North Star News
Niles North High School | Skokie, IL

North Star News
Niles North High School | Skokie, IL

North Star News
Sam Dababneh

Sam Dababneh, Reporter

Sam Dababneh is a senior at Niles North High School. This is his fourth year on North Star News. He writes as a film critic and as a columnist covering sports and politics. You can read more of his work at samdababneh.com.

All content by Sam Dababneh
Leonardo DiCaprio in 'One Battle After Another'

One Battle After Another review: Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film is torn at the seams

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
October 25, 2025
Potential Paramount Skydance–WBD merger poised to transform Hollywood

Potential Paramount Skydance–WBD merger poised to transform Hollywood

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
September 25, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev in the aftermath of UFC 319 (Yahoo Sports).

Khamzat Chimaev and the UFC’s ‘boring’ problem

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
August 27, 2025
2025 Retirees: Larissa Petrakis, Counselor

2025 Retirees: Larissa Petrakis, Counselor

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 15, 2025
2025 Retirees: Jean Attig, Business Education

2025 Retirees: Jean Attig, Business Education

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 15, 2025
Niles North's DECA chapter at Magic Kindom.

Niles North DECA brings 23 students to national competition in Orlando

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 13, 2025
Playboi Carti debuts his album 'Music' live at Rolling Loud California 2025. Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Playboi Carti’s MUSIC is a sprawling, mixed bag

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 21, 2025
A satirical graphic depicting Bears' "Offseason Champion" banners

Bears make bold offseason moves, awaiting Results

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 14, 2025
(Left to Right): Zoey Saldana, Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin

The 97th Academy Awards recap: a lot of change, a lot of the same

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 5, 2025
President Trump has removed the Associated Press from the White House press pool after the outlet continued to refer to the body of water he recently renamed the "Gulf of America" as the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump administration tussles with Associated Press, moves to select press pool

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 4, 2025
The cover of "Love Me As I Am" (left) and a headshot of Nino Paid (right)

Next Up: Nino Paid’s “Love Me As I Am” is an astounding sophomore effort

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 13, 2025
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and Head Coach Nick Sirianni celebrating their Super Bowl 59 victory

Eagles dethrone Chiefs to win Super Bowl 59

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 10, 2025
Graphic picturing Luka Doncic, by Sam Dababneh

The Mavericks lost the Luka Doncic trade—but did the Lakers really win?

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 7, 2025
Academy Award nominations (97th) released, here’s the breakdown

Academy Award nominations (97th) released, here’s the breakdown

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
January 27, 2025
Closing school on Tuesday should have been common sense

Closing school on Tuesday should have been common sense

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
January 22, 2025
Left to Right: Nosferatu, A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist

The Winter Wacthlist: the three most essential films of the holiday season

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
December 13, 2024
Bears kicker Cairo Santos (8) watches as Packers defender Karl Brooks (94) blocks his potential game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired Sunday in the Bears’ 20-19 loss to the Packers at Soldier Field

I’m done caring about the Bears. You should be too

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
November 22, 2024
The cover of "Lyfestyle"

Yeat takes a step back with “Lyfestyle”

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
November 6, 2024
Hurricane Milton damaged beach houses in Bradenton Beach. Image courtesy of The Guardian.

Hurricane Milton, Tampa Bay’s first hurricane in over a century, devastates Florida

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
October 18, 2024
Twin trades shake up the AFC East

Twin trades shake up the AFC East

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
October 18, 2024
Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in Megalopolis.

Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” is worse than you could ever imagine

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
October 4, 2024
Photo Credited to Adrian Ligeska

Adrian Ligeska, Junior

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
October 4, 2024
The NFL Stock Exchange: what teams to buy, sell, or hold after weeks 1 & 2

The NFL Stock Exchange: what teams to buy, sell, or hold after weeks 1 & 2

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
September 20, 2024
The presidential debate was a waste of time. But they've always been.

The presidential debate was a waste of time. But they’ve always been.

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
September 13, 2024
Amazon MGM Studios

‘Blink Twice’ is a middling directorial debut from Zoe Kravitz, but not without promise

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
August 30, 2024
Father and son Lebron and Bronny James.

The Lead: Do nepo babies like Bronny James belong in sports?

Yoni Soloveychik, Sam Dababneh, and Lolah Slagg
May 17, 2024
A disappointing draft lottery defines another hopeless year for Bulls

A disappointing draft lottery defines another hopeless year for Bulls

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
May 17, 2024
Ian cements himself as a rising star with debut mixtape ‘Valedictorian’

Ian cements himself as a rising star with debut mixtape ‘Valedictorian’

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
May 17, 2024
Niles North DECA caps off a successful year at national competition in Anaheim

Niles North DECA caps off a successful year at national competition in Anaheim

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
May 3, 2024
The selection of Rome Odunze marks a monumental change in Chicago Bears culture

The selection of Rome Odunze marks a monumental change in Chicago Bears culture

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
May 3, 2024
Photo Credit: (left to right): Dean Runtz (The Seattle Times), Alyssa Barbieri (Yahoo Sports), Caleb Blake (The Lantern)

It’s tempting, but the Bears can’t afford to draft a top wide receiver

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
April 12, 2024
Photo credited to: Kevin Fishbain

What can we make of Justin Fields’ unusual Bears legacy?

