The Northerner | Ed. 63 Issue 12 by thenortherner.com

Edition 63, Issue 12 Wednesday, April 10, 2019

thenortherner.com @northernermedia Page 3

University named Military Friendly for ninth year

Page 6

Callahan Bistro making changes after food complaints

Page 7

Review: DC’s ‘Shazam!’ magically mediocre

K C O R K POP PUNK NKU N U P

PHOTO BY COLIN JOHNSON

scan here for punk anthems

page 4 &5

LOST HENRY

NKU POP PUNK ACT BRINGS FANS OUT TO ROCK • PAGE 4

REBEL ROSES UC EVENT BRINGS RIOT GRRRL OUT OF THE ‘90s • PAGE 5

PHOTO BY NOËL WALTZ

WHICH PUNK R U? HOROSCOPES • PAGE 7

02 Happenings

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

NORTHERNER STAFF

WWW.THENORTHERNER.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sam Rosenstiel [rosensties1@mymail.nku.edu] MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Browning [browningn30@gmail.com] NEWS EDITOR Natalie Hamren [hamrenn1@mymail.nku.edu] ASST. NEWS EDITOR Josh Goad [goadj2@mymail.nku.edu] ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Josh Kelly [kellyjoshual17@gmail.com] ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Kane Mitten [mittenm1@mymail.nku.edu] SPORTS EDITOR Sierra Newton [newtons3@mymail.nku.edu] PHOTO EDITOR Colin Johnson [johnsonphotography6626@gmail.com]

WHAT TO DO Check out the hottest campus happenings and can’t-miss events in Greater Cincinnati.

APR

TUNES & BLOOMS | CINCINNATI ZOO | 6 P.M. | $10 A “collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans” will be playing in Cincinnati Zoo’s botanical gardens on Thursday night. Admission to the zoo is free, and parking is $10. Alcohol will be sold at the Great Lakes Brewery table, where you can enter to win an Audio-Technica turntable and headphones combo pack. Don’t miss it, it’s sure to be a wild time. CSO: PERCUSSION MASTER COLIN CURRIE | MUSIC HALL | 8 P.M. | $14+ Join the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for a special performance with musician Colin Currie, who will be playing 17 different instruments in a physical display of his percussion mastery. He will be performing a “Concerto for Solo Percussion and Orchestra” titled Sieidi, in addition to regular performances from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available to purchase on the CSO website now. BURLINGTON ANTIQUE SHOW | BOONE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | 6 A.M. - 3 P.M. | $4 Head down to the Boone County Fairgrounds to snag some sweet deals on antiques and vintage collectibles. The Burlington Antique Show was named “Best of Cincinnati” by CityBeat in 2015, and features 200 antique dealers. Items like signage and furniture will be for sale scattered throughout the campgrounds.

u n i v e r s i t y

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Emerson Swoger [emeswagg16@gmail.com]

POLICE BEAT

ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Abby Behrens [behrensm1@mymail.nku.edu]

March 29 - Two subjects cited for underage possession of alcohol in Callahan Hall.

DESIGN EDITOR Bridgette Gootee [gooteeb1@mymail.nku.edu] DESIGN EDITOR Ian Lape-Gerwe [lapegerwei1@mymail.nku.edu] WEB EDITOR Laine Harrett [harrettn1@mymail.nku.edu] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maria Dossett [dossettm1@mymail.nku.edu] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kate Fulmer [fulmerk1@mymail.nku.edu] ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Isabel Winkleski [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] COPY EDITOR Noelle Horn [hornn3@mymail.nku.edu] COPY EDITOR Billy Keeney [keeneyw1@mymail.nku.edu] BUSINESS TEAM Joseph Clark [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] ADVISOR Michele Day [daymi@nku.edu]

JOIN US 5 p.m. Mondays in Griffin Hall 204 Visit us in our newsroom GH 125

ABOUT THE NORTHERNER Entire content is copyright ofThe Northerner and may not be reprinted without prior consent. Views expressed do not represent those of the administration, faculty or student body.The Northerner is considered a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all contentdecisionswithoutcensorshiporadvanceapproval.TheNortherner staff respects the right to a free and open dialogue as allowed under the First Amendment.

