Mount Hood

DC: Mr. Steal Ur Gurl

Written by Gretchen Sims

Oct. 20 will go down in history as the day “Black Adam” took audiences across the nation by storm. This latest DC movie blew every fourth-generation Marvel project out of the water. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars alongside a star-studded cast in the latest installation of the Shazam universe. 

Popular characters from DC comics are pitted against Johnson as he fights to recognize the hero inside. Released from a prison of his own making, this weapon of mass destruction has a second chance to prove to himself that he is worthy of his power. 

This movie was different from most superhero films — Black Adam is not your typical hero. He does not spare his enemies and promotes violence, yet he will still do whatever it takes to protect his family. 

One of the most impressive parts of this film was the cinematography and visuals throughout the movie. The vibrant colors and crispness of every scene were unparalleled. However, some of the CGI was unimpressive and some lengths of clips were questionable. 

This movie started off slow, and the plot seemed rushed and uninteresting for the first hour. Still, just when the movie seemed like it was going nowhere, the plot arch redeemed itself — making “Black Adam” one of the best superhero movies to be released since the end of the Marvel CinamaticUniverse. 

This movie touched on popular contemporary issues while tying these issues back to systemic abuse of the past. This movie’s storyline of oppression will be familiar to audiences, while giving hope for the future. “Black Adam” pursues the trope that common people are the true heroes — from which real change begins.

Overall, this movie did not deserve the low rating it received on Rotten Tomatoes. The loveable characters and quick-witted humor vastly overshadowed the clumsy CGI and roller coaster of a plotline. “Black Adam” is the beginning of a bright future for the DC Shazam universe. 

Marvel better watch out. 

8/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

iCarly returns for season two

Paramount+ iCarly’s season two continues to look at life from the lens of adulthood, as well as welcomes back familiar faces

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

This article contains minor spoilers for season two of iCarly.

The reboot of the beloved Nickelodeon children’s series, iCarly, has returned for a second season with a release of three new episodes. Available for streaming on Paramount+ on April 8, iCarly’s new season will pick up right where season one left off, with Carly trying to adjust to adulthood while also working to gain traction for her revived web channel. While the first season was a hit amongst many fans of the early show, some were left with the question of whether season two will be just as notable. Here is this Staff Writer’s thoughts on the three recent episodes of the iCarly revival.

 

Episode 1: “iGuess Everyone Just Hates Me Now,” tackles the topic of “cancel culture” and the struggles female influencers and creators often encounter juggling their love life and careers. Viewers also get to see some of the old “Creddie” action present in the first series of iCarly in this episode, as Carly tries — and fails — to make viewers like her again. Thanks to the topic and message this episode covers, it easily became my favorite episode from the season so far, with seven more to go.

 

Episode 2: In “iObject Lewbert,” the iCarly gang’s escapades as children come back to bite them in the form of archnemesis and doorman Lewbert. Not going to lie, as someone who grew up watching the original iCarly show, it felt refreshing to see the iCarly cast finally face the consequences of their actions. This episode also features my favorite line of the entire season so far: “What kind of millennial hell is this?” I’m using that from now on.

 

Episode 3: “i’M Wild and Crazy” has Carly attempting to keep up with the adventures of her eccentric  best friend, Harper, in order to be less “boring.” I’m not saying I relate to Carly, but I relate to Carly. How many of us have tried to step out of our comfort zone in order to prove someone else wrong? While this episode wasn’t my favorite from the current bunch, it was entertaining and relatable.

 

The new season will also feature Paul, played by Josh Peck, as Carly’s manager for the iCarly web series. It will also allegedly reintroduce the beloved character of T-Bo, the quirky Groovy Smoothie manager in future episodes, according to teasers from Miranda Cosgrove. iCarly season two has a total of 10 episodes, with new episodes premiering weekly on Fridays. Don’t miss out. So far, it’s an 8/10.

The best Earth Day films

A list of movies and documentaries to celebrate Earth Day

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Documentaries about saving the earth:

  • “Kiss the Ground” — Scientists, farmers, and politicians are joined by celebrity activists in an effort to save the Earth’s vital topsoil, narrated by Woody Harrelson. 
  • “Ice on Fire” — Explores how to prevent extinction level events by reducing and reversing our carbon footprint, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. 
  • “Mission Blue” — Follows the journey of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist, oceanographer and environmentalist, as she works to create marine sanctuaries. 
  • “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet” — Attenborough outlines what he’s observed of humanity’s impact on the planet throughout his prolific career, and details solutions to these problems. 
  • “Chasing Coral” — Scientists and divers embark on a journey to discover why the coral reefs are dying. 

Documentaries about the small wonders of the world: 

  • “Dancing with the Birds” — Birds of paradise show off their most impressive courtship moves in a colorful display of feathers. 
  • “Fantastic Fungi” — A visually stunning take on how fungi can heal and sustain life on Earth, narrated by Brie Larson. 
  • “My Octopus Teacher” — Follows the unique bond between diver Craig Foster and a curious young octopus over months of visits to her den. 
  • “Life in Color with David Attenborough” — A three-part series showing the captivating colors animals use to survive and thrive. 
  • “Animal” (2022) — A docuseries following the creatures of the Earth in their natural habitats, narrated by celebrity guests like Pedro Pascal and Rebel Wilson.   

