Mount Hood

The Main Character’s Playlist

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Having a bad day? Need a confidence boost? The following songs can help reframe any day into a scene from a movie, whether one is walking home or cruising down a backroad with the windows down. This playlist is for the people who want to feel on top of the world. 

“Animals” — Neon Tree

“Cigarette Daydream” — Cage The Elephant

“Escapism” — RAYE ft. 070 Shake

“Electric Love” — BORNS

“Daisy” — Ahnikko

“Collide” — Justine Skye ft. Tyga

“Midnight City” — M83

“Prom Queen” — Beach Bunny

“Sweater Weather” — The Neighborhood

“Hayloft” — Mother Mother

“Sweet Dreams” — Eurythmics

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper

“Riptide” — Vance Joy

“Heroes” — ZAYDE Wolf

“Call Out My Name” — The Weeknd

“Judas” — Lady Gaga

“People I Don’t Like” — UPSAHL

“Ribs” — Lorde

“Big Boy” — SZA

“Perfect Day” — Hoku

“Tongue Tied” — Grouplove

“Gimme Love” — Joji

“Out Of My League” — Fitz And The Tantrums

“Tia Tamera” — Doja Cat ft. Rico Nasty

“Wicked Ones” — Dorothy

“Swim” — Chase Atlantic

“YOUTH” — Troye Sivan

“Someone To You” — BANNERS

“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man

“Stay” — The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber

“Teeth” — 5 Seconds Of Summer

“Hurricane” (Artsy Remix) — Halsey

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Best Netflix Documentaries

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Sometimes, particularly during the fickle spring weather, all homework should be cast aside in favor of a good documentary. After all, what could possibly be better than snuggling up with a blanket — perhaps a cat or two — and a warm beverage of choice to watch the evermore fascinating life of someone else? 

Thankfully, many fantastic options are readily available on popular streaming services. Often, the most significant hurdle between one and their perfect afternoon is all the options to choose from.  

To alleviate a stressful afternoon spent scrolling Netflix for the perfect documentary, here are some of the best, most interesting documentaries to choose from. These will not disappoint. 

TRUE CRIME:

“The Keepers” — This seven-episode series follows the mysterious death of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a teacher at Baltimore’s all-girls Archbishop Keough High School. Former students suspect foul play after a priest is accused of abuse. 

Content Warning: contains mentions of sexual abuse and violence

TV-MA

“Murder Among the Mormons” — This three-episode mini-series details the life of one of the most notorious forgers in history who created fakes that duped The Church of Latter-day Saints. As he begins to feel the law closing in on him, the forger resorts to the unimaginable. 

Content Warning: violence

TV-14

“Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” — This three-episode mini-series covers the highly mediatized Murdaugh case. After a major blow is made to the Murdaugh family name, an offending family member and his mother are mysteriously found deceased. 

Content Warning: suicide and violence

TV-MA

“Worst Roommate Ever” — Dorothea Puente is an outstanding member of the community. She donates to politicians, rescues kittens and even opens up her home to the less fortunate. Is it possible that something more sinister lurks beneath this grandmotherly facade? Each of the episodes details a different roommate horror story.

Content Warning: violence

TV-MA

CULTS:

“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” — This four-episode series focuses on the happenings within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day church. The documentary gives the unique perspectives of family members and ex-wives of Rulan Jeffs on the Mormon sect under the leadership of Warren Jeffs.  

Content Warning: religious trauma and sexual abuse

TV-MA

“Waco: American Apocalypse” — One of Netflix’s newer documentaries, this three-episode limited series contains real-life footage and interviews with survivors that detail the horrific situation in Waco Texas. FBI hostage negotiation teams clashed with on-ground forces in a way that escalated into the death of hundreds. 

Content Warning: religious trauma, sexual abuse and violence

TV-MA

“Sins of Our Mother” — A loving mother, quickly turned doomsday believer, is willing to follow her new religion to unbelievable ends. This three-episode series takes a deep dive into a popular case.

Content Warning: religious trauma, violence

TV-14

“One of Us” — This documentary follows three Hasidic Jews and their journey to leave a very restrictive Jewish sect. With little to no education, these people must fight for their place in the outside world.