CONTACT US The Northerner Griffin Hall Rm. 125 Highland Heights, KY 41099 Editor in Chief: (859) 572-6128 Designers Desk: (859) 572-6677 Advertising: (859) 572-5232

From University Police logs, here’s the week in crime at NKU.

April 1 - During a traffic stop, a subject was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. April 3 - Subject reports receiving harassing communication from a known person. April 3 - Altercation reported between two subjects in a dorm room. Categorized as “dating violence.”

What you missed at SGA April 8

Billy Keeney COPY EDITOR

Student Government Association Vice President Matt Frey began Monday’s meeting in President Hannah Edelen’s absence as she attended a special meeting with the Board of Regents. Chief of Staff Jake Anderson presented the first readings of three resolutions. Resolution One: Sustainability Senator Kimberly Sparks joined Anderson to present the first reading of her resolution requesting a focus on sustainability through partnerships and efforts on campus. According to Sparks, NKU has been put through strenuous budget cuts in recent years that have forced the university to cut back on programs and departments throughout campus—including efforts in sustainability. “It’s living in a sustainable way and having our university to survive for years to come,” Sparks said. Resolution Two: Emergency Fund Senator Rebecca Noel followed after Sparks to present the first reading of her resolution asking for a “creation of an emergency fund to create better access and improve retention.” “[This is] more of how we’re going to get funds, rather than how we’re going to use them,” Noel said.

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH KELLY AND SAM ROSENSTIEL

Resolution Three: LGBTQ Area of Study Committee Chairman of Academic Affairs Jarett Lopez finished off resolutions with his first read through of his resolution requesting creation of an LGBTQ-oriented program of study. According to Lopez, the new program would require hiring additional instructors and making new courses available for those minoring in the program. NorseEngaged bylaw Following the resolution readings, Edelen joined the Executive Cabinet during Chief Justice Travis Roy’s presentation of an update to the NorseEngaged bylaw. The bylaw proposes that the chief justice, along with the judicial council, shall maintain the NorseEngaged program and that the program shall focus on civic engagement and civic discourse through deliberate communication with state and locally elected officials. “This basically lays the groundwork of the program,” Roy said. NorseEngaged is a special application available to members of SGA.

Student Government Association meets Mondays at 3:30 in SU 104.

Ed 63, Issue 12

‘We too’: D aare d apeople, , NKU nationally ranked as BMilitary l u f oFriendly r d school win SGA presidential election

News 03

Chelsea Livers Gowdy REPORTER

For the ninth consecutive year, NKU has been ranked nationally as a Military Friendly school. NKU received a Bronze distinction meaning that they scored within 30% of the tenth best school in their category. NKU is also recognized for creating a supporting environment for veterans and a premier university for military personnel transitioning to civilian life, according to Military Friendly. “We have a facility that created the atmosphere for regulars, we’ve done fundraisers to support vets. We try to help the community as much as the student vets,” said Ralph Carmichael, coordinator for the Veterans Resource Station (VRS). Established in 2013 and located in the University Center, VRS is considered a home and a safe place for 493 enrolled veterans, active duty, family members, national guardsmen, reservists and ROTC students. NKU’s veteran community has a retention rate of 21% and a retention rate of 70% of full-time students with military ties. According to Ryan Padgett, assistant vice president of enrollment and student success and director of the Veterans Resource Station, people in the military rely heavily on one another and already

have that built-in sense of belonging. When incoming students with a military background come to campus, they know there is a place for students like them. Students who utilize the VRS are a minority in the NKU community, Carmichael said. VRS wants their students to advance, succeed and complete their time in college at NKU. During freshman orientation, students with a military background in various capacities can join a breakout session specifically tailored to their needs. This is where students learn more about the VRS, Purple Heart parking spaces, direct connections to NKU’s mental wellness and disability services and Peer Advisors for Veterans Education (PAVE), a mentoring program that provides incoming students with a student veteran mentor. Christopher Schwab, 36-year-old sophomore and Army veteran who served a tour in Iraq in 2003 and a tour in Afghanistan in 2012, said he understands the need for a safe space on campus. “The school makes that space available ... If I go over there and I have a question, I can get good answers from people who have been in my shoes. I just wish there was more understanding amongst professors,” Schwab said.

