Mount Hood

Poetic justice

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer    Sophie Taylor | Designer

Content warning: this article contains mentions of violence and sexual assault/grooming.      

Kendrick and Drake have a tangled past that includes almost 10 years of static. As Kendrick Lamar’s popularity increased, Drake embraced him — giving him an interlude on his 2011 album, “Take Care,” and inviting him on the ensuing Club Paradise tour. 

The beef between the two began when Kendrick made a personal attack on Drake and 11 other rappers during his feature appearance on Big Sean’s song, “Control,” in August 2013, and tensions escalated. In October 2023, Drake, with fellow rapper J. Cole, released “First Person Shooter.” In the song, J. Cole boasts about his proficiency at rapping. He calls himself, Drake and Lamar the “big three.” 

Lamar responded to “First Person Shooter” in March 2024 by criticizing Drake and J. Cole during featured verses on “Metro Boomin” and Future’s song, “Like That.” Lamar rejected the notion that there was a “big three,” stating, “f–k the big three, it’s just big me.”

In response, Drake released a song titled “Push Ups (Drop and Give Me 50),” in which he mocked Lamar’s height. Within hours of Drake’s diss, Rick Ross responded with a single called “Champagne Moments,” claiming Drake had undergone plastic surgery, including a nose job, false abs and a Brazilian Butt Lift.

Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” implied that Lamar was too cowardly to release music in the same week as Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department.” Drake used artificial intelligence to hurl insults in the voices of Lamar’s heroes: Tupac and Snoop Dogg. 

Lamar released “Euphoria” — after the HBO show of which Drake is an executive producer — which read like a laundry list of grievances against his sparring partner. Lamar described Drake as “predictable,” a “master manipulator” and a “habitual liar.” Less than 72 hours after “Euphoria” dropped, Lamar released a second song, “6:16 in LA.” In this track, he alleged that someone within Drake’s organization was leaking negative material.

Drake’s response was the song, “Family Matters,” which elevated the conflict to new heights. He quotes: “You mentioned my seed; now deal with his father,” Drake said. “I gotta go bad, I gotta go bad.” Drake hypothesized in the song that Lamar could be a perpetrator of domestic abuse — the star has never faced such an allegation. 

Within 20 minutes of Drake’s release of “Family Matters,” Lamar responded with a third diss track, “Meet The Grahams,” which began with the foreboding warning, “You messed up the minute you called out my family’s name.” Each verse was addressed to one of Drake’s closest family members, including his mother, father and six-year-old son, as well as an alleged “daughter” no one knows about. Lamar claims Drake covertly fathered a second child and was hooked on gambling, sex and drugs.

On his fourth diss track, “Not Like Us,” Lamar accused Drake of having connections with underage women. This is one of Lamar’s most popular quotes from “Not Like Us”: “Ain’t you tired? Tryna strikes a chord and it’s probably A Minor.” Drake alleges that an informant purposefully fed Lamar several statements with the expectation that the star would rap about them. 

The “Not Like Us” cover art is also an overhead picture of Drake’s house marked with red tags that would normally represent sex offenders on such websites, making more allegations about Drake. Producer Metro Boomin entered the battle by releasing a beat dubbed “BBL Drizzy,” urging fans to rap over it. Drake had previously criticized Boomin on “Push Ups,” instructing him to “shut up and make some drums.” 

Drake countered with “The Heart Part 6” May 5, denying Lamar’s claims of grooming accusations and saying that his crew deceived Lamar over the secret child. Matters took a bad turn when a security officer outside Drake’s home was shot. It is unclear whether the incident was related to the rappers’ dispute. The latest, Drake raps over “BBL Drizzy,” halfway through his part on Sexyy Red’s “U My Everything.” Shots going back and forth make this a rap battle for this generation and it’s apparent everyone has chosen a side: Kendrick or Drake. 

Contact the authors at tduff23@mail.wou.edu or howldesigner@wou.edu

Divorced dad rock

Written by: Ruth Simonsen | Digital Media Manager

“Comedown” — Bush

“Nutshell” — Alice In Chains

“Superunknown” — Soundgarden

“Show Me How to Live” — Audioslave

“Let Down” — Radiohead

“Heart-Shaped Box” — Nirvana

“Under the Bridge” — Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” — Deftones

“Falling Away from Me” — Korn

“Chop Suey!” — System Of A Down

“In the End” — Linkin Park

“Second Chance” — Shinedown

“2112: Overture/TheTemples Of Syrinx/Discovery/Presentation/Oracle/Soliloquy/Grand Finale” — Rush

“Owner of a Lonely Heart” — Yes

“Land of Confusion” — Genesis

“Solsbury Hill” — Peter Gabriel

“Tom Sawyer” — Rush

“Mr. Roboto” — Styx

“Black Hole Sun” — Soundgarden

“The Spirit Of Radio” — Rush

“Peace of Mind” — Boston

“Burnin’ for You” — Blue Öyster Cult

“Message In A Bottle” — The Police

“Roundabout” — Yes

“Toxicity” — System Of A Down

“Cherub Rock” — The Smashing Pumpkins

Contact the author at howldigitalmediamanager@mail.wou.edu

Middle-Earth cinematic universe expands

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” rejoice: Warner Brothers Studios has confirmed a new batch of live-action films set in the Middle-Earth cinematic universe. The first of these, titled “The Hunt for Gollum,” is slated for a 2026 release and will focus on Andy Serkis’ character, Gollum. Serkis played this role between 2001 and 2003 in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and later reprised it in the 2014 prequel movie, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

Peter Jackson, the filmmaker for both “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies and his partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the movie and are quoted as being involved every step of the way.” Walsh and Boyens both worked on the first two trilogies with Jackson, and Serkis is set to direct and star in the film. 