Movies about the apocalypse:

  • “2012” — During a series of catastrophic natural disasters, a man and his family flee to the safety of a secret government fleet of arks meant to save the elite.
  • “The Day After Tomorrow” — A climatologist tries to find his son and his friend as a global superstorm overtakes the world. 

Movies about living after the apocalypse:

  • “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) — An alien and his robot counterpart are sent to Earth to decide if humanity is worthy of living on the planet. 
  • “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) — In a world where water and gasoline are scarce, a warrior liberates the fives wives of a tyrannical warlord and teams up with another former captive to bring them to freedom. 
  • “Snowpiercer” (2013) — During a man-made ice age, the last remnants of humanity live on a train organized by social class, where the richest live in luxury and the poorest in squalor under armed guard. 
  • “Io” — The Earth’s atmosphere is toxic, and most people now live in a space station near one of the moons of Jupiter, but a scientist who stayed behind hopes to cleanse the air and make Earth livable again. 

Movies about corporate greed, evil intentions and the earth:

  • “Avatar” (2009) — On an alien moon, a marine tasked with infiltrating the indeginous population to uncover their mineable resources must question whether he is fighting on the right side.  
  • “Okja” — A young girl must embark on a mission to save her genetically engineered super pig best friend, who was repossessed by the company that created her to boost the food industry. 
  • “Kingsman: The Secret Service” —  A new recruit to a secret spy organization must stop a billionaire from launching his plot to end climate change by killing everyone on the planet he deems unworthy.  

Animated movies about saving the planet: 

  • “Wall-E” — A lonely waste allocation robot living alone on Earth falls in love with a probe sent by humans living in space, who leads him to the adventure of a lifetime. 
  • “The Lorax” — After happening upon a stranger while searching for a sapling, the object of his crush’s desires, a boy listens to his tale of greed that destroyed nature. 
  • “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” — When human deforestation and those who thrive on it threaten a fairy’s homeland, she and her human friend must work together to stop them.

 

Tips for concert etiquette

How to improve the concert experience

Mikayla Coleman | Managing Editor

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

 

Recently I attended two live shows back to back. I enjoyed both artists to the same extent, but each concert experience was distinct based upon the characters I was surrounded by. The crowd can make or break the concert experience. Use these tips to ensure that everyone has a fulfilling time seeing their favorite artists. 

 

Get to know people that are close. People are going to bump into one another. But since pushing and bumping into each other is inevitable, getting to know the people that are near can help ease the tension. Saying something before the concert starts like “I just want you to know that if I run into you, it is not deliberate and I am sorry” can be a good way to make sure that everyone nearby is on the same page. Asking where people are from, what their names are or how they feel about the performance can break the ice and make those interactions less awkward. At the second concert I attended, my friend and I were able to make friends with those who were around us and it was a major improvement. 

 

Take care of one another. The venue of the first concert was very poorly ventilated, which made the crowd an even more dangerous place to be. Attendees were passing out before the opener even played. Eventually the band asked for water bottles to be handed out to the crowd, but that does not always happen. Being aware of the state of people nearby is crucial in these types of settings. Concerts are as mentally and physically exhausting as they are incredible. When someone needs water or medical assistance, the crowd needs to alert the right authorities and make room so that person is able to get help as quickly as possible. A simple “Are you doing okay?” to check in usually does the trick. 

 

Think about the experience of others. Everyone loves to scream their favorite songs when they are being performed live. People also like to get videos of specific songs to be able to watch back later. If one is screaming louder than the performer, perhaps it is time to take a second to adjust the volume of their voice. This doesn’t mean that everyone should be quiet at all times or not enjoy themselves, but it is something to be aware of. The second concert was a better experience for me on almost all levels, except there was a person behind me who was screaming along to every song so loudly that my phone only picked up their voice instead of the actual performer, which was extremely disappointing. At the first concert, a person in front of me decided they were going to record the entirety of every single song on their phone, blocking the view of those behind us. I understand taking strategic videos so that there is something to look back on, but remember, these are live events and the whole point of going is to be able to live the experience, not see the entire thing through a phone. 

The sea of sexualities: Western’s 25th drag show

Entertainment Editor reviews the 25th annual drag show

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

April 2022 brought Western’s 25th annual drag show, “Down Where It’s Wetter,” a nonstop celebration of all Queer identities. The Triangle Alliance sponsored show explored sexuality and relationships through the stories of multiple characters finding and accepting themselves under the sea.

Narrated by the aptly named “Rainbow Fish,” the performance was far more story-oriented than the average drag show. It followed our main character, a human named Quinn, who knows she isn’t straight but doesn’t know what her label is. She is approached by lesbian mermaid princess Leah, who offers to help guide Quinn on her journey of self exploration by turning her into a mermaid. 

This transformation was marked with the iconic “H2O” theme song “No Ordinary Girl” by Indiana Evans — which was not only a fitting choice for such an event but also enjoyable for those who grew up with the show, like myself. 

Honestly, all the music choices were fantastic. Songs ranged from “Call Me Mother” by RuPaul to “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse, covering a wide array of genres and all choreographed to perfection. 

One thing I didn’t expect from this drag show was to be brought to tears by the story of a polyamorous relationship who’s third partner has to be kept a secret. 

Trey, a shark, is in a polyamorous relationship with mermaid Kai and jellyfish Noni, but can’t tell anyone because they’re afraid of judgment. In a dance choreographed to Harry Styles’ “Falling,” Trey pines after the two as they are forced to ignore him in public. I was a mess throughout the whole song. 