Content Warning: religious trauma

TV-14

THOUGHT-PROVOKING:

“13th” — This thought-provoking documentary forces its audience to take another look at the American prison system. 

Content Warning: discusses racism and difficult topics

TV-MA

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Revenge is Best Served Raw

Written by:  Mikayla Coleman

Released on Netflix Apr. 6, the 10-episode drama mini-series “Beef” has been taking the world by storm. The series, created by Lee Sung Jin, stars Steven Yeun as Danny Cho, Ali Wong as Amy Lau and David Choe as Isaac Cho. 

The series follows Danny Cho, a struggling contractor, and Amy Lau, a prestigious business owner, as their worlds collide and implode after a particularly spicy road rage incident between the two. Instead of setting things aside and moving on as most typically would, both characters allow the incident to fester into a bitter feud that completely takes over their professional and personal lives — putting everything and everyone in jeopardy. 

The two main characters’ lives could not be more different. The show begins by depicting Danny struggling to maintain his contracting business and cohabitating with his younger brother in a small apartment. 

Amy Lau is on the cusp of a major business deal that will allow her to sell her small business and finally be able to enjoy the luxury that she has worked hard for. Amy has a young daughter and a mildly famous husband, known for being the son of a famous Japanese artist. While Amy seems to have the “better” life, it becomes clear throughout the series that money truly cannot buy happiness. Amy is painstakingly choosing to be surrounded by many tone-deaf members of the one percent — earnestly trying to ignore the blatant philosophical and ethical differences between herself and those close to her. 

And despite the money that Lau has access to, there is a major parallel between both Danny and Amy — their utter, bitter unhappiness. This common thread of struggle weaves the two together in a beautiful melancholy throughout the entire series and ultimately brings them together when they are both at their lowest. 

Most episodes begin by displaying paintings by David Choe, carrying heavy visual metaphors and symbolism for what is to come. The seething energy that is present between these two characters, along with several deviations and side plots, makes every minute captivating. 

9.5/10.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Songs for Fan Girls

Written by Juliana Tinker, Addie Floyd and Caitlin Quirk.

“Burning Love” — Elvis Presley

“Satellite” — Harry Styles

“right where you left me” — Taylor Swift

“The River” — Daisy Jones & The Six

“Moves” — Suki Waterhouse

“Tutti Frutti” — Little Richard

“Thunder Road” — Bruce Springsteen

“Dive” — Olivia Dean

“Silver Springs (Live)” — Fleetwood Mac

“Ceiling” — Lizzy McAlpine

“I know it won’t work” — Gracie Abrams

“What A Time” — Julie Michaels, Niall Horan

“Jailhouse Rock” — Elvis Presley

“Ever Since New York” — Harry Styles

“Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” — Taylor Swift

“Dancing with Myself” — Billy Idol

“American Girl” — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

“The Oogum Boogum Song” — Brenton Wood



WOU Art Galleries Spring into Action

Written by: Gretchen Sims

April has been an eventful month for Western Oregon University Art Galleries. With works displayed in the Cannon Art Gallery, Instructional Technology Center, Hamersly Library and the Werner University Center, one can enjoy so much art across campus. From student artists to seasoned vets, the exhibits put on by the WOU Art Galleries are a staple in the community here at Western. 

These are the current art exhibits hosted by Western and the dates that they will be here. Be sure to check them out before they’re gone. 

Walk This Way — Composed by the artists of Living Studios in Corvallis, OR, this exhibit features “artwork made for art’s sake.” Living Studios gives a creative outlet to adults experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities. The artists’ detail-oriented works present art the way it “should” be — everything everyone thinks it’s not. 

This colorful and engaging exhibition runs through May 5 in the Cannon Gallery of Art. Check out this exhibit Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. 

Islanded (no more) — This exhibition captures the experience of what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ in America through the photography of those living it. A three photo series and five short films by Carl Collison are featured in the Hamersly Library Exhibit on the second floor. The works document the LGBTQ+ experience through both horrific queerphobic violence, but also the hope many find in the future. 