Other live-action films have yet to be revealed but are likely to explore author J.R.R. Tolkien’s works that have not been touched by the industry. 

Warner Bros. announced in February of 2023 that the new studio leaders, Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, had brokered a deal to make multiple films based on Tolkien’s universe, which will be developed through the New Line Cinema label.

An animated Middle-Earth movie is set to be released into theaters on Dec. 13, 2024, from director Kenji Kamiyama — best known in the United States as a background artist for “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and lead animator for the “Star Wars: Visions” episode, “The Ninth Jedi.”

Set 183 years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings,” “The War of the Rohirrim” will follow a legendary king of Rohan and his family as they defend their country. Brian Cox is set to voice King Helm Hammerhead, and Miranda Otto will reprise her role of Eowyn, who narrates the film. 

But even before “The War of the Rohirrim” premieres, season two of “The Rings of Power” will launch on the streaming service, Prime Video, on Aug. 29. The show takes its source material from Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion” and follows elf queen Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark, as she and her allies defend Middle-Earth from Sauron and his forces. Season one of “The Rings of Power” was first released in September of 2022 and ran for eight episodes. 

On May 14, a trailer for season two was posted to @ringsofpower on Instagram, with the caption “Darkness will bind them. The Rings of Power returns August 29 on Prime Video.”

Whether this new lineup will stun audiences following the first two trilogies will be something only time will tell.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western’s spring dance concert

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

On May 9, 10 and 11, Western hosted its Spring Dance Concert in Rice Auditorium. Each choreographer, costume designer, lighting designer, professor and dancer brought their all to the concert.

The show opened with a lively number, titled “Not a Tango,” choreographed by Les Watanabe, a professor of dance at Western. The dance was composed of four dancers: two wearing red dresses and two wearing black suits, preening for attention. The dynamics and expressions of each character made the audience laugh throughout the show.

Tim Cowart, the department head of Western’s Department of Theatre and Dance choreographed a meaningful piece, titled “Slump.” The dance engaged the audience right out of the gate with a projector screen depicting the busy, loud streets of a big city. One could observe the pressure of society weighing down on each dancer through their intricate mannerisms. Each was trying to make themselves stand out from the crowd; a futile attempt.

“Hold on…,” choreographed by graduating senior Alia Takashima, was a spiritual, grounding piece memorializing community and friendship. The dance featured incredible formations such as using the dancers’ arms to look like tree branches in their green and brown costumes and holding each other up in lifts.

A “Hunger Games” themed piece, titled “MEMENTO MORI,” choreographed by Charlotte Hreha, was captivating and intense. The iconic whistle that sounded before the music even kicked in gave the audience a hint as to what was to come. The music also utilized the line “enjoy the show” from the arena in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” An ear-piercing scream at the end of the performance left everyone speechless.

“Wabash 64130,” choreographed by Winston Dynamite Brown, was a nostalgic performance based on Brown’s mother, siblings and hometown, Kansas City. The dancers lined up and posed for a “family photo” partway through the dance, illustrating each family member and their unique personalities.

After the intermission, “Melt,” choreographed by Valerie Bergman and Darryl Thomas, immersed the audience in an ever-shifting night sky, then an ocean and finally, a forest. A featured dancer donned a pair of pointe shoes, weaving between the other dancers. The choreographers stated that the dance was an “…urgent cry to protect our climate and an homage to the beauty and wonder of our natural habitat.”

As a tribute to their grandmother, Manda Oliver choreographed “Annee des Marguerites,” which translates to “Year of the Daisies.” The dance utilized flower props as a symbol of healing, along with beautiful green and purple costumes. Every dancer lifted each other up and made sure nobody was left behind.

“CYCLICAL,” choreographed by senior Madison Malveaux, began with no music, only the carefully composed rhythm of stomping feet. The piece had the perfect combination of chaos and order and conveyed how the two interacted with each other. 

Before the last dance, it was revealed that Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, a beloved dance professor, will be leaving Western after 14 years. “Las Caras Lindas” featured eight dancers in bright, traditional dresses sitting around a table. Gutierrez-Garner said, “Thank you for sitting at the table of my pedagogy.” It’s safe to say that Gutierrez-Garner left her mark on all of Western.

Every single dance was unique and stood out from one another. The crowd could never guess what was coming next and was entertained for the full two hours of the show. Thank you, Western Department of Theatre and Dance, for your incredible effort and continuous talent.

10/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Actor Bernard Hills dies at 79

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

The death of actor Bernard Hill was announced on May 5, 2024 by a representative of Lou Coulson Associates, the British talent agency of which Hill was a member. The agency’s statement did not include or mention his cause of death since Hill led a private life, despite his roles in major blockbusters. He was 79 years old.

Hill was a well-known actor in British television, specifically on the British Broadcasting Channel, BBC, but his biggest roles were that of King Theoden in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic.” 

Hill is considered a movie icon by many. “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Titanic” earned one billion dollars at the global box office: Hill was the first person to be in two movies that achieved these numbers. “The Return of the King” and “Titanic” both won 11 Oscars, which means Hill starred in two out of the three movies ever to achieve such success — the 1959 film “Ben-Hur” is the third.

Former co-stars of Hill’s took to social media to share their grief for the loss of the actor.

“So long to our friend, our king, Bernard Hill. We will never forget you,” actor Elijah Wood posted to X, previously Twitter. Wood then quoted “The Return of the King:” “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.” 

Karl Urban also shared his grief for Hill on Instagram, “To the King. Rest in peace, Bernard.”