The story made a point to acknowledge the many gender expressions, relationships and sexualities out there, with special emphasis on the validity of polyamorous relationships and Queer, aromantic and genderfluid individuals. 

Throughout the show, the energy in the room was immaculate — I’ve never heard an audience scream so loudly. The performers gave it their all, and I left Rice Auditorium with a scratchy voice and ringing ears.

This was my first drag show, so I walked in not knowing what to expect, and I was blown away by the effort that was so clearly put into this performance. Altogether, it’s clear the 25th annual drag show was a resounding success. 9.5/10. 

Sonatas for springtime

An array of music perfect for the new season

The Western Howl Collective

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate the changing season than with a new playlist? Below is a collection of songs compiled by the Western Howl staff that we like to jam out to in the spring. Check out this playlist along with others we’ve done on Spotify at @The Western Howl.

 

  • “Young, Wild & Free” — Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars
  • “Wonderwall” — Oasis
  • “Breakin’” — The All-American Rejects
  • “Painting Flowers” — All Time Low
  • “Mustache Man (Wasted)” — CAKE 
  • “Breezeblocks” — alt-J
  • “Walkin’ On The Sun” — Smash Mouth 
  • “Superfast Jellyfish (feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul)” — Gorillaz 
  • “Stunnin’” — Curtis Waters ft. Harm Franklin
  • “Doubt”  — Hippo Campus
  • “Spring Has Sprung”  — Skeggs
  • “Shaky in the Knees”  — Grizfolk 
  • “Mushroom Abolitionist” — Vegyn
  • “Chaise Lounge”  — Wet Leg
  • “Silvertongue” — Young the Giant
  • “Spring Day” — BTS
  • “June” — Surfaces
  • “Shine On Top” — Surfaces
  • “Sunroof” — Nicky Youre, dazy
  • “AMAZING” — Rex Orange County
  • “Watermelon Sugar” — Harry Styles
  • “Life is a Highway” — Rascal Flatts
  • “Here Comes the Sun” — The Beatles
  •  “Good Kisser” — Lake Street Dive

Student directors debut work

The Student Directed One Acts festival returns for Western’s theatre program

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

The Student Directed One Acts Festival returns April 14 – 16 and will showcase the directorial talents in Western’s theatre program. The wide array of genres displayed this year is a testament to the creativity of these seven student directors and actors. 

Thursday night will kick off the one-acts festival, where four of the seven students’ plays will debut.

Junior theater major Grace Porter is among those premiering their plays on opening night. “Hiding in Flowers,” written by playwright Roni Ragone, will feature one female and one nonbinary character, and the performance focuses on their relationship when “a charcter comes out, but not as what you would think,” said Porter. 

Another play in the Thursday lineup is “Rough Edge” by Sara Jean Accuardi, directed by senior education and theater major Braden Pippert. Set in 1994 at the Clackamas Town Center Mall months after the Tonya Harding scandal, two frozen yogurt shop employees discuss the infamous crime. 

“I’m excited to show off what (the cast) has done and what I’ve kind of put together,” Pippert said of the show. 

Sophomore theater major Wyatt R. King will be joining Porter and Pippert on Thursday night, with Julia Specht’s play, “i believe in a Republic in which money has a great deal to say.” This show is a satirical take on economic class in America.

“There’s this idea of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, and this play kind of pokes fun at this idea because people who don’t even own boots are supposed to pull themselves up by these bootstraps,” King said.

Also premiering on Thursday is Pendleton King’s play, titled “Cocaine” and directed by senior theater major Andres Avila. The plot centers on two characters, a former boxer and a prostitute, as they deal with poverty, withdrawls and the threat of homelessness. 

The Friday night showing will feature the remaining three students, including sophomore theater education major Ally Warner directing “Overtones” by playwright Alice Gerstenberg. In this play, two gentlewomen must temper their agressive alter-egos, or inner thoughts in physical form, as they interact with each other. 

Also on Friday, junior theater education major Mere Butler is directing “Bride Before a Fall,” by Robert Scott. A dark humor piece, this play focuses on Victor and his mistress Madelyn, who are attempting to kill Victor’s rich wife for her fortune. Unfortunately, she seems to be unkillable. 

Sarah Pitz, a senior actor training major, will be directing fellow Western student Sara Wright’s play, “Woman Slay.” A comedic take on the “strong female lead” trope, the performance will feature a clueless heroine and an increasingly frustrated narrator.  

The Thursday one-acts will have a second round of performances on Saturday April 16 at 7:30 p.m., and the Friday shows will have theirs the same day at 2 p.m. in Rice Auditorium, room 113. Tickets are free to all. 

 

Vibrant Black identities in art

An exhibition of Black identities through a variety of materials

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

The colors of spring have slowly washed over campus, and in response, the Cannon Gallery of Art has debuted a vibrant exhibition, “thank you, black materials.” The pieces on display — curated by award winning Portland artist Intisar Abioto — feature six Oregon artists expressing the Black experience through their mediums. 

The inspiration behind this exhibition came to Abioto through her ongoing research on Black artist culture in Oregon. This research allowed her to interact with elder Black artists and develop an appreciation for their resilience, ingenuity and the materials they used in their work. 