NKU’s Veteran’s Resource Station is located in University Center 131, which serves students with a military background with advising, scholarships and more. PHOTO BY EMERSON SWOGER

The VRS works directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Every Monday around 10 a.m. for about four hours, a VA representative comes to the VRS to help with veterans concerns or needs. Although there is a place on campus that gives veterans a sense of belonging, there is also mislabeling and stereotypes amongst the non-veteran student community. Student veteran Mike Hayes said he hopes that the veteran community can break the stigma that they are too rough to associate with or lack empathy. According to Carmichael, everyone who identifies with the military did not go to combat and doesn’t necessarily have PTSD. This is a common stereotype and misunderstanding that non-veteran civilians have. “They were just guys and ladies that served; they went in to serve their

country. Some went to combat and saw some hardships,” Carmichael said. Typically, student veterans are considered “non-traditional,” meaning they are either older than typical undergraduate students or they started college later. “It is intimidating. I’m 36 years old. The people I’m dealing with here are straight out of high school,” Schwab said. The veteran community is continuously growing every year. With time and funding, the VRS can become a more relaxing and larger location for the veteran community. “For us it is really about supporting the veteran at all stages; not only the transition from military back to civilian and education, but the next step from education to career readiness,” Padgett said.

Society of Pro Journalists honors Northerner for 2018 report

Northerner Staff

The Society of Professional Journalists honored two Northerner editors for the independent student news outlet’s reporting on sexual harassment and misconduct in NKU’s School of the Arts. Former Editor-in-Chief Mackenzie Manley and current Editor-in-Chief Sam Rosenstiel won SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Award in General News Reporting for “Student: I didn’t want there to be a girl after me.” The Northerner’s story detailed student and faculty reports of sexual harassment and misconduct by SOTA’s choir director. “Nearly one year after The Northerner published the accounts of brave survivors of misconduct and abuse at NKU, we are grateful that SPJ has given more exposure to their stories,” Rosenstiel said. The regional honor pits The Northerner

against other top-tier journalism schools, like Northwestern, DePaul, Loyola Chicago and University of Indiana. With the win, The Northerner is also eligible to receive SPJ’s national honor for general reporting at its national conference in San Antonio, Texas this September. The Northerner’s coverage recently won a Pinnacle Award, the national College Media Association honor for excellence in student journalism, as well as several Kentucky Press Association honors for reporting, photos and video. Previously, The Northerner has been a finalist or winner of several Mark of Excellence Awards for reports on NKU science faculty facing state cuts, a threepart series on NKU’s outgoing men’s soccer coach and more.

(L-R) Northerner editors Sierra Newton, Kane Mitten, Billy Keeney, Sam Rosenstiel, advisor Michele Day, editors Natalie Hamren, Nicole Browning and Josh Kelly at the SPJ Region 5 Conference in Louisville on April 6. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELE DAY

04 Arts & Life

punk art festival takes over university center

LOST HENRY: NKU POP PUNK BRINGS FANS OUT TO ROCK

Corinne Byrne

Noël Waltz

REPORTER

The stage is enveloped in blue-tinted light. When the music starts, friends and fans surround the stage with their hands above their head and their fingers in the shape of “LH.” Lost Henry is the kind of band that instinctively gets you off your feet. There’s an urge to gravitate toward the center of the action. During that 20-30 minute set, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, the only thing that matters is singing your heart out. The band started as a group of four friends wanting to do a Slipknot cover for the Halloween cabaret, an evening showcase event put on by the theatre program on campus. Landis Helwig (lead vocals), Cale Wheeler (rhythm guitar), Barry Rich (drums) and Jackson Moss (bass) thought it would be fun to throw on Slipknot-inspired masks and channel the Halloween spirit. Their excitement about music afterward led them to write an original song, “Keep You Alive,” recorded on a laptop. For the first cabaret of the spring 2018 semester, they performed “Keep You Alive,” but with a new member, Ben Eglian (lead guitar). The group incrementally improved as they played together more—usually at DIY shows hosted on campus. One of these events was a free concert they held in Stauss Theatre, and it was halfway during that show when the “LH” hand symbol appeared in the crowd. A group photo of everyone who attended, of which nearly all of them threw up the symbol, ended up being the cover art for their single “Misfit.” It later became the inspiration for the graphic displayed on their self-titled EP. The band’s name is in tribute to the Henry Konstantinow Theatre, a small black box theatre in the School of the Arts building where they would often practice.