Urban and Wood starred in “The Lord of the Rings” alongside Hill, Urban playing Eomer, the nephew of King Theoden, and Wood playing Frodo Baggins, the trilogy’s main protagonist. Hill’s Titanic co-stars did not comment on the actor’s passing.

Hill worked for years in British theater and television. Those close to him said he would often claim his role as Yosser Hughes, from the 1980 movie “The Black Stuff,” as the role that changed his life. He would go on to reprise this role in a miniseries, “Boys from the Blackstuff.”

Hill was set to reprise his role in the BBC drama “The Responder,” starring alongside Martin Freeman, another actor in the Middle-Earth Cinematic Universe — Freeman played Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” trilogy. 

“I don’t think anyone spoke Tolkien’s words as great as Bernard did,” said actor Billy Boyd,  who played Peregrin “Pippin” Took in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “He will be sorely missed.”

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Beachy tunes

Written by: Ruth Simonsen | Digital Media Manager

“The Song You’ve Been Waiting For” — Coast Modern

“All Your Life” — Still Woozy

“Little Foot Big Foot” — Childish Gambino

“Lucky” — Rainbow Kitten Surprise

“Be Sweet” — Japanese Breakfast

“Guru” — Coast Modern

“Roly Poly” — Mt. Joy

“Why Do You Feel So Down” — Declan McKenna

“Summer’s Over” — Jordana, TV Girl

“Cinderella” — Remi Wolf

“Dive” — Coast Modern

“My Kink Is Karma” — Chappell Roan

“Feel It” — d4vd

“OMG” — Suki Waterhouse

“Westcoast Collective” — Dominic Fike

“1st Time” — Bakar

“Is It True” — Tame Impala

“Talk” — beabadoobee

“See The Light” — Stephen Sanchez

“Weekend Friend” — Goth Babe

“Sexy Villian” — Remi Wolf

“Window” — Still Woozy

“Hollow Life” — Coast Modern

“Alive!” — Bakar



Contact the author at howldigitalmediamanager@mail.wou.edu

Schneider suing “Quiet on Set producers

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

Content warning: this article contains mentions of sexual assault.   

Dan Schneider, former Nickelodeon producer and writer, is suing the producers of “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” stating that the show implies sexual assault of young actors with whom he routinely worked. 

Schneider is suing Warner Bros, Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television, who worked on the production of the series. The case will be brought before the Los Angeles Superior Court on the grounds of alleged defamation with misleading allegations of sexual abuse against child actors. 

Schneider’s lawyers declared that the alleged false statements and implications harmed his reputation and legacy at Nickelodeon. The first four episodes of “Quiet on Set” premiered on March 17 and 18, 2024 while the fifth episode was released on April 7, 2024. 

Schneider responded to the docuseries with a YouTube video titled, “Dan Schneider Talks about Quiet on Set” on Schneider’s YouTube channel, “DanWarp.” In the video, Schneider sits with BooG!e, born Bobby Bowman, who plays T-Bo on one of Nickelodeon’s hit shows, iCarly, that Schneider produced. 

In this video, BooG!e recounts the docuseries and Schneider addresses allegations raised, such as pressuring female employees to perform massages, constant harassment and making co-writers uncomfortable in the writer’s room. 

Concerning the alleged massages, Schneider said, “It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position… I’d never do it today, I’m embarrassed… I apologize to the people who were walking around Video Village or wherever it happened because there were lots of people there who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable so I owe them an apology as well.” Regarding writers, Schneider stated, “No writer should ever feel uncomfortable in any writer’s room ever, period, the end.”

The docuseries also features two writers, Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, who remember Schneider illegally forcing the women to split their payment “I have nothing to do with paying writers, I never have. I’ve never made a writer’s deal and of all the writers I’ve been in a writer’s room with, I never even knew how much most of them were getting paid… it’s very simple, there’s a common practice in television when hiring… writers for your first job are willing to share a salary, you can both have the job (and) they have the opportunity to say ‘Yes, that sounds good’ or ‘No, no thank you,’” Schnieder said.

Back in 2000, Kilgen filed a lawsuit against Schneider for gender discrimination because of the alleged harassment and illegal payment, prompting an internal investigation. The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount.

Schneider states as the lawsuit is served to the producers of “Quiet on Set,” “… I sadly have no choice but to take legal action against the people behind it. In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted…” 



Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

Sleeping at Last album pairs with personality test

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

The human mind is a complicated system of neurons firing, but does it affect one’s personality? 

Over the decades, there have been countless personality tests, some successful — such as the Myers Briggs test — and some not as successful, like the Rorschach Inkblot test.

The Enneagram test is something quite interesting; it was originally used in the 1950s by Oscar Ichazo on spiritual development. Within this test, there are nine dominant personality types — most people identify strongly with one, but after completing the online test, it lists which types you had the highest percentage in. It is believed that the three highest in a person’s score is their personality.

The test itself is fun and eye-opening, but the band Sleeping at Last compiled an album where each song is sung through the perspective of each personality type, creating powerful tunes. The album is called “Atlas: Enneagram” and the songs are simply titled “One” through “Nine.”

I am a type two, and when I first heard of the album I didn’t think much about it. However, listening to the song “Two” brought me to tears. The lyrics are touching and perfectly captured how I feel. Sleeping at Last is a folk-indie band with soothing vocals and haunting melodies, and they impressed me with this album. 

I made my closest friends and family take the test and listening to their songs I was touched and so were they. Each song perfectly captures how each type feels in a surprisingly emotional way.