Though the majority of her work has focused on these elder artists and their impact, “thank you, black materials” features poignant modern creators with connections to Abioto herself. 

“With this (show) I just decided to focus on artists who I admired, and who I felt that — even though they’re not doing the same thing — I felt that there was some kind of kinship in …  their approach,” Abioto said of her decision to include contemporary artists. “I just think they’re doing insightful things. It was also the show that I wanted to see very much.” 

Abioto’s selections for this exhibition include acrylic portraits, ceramics, prints and performance art by artists Jeremy Okai Davis, Nikesha Breeze, Ni Abioto, Rob Lewis, Ebin Lee and sidony o’neal. 

“I just think these are vibrant thinkers,” Abioto said. “I hope (viewers) are able to approach with curiosity and are able to sense something of truthful relevance for them.” 

The “thank you, black materials” exhibition will be open in the Cannon Gallery until May 6. Stop by between building hours 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to experience these works firsthand.

Review: “Turning Red”

“Turning Red”: The starting point of representation for this generation’s teenagers

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

This review contains spoilers. 

“We’ve all got an inner beast. We’ve all got a messy, loud, weird part of ourselves hidden away. And a lot of us never let it out.”

It seems that Disney and Pixar have a knack for calling out the faults present in modern parenting methods. While I liked the film, I honestly would not have watched it if it hadn’t been for the trending topics caused by the film’s release.

For those unfamiliar with the premise of the movie, it follows the story of Meilin Lee — who is referred to as Mei throughout most of the film — a thirteen year old girl at the onset of her teenage years. Unbeknownst to Mei for the first few minutes of the film, she is the descendant of a gifted — or cursed — lineage, which instantly transforms her into a fluffy red panda.

Ever since its release, the film has sparked controversy among viewers for issues related to “taboo” topics. What I have to say is: f–k them. 

The film hits audiences in the feels, like most Pixar films do. It is a heartwarming and relatable story that discusses the importance of menstrual cycles in a hilarious, yet educational way. It also makes a suggestive joke on “gyrating,” or what I would call, “twerking.” While others might see all this as inappropriate, I just see it as the real representation of teenagers and their quirks.

My favorite aspect of the film was the conflict Mei found herself in while choosing between her friend group, who seemed to understand her for who she really was, and her mother, who all but dumped her own dreams and expectations onto her. I loved the idea that this soft red panda represented the wild and carefree side of Mei and how her splitting away from the red panda meant she was separating from an integral part of who she was.

Also, don’t get me started on Mei’s mother. On occasions, I thought her mother was incredibly selfish. However, as the film delved further into the storyline, I slowly grew to like her. Perhaps mothers and grandparents can have the best intent in mind but go about it in selfish ways. 

Like all films, “Turning Red” has its fair share of dislikable elements. I was slightly put off with the stereotypes present within the film, such as that all girls only think about boys or that menstruation is deemed critical to reaching womanhood. There’s also the small fact that Mei’s friends criticize her for seemingly being a “goody two-shoes,” which only adds to the plight of the already negative connotation attached to the term.

But who cares? In the end, “Turning Red” is a film soon-to-be and existing teenagers should watch. I know that if I were a teenager, I would have appreciated such a film to help me laugh on the ups and downs of adolescence. Rating: 8.5/10.

Wallowing in Wallows

Indie music scene gains “Tell Me That It’s Over” Spring release

Mikayla Coleman | Managing Editor

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

On March 25, the indie pop band Wallows released their sophomore album Tell Me That It’s Over. Wallows is made up of three members, Dylan Minnette (who you might recognize as Clay from the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why”), Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston. The album consists of ten songs, crossing and combining several different aspects of the indie pop, folk and rock genres in a unique and artistic way. 

 

“Hard to Believe” — I enjoy how the melody kind of climbs up and down. It is a really pleasing scale. The guitar is pretty grunge, but the bridge has a really light hearted whistle break with some interesting synth-type orchestral moments. It’s a good contrast. The lyrics and vocals are very simplistic in nature, but I think that adds to the song overall. 

“I Don’t Want to Talk” — The whistle hook at the beginning of the song reminds me a lot of the band Dayglow. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the harmonica at first but it has grown on me. The lyrics describe the ending of a relationship and wanting to have a clean, quick cut off rather than stretching out the break up process. It does a good job of explaining a specific experience that is often hard to articulate. 

“Especially You” — I think that the modulation of the synth takes the cake in this one. It compliments the rest of the song really well. The lyrics are again, very simple, but very relatable. I mean, who isn’t confused by people all of the time? The guitar is much cleaner on this, making it a great beachy road trip song. 

“At the End of the Day” — I love Braeden’s vocals. No offense to Dylan, but I have always been more into Braeden as a vocalist. These lyrics have a good amount of complexity that makes the song more personal. It does an interesting job of interpreting the “If you love her, let her go” trope.

“Marvelous” This is much more upbeat and fast than the previous tracks. Not sure if I am down with the repeated use of “hole.” Stadium synth came in clutch. This song sounds like how my brain feels when I have an ADHD episode. 

“Permanent Price” — Definitely feeling more of a folk-indie vibe from the use of strings. Not my favorite. I feel like it’s a bit cookie-cutter in comparison to the other songs that have something special sprinkled in. The harmonies make it feel like something from the early 2000s. 

