Entertainment – The Western Howl

Still of Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” | Photo from @movietitan on Instagram

Jan. 14 2026 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

I was never really interested in Marvel growing up. I was a fan of DC comics for as long as I can remember. I loved Wonder Woman, Superman and, albeit a bit less so, Batman. The DC Extended Universe — often shortened to DCEU — includes movies directed by Zack Snyder and other directors from 2013 to 2023. This is, of course, the same set of years that the Marvel Cinematic Universe — commonly known as the MCU — hit its peak, but the DCEU never had the same level of success.

When “Black Panther” was released in 2018, I was an eighth grader. My middle school did a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports event as a reward for students who had a high level of attendance and other positive behaviors. We had the choice between “Black Panther” and “Sherlock Gnomes” to go see in theaters, so I decided on the former. It was my introduction to the universe, and I’ve seen almost every Marvel movie since then.

My partner loves the MCU, so he convinced me to do a complete timeline watch once he found out I’ve never seen most of the early Marvel movies. The only reason I saw any MCU movies that came out after “Black Panther” was because, for whatever reason, every guy I dated loved taking me to see them in theaters once they found out I didn’t know much about Marvel.

This first watch-through comes in preparation for “Avengers: Doomsday” to hit theaters late December this year. I knew most of the basics and how things ended up, but really seeing how things happened, understanding callbacks and seeing the foreshadowing has been an experience I wish I had sooner. Starting with “Captain America: The First Avenger” and going in order of when they happened rather than when they were released has proven the best way to watch.

I’m finding I enjoy the MCU much more than I ever enjoyed the DCEU. I think a large part of it has to do with just how deep the universe goes. Heroes are given their origin movies and see actual character development instead of just grunting and looking sweaty for two hours.

But let’s have some fun. I’m going to break down just what has made this watch-through fun and enjoyable for me, which I hope will convince others to finally take that first step to watch.

A strong cast — The MCU has an absolutely stacked cast. Most are household names now because of their roles; however, some actors were well known before they became superheroes. Part of my fun during the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies has been saying, “Gamora, your Neytiri is showing.” This, of course, comes from the fact that Gamora and Neytiri are both played by Zoe Saldaña. Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper play the ever-iconic Groot and Rocket Raccoon, respectively, and I don’t think Marvel’s casting directors could have chosen anyone better.

Benedict Cumberbatch is another actor who was well known before he entered the MCU, starring in roles such as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s “Sherlock” and Smaug in “The Hobbit” trilogy. The man’s voice is like butter, which is why he was the perfect choice for Dr. Stephen Strange.

Of course, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark will forever be iconic. They are the beating heart of the MCU. The starting points. Downey, in the 2008 “Iron Man” movie, kick-started the whole franchise, and Evans is, quite literally, the first Avenger. Without them, the franchise wouldn’t be what it is today.

Well-rounded, fleshed out characters — As I said earlier, the characters in the MCU get wonderfully written origin movies instead of only simplistic action plotlines. The movies can be dark, but not overly gritty with blue-toned overlays to try and make it look “serious” — I’m looking at “Man of Steel” here — and characters aren’t turned into shells of themselves. They’re snarky and can crack jokes. They’re allowed to mess up and fall flat on their faces to start their arc. They’re not perfect, no matter how much they pretend to be. Everyone is just deeply human in their journeys.

I am very biased towards Bucky Barnes. He’s my favorite character. He was, weirdly enough, my favorite character before I got into the MCU. Tall, dark, handsome and brooding? Yeah. That checked all my boxes when I was in middle school. As an adult, that hasn’t changed. I still fall into fangirl mode and shriek his name whenever he’s on screen. Pray for me when I get to “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”

But part of Barnes’ appeal is his character arc. Captured by HYDRA and brainwashed for 70 years before he eventually breaks free and gets to live a semi-normal life, Barnes is a character whose struggle is deeply human. How many of us have had to overcome a traumatic experience in our lives and try to find peace with it? How many veterans have struggled with PTSD and might see themselves in his story? There’s a character for everyone to relate to in the MCU.

The indomitable human spirit — This one is kinda corny, I know, but the MCU is full of movies that are, in some way, about the indomitable will we have as humans. There are, of course, some exceptions. The “Thor” movies. Peter Quill’s storyline in “Guardians of the Galaxy” only counts towards this because he’s half-human. But, for the most part, Marvel movies are about human beings defying odds that are supposed to kill them.

Tony Stark has a death-sentence in his chest with the arc-reactor core. Steve Rogers became one of the greatest heroes in the world, even after he was told no time and time again. Natasha Romanoff and Bucky Barnes have arcs that are such deep allegories for sexual assault and human trafficking that they feel like they could be real.