The Enneagram test is, of course, flawed just like any personality test, but for those who are interested in learning their types and crying to their song, the test can be taken at http://9types.com/.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photos courtesy of sleepingatlast.com

A Closer Look at Lana Del Ray

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

Lana Del Rey is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, whose real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Del Rey rose to fame in 2011 with her debut single “Video Games” and, shortly after, the album “Born to Die.” She is most well known for her melancholic style of pop music.

The artist was born into an upper-middle-class family in upstate New York in the 1980s. Growing up singing in church, Del Rey was later sent to a boarding school as a teenager for her deviant behavior. It wasn’t until a couple of years after she finished school that she started her music career.

Del Rey has received both critical acclaim and criticism throughout her career. Many dislike her because of her image and persona — which they view as inauthentic or manufactured. Others take issue with her lyrics and the themes she often explores, such as Hollywood glamor, sadness and drug use.

Del Rey’s  biggest criticism early  in her career came from many questioning her authenticity. Despite being labeled as an indie artist, her 2008 debut EP, released under the name “Lizzy Grant,” was produced by well-known figure David Kane. When she later changed her stage name to Lana Del Rey and moved to London after a failed album in 2010, the internet quickly flooded with claims of her new persona being fabricated by label executives.

Despite the criticism, Lana Del Rey has grown to become an incredibly successful and influential artist. Her music has been praised for its haunting beauty, melancholic lyrics and vintage aesthetic. Her albums have topped the charts in multiple countries and sold millions of records worldwide. She has won several awards and has gone multi-platinum with many of her albums — solidifying her place in the music industry. 

Whether or not Lana Del Rey’s image and persona are authentic is irrelevant. What matters is the impact she has had on the music industry and the emotions her music evokes in her listeners. Love her or hate her, there’s no denying that Lana Del Rey is a unique and impactful artist.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Welcome home, neighbor

Written by:Mikayla Coleman

Content warning: this article contains themes pertaining to psychological horror 

Nostalgia — derived from the Greek words “notos,” meaning return, and “algos” meaning pain — has been a hot commodity in the contemporary art, horror and gaming scenes. Modern games such as “Five Nights at Freddy’s” and “Undertale” have enthralled audiences with the feeling of longing for the past and simultaneously terror-filled experiences. A new alternate reality game has hit the scene with a wonderful harmony between the horrific and the familiar — “Welcome Home.” 

“Welcome Home” is an interactive horror alternative reality game, or ARG, where users explore a website by clicking, highlighting and isolating images to unravel the mystery surrounding a beloved and forgotten 1970s children’s television show. 

“You are to accompany a colorful cavalcade of puppets as their beloved neighborhood begins to skew and distort into a nightmarish memory that they can barely recall. Through illustrated books, recordings and an array of old merchandise, you will find what dwells within this colorful home,” says the project’s creator, Clown.

Despite its bright and friendly appearance, through exploring, audiences will become attuned to the dark underbelly of the world of the neighborhood. 

The game’s cast consists of several muppet-inspired characters with their own unique quirks, including Eddie Dear, Howdy Pillar, Barnaby B. Beagle, Frank Frankly, Julie Joyful, Sally Starlet, Poppy Partridge and the series’ beloved main character, Wally Darling. A thorough description of each character, detailing their individual attributes, interests and relationships, is listed on the project’s website, which can be accessed at www.clownillustration.com/welcomehomeyou. 

Clown, the artist behind ClownIllustrations, is a Northern Californian artist specializing in illustration and character design. Clown is currently working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio arts. Their artistic interests are vast, including sewing, building puppets and creating stories and art that blur the line between macabre and delightful topics. 

“Welcome Home is a way to explore what I can do as an artist and try out new things, especially with limited materials” says Clown. 

The production of “Welcome Home” has been in progress since 2018, and with good reason. Clown’s immense attention to detail is what gives Welcome Home an immense amount of utterly-70s charm and believability. 

Recently, “Welcome Home” has gone viral on a multitude of social media platforms, particularly Tiktok and Youtube, where fans of the game have shared their theories and findings while poking around on the project website. The project is still in-progress, but has a massive audience waiting for the continuation of the friendly and freaky friends that make up “Welcome Home.” 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu 




John Wick movies ranked

Written by:  Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Content warning: contains spoilers for “John Wick: Chapter 4”

The “John Wick” movie universe returned on March 24 with the release of the fourth installment, “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which left audiences reeling with unexpected shock. Here are all four movies in the franchise — ranked from worst to best, by the News Editor — as audiences question whether or not to mourn the beloved protagonist.

4 — “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)

Ranking on Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

The second installment of the franchise continues right after the violent events of the previous movie, which arrive to haunt John Wick and permanently kick him out of retirement. As far as sequels go, I thought the movie was good. There were significantly fewer action sequences than in the first installment, which was disappointing. Frankly, the middle of the movie left me on the brink of snoring. However, I have to give them credit for the fight sequence in the mirror cabinet, as well as the shocking and bleak ending that plagued me for weeks. 

3 — “John Wick” (2014)

Ranking on Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

The inaugural movie which introduces the audience to the character of John Wick received mixed critic reviews. This was the film that established John Wick as the bada–, titular character known as “Baba Yaga,” successfully managing to instill fear amongst audiences and the assassin underworld. Even though it was the lowest-rated movie in the franchise, the movie was heavily packed with both action and emotion, which I believe makes it a strong contender for the position as one of the top three movies in the series. 

2 — “John Wick: Parabellum” (2019)

Ranking on Rotten Tomatoes: 89% 

This movie cements the legacy of the John Wick universe as possibly the best action or neo-noir film series. In my opinion, the most daring and unrestrained movie in the series — “John Wick: Parabellum” goes heavy with gore and violence, which functions well in adding to the thrilling intensity of the stakes at play. This was the film that truly left me terrified for John Wick’s survival.