“Missing Out” — Another slow one. The beginning is a little bit misleading. It starts with a nice classic piano scale, but takes a sharp turn to a more rock-type and autotune-diluted chorus. This variation is interesting, but I don’t think that it is my cup of tea. 

“Hurts Me” — 80’stastic!  I’m getting funky with the synth in the beginning. I could see someone humorously singing this in the context of struggling with a vape addiction. Makes me feel like going to a roller rink after struggling through a week of finals. 

“That’s What I Get” — The percussion makes the difference in this one. Also the staccato strings in the bridge. The lyrics are pretty basic and it’s hard to figure out if it is in an iconic way or if it’s just another stereotypical love song. I am leaning towards the latter. 

“Guitar Romantic Search Adventure” — We got some Dylan vocals! Very fitting for the mood of this song. I am very down with it. I think that it tops all the rest of the slower songs in the album. The piano and synth together give a very ethereal, Beach House kind of feel. 

 

I am a longtime fan of Wallows and I have significantly enjoyed their early work. “Tell Me That It’s Over” was able to simultaneously maintain inclusion of things that made me enjoy them initially and also spread their wings, adventure and experiment with different styles and instruments. 7.5/10. 

Chamber music for a new audience

Contemporary string quartet, Thalea, performs at Western

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

The internationally acclaimed music group, Thalea String Quartet, made an appearance on campus on April 2. In a performance made possible by the Smith Fine Arts Series, Thalea wowed the audience with their contemporary take on chamber music. 

The group began by gracing Rice Auditorium with a piece by contemporary composer Akshaya Avril Tucker, called “Radha in the Forest.” Violinist Kumiko Sakamoto introduced the song by reading from the program note written by Tucker, which described the emotions portrayed by the composition as “delirious joy, floating above painful loneliness.”

The piece featured soprano vocals from Sakamoto, a first for the chamber group. Her operatic voice filled the room with a bittersweet song as she painted the scene of the classical Sanskrit heroine Radha pine for her lover, Krishna, in a cold winter forest in 2020. 

Thalea’s concert program included a rendition of the iconic B-side medley, “The Long One,” on the Beatles’ album, Abbey Road. Guitar and drum solos were transposed for violin and cello, and musicians Christopher Whitley and Titilayo Ayangade did not disappoint in their renditions of the iconic Beatles tunes. 

Ayangade then introduced their next piece, Florence B. Price’s “Five Folk Songs in Counterpoint.” An inspirational Black artist, Price’s composition includes five popular American melodies, “Cavalry,” “Clementine,” “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes,” “Shortnin’ Bread” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Each song spurred quiet declarations of recognition, and the latter song featured an impressive cello-forward performance from Ayangade.  

Violist Lauren Spaulding introduced the next work, a folk-inspired piece by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. The piece consisted of four movements that aimed to capture the spirit of America, which Dvořák came to appreciate after his time in the country. The joyful piece was clearly a favorite of Spaulding’s, who more than once rose from her chair, swept up in the music. 

When they had finished their main set, Thalea granted the audience an encore that required their participation. 

“There are only two rules,” Whitley said of the piece, “when we clap, you clap. When we don’t clap, you don’t clap.” 

What followed was a song that featured the talents of all four musicians in bouts of solos, while the audience clapped to the beat as directed by those onstage. 

Springtime romance

Season two of “Bridgerton” brings love and angst to our screens

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

This review contains spoilers. 

“Bridgerton” season two premiered on March 25 and has already reached the number one spot on Netflix’s “Top 10 in the U.S. Today” list. 

Overall, “Bridgerton” is a great show to get anyone into a springtime mood. The colorful clothes, garden sets and lavish parties are enough to get even the most critical of people excited about the change of seasons. The marketing team was spot on with their release date. 

The plot this season, while a little over complicated and slow-paced at times, was entertaining enough to keep me enthralled. The angsty romance between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma alone was a fantastic representation of an enemies-to-lovers storyline — which helped keep things moving at slow points. 

Side plots were in abundance this season, including Eloise Bridgerton’s discovery of the feminist movement, added money troubles for the Featherington’s and even more Lady Whistledown drama. These plots were fairly compelling, but they could’ve cut much of the filler and still come out with a good season. 

My only real issue with season two was the consistent lack of communication between characters. While it certainly stoked the fires of drama, I can’t help but think the plot could’ve been simplified by just having characters talk to one another. The bond between sisters Kate and Edwina Sharma, for example, is often tested throughout the season. Kate refuses to tell Edwina she had feelings for Anthony, who is courting Edwina, which unnecessarily drives them apart during the climax.

Altogether, this season sated my hunger for a springtime period piece, but it was by no means a masterpiece of television. 6/10. 

 

The Gravity of Connection

Western presents “The Theory of Relativity” this winter term

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

The 2021 – 22 academic year marks the return of in person shows on campus. Western’s theatre department is keeping to its winter term biennial tradition with their production of “The Theory of Relativity,” a musical written by playwright Brian Hill, with music composed by Neil Bartram. 

The musical offers a unique situation for those involved with its production — a large cast with relatively little set dressing. “The Theory of Relativity” is a largely student-produced play, featuring 18 actors and several student crew members, with only a few staff and faculty supervisors. 

The show itself is essentially a collection of songs with a recurring theme, according to the play’s director and Western theatre professor Dr. Michael Phillips. 