This goes with how relatable the characters can be. Their stories are deeply human, which makes them deeply human characters.

In our lives, we often overcome things we weren’t supposed to. We show kindness even in the face of deep adversity. And that is what we see in the MCU. These movies remind us what it means to be human.

And if those reasons can’t convince anyone to watch the MCU? Well, superheroes and explosions should be a good enough reason.

With the exception of “Venom: The Last Dance” and “Spiderman: No Way Home,” all Marvel movies and shows are streaming on Disney+.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

Wild and Scenic

Nov. 19 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

On Nov. 13, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival celebrated its 10th year in Corvallis and was hosted by the Corvallis Environmental Center. The Corvallis Environmental Center, a non-profit founded in 1994, focuses on creating a healthy, sustainable community through educating students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade on environmental wellness, leadership development and food security.

Featuring 10 films on topics from conservation to outdoor sports, the festival aimed to inspire the community through a love of nature. This year, the festival’s message centered on hope, aiming to draw attention to the ways people are making a difference in the world by working to bring change in their communities.

This year, the films were screened at Whiteside Theatre in Corvallis, a 30-minute drive from Western and six minutes from Oregon State University. The festival also offered on-demand tickets, where viewers could watch each film from the comfort of their home. These on-demand screenings were available on the Corvallis Environmental Center’s website Nov. 13 through 19.

The center provided these films to the Corvallis School District free of charge for teachers to view the films in their classrooms with their students.

“We want to share these films with everyone who cares for this planet we call home. We believe that is everyone,” said Corvallis Environmental Center Outreach Coordinator Karen DeWolfe.

“Films are a powerful way of sharing stories from other communities. It is powerful to see other people effectively making a change,” she added. “Film also helps show us how beautiful our world is, and I think this can inspire us to take additional steps to care for our planet.”

My favorite was the second film, “Friends of Frogpool Lane,” which was produced by Freshwaters Illustrated in partnership with Amphibian Friends, an organization in eastern Pennsylvania that the short film also follows. It was founded in 2010 by Kim White and her husband after she saw an article about amphibian migrations on a busy road near their newly-purchased property. From there, White discovered a vernal pool on her property, a seasonal wetland that typically appears in the spring and grows through the rainy season. They are the ideal habitat for frogs and salamanders to mate and spawn in, since the pools cannot sustain fish life. Vernal pools are highly endangered habitats, with as many as 50% of vernal pools in the Eastern United States being lost or impacted.

Every year for the last 15 years, on rainy nights in February and March, Amphibian Friends sets out with the help of 25 volunteers to assist the migration of thousands of salamanders and wood frogs.

In 2023, the Whites’ vernal pool was permanently protected through a conservation agreement with the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. The film ends with the message “Help amphibians migrate by driving slow on rainy spring nights and protecting migration corridors.”

Wild and Scenic’s flagship festival is held annually in Nevada City, California and Grass Valley, California, before hitting the road for the On Tour program. There are currently around 110 stops and events in this program, with more than 38,000 people being reached annually. Each stop is supported by local environmental organizations, which then donate the proceeds to local social programs.

This year, the proceeds from the festival went to the Corvallis Environmental Center’s Food for Families program, various scholarships for the center’s youth programs and growing fruits and vegetables at Straker Arts Garden for Education.

“Food for Families is centered on our one-acre education garden, SAGE,” DeWolfe said. “We grow ~5,000 lbs of fresh, sustainable produce annually to supply local food for people most in need in our community.”

Food for Families delivers in-season fruits and vegetables from the Straker Arts Garden for Education to emergency food agencies in Corvallis, including the South Corvallis Food Bank, Stone Soup Kitchen and the Oregon State University Emergency Food Pantry. They are able to do this with the help of over 300 volunteers, interns and staff at the Center.

This is Wild and Scenic’s 23rd year, with the next edition — as the festival calls itself on its website — slated for Feb. 19 through 23. The event is expected to occur again next year. Specifics have yet to be released, but students can keep an eye out to contribute to the cause.

“The Film Festival has helped us make connections with amazing local filmmakers, like Chelsea Jolly and Dave Herasimtschuk,” DeWolfe said. “It brings our community together to celebrate the beauty of our planet and the people we share it with. And it helps us come together for a night of feeling hopeful.”

“I believe and I hope it helps all of us realize we can be the change we want to see in the world,” she added.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

Avatar

Jan 7. 2026 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

James Cameron created perhaps one of the greatest fictional worlds in cinematic history when he introduced moviegoers to Pandora in his 2009 film “Avatar.” While the director is best known for his 1997 historical romance “Titanic,” his true pet project is the “Avatar” universe.

In a 2022 interview for the “Avatar: The Way of Water” press tour, Cameron revealed the idea came to him in a dream when he was 19.

