Mount Hood

Celebrating women through novel and film

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

March is Women’s History Month — a time dedicated to the celebration of the contributions, triumphs and progress of women throughout history. To celebrate, here is a list of recommendations for movies and novels featuring many of the beloved and strong female characters of generations.

Films

“Hidden Figures” (2016) — The story of the three genius African-American mathematicians who turned the tides of the space race. The movie was inspired by the New York Times bestseller novel of the same title.

“Lady Bird” (2017) — “Lady Bird” follows the life of a spontaneous high school senior, as she navigates a tremulous relationship with her equally ardent and strong willed mother. 

“Wonder Woman” (2017) — A remarkable movie detailing the consequences and loss faced by war, through the eyes of the Amazonian warrior, Wonder Woman.

“The Woman King” (2022) — Based on a true story, “The Woman King” tells the story of the tribe of female warriors, Agojie.

“Frida” (2002) — “Frida” details the real story of iconic and surrealist Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.

“Crazy Rich Asians” (2018) — Based on the worldwide bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan, the movie centers around Rachel Ru — a native New Yorker — as she navigates the relationship between her and her long-time boyfriend’s East Asian family.

“Jackie” (2016) — A movie that tells the tragic story of the United States’ First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, after the death of her husband.

“Legally Blond” (2001) — Based on the novel of the same name by Amanda Brown, this film journeys through Elle Woods’ life, the sorority girl and aspiring lawyer at Harvard Law School.

Books

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott — A coming-of-age story following the lives of four sisters, Amy, Beth, Jo and Meg as they learn about love, strength and womanhood.

“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas — A young woman grapples with identity, racism and discrimination after witnessing the fatal shooting of a childhood friend at the hands of police.

“The Radium Girls” by Kate Moore — A novel detailing the incredible yet tragic true story of the “Radium Girls,” the female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning as a result of corporate greed.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood — “The Handmaid’s Tale” details the story of a woman forced to live as a concubine in a futuristic world struggling with a fertility crisis.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by Victoria E. Schwab — This fiction novel details the story of a young woman who makes a deal with the “devil,” which begins her endless journey through time.

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy — The debut memoir by Jennete McCurdy, as she details her struggles as a former child actress, demonstrating resilience and strength through mentality.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Kyra Marcotte shows how art gives a second chance

Written by: Gretchen Sims

The featured senior artist for the month of March is Kyra Marcotte. “Revive,” the exhibit in the Werner University Center, is the result of a renewal of passion in Marcotte, as an aspiring teacher turned artist explores their turmoil and joy in a post-pandemic world. 

Q: What does art mean to you?

A: “To me, art is self-expression, in a way that you don’t have to conform to society’s rules and expectations. Even though you can go to school and study the principles of design and composition (which are still very important), you can break free from them and explore infinite ideas and realities. And to me that is really beautiful, especially in a world that has so much pressure and expectations thrown on you from an early age.”

Q: What first got you interested in art?

A: “I never thought I wanted to be an art major or do anything in art. But my love for art was actually first sparked in middle school, when I met my best friend Precious. They always carried a sketchbook with them everywhere and they inspired me to do that as well. I didn’t realize until college that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, but they were the one to spark that passion in me.”

Q: What would you like others to take from your art?

A: “The main takeaway I want people to get from my art is the healing and therapeutic power of art. During the pandemic, creating these pieces helped keep me sane, and helped me process what was going on around me. I went from feeling lost and hopeless to seeing a bright future ahead of me. I used art to create a new life for myself.”

Q: What inspires you?

A: “I take a lot of inspiration from existing media around me. I love finding found images/videos and creating something new. Two of the videos in my show were made using found footage, that I edited together to create a new meaning. Same with the magazine collages. I love how taking multiple images/videos from different sources and putting them together can create something more interesting with more depth, but yet is also slightly jarring. I hope when people see these collages I created, they question what the deeper meaning is created by putting them together.” 