1 — “John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023) 

Ranking on Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

In the alleged “final” installment of the franchise, “John Wick: Chapter 4” follows John Wick on the run from the villainous “Powers That Be” — the High Table. The movie put to rest a long-standing debate regarding the shocking betrayal by the character of Winston Scott, the manager of The Continental Hotel, in the third film. This was the perfect movie to wrap up the beloved franchise, as well as the story of the weary and heartbroken but formidable assassin — even if, at times, I felt the long runtime to be excessive. Moreover, the fight scenes and long-range shots were excellent, appearing straight out of a video game. 

Keanu Reeves is a fantastic actor, and a perfect casting for a character in a franchise that grew with time in size, scope and success. I am content with the ending of the series. However, if Keanu Reeves decides to return with the mantle, I will happily line up to watch him in theaters once again.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Staffs favorite movies

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

“The Western Howl” staff is filled with crazy cool personalities, a variety of talents and a plethora of different hobbies and passions. One thing is for sure: we are all movie fanatics and live vicariously through the characters we love. Here are the staff’s favorite movies and why we continue to enjoy them. 

Editor in Chief, Gretchen Sims, expresses her love for the movie “Braveheart.” Sims says, “I actually learned how to play the main theme ‘For the Love of a Princess’ from Braveheart early on in high school. I fell in love with the score and convinced my parents to let me watch it. My mom isn’t one for gore, but I loved the film and it is now one of my all-time favorites!” 

Linden Loren, coordinator, advising & virtual engagement, dubbed the “dad” of the Howl, recommends “LinkedIn: The Movie.” All one needs is a LinkedIn account and some salt to snack on — truly inspiring. 

The Howl’s Digital Media Manager, Ruth Simonsen’s, favorite movie is “Predestination,” a sci-fi thriller released in 2014. Simonsen says, “This movie made me rethink my life and everything I believed in. It brought to light how frail yet beautiful humanity is, and how one truly needs to make the most of it while one has it. Trust oneself and always grow, but give oneself the grace to recognize that one is a completely different person in every phase of your life, never to be the same person twice.” 

Cami Ansley, Copy Editor, deems “Crazy Rich Asians” as her favorite movie. Ansley says, “This movie was really relatable to me as an Asian American and the ending was so perfect and satisfying to watch. It was also nice to see an all Asian cast with actors and actresses that I’d never seen before.”

Head Designer Addie Floyd’s favorite movie is “Tangled,” based on the timeless story of Rapunzel and her long hair. Floyd expressed, “This movie is my comfort movie. It just brings me so much joy. No matter the mood I’m in, Tangled can always cheer me up.” 

Our other amazing Designer, Sophie Taylor, says her movie favorite is “Coraline,” released in 2009. Taylor says, “Coraline” is one of the earliest movies I ever remember watching. Ever since I was little, the claymation animation style has always captured my attention. There are so many subtle hints and clues that foreshadow the movie that every time I watch it, I find something new. There have been so many conspiracy theories and rabbit holes to go down. Keep Portland weird.” 

Photo Editor Quinlan Elise has a short and sweet response on why she loves “Napoleon Dynamite:” “there is no other choice.” 

Hannah Field, the Howl’s News Editor’s favorite movie is “Fox and The Hound.” Field recalls some of her favorite memories with the film, “I can remember watching this movie on VHS tape in the garage while my dad worked on his cars. I would sit on a stool or a tiny chair with my neck craned upward at a 120 degree angle looking at that tiny box TV playing my favorite movie. I think it’s an underrated but beautiful piece of work and hope everyone has the pleasure of watching it one day.”

Claire Phillips, our Entertainment Editor’s movie of choice is “Fried Green Tomatoes,” released in 1991. Phillips says, “This historical classic takes on many heavy topics that are still relevant today. It will make one cry, it will make one laugh and above all, it will make one crave some good Southern food.” 

Sports Editor, Jaylin Hardin, says her favorite movie is “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Hardin expressed, “I’ve loved the trilogy since I was a kid, but ‘The Two Towers’ was always my favorite because I love the plot. Extended edition just makes it so much better because it adds so many more details from the books.” 

Creative Lifestyle Editor, Liberty Miller expresses her love for “The Sorcerers Apprentice,” released in 2010. Miller says, “This movie was one of the more psychologically formative movies of my younger years. Nicholas Cage and Jay Baruchel create a seamless duo performance and take on their roles to the point where they become their character. The storyline was intriguing and the pace of the movie created the perfect elements of suspense — the soundtrack was also incredible, with ‘Secrets’ by OneRepublic still being one of my all-time favorite songs. My favorite scene from the movie included that song being played while the Tesla Coils are run by David Stutler.” Miller also gives a special shout-out to “Crazy Rich Asians” as a close second. 

Taylor Duff, one of our great Staff Writers, chose the movie “SuperBad,” released in 2007, as her movie favorite. Duff said, “I love this comedy that explores growing up and learning to just be oneself. Plus I still crack up every time I watch. Viewer discretion is advised.” 

Talented Freelancer Lili Minato expresses her love for “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.” Minato says, “At its release, ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me’ was considered a bad prequel to its beloved predecessor, ‘Twin Peaks.’ Now, it has a cult following of many who enjoy the story of Laura Palmer. It’s a film full of bizarre scenes and a devastating plotline. In true David Lynch fashion, it is weird and wonderful.” 