“I woke up after dreaming of this kind of bioluminescent forest with these trees that look kind of like fiber-optic lamps and this river that was glowing (with) bioluminescent particles and kind of purple moss on the ground that lit up when you walked on it,” Cameron said in the interview. “It was all in the dream. I woke up super excited, and I actually drew it. So I actually have a drawing. It saved us from about 10 lawsuits. Any successful film, there’s always some freak with tinfoil under their wig that thinks you’ve beamed the idea out of their head. And it turned out there were 10 or 11 of them. And so I pointed at this drawing I did when I was 19.”

The franchise’s titular film, “Avatar,” broke records when it first appeared in box offices. It was the highest-grossing film ever — until “Avengers: Endgame” usurped it in 2019 — and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. In 2010, following the success of his movie, Cameron announced that two more movies were set to follow, with the first of these sequels initially slated for a 2014 release. However, Cameron did not feel underwater filming technology was advanced enough for the direction he wanted to take the sequel, so it was delayed until December 2022.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” became as big a success as its older sister. It was the highest grossing movie of 2022, earning $2.02 billion globally, and is currently the third-highest-grossing movie of all time. With “Avatar,” “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Titanic” sitting in the first, third and fourth spots, respectively — “Avengers: Endgame” still holds second — James Cameron sits second in the list of highest-grossing directors, only $1.3 billion behind Steven Spielberg.

December 2025 saw the release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which picked up immediately where “Avatar: The Way of Water” left off.

The film follows Jake Sully and his family as they defend their lush world from the Resources Development Agency and its privatized military SecOps. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Stephen Lang reprise their roles as Sully, Neytiri and Colonel Miles Quaritch, with most of the cast from “Avatar: The Way of Water” returning. The film also introduces Varang — played by Oona Chaplin, best known for her role as Talisa Maegyr in “A Game of Thrones” — the Tsa’hik of the Mangkwan Clan, and Peylak — played by David Thewlis, best known for his role as Remus Lupin in the “Harry Potter” franchise — the leader of the Na’vi Wind Traders.

Water, fire, wind? This is starting to sound a lot like “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” In fact, a lot of times, when someone mentions “Avatar,” there’s always the clarification: “the one that controls the elements or the blue cat people?” What started as a joke about sharing a name has now shaped into two franchises being near-mirror images of each other.

The Metkayina Clan, which was introduced in “Avatar: The Way of Water,” bears an eerie resemblance to the Water Tribe in “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” They’re isolationists, deeply spiritual and, of course, associated with the ocean. The only difference, however, is that the Metkayina Clan does not control the element they are associated with. The Mangkwan Clan, which is associated with fire — actually controlling it in a way in “Avatar: Fire and Ash” — and which turns on their own kind? Well, that’s almost twin to the Fire Nation. Even the Wind Traders are similar to the Air Nomads: never staying in one place and wearing orange, monk-style robes. Both franchises are also based on various indigenous cultures.

But it’s not as bad as it seems. Both franchises rely heavily on similar tropes and premises.

For one, color-coding elements. Fire is red, which is seen in the Fire Nation’s clothing and the Mangkwan Clan’s war paint, and aggressive, which is shared by both groups’ desire to conquer their world. Water is blue and is associated with spirituality — the Metkayina are the most spiritual of the Na’vi clans, just like the Water Tribe. Air has flow and cannot be contained, which is seen in the Air Nomads and the Wind Traders, who each never stay in one place. Even the Omaticaya, the forest-dwelling Clan to which Sully and Neytiri belong, is similar to the Earth Kingdom in the sense that both groups are grounded and deeply connected to their element.

In short, fire is red and aggressive, water is blue and flowing, air is free-willed and cannot be tied down and earth is grounded and holds a deep connection to the surrounding world. These are all associations that the elements have naturally. After all, every zodiac sign has an element it best fits with.

And being based on indigenous cultures? Well, natives are just like that. We’re cool.

On a more serious note, indigenous peoples share many commonalities with one another. We all have fought against oppressors and colonizers in our histories. We are all deeply connected with the world around us. Our stories are compelling, even today.

“Avatar” is, of course, not without its critics. A lot of people believe the films fit into the white-savior trope, where a white person assimilates into a native population and ends up saving them. Others feel like it is the noble savage trope, where the indigenous peoples are portrayed as morally superior and uncorruptible. Still others see it as a romanticized view of colonization.

As a native woman, I don’t see these movies as any of those, but some indigenous peoples do see them like that. It is all based on perspective. I think they are a love letter to the indigenous peoples who have been on this world since time immemorial and survived despite war and genocide.