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

A: “Self expression is extremely important to me. And my artwork is my favorite way to express who I am as a person and communicate that to the people around me. Through art, I can communicate myself through bright colors and interesting textures, and that brings me joy that is hard to match.”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Best of the 80’s

Written by:  Gretchen Sims

“Papa Don’t Preach” — Madonna 

“Jessie’s Girl” — Rick Springfield

“Summer of ‘69” — Bryan Adams

“Love is a Battlefield” — Pat Benatar

“Tell It to My Heart” — Taylor Dayne

“9 to 5” — Dolly Parton

“Shadows Of The Night” — Pat Benatar

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper

“Material Girl” — Madonna

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” — Whitney Houston

“I’m Still Standing” — Elton John

“Like a Prayer” — Madonna

“The Look” — Roxette

“Heaven Is A Place On Earth” — Belinda Carlisle

“La Isla Bonita” — Madonna

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — Pat Benatar

“They Don’t Care About Us” — Michael Jackson

“Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey

“Danger Zone” — Kenny Loggins

“Jolene” — Dolly Parton

“Livin’ On a Prayer” — Bon Jovi

“Thriller” — Michael Jackson

“You Give Love A Bad Name” — Bon Jovi

“I Think We’re Alone Now” — Tiffany

“Any Way You Want It” — Journey

“I Love Rock ‘N Roll” — Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

“Ramble On” — Led Zeppelin

“Boys of Summer” — Don Henley

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Alternative worship

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Any time is a great time to listen to christian music — once a week during church does not have to be the only time. There is a whole world full of different styles and artists waiting to be heard. Below is a list of christian artists paired with possible activities to complete while listening to them. A few included artists have featured popular musicians that don’t typically produce christian music, so if one enjoys the featured artist, one may also enjoy the christian artist.

On a morning drive

  • Antonie Bradford, featuring indie soul singer-songwriter Shua on “Seasons Change (Feat. Shua).”
  • Gatton
  • Nick Smith
  • Isla Vista Worship
  • Jonathan Ogden 
  • Sarah Juers

While painting

  • Darla Baltazar
  • Issac Wheadon
  • Sean C. Johnson

While cleaning or studying

  • Khamir Music
  • Hillsong Instrumentals

To sing one’s heart out 

  • Elevation Worship, their latest album was released in both English and Spanish.

  • Jesus Culture
  • New Life Worship



When getting ready on gameday

  • Lecrae, featuring artists such as John Legend, Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly, YK Osiris, Marc E. Bassy, Jozzy, DaniLeigh, BJ The Chicago Kid, Gwen Bunn, Nija, Verse Simmonds, Jawan Harris, Jon Keith, Jordan L’Oreal and PJ Morton. 
  • Hulvey, features artists Forrest Frank, Torey D’Shaun and SVRCINA.
  • KB, featuring Latin multi-genre artist Tommy Royale on “Libre (feat. Tommy Royale).”

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

“Cocaine Bear” review

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Content warning: this article contains spoilers and mentions of drugs

Directed by Elizabeth Banks, the comedy horror movie “Cocaine Bear” has taken theater-goers by storm. The narcotics-filled thriller, which was released Feb. 23, 2023, tells the story of those who encountered a black bear residing in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest who had consumed millions of dollars of cocaine. 

The film included a large cast including some familiar faces. Margo Martindale dazzled as Ranger Liz, taking a literal claw to the a–. Jesse Tyler Ferguson played Peter, a wildlife activist inspecting the conditions of the forest, who suffered one of the many brutal death scenes. O’Shea Jackson Jr. was Daveed, a fixer who when searching for the lost cocaine came face to face with the cocaine bear. “Cocaine Bear” was the last movie of Ray Liotta, who died on May 26, 2022, shortly after filming wrapped. 

The true events that inspired “Cocaine Bear” are much less thrilling than that of the movie. On Sept. 11, 1985, drug smuggler Andrew C. Thorton II, after dumping packages of cocaine for a drug ring via plane, realized he was being followed by authorities in the air. Thorton and a partner abandoned the plane by jumping out of it and Thorton became caught in his parachute, causing him to freefall and die within minutes of meeting the ground. 

On Dec. 23, 1985, local authorities discovered a dead black bear who had consumed a large amount of the lost cocaine. That is where the story ends. 