As for myself, my favorite movie is “The Karate Kid,” released in 1984. There are so many reasons why this is my favorite movie but long story short, I love an underdog story. Not to mention the amazing soundtrack. 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

The romantic’s diary

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

“Dinner & Diatribes” — Hoizer 

“Gimme All Your Love” — Alabama Shakes 

“I Wanna Be Yours” — Arctic Monkeys 

“Freakin’ out on the Interstate” — Briston Maroney 

“Tennessee Whiskey” — Chris Stapleton 

“Out of My League”— Fitz and The Tantrums

“Gooey” — Glass Animals

“Light My Love” — Greta Van Fleet 

“Shut up My Moms Calling” — Hotel Ugly 

“Broken” — Lovelytheband

“For the First Time” — Mac DeMarco 

“Sweater Weather” — The Neighborhood 

“July” — Noah Cyrus & Leon Bridges 

“Something in the Orange” — Zach Bryan 

“Somebody Else” — The 1975 

“Shades of Cool” — Lana Del Rey 

“Chemical” — Post Malone 

“Cranes in the Sky” — Solange 

“Right Person, Wrong Time” — MMC

“Deja vu” — Olivia Rodrigo 

“Run” — Joji 

“The Less I Know The Better” — Tame Impala 

“Body Paint” — Arctic Monkeys 

“Wait a Minute” — Willow 




Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

Vampire craze: from “Dracula” to “Twilight”

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

If any of the names Count Dracula, Lestat de Lioncourt or Edward Cullen ring a bell, the popular vampire media culture has been doing its job. Whether “Dracula” was required reading in high school, or you ran to the first screening of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1,” vampires have a knack for finding their way into the lives and hearts of many.

Vampires, of course, found their humble beginnings in mythology. In European folklore, dark and shrouded vampires visited loved ones and caused mischief in their villages, a stark difference from the pale, cold-blooded creatures society knows today.

The word “vampire” originated in folklore in Southeastern and Eastern Europe. Demons and spirits were precursors to vampires in Mesopotamian, Hebrew and Greek cultures. Many other cultures have their own variations of vampires.

Drawing from Transylvanian folklore, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” has been a popular gothic classic since its release in the late 1800s. The novel has no single narrator, and the majority of it is told in letters and journal entries. Many may know this book from high school English, and while the memories may not be so fond, it is not a forgettable story.

If a book or even a movie adaptation of the classic doesn’t sound appealing, there are even more ways to enjoy the vampire tale. “Dracula Daily,” a free subscription newsletter, sends Jonathan Harker’s journal entries one day at a time so readers can experience the story with him.

In 1976, a novel titled “Interview With the Vampire” was published. Twelve books later, Anne Rice made a name for herself in the vampire world. The first book received a movie adaptation in 1994 by the same name, starring Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt, Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac and a young Kirsten Dunst as Claudia. In 2022, a television series aired on AMC based on the original “Interview With the Vampire” book. 

Set between San Francisco, New Orleans and Paris, “Interview With the Vampire” has a romantic yet gory take on vampire folklore. The interweaving of characters and settings set a precedent for future vampire stories. Anne Rice, herself, was an executive producer of the television show but sadly passed before it aired. However, she assured everything went according to her vision. 

Pacific Northwesterners are well aware of the “Twilight” franchise. Whether people were “Twilight” crazy, or “Twilight” haters, everyone knew about this popular franchise in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Written by Stephanie Meyer and directed by Catherine Hardwicke, this vampire love story has not fallen out of the limelight.

Rosario Peralta Cortez, the English writing specialist for Spanish speakers at Western’s Writing Center, brought “Twilight” culture to Western’s campus when she was a student. “In my dorm in Landers, I had two massive Twilight posters that my friend who worked at the movie theater had gifted me,” Peralta Cortez said.

Peralta Cortez is still spreading her love for vampire culture at the Writing Center — all you have to do is ask.

The original “Twilight” movie, an adaptation of the first novel, was supposed to be an independent film, but garnered $408.4 million at the box office and set a foundation for a successful five-movie saga. Bella Swan and Edward Cullen charmed the entire world both then, and now, and vampire enthusiasts enjoy sharing the story with others.

“It’s nice to still be able to return to the same story so many years later and find new joy from it,” said Peralta Cortez. “I also got my mom hooked on the books in Spanish, which was fun to experience. I learned the word for Twilight from the books, crepúsculo, which sounds so much cooler than Twilight.” Vampire stories suck you in, no matter the language. Don’t forget to make a trip up to Forks, Washington.

“What We Do in the Shadows” references all the vampire stories above, left and right. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement know how to appeal to an audience, especially those who are already familiar with these stories. Both the original 2014 movie and ongoing television series are filmed in a mockumentary style — almost like a horror “Modern Family,” if you will. Even the “cameramen” get involved in some vampire fun.

The movie and series follow two sets of vampire roommates, respectively, and their chaotic adventures. There are wholesome moments, sad moments and some straight-up weird and gory moments. It may not be for everyone, but it sure is hilarious. 

Some may say choosing to consume any form of vampire media is silly or immature. Many think it might be beneath them. However, there is a lot to learn from all of these stories. Rosario Peralta Cortez said it best: “Old stories can be given new light, and vampires can be enjoyed with whatever level of seriousness you choose to give them.”



Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

TTPD

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

Taylor Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was finally released April 19. During the announcement speech at the Grammy Awards show Feb. 4, Swift held up two fingers in a peace sign — alluding to her double album drop — when announcing her eleventh studio album. Fast forward to meeting Swift at midnight, fans listening to the 16 tracks of “The Tortured Poets Department” were surprised at 2 a.m. when Swift dropped an extra 15 songs.

The production of the album rested in the hands of Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff of the band Bleachers, longtime friends and collaborators of Swift who heavily utilized synths, keyboard tunes and distortion techniques. Track one, “Fortnight,” is sung alongside Austin Post, also known as Post Malone, while Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine is featured on track eight, “Florida!!!”