COVER ART COURTESY OF LOST HENRY

Arts & Life 05

NKU students Cale Wheeler, Barry Rich, Jackson Moss, Landis Helwig and Ben Eglian make up pop punk outfit Lost Henry. PHOTO BY NOËL WALTZ

They are a dynamic group with a variety of influences and interests, both musically and socially, and that mix of perspectives is exactly what gives Lost Henry its unique sound. “It was never, ‘let’s go form a pop punk band.’ It was always let’s make music because that’s awesome,” Eglian said. While they started with a Slipknot cover, they’re not a heavy metal group. However, that doesn’t mean that influence isn’t there. “I will say the music we’ve been writing lately—it’s a little bit heavier,” Helwig said. They make it a point to never force a particular sound and to never limit themselves to the confines of one genre. “I’m not opposed to throwing in electronic stuff if it fits in a song. I’m not opposed to an acoustic guitar. I’m not opposed to a scream or breakdown or anything,” Helwig said. “If it fits, sounds good and we like it, then we’re going to do it.” The different social backgrounds of the members are key to the growing diverse community of supporters. Helwig had connections to NKU Greek Life, Rich had connections within the Campus Recreation Center and Moss had ties to the Baptist Campus Ministries. With three members involved in theatre, they’ve received substantial support from that community of students as well. “Lost Henry has kind of always been for everybody. We never want anybody to feel

like they shouldn’t be a part of the show we’re putting on,” Helwig said. Mary McNeill, a theatre and biochemistry double major and fan of the group, found a community at Lost Henry concerts after moving here from Louisville. “It’s helped me get more immersed in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati music scene,” McNeill said. With her involvement in both local music scenes, she noticed that this area seems to have more pop punk than the hardcore/indie punk scene she was used to in Louisville. Their debut show for their self-titled EP was on Jan. 19 during the brutal polar vortex that swept Cincinnati and brought some midwest states down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, yet they still nearly sold out the venue with the help of some other local bands playing that night.

“It’s humbling, it really is. I don’t know what bands I would do that for, quite honestly,” said Helwig. Since then, they often see strangers wearing their merchandise and going to shows. Several students across campus have discovered the not-so-well-kept secret of Lost Henry’s music. You can check out Lost Henry’s music on all music streaming platforms, and you can watch their new music video for their song “Misfit” on YouTube.

WHAT’S POP PUNK? RIOT WHO? CHECK OUR SPOTIFY MIX NOW

On April 6, Sigma Alpha Iota sorority hosted Rebel Roses, an event inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement from the ‘90s. The event aimed to bring awareness to gender-based violence through music and art. Natalie Brady, president of SAI, said that a feminist music class she took and the rise of the #MeToo movement inspired her to organize an event with elements of the Riot Grrrl movement, even if it wasn’t punk rock. “That class changed my life,” Brady said. “I was dealing with a lot and for some reason assumed I was alone.” Rebel Roses included live music, poetry, vendors and organizations that fit the demographic of the occasion. Inside the ballroom, vendors sold handmade art, jewelry, clothes and more. One student artist, Nia Burney, designed the Rebel Roses t-shirts and screen printed the posters. She also sold some of her own art—articles of clothing with drawings of bees or flowers on them. Examples of her art can be found on her Instagram accounts @nia.burney or @gaiaonlinedotcom. Attendees were also able to sit and watch the various live performances. DJ Brooke Cordray, known by the stage name Ruze, opened the event followed by five spoken word poems from SAI member Lexie Gabbard focused on various feminist themes, an acoustic set from Matt Walters and a performance from Natalie Brady with pianist Andrew Howe. All of the proceeds went to the organization Women Helping Women—a survivor advocacy group based in Cincinnati. Crissy Ross, a volunteer advocate with

Women Helping Women, emphasized that despite its name, the organization helps everyone in need. She said that they have advocates who assist with domestic violence police calls, support survivors, provide them with resources, offer group therapy sessions, offer childcare for survivors and more. Ross is a librarian at Steely and became involved with Women Helping Women after the 2016 presidential election. She “felt a strong desire to get involved and give back.” University of Cincinnati student and intern Abbey O’Day Wells has been with the organization since January. She manages the social media and works to promote the organization’s events. For her, the internship has been empowering, which is exactly what Women Helping Women aims to do—empower women. “I post a lot about our events going on,” Wells said. “We could always use volunteers.” One upcoming event supporting Women Helping Women is the Spring Gala at the Zoo on April 26. Young professionals tickets are $55 and include drink vouchers. For more information on Women Helping Women and their upcoming events, follow their Instagram @whw_empower and their Twitter @WHWempower. Other organizations appearing at Rebel Roses included Socialist Alternative, an allwomen’s choir called Muse, Hum and the NAACP. Overall, Rebel Roses provided a platform through which women could not only relive the former punk movement, Riot Grrrl, but it also showcased the importance of women through its use of music, art and poetry.