This moving exhibit runs through Apr. 30 and can be viewed any time the library is open. 

Picturing America — On the third floor of the Hamersly Library, this collection of works showcases the talented Gregory Poulin. This is a continuation of his ongoing series which finds inspiration in exploring a diverse group of individuals and their outlook on America today. 

This collection will be available until May 3 and can be viewed any time the library is open.

Rotating Senior Art Exhibit — Every month, a new senior from the Art & Design Program showcases their work in the Werner University Center Exhibit. This is a chance for students to show off their talents and express themselves through their art. 

This month, the student artist is Morgan Amerson whose exhibit “Color Me Surprised” will be available for viewing until May 6. Stop by Monday-Thursday between 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Friday between 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For any questions, contact Gallery Director Paula Booth at boothp@wou.edu

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Interview with Aisia Carrillo

Written by:  Gretchen Sims

This month’s senior artist is Aisia Carrillo. Carrillo explores the theme of connection through exploration in their exhibit “The Journey of Exploration.” Carrillo states that, “As a student exploration of medium and message has been a large part of my work.” 

Being able to see the connectivity between art and personal experience can enable an artist to engage with and better entrance their viewers. 

Carrillo’s mediums help represent their message. The charcoal drawings that open this exhibit represent the message that Carrillo hopes to display. The exhibit then transitions into beautifully colored paintings that embody how color can add to the message of the pieces. Finally, the exhibit ends with yarned pieces that draw connectivity between all of the works. 

Carrillo masterfully uses their works to showcase the range of mediums in art as well as an exploration of subject matter.  

Q: What does art mean to you?

A: Art to me is a form of expression that enables me to show everyone how I see the world.

Q: What first got you interested in art?

A: I can not remember what first got me interested in art all I remember is asking my parents for art supplies when I was very young.

Q: What would you like others to take from your art?
A: I would like others to be able to feel something when they see my art. Whether it is good or bad I seek to invoke an emotion.

Q: What inspires you?

A: I am inspired by the world around me and everyday life. I am constantly thinking of new ideas and pictures of things I can make whether I’m driving or reading a good book. 

Q: What is your “why?” (what makes you the artist you are today)

A: My why is the challenge. I love a challenge and art allows me to challenge myself and push myself to be better every day.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Discovering Connection

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

For years now, and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the human connection our societies were built off of has been lost; and each day it feels like society has been driven further and further apart. 

Most of the focus within the news and other popular media outlets is all of the negative encounters we find ourselves in. While it is important to be cautious in every situation, it is also important to Discover Connection, which is the goal of the YouTube Channel under that exact title.

The channel explores the power of human connection with the mission of educating, inspiring and empowering people to help make our world a happier and healthier place. The channel’s producer, Brad, is a Canadian storyteller that works on the channel with a few friends. Brad not only explains the power of connection but displays it through the videos he creates. 

He started the channel back in September 2018, leaving his parent’s home in Nova Scotia and hitchhiking all the way to Vancouver, spanning 29 days and 5800 km. 

Throughout his documentation of the journey, Brad made connections and friends by interacting with complete strangers in unfamiliar areas, which is something that many of us would find impossible.

Fast forward to today, and Brad is doing the same thing with his friend Liam, this time through the United States. They are not only hitchhiking across the entire country, but they are doing everything solely off the kindness of strangers. This means that all of their transportation, meals and lodging were provided by people they had never previously met. While this concept leads to plenty of awkward interactions, it leads to far more incredible connections that can be heartwarming to a viewer behind a screen.

Currently, the series, which they titled “I Crossed America with $0” is on its eighth episode, with the 10th episode finale scheduled to release during the last weekend of April. Not only is the series genuinely entertaining, but it does an excellent job of highlighting just how special human connection truly is. Each person they connect with is unique and shows care and compassion in vastly different ways. 

The series does an amazing job of showing just how different life is for each of us and how cultural context and our experiences impact everyone differently.

All in all, the series is an inspiring, thought-provoking experience that requires an open mind. It is a must-watch.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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