in the contest.

Brody Teske of UNI, who came into the match ranked No. 11, earned his third fall of

the season in the 125 lb weight class with a pin on NDSU’s Lucas Rodriguez. UNI’s Colin Realbuto won his sixth straight match with a 15-5 major decision in the 149 lb weight class over Gaven Sax. Kyle Biscoglia of the Panthers kept his hot streak going with a 8-0 major decision over Kellyn March. This matchup was an upset for UNI, as Biscoglia came in ranked No. 29 while March was ranked at No. 22.

In the 165 lb weight class, UNI’s Austin Yant took home an 8-6 decision over defending Big 12 and No. 13-ranked Luke Weber of North Dakota State. Yant had opened up a 6-2 lead in the match when Weber responded back, closing the score at 7-6 with a pair of takedowns, but Yant held off his foe and earned his fourth straight win.

Lance Runyon had a

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

The Panther wrestling team took the mats on Saturday night against North Dakota State in the West Gym, where they easily handled the Bison, 29-13.

strong showing for the Panthers in his season debut.

He had not wrestled since March of 2021 after he had to withdraw from the Big 12 championships due to inju-

ry. On Saturday, he defeated NDSU’s Austin Brenner, who came in ranked at No. 20.

The Panthers will head down to Stillwater, Okla. on

Jan. 29 for another Big 12 bout against Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. They will return to the West Gym on Friday, Feb. 4 when they host Air Force.

PAGE 7

FUN & GAMES

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

JANUARY 24, 2022 |

Across

1 Rides for hire 5 Rapids transports 10 Toothed tonsorial tool 14 Treaty partner 15 Open courtyards 16 “So that’s what you mean” 17 Shakespearean king 18 “Just handle the problem!”

20 Jam session jammer 22 Signs of sadness 23 Upstage one’s co-stars 26 Tavern brew 27 Some motorcycles and pianos 32 Lawn-wrecking pests 36 Sewn edge 37 __ president 38 Big sale, where you can find the starts of 18-, 23-, 49and 60-Across 42 Mongolian desert 43 No-frills sleeper 44 Fire pit particles

45 ‘70s-’80s band with a steering wheel on their debut album cover 47 Google success 49 Employ stalling tactics 55 Pro on camera 59 Like some rays outside the visible spectrum 60 Take into account 63 Fill fully 64 Qatari ruler 65 British unit of length 66 Hall of Famer Musial 67 Relaxed gait 68 Old West search party 69 Narrow-bodied swimmers

Down

1 Brings peace to 2 Native Alaskan 3 Having a been-there-donethat attitude 4 War-torn country since 2011 5 Goodyear offering

We’re We’re looking looking for for stories!!

Is there something happening around campus? Let us know and we can share your event.

We cover everything!

From events happening on campus or off. Or news around campus.

Email Executive Editor Nixson Benitez at beniten@uni.edu

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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6 “Relax, soldier” 7 Pre-euro Metz money 8 Up to, in ads 9 Got a look at 10 Use as a reference 11 Workplace standards org.

12 Israel’s Golda 13 Puts money (on) 19 To-do list entry 21 Envelope fastener 24 Looked at closely 25 Birth certificate datum 28 “We Try Harder” car rental chain 29 Air conditioner setting 30 Suffer from overexertion 31 Goes below the horizon 32 Senior NCO 33 “Oops!”

34 Place for an earring 35 Grand-scale poem 36 Pres. between FDR and DDE 39 Sandy shade 40 Flushed, as cheeks 41 Down the road 46 Magician’s syllables 47 Pays tribute to 48 “My schedule is wide open” 50 Works with flour 51 Cup for café or thé 52 Blowing one’s top 53 Lead or zinc 54 Blissful regions 55 Cain’s victim 56 Commando garb 57 Stumble 58 Kiddie lit monster 61 Mischief-maker 62 Modernist’s prefix

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28

PAGE 8

CLASSIFIEDS JANUARY 24, 2022 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 28

Puzzle Answers

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU TWO

SUDOKU ONE

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WINTER BREAK MOVIE which adds to the overall theatricality brought about REVIEWS continued from page 5

Was this too much of a good thing? It often felt like it.

Just one really big excuse to ride the fan-service ride just one more time. But I had a really good time. And at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.

The King’s Man (3.5/5) As a history lover, this historical fan fiction was right up my alley. It’s an odd clash of matter-of-fact drama and dark comedy. But the ship never sinks, no matter how many times it gets close to tipping over. Director Matthew Vaughn brings his usual flair, even going as far as to challenge Sam Mendes in a “1917” duel. Obviously, Vaughn loses. But in his loss, he still gives us a bloody good time.

The Tragedy of Macbeth (4/5) From bloody beginning to bloody conclusion, Joel Coen’s adaptation of The Scottish Play holds you in its talons with its impressive mood and visuals. Shot in stark black-and-white on a soundstage, the film has an otherworldly quality to it,

by the amazing performances

by Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand.

West Side Story (4/5) Leave it to Steven Spielberg to make his first outing into the musical genre one that completely crushes the competition. With a cast consisting of so many starsin-the-making, Spielberg is able to harmonize the past and the present, making this remake feel like a Golden Age musical made with modern craftsmanship.

The “America” and “I Feel Pretty” set-pieces contain some of Spielberg’s greatest directorial work, with Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics proving once again why they have inspired so

'WHO' TAKES DOME BY STORM continued from page 4

of “The Who” comes the passing of an era. One group, the Beatles, went before them; one group still remains, the Rolling Stones.

But as one fan put it, “The Stones can go to hell; there ain’t nobody like the Who.”

Today's Horoscope

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Today’s Birthday (01/24/22). You’re especially fortunate, powerful and confident this year. Make dreams come true with steady discipline. Enjoy winter fun with friends before drawing into a sweet domestic springtime. Summer changes affect your profession, redirecting you for an autumn career surge.

Step to the next level.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Advance professionally over the next six weeks, with Mars in Capricorn. Energize your career with fresh purpose and your status and influence rises.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Listen and learn. Exploration and adventure call to you, with Mars in Capricorn over about six weeks.

Investigate interesting opportunities. Research an intriguing possibility.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Energize a collaborative venture for shared gain. Generate profits together, with Mars in Capricorn. Revise budgets. File applications and documents. Grow

account balances.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — A partnership grows especially powerful and beneficial over the next six weeks, with Mars in Capricorn.

Share the load and pull together. Collaboration flowers.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Focus energy on excellence. Release stress through good food, rest and exercise. Develop high physical performance over six weeks, with Mars in Capricorn.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Have fun!

Enjoy your favorite people, places and activities.

Take action for love, with Mars in Capricorn. Deeds speak louder than words.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Put physical energy into home renovation, with Mars in Capricorn. Improve your living conditions. Nurture family. Cooking projects delight. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Write your story. Mars entering Capricorn for the next six weeks energizes your creativity and communica-

tion skills. Record notes.

Edit and polish before publishing.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — The next six weeks could get profitable, with Mars in Capricorn. Dedicate action to making money.

It’s easy to spend. Selfesteem grows with your savings.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Personal power and confidence grow, with Mars in your sign. Develop talents and add new skills over six weeks. Passion inspires you into action.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Withdraw into your sanctuary for peaceful productivity.

Cleaning and organizing projects satisfy, especially with Mars in Capricorn for six weeks. Imagine the possibilities.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Expand social connections. Help your team make important discoveries over six weeks, with Mars in Capricorn. Collaborate for common gain.

Together, anything’s possible.