The album itself appears to be the lovechild of Swift’s last original album release “Midnights” and the pandemic-created sister albums “Folklore” and “Evermore.” While officially being a pop genre album, much of the album is backed by a soft piano and utilizes strong lyricism as Swift sings about various tragic topics, such as heartbreak, abandonment and the nuance of fame.

The 31 songs have topped the charts, being the first album on Spotify to reach one billion streams within a week as well as being the platform’s most-streamed album within one day at 300 million. Despite breaking records, the album has been surveyed heavily in the media — with many fans turned anti-Swiftie and strangers criticizing what they consider to be odd lines, off-beat tunes and a lack of true poeticism, rather antithetical to the tortured poet of “The Tortured Poets Department.”

However, most critically condemned is Swift’s apparent past relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, with multiple songs dedicated to their previous interloping. Although nobody knows definitively which songs are about Healy, many fans presume at least “Fresh Out The Slammer,” “But Daddy I Love Him” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” to be in regards to Healy — with the latter being a direct descriptor of Healy’s behavior during and after their time together.

“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” the second installment of the album, contains the song “thanK you aIMee,” which, in all capital letters, spells out KIM — which fans presume to be about Kim Kardashian and their nearly decade-long feud.

Overall, the album explores the themes of unrest, misunderstanding, dying romance and Swift’s complex relationship with fame. Very few songs, if any, are considered joyful pop hits, and the most upbeat song of all, “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart,” is likely one of the most “miserable.” It’s an album for the tortured poets of the world reeling from personal loss in one way or another — and, according to the Swifties, more is coming May 3. Although, in typical Swift fashion, she’s likely got more tricks up her sleeve to keep the guesses coming and the songs streaming.

8/10.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.mail.edu

Never left the 90’s

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

“This Is How We Do It” — Montell Jordan 

“Ride Or Die” — JAY-Z

“Thuggish Ruggish Bone” — Bone Thugs-n-Harmony 

“The Choice Is Yours” — Black Sheep 

“Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check” — Busta Rhymes 

“Forgot About Dre” — Dr. Dre feat. Eminem 

“As The World Turns” — Eminem 

“It Was a Good Day” — Ice Cube

“Everyday Struggle” — The Notorious B.I.G

“C.R.E.A.M” — Wu-Tang Clan 

“Troublesome 96’” — 2pac

“Girls All Pause” — Kurupt feat. Nate Dogg & Roscoe 

“Who’s The Mack?” — Ice Cube

“The World Is Yours” — Nas

“Loungin (Who Do Ya Luv)” — LL COOL J

“Shook Ones, Pt II” — Mobb Deep 

“93’ Till Infinity” — Souls of Mischief 

“Mass Appeal” — Gang Starr 

“Regulate” — Warren G feat. Nate Dogg 

“I Got 5 On It” — Luniz feat. Michael Marshall 

“O.P.P” — Naughty By Nature

“O.G Original Gangster” — Ice T

“You Got Me” — The Roots feat. Erykah Badu & Tariq Trotter 

“Tonite” — DJ Quik 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Aloha from Maui

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

In August of 2023, wildfires raked the island of Maui, causing unprecedented damage to Maui County and its inhabitants. Homes, businesses, studios, buildings and more were lost to the fires — devastating not only many lives but also countless lifelines for artists, creators, business owners and creative minds. 

Western has since installed an “Aloha from Maui” exhibit in celebration of the artists in Maui, Hawaii, which will be featured through May 3. The exhibit, which can be found in the Cannon Gallery in Campbell Hall, states that, “Through the loss of galleries, studios and art businesses, Maui County artists have persevered. They continue to create and share ways in which art can be healing and bring community together.”

Paula Booth, Western’s Gallery Director and Assistant Professor of Art, led the charge in jurying “Aloha from Maui.” Booth, herself, harbors fond memories of Maui and believes art has the power to heal, leading to the production of “Aloha from Maui.”

The artworks are completely giclee printed reproductions on canvas stretched on a two-inch frame, as, unfortunately, obtaining the artwork of thirty-six different creators crafted, gathered and shipped to Oregon from Maui proved to be difficult. 

The historic town of Lahaina, Maui, was particularly ravaged by the disaster. Featured artist, Laurie Robbins Miller, honored two significant Lahaina landmarks: Front Street and the Banyan Tree — an impactful moment for fourth-year student Tati Ala, having been born and raised in O’ahu, Hawaii.

“When we were first going through and picking out (artwork), I cried at like four of them,” said Ala. “Specific ones that are very meaningful.”

During the fires, Ala was in Hawaii that summer and had been in Maui earlier that year. “I was crying the entire time — we had family and friends there, and I’m very grateful nobody passed away and everyone we know was safe. But there were a lot of people who didn’t have that.”

“This is an important celebration of their work and their livelihoods and it connects what they do to a wider audience,” explained Booth. “This is a very colorful, engaging and fun show — there really is something in it for everyone.”

“It has been really great to have the opportunity,” said Ala. “It’s close to home.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Nunsploitation horrors: An immaculate review

Written by: Lili Minato | Freelancer

Content warning: this article contains spoilers and discusses dark themes involving pregnancy and religion. 

The infamous nunsploitation genre is back with two new blockbuster films that have left audiences rattled and disturbed. 

Nunsploitation is a film subgenre that involves the exploitation of nuns in a horror or thriller setting. Some of the most popular films of this genre come from “The Conjuring” universe, specifically the movies “The Nun” and “The Nun II.”