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
March 21, 2024
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell s helped after the 81-year-old GOP leader froze at the microphones as he arrived for a news conference, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Congress is too old, but age limits aren’t the solution you think

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
March 8, 2024
Courtesy of www.durbin.senate.gov

Get to know your Senator Dick Durbin with 4 key questions

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
March 8, 2024
Apple CEO Tim Cook pictured wearing the Apple Vision Pro in his California office

Exciting or not, the Apple Vision Pro presents a troubling future

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
February 23, 2024
'The Vince Staples Show' is a hilarious exploration of C-list celebrity

‘The Vince Staples Show’ is a hilarious exploration of C-list celebrity

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
February 23, 2024
THE 96TH ACADEMY AWARDS will be hosted at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10 to honor movies released in 2023.

96th Academy Awards predictions: Oppenheimer looks to sweep awards

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
February 9, 2024

Cord Jefferson’s striking debut ‘American Fiction’ is one of the best satires in years

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
February 8, 2024
How 24 hours in January changed the football world forever

How 24 hours in January changed the football world forever

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
January 25, 2024
Photo credited to Jean Attig

Jean Attig, Business teacher

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
January 25, 2024
The Texans, Packers are playing with house money, but how far can it take them?

The Texans, Packers are playing with house money, but how far can it take them?

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
January 19, 2024
Photo credited to: Los Angeles Times

Just how big is Shohei Ohtani’s $700m payday?

Sam Dababneh
December 19, 2023
In-Season tournament was a fun attempt, but improving the NBA starts with divisional rivalry

In-Season tournament was a fun attempt, but improving the NBA starts with divisional rivalry

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
December 19, 2023

Dream Scenario stands out yet squanders its potential

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
December 7, 2023
The NFL Stock Exchange: What teams to buy or sell ahead of the playoffs

The NFL Stock Exchange: What teams to buy or sell ahead of the playoffs

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
December 7, 2023
Poster for 'The Killer' courtesy of Netflix

David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’ is a refreshing piece of high-end cinema

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
November 21, 2023
NBA Rookie Report: Grading the top draft picks so far

NBA Rookie Report: Grading the top draft picks so far

Sam Dababneh
November 9, 2023
A close look at the trade that killed the Carolina Panthers

A close look at the trade that killed the Carolina Panthers

Sam Dababneh
November 9, 2023
'And Then You Pray For Me' marks a record-low for Westside Gunn

‘And Then You Pray For Me’ marks a record-low for Westside Gunn

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor
October 25, 2023
Eastern Conference Shakeup: Lillard to the Bucks and Holiday to the Celtics

Eastern Conference Shakeup: Lillard to the Bucks and Holiday to the Celtics

Sam Dababneh
October 5, 2023
The NFL Stock Exchange: What teams to buy, sell, or hold after weeks 1 and 2.

The NFL Stock Exchange: What teams to buy, sell, or hold after weeks 1 and 2.

Sam Dababneh, Asst. Sports Editor and Review Editor
September 22, 2023
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) walks off the field after the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

Deja Vu: Bears fall flat on their face in home opener but how much of it is Fields’ fault?

Sam Dababneh, Reviews Editor and Asst. Sports Editor
September 15, 2023
Courtesy of Annie Tumang and Sam Dababneh

The 5 most memorable albums of the summer

Annie Tumang and Sam Dababneh
September 1, 2023
Joel Embiid Scores 52 Points in Home Win vs. the Celtics

Embiid is the reigning MVP, but can the 76ers win with him?

Sam Dababneh, Review Editor
September 1, 2023

With Oppenheimer, Nolan, Murphy mutually reach their stride

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
August 11, 2023

Live music ticket prices have grown out of control; what does it mean for us?

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 19, 2023
'If Looks Could Kill' is filled with diamonds if you're willing to search through its rough

‘If Looks Could Kill’ is filled with diamonds if you’re willing to search through its rough

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 19, 2023
Roger Dababneh, Senior

Roger Dababneh, Senior

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 19, 2023
Many questions remain unanswered, but the Bears take a step forward with the 2023 draft

Many questions remain unanswered, but the Bears take a step forward with the 2023 draft

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 8, 2023

Director-actor Ben Affleck puts points on the board with Air Jordan origin story ‘Air’

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
May 5, 2023
Dave Shafron, Counselor

Dave Shafron, Counselor

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
April 19, 2023
Angelo Fernando, Freshman

Angelo Fernando, Freshman

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
April 19, 2023
Teams to watch for in this year's NBA Playoffs: who will win it all?

Teams to watch for in this year’s NBA Playoffs: who will win it all?

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
April 11, 2023
Chris Minor, Fine Arts

Chris Minor, Fine Arts

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 23, 2023
Anthony Bramley, Sophomore

Anthony Bramley, Sophomore

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 23, 2023
Gorillaz hits rock bottom with 'Cracker Island'

Gorillaz hits rock bottom with ‘Cracker Island’

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 23, 2023
'Aftërlyfe' is Yeat's best work yet

‘Aftërlyfe’ is Yeat’s best work yet

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 16, 2023

Triangle Of Sadness is one of the most polarizing films of the past year

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
March 2, 2023
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Tom Brady announces second retirement

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 16, 2023

‘Babylon’ is impressive but will not stand the test of time

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 10, 2023
Andre Hrisca, Freshman

Andre Hrisca, Freshman

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 10, 2023

M3GAN is flawed, but a comedy for sure

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 2, 2023
The 95th Oscar nominations were announced- let's get into it

The 95th Oscar nominations were announced- let’s get into it

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
February 2, 2023

Elvis disappoints, leaves viewers wanting more

Sam Dababneh, Reporter
January 20, 2023
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