“Lost Henry has kind of always been for everybody. We never want anybody to feel like they shouldn’t be a part of the show we’re putting on.” - Landis Helwig, lead vocalist, Lost Henry

Sigma Alpha Iota sorority hosted a Riot Grrrl themed event with music and art inspired by the ‘90s punk movement in the University Center ballroom on April 6. PHOTOS BY AUBREY WARPOOL

04 Arts & Life

punk art festival takes over university center

LOST HENRY: NKU POP PUNK BRINGS FANS OUT TO ROCK

Corinne Byrne

Noël Waltz

REPORTER

COVER ART COURTESY OF LOST HENRY

Arts & Life 05

NKU students Cale Wheeler, Barry Rich, Jackson Moss, Landis Helwig and Ben Eglian make up pop punk outfit Lost Henry. PHOTO BY NOËL WALTZ

WHAT’S POP PUNK? RIOT WHO? CHECK OUR SPOTIFY MIX NOW

“Lost Henry has kind of always been for everybody. We never want anybody to feel like they shouldn’t be a part of the show we’re putting on.” - Landis Helwig, lead vocalist, Lost Henry

Sigma Alpha Iota sorority hosted a Riot Grrrl themed event with music and art inspired by the ‘90s punk movement in the University Center ballroom on April 6. PHOTOS BY AUBREY WARPOOL

06 News

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Callahan Bistro making changes following food complaints

Dada, Bluford win SGA presidential election

Rachel Smith

PHOTO BY JASMINE SMART

REPORTER

The Callahan Bistro has made changes to their menus after multiple complaints from NKU students regarding the safety and quality of their food. Earlier this February, many resident assistants at Callahan Hall met with the Bistro dining manager to discuss concerns raised from residents. These concerns primarily dealt with the food quality at the Bistro, with many residents complaining that dishes are often underseasoned, unhealthy and unsafe. “I would say something on the line is always raw or overcooked,” business informations system major Phil Schirtzinger said. “One time, I was supposed to have a medium rare flank on a sandwich and it was completely raw. The meat was still marbled. It was dripping blood.” Theater major Arianna Catalano has also had many experiences with meat that just doesn’t seem right. She said that the chicken at the Bistro is typically raw or has a grayish, dark brown tint to it. But the meat isn’t the only sanitation concern. Students have also cited old fruit and wilted lettuce offered at the Bistro. In response to these complaints, Dining Manager Julio Calle has promised that the Bistro will fix parts of their menus and spread more awareness about their resources. Calle has been the dining manager at the Bistro for nearly two years. He deals with ordering the ingredients, taking inventory and crafting the menus for the dining location. Calle said that the Bistro follows strict food safety regulations known as HACCP mandated by its parent company, Compass Group. “We have to follow procedures from the moment we receive product to the moment we store it—the way we cook it, the way we present it, the way we actually restore it again if we are going to reheat it or not,” Calle said. “There are several steps that we have to take in order to make sure

students eat healthy and safely.” In addition to adhering to a strict food safety code, all of the Bistro’s employees that handle food are certified by the National Restaurant Association. According to Calle, the problems of the Bistro are being handled through a set of resolutions in menu-changing and better student awareness. “For example, one of the resolutions that I made was that I’m not going to serve any more bone-in chicken, although a lot of kids like it,” Calle said. “But the problem with that is that you have to cook it all the way through, and even then, it might still have a little pinkish areas here and there. So, I just decided not to do bonein anymore, so that they are much more happier.” The Bistro is just one of the many dining locations managed and operated by one of Compass Group’s dining operators, Chartwells. Chartwells specifically works with colleges and universities like NKU to accommodate students’ needs for healthy, safe and tasty dining on campus. Pat Hannan is the resident district manager for Chartwells at NKU, and he oversees the dynamic and culture of all Chartwells’ dining locations on campus. He’s also been deeply involved in resolving the current problems with the Bistro. Prior to these student complaints, Chartwells has always conducted food quality surveys once a semester for students to give feedback and suggest new ideas. Because of the current concerns, Hannan has implemented an action plan for the Bistro that requires the Bistro staff to meet with Callahan Hall Director Lauren Mountain bi-monthly or every six weeks. Hannan said, “It’s our responsibility and number one priority to make sure that the food is safe.” In addition to the concern for food safety, the lack of health-conscious food options is another common