“Immaculate,” which hit theaters on March 22, gave audiences a more artistic approach to the often repetitive and predictable horror subgenre. “Immaculate” follows an American nun, played by Sydney Sweeney, who joins a hospice convent in Italy. Besides the slightly off-putting comments and actions by the elderly nuns who are cared for in the convent, Sweeney’s character, Sister Cecilia, considers the Italian countryside her new home. 

As the days and weeks pass, Sister Cecilia notices more odd and unusual occurrences around the convent, corresponding with her worsening health. Cecilia becomes increasingly more ill and requests to see a doctor. In return, she gets a checkup by the convent’s appointed physician, 

where the devout nun finds out about her pregnancy. There is nothing that has caused the said pregnancy so it is ruled to be an immaculate conception. Sister Cecilia was going to give birth to the next baby Jesus. 

The first half of “Immaculate” is predictable and filled with plot holes; there is nothing too unique about it. As the film progresses, though, the artistic values start to show.

The final scene provides a beautiful “Rosemary’s Baby” finale for the film. 

Sister Cecilia has just escaped her captors and is free from the convent. She stands outside, surrounded by the beautiful countryside, but the beauty starts to deteriorate as she goes and squats by a tree. The camera moves up close to Cecilia’s bloody face as she begins to scream. 

The screaming lasts for multiple minutes without any camera cuts. After a while, a crying baby can be heard. The camera then pans out and follows Sister Cecilia as she goes and grabs a heavy rock, she brings it toward the crying infant who is out of the frame. She holds a rock above the baby and drops it. With that, the film ends. 

Sweeney gives an excellent performance that proves she has the pipes to be the next big scream queen. 

Along with “Immaculate,” another blockbuster nunsploitation film was released two weeks after the former. “The First Omen” is the sixth installment in the “Omen” franchise and shares a very similar synopsis with “Immaculate.” 

“The First Omen” also revolves around an American woman sent to Italy who becomes suspiciously pregnant on arrival. The only difference is that the main character faces an arguably more sinister birth than Sister Cecilia did. 

Both films are currently in theaters with “The First Omen” getting slightly better ratings than “Immaculate.” For nunsploitation fans, both seem to be worth the watch. 

7/10. 

Contact the author at lminato22@mail.wou.edu  

Live action: take two

Written by: Gretchen Sims | Editor-in-Chief

Content warning: this article contains spoilers.

When Netflix announced that they would be re-remaking “Avatar: The Last Airbender” as a live-action series, expectations were high. As a childhood favorite to many, another failed remake was all that was on fans’ worried minds. 

Starring Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka and Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, the release of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” was, unfortunately, met with mixed feelings. 

When the show was set to hit production, Netflix announced that the original creators of the Nickelodeon cartoon, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, would work as executive producers on their live-action remake. This news excited fans who were, not long after, met with the disappointing news that DiMartino and Konietzko had departed from the show, citing creative differences — the two received writing credits for the first and sixth episodes. This disheartening turn of events raised questions regarding the show’s integrity to the original cartoon. 

First, I want to preface with the fact that this new remake was nowhere near as awful as the first attempt, which went as far as to mispronounce its character’s names. It was not as good as the original, I think anyone could have guessed that, but it wasn’t horrible. However, there were a few aspects of the remake that caused it to fall short of the cartoon. 

Growing up, Katara was always my favorite character. As a sister to annoying siblings, who often took on an authoritative position in their lives, I felt myself relating to her. In the Netflix remake, I didn’t get any of that. I felt like the energy and life Katara brought to the cartoon were lost in the live-action — it was as though she were flat and two-dimensional. 

Additionally — and there has been a lot of online discourse surrounding this — Sokka’s sexist character arch was cut from the adaptation. In the Nickelodeon series, Sokka starts the show with very sexist views that were instilled in him throughout his childhood, but he slowly loses them as he meets strong women throughout their quests. 

While there is an argument for cutting this arch, I think that writing Sokka’s initial sexism out of the show erased an important lesson the original writers wanted to portray. Talking about sexist themes is crucial to fighting gender biases — especially in children’s TV shows. 

The show’s creators stated that they wanted to make things darker to make the series not only for kids but “…people who are big fans of ‘Game of Thrones’” as well. 

This attempted direction fell more than short and left viewers with a weirdly “edgy” feel — in a “not at all edgy” sort of way.

The cartoon was supposed to be lighthearted to appeal to children, while also teaching valuable lessons to this younger audience. Because this was executed so well, the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” show was a hit among all ages. Sadly, this new remake does not quite reach this mark — completely overlooking the essence of the original show. 

If one is debating whether it is still worth a watch, it is important to ask oneself why they fell in love with the original in the first place. Like I said in the beginning, it’s not horrible, it just leaves out some key components that can leave a returning viewer wanting more. 

6.5/10.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

“It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” — R.E.M.

“Skyfall” — Adele

“In a Week” — Hozier feat. Karen Cowley

“Seven Devils” — Florence + The Machine

“Apocalypse Please” — Muse

“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” — Tears For Fears

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” — Blue Öyster Cult

“As the World Caves In” — Sarah Cothran

“Exit Music (For A Film)” — Radiohead

“Blue Spotted Tail” — Fleet Foxes

“Losing My Religion” — R.E.M.

“Who Wants To Live Forever” — Queen

“Enjoy the Silence” — Depeche Mode

“Time is Running Out” — Muse

“Bottom of the River” — Delta Rae

“Stare at the Sun” — Mutemath

“I Know It’s Over” — The Smiths

“Alone Again Or” — The Damned

“The Sound of Silence” — Simon & Garfunkel

“Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead” — The Stranglers

“Victory Dance” — My Morning Jacket

“Highway to Hell” — AC/DC

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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