“Cocaine Bear” was a humorous and horrific depiction of what might have happened if the real cocaine bear — dubbed by fans and historians as Pablo Eskobear — had not immediately died from overdosing. There were a lot of plot lines to follow, which made things a little overwhelming, but it certainly kept things interesting enough to keep my attention.

There was a lot of gore — some might even say too much. A lot of it was warranted, considering the massive bear was under the influence of very strong drugs, but there were moments that felt unnecessary. Viewers should be cautious if they have a weak stomach.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the exploration of the bizarre and tangible concept. It was very humorous, but also very disgusting. Proceed with caution. 

7/10.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

“Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” review

Written by:  Nicholas Sarysz

“Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” is a film  that takes place in the magical world of the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends reside. However, unlike the classic children’s stories that we’re all familiar with, this movie takes a much darker and grittier turn — exploring themes of loss and violence.

Only a small percentage of reviews found the British independent slasher film produced by Rhs Frake-Waterfield to have any quality, and critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative. The movie has a pitiful approval rating of 5% based on 37 reviews, with an average rating of 2.3/10 on the aggregate review website Rotten Tomatoes.

Many shortcomings of the movie have been pointed out by critics, including a weak screenplay, subpar production qualities, lack of humor and an inability to connect with the fundamental source material. Several critics have commended the movie’s gore and intrinsic grotesqueness, yet, even these glowing assessments point out what they view as serious problems within the film.

Despite the negative reviews, the film’s producer revealed that a sequel is currently in development, as well as  two additional horror films, “Bambi: The Reckoning” and “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare” — based on the beloved children’s stories “Bambi, a Life in the Woods” and “Peter Pan.” Frake-Waterfield further revealed in Feb. 2023 that Jagged Edge Productions intends to include crossovers starring the various characters.

I personally love horror movies and had high hopes as I walked into the Independence Cinema to watch the film. While the plot annoyingly consisted of typical bad decision-making from the main characters, it was far better than any critic had described it. The concept of the film is not only easy to understand, but provides an alternative ending to the friendship beloved by many. Certainly, nothing good can come of Christopher Robin leaving his friends to fend for themselves, right?

8/10.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Ticketmaster drama Implications

Written by: Gretchen Sims 

When Taylor Swift announced “The Eras” tour, it is fair to say that fans were ecstatic. However, the announcement’s excitement ultimately paled in comparison to the absolute despair and heartbreak caused when Swift’s tickets finally went live. 

Ticketmaster, the site that launched Swift’s tickets, could not withstand the demand and their website consequently derailed. The whole thing was a mess. Many fans were kicked off the site and most were left ticketless after waiting hours for the pre-sale to go live. However, this was just the beginning. After the Capital One pre-sale, even more Swifties swarmed the site — hoping to get their hands on the remaining tickets — only to be told that the general sale would be canceled due to unprecedented high demand. 

Obviously, this caused fans worldwide to take to social media in an outraged frenzy — eventually gaining the attention of the United States Department of Justice. 

Turns out, the core issue with Ticketmaster was not just poor infrastructure. In fact, the company had previously merged with one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry — Live Nation. 

After the 2010 merger, many questioned the company, some even going as far as to call it a monopoly. Live Nation essentially controlled all of the concert venue markets and, once it merged with Ticketmaster — the biggest name in ticketing — it was basically the only name in the industry. However, it was not until the public outcry surrounding Swift’s Eras tour erupted that a policy window opened — one that the Senate Judiciary Committee took full advantage of. 

The bipartisan antitrust hearing was held on Jan. 24, and the overall consensus was that the merger was damaging the music industry as a whole. 

So what are the implications? Swift had no other resource to post her tickets to, other than one that was unable to keep up with the demand her tour would curate. If Live Nation Entertainment is ruled to be a monopoly and breaks up, then that would open up the ticket and venue markets that are currently only occupied by one corporation.

If competition is finally established, growth and improvement will be encouraged and Taylor Swift fans will no longer shed a tear when purchasing tickets for the best day of their lives. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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