complaint from Callahan residents. “They claim the food’s healthy but it’s probably the same amount of calories if you went down the street to Wendy’s,” Catalano said. “They also say they have gluten-free options and things like that, but it’s just rice. I have friends that are gluten-free, and I’m sure they don’t want just rice for dinner.” She believed that if the Bistro claims to have these options for students, there should be more of a variety. Calle said that the Bistro does serve a variety of gluten-free options such as gluten-free pizza, pasta and breads. According to Calle, the reason that many students don’t know about this variety is because these types of food have to be asked to order at the Bistro and are not cooked without request.. According to Hannan, an effective solution to the Bistro’s problems would be clear and personable dialogue between the Bistro servers and NKU students. Hannan claimed that many students are unwilling to bring their concerns and personal health accommodations to NKU’s dining locations. According to Hannan, these students often wait until the middle or end of the semester to finally contact Chartwells, and by then, the students are already frustrated. Chartwells is always happy to accommodate students’ diet and lifestyle to the best of their ability, but the food service providers cannot help students if they are not alerted to the problem. Hannan’s solution has been backed by students such as Schirtzinger. Schirtzinger has food allergies that prevent him from eating the buns of a sandwich or burger. Because he communicated this allergy to the server at the grill, she knew to always cook the bread differently for him so that he can eat it. This quick, easy line of communication made Schirtzinger’s dining experience more comfortable and enjoyable. According to servers and students alike, a better dialogue promotes a safer, tastier and all-around more enjoyable experience at the Bistro. The students’ problems with the Bistro are heightened due to the perceived loss of money as well as appetite. “We all have to have a meal plan if you live on campus,” Catalano said. “If we don’t eat at the Bistro, it’s like we’re wasting our meal plan that we paid for.” At NKU, meal plans are typically priced just below $2,000. For students, the meal plan guarantees access to campus dining locations such as the Bistro, but because of these consistent problems, many Callahan residents don’t use their meal plan as often as they would like. “I’ve been forced to go to other places like fast food places and spend

money that I wouldn’t normally have,” Schirtzinger said. Schirtzinger has a meal plan that guarantees him fifteen meals a week, but because of his dissatisfaction with the Bistro, he only uses three or four. “A lot of days, I just end up not eating,” Schirtzinger said. Catalano said that students shouldn’t have to worry about whether campus food is safe to eat, especially given that many are already paying over a thousand dollars for a meal plan. The employees at Chartwells have heard student complaints and promised to make a better dining experience. The resolutions of close dialogue, menuchanging and better student awareness of food variety have been in effect ever since the complaints were first raised. Since these resolutions have been in place, residents have seen an improvement in food quality and safety. Calle advised that students should contact the Bistro directly if they have issues with their meals. Students can write a comment under the Bistro location on the NKU dining website or contact Calle via his information listed on a card at the register. “They can express themselves if they need anything,” Calle said.

North Poll

Elizabeth Cates REPORTER

What do you think of NKU Dining in general? “I’m still not a fan of the buffet styles.” Kasey Cottier, senior, CIT

“You eat it so much it gets gross, like you don’t want to eat it anymore.” Brianna Walls, junior, history

“I think it’s gotten better. I’d still buy here because of the convenience though.” Austin Kelly, senior, CIT

Ed 63, Issue 12

Viewpoints 07

Pop punk horoscopes Dada,

Josh Kelly

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

Curious what pop punk rockstar matches your star chart? Wonder no more. Get out the eyeliner and grab your guitar, and turn to the stars to find your sign’s punk idol.