“This was (written by) a composer and a lyricist who got together with a bunch of college people and said ‘tell us your stories about what it means to connect to people,’” Phillips explained. “Out of those stories came the music for the show.”

Each song has its own unique topic, but all orbit around the theme of human connection. They eventually tie together in the grand finale, circling the center of gravity Einstein theorized in his theory of relativity.

Senior theater-actor training major Tessa Rosenau plays the character Beth in the musical, and will perform in the duet “Lipstick.” The song details an interaction between two individuals making eye contact on a busy sidewalk, and the mental anguish that follows. 

The dramedy promises to be a delightful addition to Western’s winter musical repertoire. 

“The Theory of Relativity” will have its opening night on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m., and will play at the same time through Feb. 26, as well as March 2 – March 5. There will be a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27. Friday showings will be ASL interpreted. 

General admission will cost $14, senior citizens and Western faculty and staff tickets will cost $10, and Western students with a valid school ID can pick up their tickets for free.

“It’s really about how everybody is just getting through life and is in some way affected by and affecting others around them, and how that plays out in multiple different ways.”

18 students in the cast, 3 stage managers, 1 assistant director 

“I think it’s really close to being ready, I’m really excited. I think we’ve just peaked at the right time in the rehearsals. It feels like it’s ready to be presented to an audience, so I’m really excited for that.”

“This was (written by) a composer and a lyricist who got together with a bunch of college people and said ‘tell us your stories about what it means to connect to people, and what it means to be in relationships with people around you,’ and out of those stories came the music for the show. It’s really a show that originated with college aged people and is perfect for college aged people to perform. It’s good! You should come see it!”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

 

The Oscar Nominees

A list of nominees in the five most popular Oscar categories, with descriptions

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Despite the movie making business taking a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood made the most with what they had in 2021. Now that it’s Oscars season, the relatively few films made last year will get their time to shine. Here’s an in depth list of nominees from the five most popular Oscar categories: best picture, best actress, best actor, best director and best original screenplay.

Best Picture:

  • “Belfast”— Shot in mostly black and white, “Belfast” follows a young boy living during the conflicts in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. 
  • “CODA” (2021) — Ruby, the only hearing person in her Deaf family, revives her passion for singing when she joins her high school’s choir. 
  • “Don’t Look Up” — Two astronomers discover a comet headed straight for Earth and must warn the world of its impending doom via press tour.  
  • “Drive My Car” — A special relationship forms between an aging, widowed actor and a 20-year-old girl he hires as his chauffeur. 
  • “Dune” (2021) — A young man with a great destiny must travel to a dangerous planet to ensure the survival of his family and his people. 
  • “Licorice Pizza” — Two young people learn about love and adventure in 1970s San Fernando Valley, California. 
  • “Nightmare Alley” (2021) — A con man teams up with a clairvoyant and her husband to swindle the wealthy elite. 
  • “The Power of the Dog” — A charismatic but cruel rancher torments his brother’s new wife and son until he is confronted with the possibility of falling in love. 
  • “West Side Story” (2021) — Based on the Broadway play, “Romeo and Juliet” meets 1957 New York City when two teenagers fall in love, while warring gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, fight for control of the streets.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): 

  • Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast” — A semi-autobiographical take on Branagh’s life in Northern Ireland as the country becomes wrought with violence. 
  • Adam McKay, “Don’t Look Up” — A political satire and an allegory for climate change. 
  • Zach Baylin, “King Richard” — Based on the true story of their lives, Richard Williams overcomes great adversity and coaches his daughters Serena and Venus to victory. 
  • Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza” — With each character based on a real person from the 1970s, the fictional coming-of-age story follows 20-something Alana and 15-year-old Gary as they navigate the Hollywood scene. 
  • Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, “The Worst Person in the World” — A dramedy about Oslo native, Julie, who questions her love life and career path in an attempt to discover who she really is.

    Best Directing:

    • Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast” — Filmography highlights include “Hamlet” (1996), “Thor” and “Murder on the Oreint Express” (2017).
    • Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “Drive My Car” — Filmography highlights include “Asako I & II,” “Wife of a Spy” and “The Depths” (2010). 
    • Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza” — Filmography highlights include “There Will Be Blood,” “Magnolia” (1999) and “Inherent Vice.”
    • Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog” — Filmography highlights include “The Piano,” “Bright Star” and “The Portrait of a Lady” (1996). 
    • Steven Spielberg, “West Side Story” (2021) — Filmography highlights include “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park.”

      Best Actor in a Leading Role:

      • Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos” — As Desi Arnaz, a Cuban musician, producer and partner to Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman). 
      • Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog” — As Phil Burbank, a hyper-masculine rancher in 1920s Montana. 
      • Andrew Garfield, “tick, tick…BOOM!” — As Johnathan Larson, the playwright responsible for the Broadway hit, “Rent.”
      • Will Smith, “King Richard” — As Richard Williams, father and coach to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. 
      • Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of MacBeth” (2021) — As Lord MacBeth, a Scottish lord coerced into vying for the throne.

        Best Actress in a Leading Role:

        • Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” — As Tammy Faye, a controversial televangelist. 
        • Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter” — As Leda Caruso, a woman confronted with her experiences as a mother on a solo beach trip.
        • Penélope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers” — As Janis, a photographer and single mother trying to expose the truth about mass killings in the Franscico Franco regime. 
        • Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos” — As Lucille Ball, the star of the iconic show, “I Love Lucy.”
        • Kristen Stewart, “Spencer” — As Diana, the beloved Princess of Wales.

        Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

        “The Alpinist” Captures the Fleeting Flame of a Life Fully Lived

        “The Alpinist” shares the achievements of an incredible climber who challenged the limitations of his field

        Cole Boeck | Freelancer

        This review contains spoilers. 

        Rock climbing has gained notoriety throughout the past decade, particularly free soloing, which is climbing without the safety of a rope to anchor the climber to the route. The 2021 documentary “The Alpinist,” currently available to stream on Netflix, focuses on a solo alpine climber who didn’t reach out for the limelight: Marc-André Leclerc.

        This film demands to be seen. I assumed that the film, which is rated PG-13, would be stressful to watch as free soloing is such an intense sport. But there was something different about watching Leclerc climb. Seeing his ascent of The Grand Wall in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, was breathtaking. There was a sense of serenity. Leclerc was so sure in his placement and his body. There was trust in every second. 

        I found myself asking how he could be so at peace in such a dangerous situation. How could anyone risk it?

        Alex Honnold, a famed name in the climbing scene, responded to those ideas by laughing it off, “Those are just dumb questions.” 

        I guess they are. There is no gray area there. There is either understanding — an acceptance of those risks — or there isn’t. It’s unfathomable to attempt to explain such a lived experience without a similar frame of reference.

        Perhaps there will always be a gap between our own and another’s experiences — a divide that can never fully be crossed. Is that the essence of humanity, to strive for empathy in spite of that knowledge? That noble goal of reaching out speaks to the importance of the journeys in our lives, as the destinations may never come. Leclerc said, “When you’re in the mountains … it’s like all of the superficialities of life just sort of evaporate. … You appreciate everything so much. … It’s kinda funny, the actual achievement doesn’t really change your life like you think it might, when you’re buildin’ up to it, but what you’re left with is the journey that got you to that point, … you’re left with so much more of a story. …  And that’s what I find is the most important.”

        I have a love for language, but I find myself unable to find words suited to describe Marc-André Leclerc’s life. He didn’t need them. He simply lived it, and he lived it fully. 

        I find it poignant that it wasn’t the climbing that killed him, but the descent. Cheers to a life that burned bright — d–n the consequences.

        9.5/10

        Contact the author at cboeck19@wou.edu

         

         

        “The Tinder Swindler”

        Review: “The Tinder Swindler”

        Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

        Pretty much everyone can agree that Tinder is a cesspool of catfishers and hookup culture, but many are on it looking for love anyway — however, the new Netflix documentary, “The Tinder Swindler,” might make viewers think twice about being on the app. 

        Directed by Felicity Morris, the producer of Emmy winning documentary “Don’t F**k With Cats,” this examination of a notorious Tinder con artist tugs at the heartstrings of viewers while still accurately presenting the facts of the case. 

        The film is about Simon Leviev, real name Shimon Yehuda Hayut, who used Tinder to convince women he was a wealthy man looking for a long term partner, and gradually conned them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

        We are first introduced to Cecilie Fjellhøy, who was on Tinder just looking for Disney-level true love. We later meet Pernilla Sjoholm, who was never romantically involved with Leviev but traveled with him as a friend. The documentary features his long term girlfriend Ayleen Charlotte, who dated Leviev for 14 months before she found out he was scamming her. Between the three of them, Leviev conned them out of about $410,000. 

        Throughout the film, we see how Leviev masterfully manipulated these women into believing he was being pursued by his “enemies” who wanted him dead. He convinced them that the only way to keep him safe was to send him money, which he then spent to con other women in the same way. 

        The documentary does a fantastic job of conveying the emotions of these women and how bad their situation was, and continues to be. We hear voice memos of Leviev begging these women for money, and threatening them when they don’t send it. We also see text message exchanges between him and each woman, paired with their personal accounts of what he would say and do to convince them of his lies. 

        Overall, I think “The Tinder Swindler” is a very well made documentary. The editing and the story combine perfectly to give viewers an emotionally charged yet factually sound film that makes viewers want to punch a wall or start a petition, 7/10.

        Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

        Black History Month Reading List

        Book recommendations by Black authors for Black History Month

        Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

        February is Black History Month, and what better way to observe it than diving into powerful books by black authors? Reflecting on what it means to be Black and teaching the struggles they have gone through ⏤ and still experience today ⏤ can even start at a young age. By continuously talking and teaching about slavery, segregation and racism we are one step closer to closing the gap and making a more inclusive and accepting society. Check the two lists below for 16 book recommendations to read as an adult, and 12 books to read to younger children. 