“Avatar” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” are currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, where “Avatar: Fire and Ash” will also be released once it leaves theaters.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Home » Entertainment

‘NEW HORIZONS’ UPDATE

Jan 7. 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Those who love spending their time playing chill video games are likely familiar with the popular game franchise Animal Crossing, and are waiting in anticipation for the large update to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” coming Jan. 15.

New Horizons was originally released in 2020 exclusively on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch. The game itself is fairly open in what the player can do, but does have some goal oriented tasks and requires tasks for progression, especially at the beginning. Players begin the game by customizing their character and selecting an island type to live on. The island types differ based on where cliffs and rivers are located, and players can use this to base what kind of design they would like while being aware that they can landscape — move around — these two things later on in the game. Once they select their island type, the player will pick a location for their tent and then start on their island. In the beginning, the player won’t be able to cross any rivers or climb cliffs until they get the resources to build a vaulting pole and ladder. Later on, they can spend bells — money — to build bridges and stairs for easy transportation around their island.

Throughout the game, players can collect resources to build various things like decorations and buildings. Animal Crossing is centered around designing and decorating your island, but there are also other small tasks players can work on. They can collect fossils for their museum and work on filling all of the exhibits. Once they achieve a fishing rod and net, they can also collect sea creatures and bugs which can either be donated to the museum or sold for bells.

Players can also interact with villagers living on their island, and, eventually, can move around their villagers’ houses to certain locations. Many Animal Crossing players work to get aesthetic villagers to fit the vibe of their island even though they have little control over this. A villager can randomly tell the player that they want to leave and the player can either accept or decline — the only control players have over what villagers they want on their island.

As time progresses, players can also work on achieving a five-star island rating. This rating is based on the attractiveness and cleanliness of their island, and can be found when talking to Isabelle at the city hall. Players can improve their rating by pulling weeds, picking up stray items and decorating their island.

Another creative aspect that goes into the game is the option to decorate inside the player’s house as well as change their outfit. Players can buy furniture and clothing from stores on their island to customize their look, and can buy house extensions such as new rooms and more floors from Tom Nook. To expand their house, players must ensure their current loan to Tom Nook is already paid off, and similarly, to expand from their beginning tent to a house they must earn enough to pay off their loan.

The upcoming update is sure to expand on all of these aspects as well as bring back fan requests from previous Animal Crossing games such as “Animal Crossing: New Leaf.” One aspect of the update is a new Resort Hotel building that visitors to the island can stay at. Players can customize the guest rooms based on a theme in their resort hotel as well as buy new outfits for visitors. Villagers that visit your island can be found staying at the hotel, walking around enjoying the scenery, inside the museum or shopping at Nook’s. Players can also buy amiibo cards that they can scan to get certain villagers to visit their island, an aspect of New Leaf that many players wanted to bring back.

Players can also take on requests from Tom Nook to craft island goods that will then be delivered. Each request that players fulfill can then be traded in for hotel tickets. Decorating rooms can also earn hotel tickets, and tickets can be exchanged in the souvenir shop for hotel novelties and other exclusive items.

If players have an online membership, they can also visit Slumber Island to create a whole new island in addition to the one they already have with friends. They can do all of the same things on this island such as terraform, build and decorate. Players can do this with up to three additional islands, and can use these to create vacation islands away from their main one.

A basic expansion players can also expect is the ability to play online with up to 12 other players. Currently, the max is eight players. Players can also expect more storage space, with space increasing from 5,000 items to 9,000.

Players can also utilize Resetti’s cleanup service in the new update. Rather than completely creating a new island when they want a fresh start, this provides the option to select a specific area on their island and have Resetti clear it out. They can have Resetti clear out flowers, decorations or everything.

The new update will also include various crossovers. Players can buy items that are Nintendo-specific, like a Nintendo Switch or a Game Boy, for their island, and can also buy LEGO items, including LEGO furniture and clothing. Legend of Zelda amiibo cards can be scanned by players as villagers and will unlock furniture and clothing items based on Legend of Zelda. Newly added characters from Zelda, including Tulin and Mineru, can also become villagers on your island. These same things apply with the Splatoon series, introducing Cece or Viché visitors.

All in all, both avid Animal Crossing players and new players can expect many fun additions in the new update that will make playing even more enjoyable.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

Performative masculinity’s rise

The telltale signs of how to spot a performative male. | Photo from @dalgazette on Instagram

Dec. 3 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Matcha. Labubus. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath. Thrifting. On their own, these might not have any weight, but when combined? They create the performative male, an archetype of masculinity that has been on the rise since earlier this year.

The performative male has risen in the wake of the toxic masculinity that is associated with Andrew Tate and anti-feminist ideology, showing a sharp contrast in masculinity in online spaces.

The term “performative male” itself is used to describe cisgender, heterosexual men who intentionally adopt traits and habits that are typically associated with women or the online “soft boy” persona. Imagine a man who wears thrifted sweaters, a Labubu on his belt and wired headphones while drinking matcha and reading feminist literature — all meant to signal to women that he is sensitive and emotionally aware.

These traits aren’t a bad thing at all. I, personally, love it when my boyfriend is sensitive and emotionally aware. A majority of people who are attracted to men love when they are sensitive to our feelings. It tells us they care about us and aren’t afraid to show their own feelings.

The problem arises, however, when men simply adopt these traits and habits to gain the romantic affections of the women around them. They want to signal that they are a safe space for women, that they are different from other men and most importantly, that they are a “good guy.” Now this is in no way berating men who actually choose these traits and habits because they enjoy them — they aren’t the reason why the archetype is called the “performative male.”

It’s when all of these combined attributes feel hollow and empty that the archetype becomes performative. When a man shows no genuine interest in feminist literature or astrology beyond how it makes him appeal to women, then it is an empty attempt. A performative male has been compared to social media activism: actions only done to seem like a “good person.”

As I said before, this trend has arisen in the wake of toxic masculinity and the male loneliness epidemic. Recent studies suggest that a possible cause is the polarizing views between Generation Z men and women. Young women have become increasingly liberal and against patriarchal values, while, in contrast, only 43% of young men identify themselves as feminists, while also becoming more patriarchal in their views.

“This shift has happened because of toxic masculinity. There’s been a shift from the alpha bro to a more chill, nice guy. This is a trend for men to be more soft and more fashion-forward,” TikTok user @ellabellaaa_ said.

Performative male contests have been popping up all around the world — from Toronto to San Francisco and even Jakarta — with the most performative of them all winning. At these contests, participants compete for laughs and women’s attention by reciting poetry, showing off their thrifted fashion or handing out feminine hygiene products to show they’re “one of the good guys.”

But as young men begin to explore gender outside of what is considered traditional masculinity, this response is showing them one thing: that being sensitive, soft and emotionally available is humorous and should be openly mocked.

However, I hope that men continue to adopt these traits not out of malicious intent, but because they genuinely want to. Society is continually evolving, and we may move towards a time when men can adopt traits that are not traditionally masculine with less scrutiny.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

Stupid sexy Flanders

The promotional poster for “The Simpsons” x “Fortnite” collab. | Photo from @fortnite on Instagram

Nov. 19 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“The Simpsons” have couch-gagged their way into “Fortnite,” completely taking over the game’s maps, shop and battle pass.

Released Nov. 1, the season was teased beforehand with Kang and Kodos — the slobbering, green, one-eyed aliens most commonly seen in “Treehouse of Horror” episodes — following the Battle Bus as players launched into the game. When the season officially launched, major locations switched from their usual themes to well-known ones from the series. These include Burns Manor, Cletus’ Corn Hole, Corruption Corners, Donut District, Evergreen Terrace, Kamp Krusty, Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Springfield Slurpworks and Springfield Town Square. A majority of these locations feature heavily throughout the 37 seasons of “The Simpsons,” though Kamp Krusty was only featured in the Season 4 opener, “Kamp Krusty,” and in Season 28, Episode 15, “Kamp Krustier.” Springfield Slurpworks is similar, featuring first in Season 35, Episode 12, “Lisa Gets an F1” as Springfield Tasselworks — a now closed-down factory that once made nipple tassels. Corruption Corners is a bleedover from the “Fortnitemares” Halloween event.

Along with these locations, three bosses will also spawn throughout the map: Ned Flanders, Krusty the Clown and Witch Marge. Ironically enough, the Ned Flanders boss has claimed the most player kills so far, with a staggering 33,000. The Battle Bus driver has also been renamed to Otto, who drives the bus for Springfield Elementary in the series.

The battle pass features iconic moments from “The Simpsons,” as well. Among the tiers, players will find Marge Simpson, Blinky Fishstick, Ned Flanders and Homer Simpson. Witch Marge, Hazardous Blinky Fishstick and Stupid Sexy Flanders also feature on the battle pass as cosmetics. Witch Marge comes from Season 9, Episode 4, “Treehouse of Horror VII,” while Stupid Sexy Flanders is from Season 11, Episode 10, “Little Big Mom.”

Among the extra levels of the battle pass is “Evil Homer,” which comes from Season 4, Episode 20, “Whacking Day,” and includes an emote of Homer shaking donut maracas and singing “I am Evil Homer.”

Peely, like Fishstick, was also given a Springfielder makeover and is cel-shaded in the show’s iconic style. Featuring as rewards for completing weekly quests, Springfielder Peely also has “Peelfessor Frink” cosmetics, based on the character Professor John Frink, and includes a glider, back bling and skin.

The shop’s takeover features iconic characters Krusty the Clown, Moe Syslak, Bart Simpson and Lisa Simpson, as well as “The Simpsons” theme and “The Monorail Song,” which featured in Season 4, Episode 12, “Marge vs. the Monorail.” Emotes based on other iconic “Simpsons” moments include Flaming Slurp, based on a Flaming Moe; Saxophone Solo, which features Lisa’s iconic solo from the theme; Homer’s Hedge Retreat from Season 5, Episode 16, “Homer Loves Flanders”; and Squishee Boarding, featuring a squishee from the Kwik-E Mart.

Sidekicks were also introduced this season, with players who bought the battle pass able to immediately claim and customize “Peels,” a little dog shaped like a banana. Sidekicks are equipable and will follow players throughout various game modes, as well as emote with them and celebrate when they get a kill. Other sidekicks include Mothman Jr., Cuddle Team Jr., Spike and Flopsticks. Plopper, from “The Simpsons Movie,” is available in the shop as a sidekick, as well.

“The Simpsons” will stick around until the end of November, just in time for Winterfest to kick off. Fans will have the annual advent calendar, snow-covered map and other winter-themed items and skins to look forward to. Winterfest kicks off Dec. 1 when “Fortnite” updates automatically in the shop.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

‘Survivor’ hot takes

A photo of the Kele tribe during a challenge. | Photo from @survivorcbs on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Even fans who aren’t avid consumers of the reality TV show “Survivor” likely remember seeing a season here or there, whether it be remembering a season from the old era with dangerous twists and turns such as lions roaming around the castaways’ camp, or a season from the new era with all of the various gameplay additions, such as idols and beware advantages. I know I love watching all of the drama unfold as well as the new challenges and twists they come up with, a reason that likely contributes to why fans keep watching season after season. “Survivor” contestants from Season 49 — the current season — provided their own personal “Survivor” hot takes, and I’ll be ranking them from worst to best for both die-hard fans and the occasional viewer alike to enjoy.
18. Bring back the super idol — Kristina
When the super idol was in play, contestants who found two hidden immunity idols could combine them to create a super idol, meaning they could use the idol after the vote. Personally, I feel like this advantage gives one person way too much power. Some advantages are just unnecessary because they change the game way too drastically and unfairly.
17. The margarita curse is fake news — Alex
The “margarita curse” is essentially a theory that any contestant who wins a margarita from a reward challenge ends up getting voted out. It happened a few times, so fans and contestants started joking that it was related. I feel like this hot take isn’t really a hot take because the margarita curse isn’t real and is all theorized from a few occurrences that were most likely a coincidence.
16. Sam should have won season 47 — Jake
Sam, the runner-up, argued at the final counsel that he should win because he fought for immunity in all the challenges. Rachel ended up winning and countered that forming bonds and alliances are just as important. I believe that any aspect of “Survivor,” whether it be a contestant’s physical strength or their social game, is crucial to a win.
15. Contestants shouldn’t be forced to risk their vote, it should be a choice — Steven
I feel as if there aren’t really many cases where contestants are forced to risk their vote. Most often, they lose their vote while going on an individual journey to an island, and most contestants voluntarily do this.
14. Idols overrated, advantages underrated — Jason
I’m not sure if I or other fans would necessarily agree with this, because idols are the most powerful advantage in the game. I also believe that the new era of “Survivor” has a multitude of advantages, and they aren’t really underrated.
13. The best player does not always win — Rizo
As viewers, we can often favor one contestant over another for various reasons like their strength or their social game, and we may have the perception that one deserves to win over the other. While this may be true, I think anyone who manages to win “Survivor” didn’t win by fluke.
12. New era > old era — MC
Both have their strong points: new era comes with many more twists and turns, where contestants have to think a lot more about their strategy, while old era comes with more of the survival aspect of “Survivor.”
11. Russell is amazing — Annie
Russell is a contestant who can be seen as overly harsh and has sometimes even been described as a snake, but he made the game very interesting and managed to win Fan Favorite for arguably one of the most iconic seasons: Heroes vs Villains.
10. There’s no such thing as an honest game — Sage
This hot take really makes me think hard about what an honest game even is. Many contestants go into the finale claiming they should win because they played an honest game, but I think I agree that it’s near impossible to do this while they are actively voting people out.
9. “A lil rice would be nice” — Shannon
I do think that the game may be more interesting if each tribe was given rice rations to eat, because they would be slightly stronger for challenges.
8. Chris Underwood deserved the win — Matt
While I do believe that everyone who wins deserves the win, Chris won the final immunity challenge but gave up immunity to compete in the fire-making challenge because he believed he needed to prove he deserved to win. I think this is a very risky but iconic move that deserves some credit.
7. Stop handicapping losing tribes by taking their flint — Sophie
Like with the rice debate, I think if tribes had their flint, it may make the rest of the game — the challenges — more interesting.
6. Bring back the loved one visit — Jeremiah
I think adding this reward later on in the game would provide contestants with more motivation after to play the game harder and better.
5. Cast more people likely to get in a showmance. Love is the only way to beat logic — Savannah
Many fans remember the iconic Boston Rob and Amber showmance, and I think we would all enjoy more showmances to make the show more interesting.
4. Knowledge is power is pretty awesome — Jawan
I think having this advantage in the game can make the gameplay more challenging and thought-provoking, and may push contestants to be more careful about who they show their idol to.
3. Immunity idol = death in the game — Nate
I think this really depends on how the contestant strategizes with their idol. Many of them choose to show their alliances that they have an idol, which can cause rumors to spread around and can ultimately lead to their downfall.
2. There is no such thing as a player who should have won, it’s all about jury management — Nicole
Many fans and players argue that whoever was the best in challenges and the strongest physical player should have won, but the social game in “Survivor” is just as important. Ultimately, it’s the jury at the end deciding their fate.
1. Whoever wins deserves it — Sophi
On that note, “Survivor” is all about how each contestant uniquely plays the game. There is no right or wrong game if someone makes it to the finale. Winning a reality TV show over seventeen other contestants is not an accident.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

Nintendo’s star princess

A photo of Rosalina’s original design from Super Mario Galaxy. | Photo from @nintenbingo on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers for “Super Mario Galaxy”

“Super Mario Galaxy” was a game that came out in 2007 on the Nintendo Wii. It introduced several new mechanics that were different from previous Mario games, such as the ability to stun enemies with the spin move and the introduction of 3D graphic manipulation as the game is set in various worlds with different physics. However, the biggest addition that this game brought to the forefront was the introduction of a new character, one who comes from the stars.
Introduction — Known as the “mother of the Lumas,” Rosalina debuted as a woman who possesses great cosmic power. She travels throughout space in her observatory, keeping an eye out for any threats. She has been called “an interstellar protector” by Nintendo. She is known as the adoptive mother of the Lumas, star-shaped creatures that are baby stars. They have the capability to transform into stars, comets, planets and even “Power Stars,” which are the main source of power in the world of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The plot — The game opens up with a few pages of a storybook, explaining that once every hundred years a comet passes by the Mushroom Kingdom. On this occasion, the people host an event called the “Star Festival,” meant to celebrate the comet’s return. Then, the game becomes similar to most Mario games where Bowser attacks the Mushroom Kingdom to kidnap Princess Peach. While Mario is attempting to save her, he gets knocked into space.
When he wakes up, it’s in the company of the Lumas. After a brief chase with them, they explain that their “Mama” needs his help. It is then that Rosalina makes her first appearance. She tells Mario that she is the guardian of the cosmos. She then entrusts Mario to take care of a Luma that will give him the power to travel through space to save Peach. This is what gives Mario his shake ability, which allows him to not only stun enemies, but to use “Launch Stars,” which help him travel through the cosmos throughout the game.
Mario is then taken to the Comet Observatory. Rosalina explains that they travel through the area once every hundred years, but were stopped by Bowser this time. He had attacked their home, taking the Power Stars, which give the observatory the power it needs to travel through space. Rosalina asks Mario if he would continue to collect the Power Stars from other galaxies around them. Once enough are collected and power is restored to the ship entirely, Rosalina agrees to help Mario save Princess Peach and defeat Bowser.
The ending —Another reason that Super Mario Galaxy is different from other Mario games is the ending. Most of the games end with Peach being saved, Bowser falling into lava and everyone going back home. However, when Mario manages to defeat Bowser, the universe that he was trying to create collapses on itself and creates a black hole. The Luma that was with Mario the entire game, along with all the others in the Observatory, sacrificed themselves by jumping into the black hole. An animation appears showing what’s implied to be a cyclone mixing up stardust. Mario then appears in some sort of limbo with Rosalina, where she explains how the cycle of life works for stars: “When stars die, they turn to stardust and scatter across the cosmos.” She explains that after a time, the stardust turns into a star and the cycle of life continues. Rosalina does say, though, that the cycle of life is never the same. When Mario awakens, everyone he encountered in the game who lived on different galaxies now share one planet. Rosalina’s voice is heard to say that all life carries the essence of stars, including all of them. Mario welcomes the new galaxy and a new cycle of life begins.
Origins — Rosalina’s backstory is told to the player throughout the game through a storybook. As Mario collects Power Stars, parts of the observatory unlock. One of the areas is a library, and when walking inside, Rosalina is sitting in a chair holding a storybook. She reads to a group of Lumas, and the story told is implied to be her own.
The story is about a young girl who encounters a lost Luma that crashed his spaceship near her home. The Luma says he’s waiting for his mama to come back for him on a comet, so the girl agrees to wait with him. A lot of time passes and they decide to go into space to try to find her. They eventually encounter a comet that they decide to stay on while the girl chooses to adopt the Luma as her child. They construct the Comet Observatory and have a large group of Luma children who live with them. The girl decides to check on her home planet and reminisce about her family. When the thought of her own mother comes to mind, she bursts out in tears as she tells her children that she can’t see her anymore, as she is “sleeping under the tree in the hill,” implying that she has passed away. Luma, the original star child that Rosalina encountered, tries to comfort her and, in the process, turns into a comet. The girl is shocked and the other Lumas explain to her that they all will grow up to become either stars, planets, comets and much more. They all surround the girl, hugging her and asking her not to cry anymore and from that day forward, “star bits no longer fell from the girl’s eyes.”
Utilization — Unfortunately, Rosalina hasn’t had a major role in a Mario game since her debut, with most of her appearances coming from spin-off games like “Super Smash Bros,” “Mario Kart” and “Super Mario 3D World.” However, fans still hold her dear in their hearts for several reasons. Unlike most of the Mario characters, who are tailored in a way that kids will enjoy them, Rosalina has a mature personality that is very much motherlike. Unlike Peach, who depends on Mario a lot in the games, Rosalina is an independent woman who not only takes care of herself, but takes care of all the Lumas under her care. Her backstory is compelling, even tragic, which is unique for a Nintendo character, as we don’t know a whole lot about the backstories of the characters in these games.
While Nintendo hasn’t taken advantage of how much love the fans have for this character in a while, there is good news for those who have been waiting. Not only are “Super Mario Galaxy” and its sequel available for the Nintendo Switch, but Nov. 25, her storybook will be available for physical release. It has also been announced that the next Mario movie will be based on Super Mario Galaxy. Considering how big a role she plays in the games, there is no doubt that Rosalina will make an appearance in this upcoming film. As a huge fan of Rosalina, I am definitely looking forward to seeing her in the next movie.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

‘Overwatch’s’ replacement

A game clip of Zombie Wanda Maximoff, the final boss in the limited “Rivals Zombies” event. | Photo from @marvelrivals on Instagram

When most people think about non-secular music, they typically think of Hillsong United or Elevation Worship. Which, OK, is valid. Those two groups have dominated the worship music scene for years, with numerous controversies that have made them recognizable to anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.
But with Generation Z entering the sphere of worship music, they have begun to shift from what is considered “traditional” in the genre — mainly songs that one would hear sung in church or at a Bible study — to songs that are deeply emotional, personal and relatable.
From these artists, the best to emerge is Allison Eide.
Eide first came onto the music scene in 2020 when she released a cover of “Mary Did You Know” with her father, Peder Eide. For the next three years, she released Christmas music until her first single, “Love Who I Am,” in late 2023. The song talks about insecurities and people pleasing, but through her faith, she knows who she truly is inside.
Eide didn’t blow up overnight. Instead, she spent her time crafting her music and relating to the struggles modern Christians face: expectations on social media, struggles with mental health and the growing discord around faith.
In September 2024, however, Eide’s music reached not just her usual Christian listeners but also those from other faiths or who may not be religious when she released her song “Truth Is (Liar).”
The song speaks of the lies that are put in our heads from outside sources and how they can be flipped on their head to prove the source wrong.
That energy comes through especially in the bridge, where Eide flips criticism into empowerment: “You list ’em off, everything that I’m not / A-B-C, one, two, three, ‘monologue’ / But I list ’em off, everything that I got / Look at me, I’m free and you’re not.”
This is the song that introduced me to her music, and every song from her discography has slowly infiltrated my playlists.
Eide’s most vulnerable song, however, proves to be her newest single, “why, why, why.”
Released Nov. 7, 2025, it speaks about her father’s death after his battle with cancer, as well as recounting the time she spoke to a young girl dying of AIDS. Across the song, Eide wrestles with silence — God’s, the world’s and her own — as she faces pain, suffering and the weight of mental health struggles.
It’s a raw, tear-streaked reflection that strips away performance and pride. Eide knows what it means to question faith and still cling to it. In an October teaser, she shared a preview of the chorus with the caption: “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. it’s time we stop coming to Him like He isn’t.”
And honestly? I have yet to listen to it without being brought to tears. It’s rare to find music that makes one feel seen in faith, doubts and grief, but Eide does exactly that.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home » Entertainment

‘Like anxiety in real time’

The official art for Eide’s newest single, “why, why, why.” | Photo from @allison_eide on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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