Bluford win SGA presidential election

Aries: Gerard Way, lead singer Leo: Landis Helwig, lead of My Chemical Romance singer of Lost Henry

Taurus: Tyson Ritter, lead singer of All-American Rejects

Gemini: Pete Wentz, bassist of Fall Out Boy

Cancer: Jack Barakat, lead guitar of All Time Low

Sagittarius: Jeremy McKinnon, lead singer of A Day to Remember

Virgo: Jake Bundrick, drummer of Mayday Parade

Libra: Avril Lavigne, lead singer of Avril Lavigne

Capricorn: Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore

Aquarius: Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day

Scorpio: Jim Adkins, lead singer of Jimmy Eat World

Pisces: Benji and Joel Madden, lead guitar and lead vocal of Good Charlotte

Review: ‘Shazam!’ full of fun times in Philly

Bily Keeney

COPY EDITOR

Once criticized for being too dark and serious, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has seen itself shift to a more lighthearted approach to storytelling. That couldn’t be more apparent than the kid-friendly, wholesome fun found in “Shazam!” This differentiation from the everpresent grimness and dread found in “Man of Steel” and “Batman v. Superman” began with the 2017 hit “Wonder Woman” from director Patty Jenkins. In “Wonder Woman,” Jenkins took the ultra-serious, never funny DCEU and added refreshing, light humor, a rich color palette (previously not found in DC films), rounded characters with depth and emotions, meaningful action scenes and—most importantly—a protagonist moviegoers connected with. The James Wan-directed “Aquaman” with Jason Momoa continued this trend this past holiday season, with just enough cheesy camp moments to garner over $1.1 billion at the box office. Enter David F. Sandberg’s “Shazam!” Starring Zachary Levi as the titular superhero Shazam, the film goes above and beyond in presenting a wholesome and entertaining Golden Age hero on screen for the first time since Republic Pictures’ 1941 “Adventures of Captain Marvel” 12-chapter serial from directors William Witney and John English. Right from the start, “Shazam!” plays

PHOTO COURTESY DC ENTERTAINMENT, WARNER BROS.

like an early 2000s holiday family movie—and in an age of mega-franchise superhero blockbusters, this couldn’t be more refreshing. Gone are the 10 year long storylines, overarching plots, metahumor and not-so-subtle commentary on societal issues. Instead, “Shazam!” never skips a beat in delivering satisfying fun throughout the 132 minute runtime—“fun” being something that doesn’t always make an appearance in more serious superhero films. Levi completely steals the show with his portrayal as the anything-but-serious Shazam. Audiences are treated to a Levi that feels as if he never left the backlot

of NBC’s hit comedy “Chuck”; there isn’t a moment in the film where he doesn’t deliver on his signature glass-half-full humor. Co-starring alongside Levi are Asher Angel as Billy Baston and the breakout Jack Dylan Grazer, from the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s “It”, as Baston’s foster-brother, Freddy Freeman. Levi doesn’t make his appearance until over 30 minutes into the film, giving time for Angel’s and Grazer’s relationship to manifest before the real action starts. For all it does right, “Shazam!” has some glaring faults. During its much too long two-hour run, you can start to feel the limitations

of the screenplay. Time after time, inklings of a severely more self-aware, edgy, “Deadpool”-esque movie begin to appear. These immediately feel out of place with the lighthearted wholesome tone and undercut the effectiveness of the most sentimental and humorous scenes. The long-winded runtime could be avoided by cutting the cold open origin story for the main antagonist, Dr. Sivana, portrayed by Mark Strong. Action scenes often feel underwhelming, with added slow motion straight out of an instant-replay from Monday Night Football circa 2007. During these slower-than-necessary action beats, the very inconsistent CG models become inescapable. Despite these painfully apparent faults, “Shazam!” is a breath of fresh air in a stagnant, decades-old genre. Where others tread the same well-beaten path, DC seems to be headed into uncharted territory within the superhero genre. “Shazam!” is a step in the right direction for the DCEU. As is typical with superhero films nowadays, make sure to stick around after the credits for two special scenes.

Shazam!

Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer Now Playing

08 Advertisement

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Dada, Bluford win SGA presidential election

RIGHT CAREER. RIGHT HERE. Now hiring across all five hospitals â&#x20AC;&#x201D; visit our careers page to join the St. Elizabeth Healthcare team where you can inspire hope and healing to those who need it most.

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stelizabeth.com/careers.