        Books for adults

        • “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
        • “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine
        • “The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother” by James McBride
        • “The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X” by Les and Tamara Payne
        • “Exiles of Eden” by Ladan Osman
        • “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
        • “Heavy” by Kiese Laymon
        • “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi
        • “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
        • “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds
        • “Magical Negro” by Morgan Parker
        • “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” by Monique W. Morris
        • “Race Matters” by Cornel West
        • “Remaking Black Power: How Black Women Transformed an Era” by Ashley D. Farmer
        • “They Were Her Property” by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
        • “Well-Read Black Girl” by Glory Edim

        Books for youth

        • “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
        • “Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad” by Ellen Levine
        • “It’s OK to Be Different” by Sharon Purtill
        • “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
        • “My Hair is a Garden” by Cozbi A. Cabrera
        • “The Other Side” by Jacqueline Woodson
        • “Saturday” by Oge Mora
        • “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o
        • “Tar Beach” by Faith Ringgold
        • “This Book is Anti-Racist” by Tiffany Jewell
        • “The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis
        • “Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice” by  Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood and Elizabeth Acevedo

        Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

         

         

        The new word game Wordle has taken the world by storm

        The simplicity of this word game has attracted the attention of millions

        Mollie Herron | News Editor

        One of the world’s newest online game hyperfixations is Wordle. For those who have not yet played it, Wordle is a game that gives players six tries to guess a five letter word. With each guess the player is told which letters are not in the word, which ones are but not in the right place and which letters are in the correct place.

        The simple strategy game has taken the world by storm and one of the large contributing factors is the fact that it has remained free for so long, but that may not be the case for much longer. Wordle was recently purchased by the New York Times, which has caused many players to worry about the possibility of it becoming paywalled, requiring a subscription like most of their other games.

        The creator, Josh Wardle, has expressed joy about his deal with the New York Times as it was part of the inspiration behind the game and he appreciates the way they respect their players. Wardle graduated right down the road at the University of Oregon with a Master of Fine Arts in Digital Art which he used to create one of the most popular games right now.

        Many copycat games have emerged since Wordle’s overwhelming success. In app stores there are multiple games with the same basic puzzle, but claim to be better because the player can solve as many puzzles as they want rather than the single puzzle a day format Wordle has. These copycats include ads and in app purchases so their creators can turn a profit. 

        Wordle’s success has also brought attention to a different game on app stores with the same name. When Steve Cravotta, creator of the unrelated Wordle app, realized the profit he made was intended for Wardle, the two decided to donate the funds to Boost! West Oakland. The organization focuses on tutoring and mentoring students through the sixth grade in West Oakland. Wardle’s efforts to give back to the community with his newfound success should encourage others with fresh ideas to think about giving back to the younger generations. 

        Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

        “The Inevitable Shadow” opens

        Western art professor examines death in new exhibition

        Camille Lenning |  Entertainment Editor

        All artists deserve a place to showcase their work, and Western art and design adjunct professor Sung Eun Park has found one in the Well Well Projects gallery in Portland. 

        Well Well Projects was founded by artists in January 2021 with the goal of giving local artists an exhibition space they can control. All 12 members pay a small fee to use the gallery, which resides in the Oregon Contemporary — a popular art center in Portland’s Kenton neighborhood. 

        Park’s exhibition, “The Inevitable Shadow,” is shared with artists Alyson Provax and Kelda Van Patten, and examines nostalgia, longing and death, with a focus on how the pandemic has affected these themes. 

        Park works primarily through sculpture and mixed media art, and her piece in the gallery, called “Dressing Room,” is part of a bigger series she has been working on over the last year. 

        “The ongoing series that I’ve been working on is an investigation into ‘good death,’ a reflection of mortality — the inevitable shadow that forces us to accept the prospect of death,” Park said of the series, “(life and death) is kind of like a coin, and a coin has two sides.”

        The inspiration for “Dressing Room” came from the Netflix docuseries “The Casketeers,” which follows the daily lives of Māori funeral directors in New Zealand. In this funeral home, there’s a room called the dressing room, where bodies are clothed for funeral services. 

        This final moment between death and burial intrigued Park, and she began to wonder about the different connotations to the act of “dressing.” Doctors dress wounds to heal them, we dress ourselves before we begin our day — Park examines the similarities between these actions and how people prepare for the inescapable end. 

        “When the body passes through the dressing room, it heals all the wounds it suffered during the life journey,” Park writes in her artist’s statement. “Before the body disappears, it puts on new clothes and, once again, starts a new journey.” 

        “The Inevitable Shadow” will be open for viewing on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 5 p.m. until Feb. 27. Find the Well Well Projects gallery at 8371 N Interstate Ave. #1.

        Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

        Western’s dance team hosts Winter Club Showcase

        The dance team performs sets from fall 2021 and winter 2022

        Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

        Western’s dance team has entertained audiences at football and basketball games all year, and now they are opening their doors at Maple Hall to perform for the public in a unique showcase all their own. 

        Senior art and design major Jenaya Stevenson serves as president and coach of the dance team. Her efforts helped produce the Winter Club Showcase, which she hopes is the first of a new tradition. 

        “I thought it would be a great idea, not only just for friends and family, but for the whole student body to see and to get people who may not be dance majors or minors interested in the activity,” Stevenson said of the planned performances. 

        The majority of the routines selected for the showcase will be from the dance team’s fall and winter term performances, including “Fast Motion” and “Staying Alive,” both of which were performed during football halftime shows. However, there will also be solos and duets that were choreographed by the dancers and old coaches specifically for this event. 

        Stevenson expressed pride in the dances, the dance team and their efforts to put on the showcase. 

        “It was so great to see everyone push themselves and learn things when they didn’t have the luxury of time,” Stevenson said. “I think that they deserve their own time to shine.”

        The dance team will be performing their routines on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. inside Maple Hall. Tickets for the showcase will be available in the Werner University Center on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. If purchased at the dance team’s tabling, tickets will be $5 for students and $8 for non students. Those who want to buy tickets at the door on performance nights will be charged $10. 

        Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu