Mount Hood

Sustainable masterpieces

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

In Campbell Hall’s Cannon Gallery, several artists came together to share their mixed media artworks. The art pieces portrayed different stories of their creators and displayed a wide range of styles. Cannon Gallery currently houses collages, vibrant paintings and elaborate 3-D art.

Put together by Linn-Benton Community College faculty, Western’s campus gallery had something new and exciting with every turn. From sexuality and religious imagery to defunding the police, each artist had a unique message to share.

Daniel Lopez, an art teacher at Linn-Benton shared his methods of creating minimalistic yet deeply meaningful pieces. “I didn’t buy any of the materials… it’s just recycling… that’s definitely a big philosophy with me, is to keep things as sustainable as possible,” Lopez said. All his acrylics were gifted to him, and he recycled canvases students had left behind.

Lopez then shared his advice for anyone who wants to pursue the world of art — “As long as you care about art, you’ll feel the need to do it. The best thing to do as an artist is to live outside of the art. The more interesting of an artist you are, the more interesting your art will be.”

Jill R. Baker followed another sustainable route by reusing chicken wire and fabric cording for her multi-colored 3-D pieces. The mixed-media materials made for an eye-catching display.

Baker utilized the accessibility of the Oregon rain for her sunshine pieces by allowing the water to make an organic design with the watercolor pencils she used. In the Pacific Northwest, sometimes vitamin D is hard to come by.

“Last spring, I decided I was going to make my own sunshine… in the late winter, the sun is so important,” Baker said. The golden works of art were nothing short of big, beautiful, artificial stars. In the rainiest and cloudiest of times, art serves as the greatest outlet.

Many aspiring artists may be overwhelmed by the multitude of possibilities and may be unsure of where to begin. “Just start making art and see where you go,” Baker said. There is a lot of truth behind her statement — take art one day at a time. Cannon Gallery will demonstrate that every artist is unique in their own way, all one needs to do is take that first step towards creation.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Valentine’s with a sprinkle of angst

Written by Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

Tired of the lovesick wailing on every radio in the first two weeks of February? Try this playlist for a refreshing taste of upbeat and rocky Valentine’s Day angst. 

“We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)” — fun.,  Janelle Monáe

“Thnks fr th Mmrs” — Fall Out Boy

“Applause” — Lady Gaga

“New Romantics (Taylor’s Version)” — Taylor Swift

“Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – Radio Edit” — P!nk

“Mr. Brightside” — The Killers

“Friends” — Band Of Skulls

“Hello – Acoustic” — GROUPLOVE

“So What” — P!nk

“Under You” — Foo Fighters

“Let’s Dance to Joy Division” — The Wombats

“Shake Me Down” — Cage The Elephant

“Crazy Youngsters” — Ester Dean 

“Kiwi” — Quarters of Change 

“The Middle” — Jimmy Eat World

“Governess Shadow” — July Talk

“Mistakes” — Sharon Van Etten 

“Cough Syrup” — Young the Giant

“Seventeen” — Jimmy Eat World 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Soft rock for the soul

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

“Everlong” — Foo Fighters

“Photograph” — Nickelback 

“100 Year” — Five For Fighting

“Where The Streets Have No Name” — U2

“Lovers in Japan – Osaka Sun Remix” — Coldplay

“My Hero” — Foo Fighters 

“Stop and Stare” — OneRepublic

“Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” — Train 

“Use Somebody” — Kings of Leon

“Viva La Vida” — Coldplay 

“Bitter Sweet Symphony – Remastered” — The Verve 

“Sweet Disposition” — The Temper Trap 

“Wonderwall” — Oasis 

“Yellow” — Coldplay 

“For the First Time” — The Script 

“She Will Be Loved” — Maroon 5 

“With Or Without You” — U2

“Iris” — The Goo Goo Dolls 

“Clocks” — Coldplay 

“Wherever You Will Go” — The Calling 

“You And Me” — Lifehouse

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu.

Most anticipated reads of 2024

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

If you’re a reader who’s looking for new books to add to an already-long reading list, here’s a few more to add that are being released throughout the year.

“Dungeons and Drama” by Kristy Boyce — Musical lover Riley has aspirations to become a director on Broadway, and Nathan is a nerdy employee at Riley’s dad’s game store. When Riley is grounded and has to work at her dad’s store, she doesn’t realize it meant joining Nathan’s D&D game… or flirting with him. Look for this new release on Jan. 9.

“The Color of a Lie” by Kim Johnson — In the 1950s, a Black family passes as white and moves to a “Whites Only” town. Caught between two worlds, teenager Calvin puts his family at risk as he uncovers the racist secrets of the suburbs. Look for this new release on June 11.

“These Deadly Prophecies” by Andrea Tang — Tabatha Zeng, a sorcerer’s apprentice, finds herself caught up in the sorcerer’s death — that he predicted. In order to prove her innocence, she must solve her boss’s murder. Look for this new release on Jan. 30.

“Tehrangeles” by Porochista Khakpour — The four daughters of wealthy reality-TV stars are on the verge of landing their own TV show — until they realize their deepest secrets are about to be revealed to the public before the cameras even roll. Look for this new release on June 11.

“Just Another Epic Love Poem” by Parisa Akhbari — Mitra’s two best friends are Bea and the journal they share, containing an epic, never-ending poem. Nothing is too messy or complicated for “The Book” — except for the fact that Mitra is hopelessly in love with Bea. Look for this new release on March 12.

“James” by Percival Everett — In an action packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” told from the perspective of Jim, Jim is hiding on Jackson Island while Huck Finn is faking his own death to escape his father. Look for this new release on March 19.

“Not in Love” by Ali Hazelwood — Rue has a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, and Eli and his business partners want to take over Kline — no questions asked. The one thing that is getting in Eli’s way is Rue — the woman he’s not supposed to want. Look for this new release on June 11.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Netflix policy change causes chaos

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

Netflix is an American subscription streaming service that was created in 1997 by founders Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. By 2007, they launched their streaming service to compete with Blockbuster which implemented several different family plans. Recently, Netflix has been cracking down on their single household and password sharing policies — making it an absolute nightmare for travelers, large families and especially college students.

The cheapest plan is the standard plan with ads which allows for two devices to watch TV shows and movies for $6.99. 

The standard plan is ad-free, full HD, allows for access among three devices and has the option to add an extra member– for an additional cost of 7.99 a month. The premium plan is also ad-free but offers ultra HD, is accessible on four devices and has the option to add two extra members for $7.99 each. 

The new ability to add members at an extra cost has encouraged Netflix to crack down on password sharing outside of a single household. This means that if one attempts to log in to their Netflix account outside of the designated household, it will log out all other members; regardless of if it is still within the device limit. This policy seems to be a desperate money grab, as it forces members to either buy more expensive plans or pay additional costs. 

Why is this a game-changer for so many? For many students, the full college experience includes living in the dorms, but that also means all funds usually go towards those expenses. Tremendous amounts of students report being forced off their family plans during the months they are on campus — either forced to live without the streaming services or ponying up the extra cost to be an additional member. 

Avid travelers also face this issue from time to time as they lose the ability to log into Netflix in the many places they stay while traveling. Again, one will have to log out the rest of the family in the household and deal with the wrath of streaming rights rage, ball up the extra fees or drop Netflix overall. 

This policy change has been a pain for many and up to 62% of password borrowers said they would rather stop using the streaming service in total than purchase their own account. Netflix’s attempt to force watchers to buy their services, especially the more expensive services, has thus far not been as successful as they hoped. Immediately after these changes, Netflix lost almost 1.2 million subscribers — their biggest loss in over a decade. 

Many are canceling their subscriptions and switching to other streaming services, and we can’t blame them. 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

A playlist to start 2024 off right

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

“Darlin’ Do Not Fear” — Brett Dennen

“Spice Up Your Life” — Spice Girls

“Time to Pretend” — MGMT

“Nothing You Can Take From Me (Boot Stompin’ Version)” — Rachel Zegler

“You’re Losing Me (From The Vault)” — Taylor Swift

“Now and Then” — The Beatles

“America” — Simon & Garfunkel

“I Love You Always Forever” — Donna Lewis

“Letter To An Old Poet” — boygenius

“New Perspective” — Noah Kahan

“Dive” — Olivia Dean

“Rubber Ring” — The Smiths

“Ghost” — Arlo Parks

“Midnight Moon” — The Paper Kites

“Breaking Down” — Florence and the Machine

“Wrapped Up In Books” — Belle and Sebastian

“A Long Way Past The Past” — Fleet Foxes

“First Light” — Hozier

“Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” — She & Him

“Strawberry” — Andrew Montana

“the way things go” — beabadoobee

“Traveller” — Chris Stapleton

“So Nice So Smart” — Kimya Dawson

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Golden Globes and its miserable host

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

The Golden Globes is an award ceremony held annually to recognize the achievements of actors, directors, composers and even the movies themselves. “Oppenheimer”, “Barbie” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” all walked away with awards this year.

The awards rewarded are as follows:

Best Drama — “Oppenheimer”

Best Actress in a Drama —  Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Best Actor in a Drama — Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”

Best Director — Christopher Nolan in “Oppenheimer”

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement —  “Barbie”

Other winners include Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron,” Billie Eilish’s original song “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie” and director Yorgos Lanthimos’ comedy “Poor Things,” starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo. However, it is not the Golden Globe winners that have been generating a buzz on social media, nor is it Lily Gladstone’s acceptance speech, where she spoke in the Blackfeet language. 

Nope, everyone is worked up about Jo Koy and his “jokes” about “Barbie” and Taylor Swift — whose “Eras Tour” movie was also nominated. 

Koy’s monologue included the comparison of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie.” “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies,” Koy said.

Almost immediately following the slight, he went after Swift, joking that the difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL was that the Globes showed fewer shots of Taylor Swift.

These “jokes” have taken precedence over the achievements of the directors and actors who worked tirelessly on these movies. Rather than celebrating the fact that “Oppenheimer,” a movie showing the horrific beauties of war, and “Barbie,” a movie celebrating womanhood, won in their categories, everyone is now focused on how much of an absolute joke the Golden Globes award ceremony has become.

These jokes have especially been met with criticism online, with many users saying that 2023 was the year for girlhood and that Koy watered it down to Swift being the star of the NFL and “Barbie” being simply about a plastic doll. “Barbie” and “The Eras Tour Movie” both were huge box office successes, as well as Swift’s Eras Tour garnering millions of dollars. Swift has indeed aided the NFL in their viewership — increasing 7% every week since she started to attend the games in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The NFL is now at its highest viewership since 2015.

Lily Gladstone received some buzz online — not as much as she deserved — for being the first Indigenous actress to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress. When she received her award, she spoke in her Native Blackfeet language. Language experts at Simon Fraser University and the University of Montana said that her speech translated to: “Hello my friends and relatives. My name is Eagle Woman. I am Blackfoot. I love you all.” Gladstone grew up on the Blackfoot reservation in Montana. 

Whether one follows the Golden Globes or not, what should be focused on is the achievements of these movies, and how they have affected audiences around the world. 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Mixed feelings on Timothee Chalamet’s new movie

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

Just in time for the holiday season, a sweet prequel, based on a beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, arrived in theaters in the United Kingdom Dec. 8 and the United States Dec. 15. French-American actor Timothée Chalamet stars as a younger version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s” chocolatier, Willy Wonka. “So quiet up, and listen down. Nope, scratch that, reverse it,” as Wonka says.

The movie features talented actors, such as Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Keegan-Michael Key. Timothée Chalamet has acquired a fan base of young women from his roles in movies such as “Call Me By Your Name,” “Lady Bird” and “Little Women.” Word of Chalamet playing a familiar favorite spread quickly. However, some movie-goers had mixed feelings about the new take on the classic. 

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ” has already seen two adaptations, starring Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp as Wonka. Additionally, the original book has a sequel, and some fans were wondering why a prequel made it to the screen before an adaptation of the sequel did.

Lili Minato, a sophomore at Western, is a film fanatic and meticulously selects her movies. She proposed a thoughtful question in regards to the new addition to the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” universe — “I think (prequels) can be done well… but if you want to make a prequel, is it needed?”

Perhaps the initial audience reaction to “Wonka” was due to its misleading advertising. “I thought it was weird that they didn’t (advertise) Wonka as a musical. People went and saw it, and were like, wait, why are they singing?” Minato said. 

Minato also commented that marketing the movie as a musical would have brought in more theater fans. “For some people, that sounds like the total package.”

The movie has an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and it has many qualities that make for a great movie. With its vibrant costumes, catchy music and elaborate sets, it’s hard to look away. Elements incorporated from older movies such as “Annie” and “Mary Poppins” make “Wonka” all the more charming. For many musical fans, a new timeless classic has just been born.

8/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Hunger Games renaissance

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins was easily one of the most formative young-adult trilogies for teenage girls in the early 2010s — alongside Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight.” The three-book, four-movie franchise was highly grossing all over the world, with the first four films grossing a whopping $2.9 billion on their own at the box office. 

However, it’s Collins’ newest novel-to-movie adaptation that is bringing “The Hunger Games” into a renaissance of popularity, fan edits and cosplays. 

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” novel, released in May of 2020, follows a young President Snow when he and Lucy Gray Baird, the victor of the tenth annual Hunger Games, traverse through the games and the events that are caused in the aftermath. Young Snow and his fellow classmates at the Capitol’s top academy are tasked with creating spectacles of the tributes they are assigned to. Snow and his tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, slowly fall in love over the course of the novel, but this romance ultimately ends in tragedy, with Snow spiraling into the cold-hearted red flag the audience knows him as when Katniss Everdeen comes into play. 

The movie follows the book almost perfectly, with some omissions, but the movie’s release has released a shockwave of fan media.

In 2014 a compilation of Josh Hutcherson, the actor who played Peeta Mellark, photos to the song “Whistle” by Flo Rida was posted to YouTube by user MetroGirlzStation. This video has had a resurgence in popularity, especially on TikTok, and becoming a modern Rick Roll of sorts. 

Other fans have taken to TikTok and X — formerly Twitter — to present their theories about Lucy Grey and parallels between her and Katniss. One favorite theory among fans is Katniss’ relationship to Lucy Grey, specifically if she, Katniss, is the granddaughter of Lucy Grey’s sister, Maude Ivory. 

TikTok user LuckyLeftie is one of these popular theorists, gaining more than 885K followers and sharing lore information, comparisons between the books and movies and her own theories on the franchise. Her most viewed video, with 2.1M views posted on Nov. 11, discusses the Districts’ relationship with the Capitol and their reasons for why they rebelled. She is the top most followed and watched “Hunger Games” content creator.

Many people have compared this renaissance of the franchise to when the original movies were released. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” grossed over $1 million at the box office, bringing the franchise to a value of $3 billion, and this success does not appear to be slowing down. With the amount of content being created on popular platforms, as well as Hot Topic recently releasing a “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” inspired clothing and accessory line, this renaissance will likely last well into the months ahead. 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Miss Americana and the heartbreak prince

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Taylor Swift is no stranger to rumors and speculation surrounding her extensive love life. No one among the Swifties — the name given to fans of Swift — is unaware of fans who ship Swift with her exes, friends and other celebrities. One of her newest vault tracks, titled “Slut!,” even speaks on speculation towards her relationships with her friends.

Her current relationship with Kansas City Chiefs’ Tight End, Travis Kelce, is currently taking the media, and Swifties, by storm. 

In his podcast with brother, Jason, Kelce revealed he had tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his number on it at her July 6 show, but was “butthurt” he had been unable to do so. Almost two months later, The Messenger reported that Swift and Kelce had been hanging out on the down low. A week after this report, Swift attended Kansas City’s game at Arrowhead Stadium against the Chicago Bears — a game they won 41–10.

Since then, Swift has been seen attending other Kansas City games — sitting with Kelce’s mom, Donna, and families of Kelce’s teammates. Swift and Kelce have also been spotted leaving Arrowhead Stadium together as well as at several prominent functions.

However, this relationship, not unlike Swift’s past albums, has been met with mixed reviews. 

Fans of Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL, have launched a slew of complaints, taunts and hate messages at fans of Swift, with many arousing the chant: “Kanye made her famous.” 

Fans have been recorded yelling at their televisions whenever Swift appears or upset that their girlfriends are now watching the games with them. Many have complained of “women invading a man’s space where they don’t belong.”

Swifties, on the other hand, have been dissecting the fledgling relationship, or as they call it, finding the invisible string — a reference to a song from her album “Folklore.”

One example Swifties often bring up is how Swift and Kelce both have their signature archer poses — Kelce performing after he scores in the game and Swift when she performs her iconic song “The Archer.” Many fans say the stars align because of Kelce’s birthday; a date shared with Swift’s grandmother, Marjorie. 

Others include lyrics from her songs “Daylight” and “Cornelia Street,” where she sings of her perception of love — “I once believed love would be burning red / But it’s golden like daylight” — and how all roads lead to Arrowhead Stadium: “As if the streetlights pointed in an arrowhead, leading us home.” 

Swifties often point to these two occurrences when referencing the colors of the Kansas City Chiefs and the stadium in which they play. 

The most favorite among Swifties is the iconic numbers of the couple, 87 and 13 which equal a nice and even 100.

Whether a fan of Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce, there is no denying that they are the current It couple of celebrities, and we will see if Swift’s newest romance ends in the manner of “Call It What You Want” or “champagne problems.”

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Our favorite movies are getting old

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

It’s crazy to think that the year 2023 is almost at its end and our favorite, as well as our busiest, holidays are fast approaching. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years are all right around the corner which means we can take advantage of the break from school and cozy weather by watching some movie classics. Some of the world’s favorite movies are celebrating their 10, 20 and 30 year anniversaries; feeling old yet?

10 years old — Disney’s “Big Hero 6” is having its tenth birthday on Nov. 7, 2024, celebrating being the highest grossing animated film of 2014. Robotics genius of fictional city San Fransokyo, Hiro, faces a devastating loss of his brother, Tadashi, that throws him into a dangerous plot to avenge his brother and solve the mystery of who is stealing his invention. Transforming his squishy human helping companion, Baymax, and other friends, into a team of high-tech heroes, they come together to find who was responsible for his brother’s death and avenge him to the fullest. 

20 years old — Does one still wear pink on Wednesdays because of the iconic film “Mean Girls?” If so, it’s been 20 years since that movie came out so that’s a real fan. The 2004 film grossed 130 million in the box office and instantly became a cult classic. Homeschooled teenager Cady moves from Africa to face the world of U.S. high school cliques. Befriended by outsiders Janis Ian and Damian Leigh, they explain the cliques, specifically the infamous ‘plastics’ with popular girls Gretchen Wieners, Karen Smith and queen bee, Regina George. After the plastics invite Cady to sit with them at lunch, Janis encourages Cady to infiltrate the clique and take down the plastics. 

It’s also been 20 years since the release of the coming of age movie, “Napoleon Dynamite,” which ended up at number 14 on Bravos top 100 funniest movies of all time. Jon Heder plays the socially awkward student, Napoleon Dynamite, who daydreams his way through school to avoid the constant bullying. As he is befriended by Mexico transfer student, Pedro, and small town girl, Deb, together they attempt to take on the school and have a decent high school experience — even if that means being humiliated in the process. “Just vote for Pedro, gosh,” *Napoleon Dynamite voice*.

30 years old — Still don’t feel old yet? One might after they learn about which movie classics are turning 30 this year — like “The Lion King.” Disney released the musical drama film “The Lion King,” based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, in June of 1994 and it quickly became the highest grossing film of that year and the second highest grossing film until 2003.

“The Lion King ” follows the life of Simba as he grows to succeed his father, Mufasa, as king of the Pride Lands. However, Simba’s uncle, Scar, was spiteful and killed Mufasa to seize the throne — allowing Simba to believe he was responsible for his fathers death resulting in him fleeing into exile. 

Being raised by carefree mentors Pumbaa and Timone, as well as getting valuable advice from childhood friends, Nala and Rafiki, Simba is encouraged to return to the Pride Lands to challenge Scar and avenge his father.  



Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

The classic origins of “Clueless,” “She’s the Man” and “10 Things I Hate About You”

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

“Clueless,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and “She’s the Man” are humorous high school movies with dynamic protagonists. These three films have kept audiences entertained since the 1990s and 2000s. However, what many may not know about these movies is that they are based on century-old classics. 

Jane Austen’s “Emma” was first published in 1815 and was the last novel to be published during Austen’s lifetime. The title character, Emma Woodhouse, is intelligent, a little spoiled and an enthusiastic matchmaker. What modern character is Emma’s equal? Cher Horowitz from the 1995 chick flick “Clueless,” of course. It would be a disservice to Jane Austen to limit “Clueless” to just a chick flick — there is more nuance to the movie that refreshingly pulls from the original story.

The witty female protagonist and charming bad-boy love interest from the film “10 Things I Hate About You” has dominated the screen since 1999. The film’s protagonists, Kat and Patrick, are the late ’90s equivalent of Katherina and Petruchio from “The Taming of the Shrew” — the Shakespeare play that was written over 400 years before the movie. Kat is stubborn, Patrick is sarcastic and together they create the perfect couple.

A lesser-known Shakespearean modern favorite is “She’s the Man,” a high school movie based on the comedy “Twelfth Night.” Twins Viola and Sebastian Hastings are complete opposites — Viola loves sports and Sebastian is an aspiring musician. The 2006 rom-com challenged gender norms, as Viola pretended to be her brother in order to play on the boys’ soccer team — and kicked some serious butt no less. This movie carries on the miscommunication trope that both Shakespeare and modern audiences love so much.

Hailee Carmody, a sophomore at Western shared her opinions on “She’s the Man” and how it presented feminism. 

“We see the idea that women are just as capable as men… especially when the gender switch happens,” Carmody said. However, she also spoke up about parts of the movie that are now outdated. “I definitely think there are some gender stereotypes that are present and not necessarily addressed. It’s a movie that’s a product of its time and should be taken with a grain of salt.”

These classics had powerful female protagonists centuries ago, and their stories have carried over into the present day for modern audiences to enjoy. These tales never became irrelevant — they just needed a little reworking. This genre of movie has reintroduced fans to inspiring stories their ancestors once enjoyed.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Much ado about something

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

During the second week of November, the WOU Theatre Department revived an old Shakespearean comedy — “Much Ado About Nothing.” This vivacious play centers around two couples — Claudio and Hero, and Beatrice and Benedick. 

In the past, the WOU Theatre Department has presented stunning plays such as “She Kills Monsters” and “The Wolves”. Viewers can expect they will put on an incredible performance once more this fall. Between costumes, lighting, music and the actors themselves, it takes a lot of effort to bring Shakespeare’s writing to life, but the WOU Theatre Department has exactly what it takes.

“Much Ado About Nothing” has a fast-moving plot — jumping from banter between lovers to scheming foes. The play was filled with live music between scenes — drumming and saxophone tunes kept the audience engaged. 

The set itself was dynamic; the cast pushed the wooden set in circles between scenes to introduce the audience to a brand-new view with almost every scene. Diverse actors were cast as the main characters, which made the production all the more refreshing. Overall, the play was exciting and thoughtfully carried on Shakespeare’s legacy.

Beatrice, the witty niece of a wealthy governor, and Benedick, a cynic when it comes to romance, perfectly matched each other’s sass. Maddie Blanchard and Jacob Fritts charmed the audience with their dramatic use of the stage, showing relentless humanity and hiding behind shrubbery. 

Hero, played by Savannah King, and Claudio, played by Lexy Bolsinger, had the whole audience on the edge of their seats with their heartfelt portrayal of the couple’s infamous quarrel. Claudio’s false betrayal and Hero’s “death” brought tears to many eyes, which made their reunion even more sweet.

Dogberry, a flamboyant night constable with a rag-tag team of watchmen, captured both the audience’s attention and hearts. Wyatt King quickly became a fan favorite, as observed by the audience’s constant laughter and cheering when he was onstage — especially when he played “Careless Whisper” by George Michael on the saxophone.

If one is looking for hilarious, charming and heartfelt entertainment this next week — look no further than the WOU Theatre Department. Rice Auditorium has plenty of seats ready for this week’s upcoming showings of “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Upcoming headliners

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

November 2023 is projected to be a busy month for media releases. Some great hits have already come out, including lots of anticipated movies like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and novels such as the new Percy Jackson book, a Hunger Games addition and many celebrity memoirs topping the charts. The excitement is expected to last through the end of the year with new content lined up for avid readers and movie-enjoyers.
Author Rebecca Yarros came in hot in April 2023 with “Fourth Wing” — the first book in her series titled The Empyrean. “Fourth Wing” is projected on Goodreads with a 4.6 rating out of 5, prompting the release of her highly anticipated sequel, “Iron Flame,” which is expected to be released Nov. 7.     

With themes of fantasy and romance, protagonist Violet Sorrengail is thrown headfirst into a grueling test of wits and will in her second year at Basgiath War College — all while being pushed to betray her one true love. After “Iron Flame,” Yarros is expected to release three more books. “Iron Flame” is a must-read after “Fourth Wing’s” success.

Suzanne Collins’ newest novel, “Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” may have been released by now, but the movie directed by Francis Lawrence premieres Nov. 17. The movie is eyeing a $50 million box opening and may be one of the most anticipated films of the year. Taking place long before Katniss Everdeen’s iconic overture of the Hunger Games, the plot focuses on insidious president Coriolanus Snow, pre-presidency, and delves into the philosophical themes around control and chaos.

Christopher Paolini began his writing career with his publication of “Eragon” when he was 19, going on to resolve the Eragon series in 2011 — until now, with the expected release of his follow-up novel “Murtagh,” the name of a beloved character from the original tetralogy. 

While the plot itself is largely unknown, it has been said that “Murtagh” takes place a year after the last novel, “Inheritance,” left off and that the Dragon Rider has been exiled to unknown territory. Dragons appear to be a major hit with new novels this November.

The animated movie “Wish” premieres Nov. 22 in theaters — produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. With a 200 million dollar budget, “Wish” is expected to stun crowds with its worldbuilding and animation. 

After the protagonist Asha makes a wish on a star, she is forced into exile while trying to save the future of her beloved kingdom. Chances are, “Wish” will be a hit for kids, families and adults alike — utilizing that Disney charm to win over audiences. Secondly, it hosts the same teams that worked on “Frozen” and “Moana,” a sign of success for the film. “Wish” will be commemorating Disney’s 100th year of production as an animation studio, so expect a stellar show.

While not a movie nor a book, the drama series “All The Light We Cannot See,” arrives Nov. 2.  Modeled after the novel of the same name by author Anthony Doerr, the story revolves around a blind girl during Nazi reign who meets a young German soldier and tells a tale of resistance, hope and survival. The series has some big names, like Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie, and stars breakout actress Aria Mia Loberti. The show will have four episodes and is to be streamed on Netflix.

Calling all horror fans: “Thanksgiving” releases Nov. 17, starring big names like Patrick Dempsey and Addison Rae. Plymouth, Massachusetts, is plagued by an axe-wielding serial killer in this upcoming thriller directed by Eli Roth.

Carol Danvers returns to theaters Nov. 10 in “The Marvels,” where she and two others join forces under the alias — you guessed it — The Marvels. With entangled powers and a breaking universe’s fate on their backs, the three have to unite to achieve their goal. The action movie has a gross budget of $274.9 million and includes another performance from Brie Larson. 

Audience reviews have a mixed expectation for the movie: while it is far too early for a rotten tomatoes rating as the movie isn’t even out yet, “The Marvels” has the shortest runtime of any Marvel movie to date and Brie Larson has faced plenty of critique online for supposedly being “disillusioned” in her role as Captain Marvel. Disney+ may receive the film early in 2024, but that is only a projected guess; in the meantime, it can be found in theaters near you very soon. 



Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Bite of ’89

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Two well-loved fan bases are celebrating simultaneous, monumental releases on Oct. 27. Both horror video game and pop music fans are being brought together by this fateful fall Friday. The ultimate question is which one will one be indulging in: the release of the live-action “Five Nights at Freddy’s” movie, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” or both?

Taylor Swift, currently one of the most well-known artists in pop music, announced she was going to re-record her first six albums in November of 2020. Swift’s old label sold her music to her manager, Scooter Braun, meaning she no longer owns the rights to any of her music. It’s no wonder that fans of the singer/songwriter are excited about the re-recording of the albums.

Fans of Swift — Swifties — everywhere are proud of this empowering transformation of their favorite artist.

“It’s one of her most iconic albums. This is the year she really embraced pop… I’m just really excited to be back in that era again,” said Kayla Smith, a sophomore at Western.

Though Swifties are ecstatic, some still look down on Taylor Swift and her music. “Even if you’re not a Swiftie… be supportive. You don’t have to listen to it if you don’t want to, but try not to be mean to Swifties out there who are really excited,” said Smith.

On the same day, fans of “Five Nights at Freddy’s” will be in theaters for the release of the movie adaptation of the horror game. The video game was first popularized in 2014 by gaming Youtubers who streamed videos of themselves playing “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Was that the bite of ’87? Players have to survive five nights alone as a security guard at a pizzeria — avoiding animatronics in the dark and learning the many years of intricate game lore.

The ultimate lesson to take away from this encroaching date is to be supportive of each other. Whether it’s pop star Taylor Swift, or horror game turned movie “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” both have made large advances in the last few years. Though both are very different, there is much to celebrate this fateful October weekend.

Contact the author at howlenterrtainment@wou.edu

Best in the pacific northwest

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

Here’s what all three of our Twilight enthusiast readers have been waiting for — a playlist catered to the rainy weather of the pacific northwest. Picture walking to class on a cloudy day, just for a sliver of sun to hit the vitamin-D deficient skin of a student by Todd Hall. They light up like a disco ball and run away at the speed of light. Tune in to this spotify playlist and that just might happen. Key word: might – but it’s still worth a shot. 

“Full Moon” — The Black Ghosts 

“From Now On” — The Features

“Neighbors (Soundtrack Version)” — Theophilus London 

“Friends” — Band of Skulls 

“Cover Your Tracks” — A Boy and His Kite

“Monsters” — Hurricane Bells 

“Slow Life” — Grizzly Bear, Victoria Legrand 

“What Part of Forever” — Ceelo Green 

“Hearing Damage” — Thom Yorke 

“Atlas (Soundtrack Version)” — Fanfarlo 

“How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep” — Bombay Bicycle Club

“Jonathan Low” — Vampire Weekend 

“Roslyn” — Bon Iver, St. Vincent 

“Requiem On Water” — Imperial Mammoth 

“Turning Page” — Sleeping At Last 

“The Violet Hour” — Sea Wolf 

“Speak Up” — POP ETC 

“The Antidote” — St. Vincent 

“Endtapes (Soundtrack Version)” — The Joy Formidable

Plus a few extras that fit the same vibe!

“Open Season” — High Highs 

“Kenny” — Still Woozy

“Dawn Chorus” — Thom Yorke 

“Daylight” — David Kushner

“Evergreen” — Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners 

“Fade Into You” — Mazzy Star 

“Two Weeks” — Grizzly Bear

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Western’s Cannon Gallery displays incredible art, sparking childlike joy

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

At the beginning of October, nine different artists from the Salem area showcased their pieces in the Cannon Gallery in Western’s Campbell Hall. The exhibit’s works of art used media such as paint, embroidery, clay and even coins and plastic figurines. 

The exhibit was titled “The Red Thread” — referring to the connection between the diverse group of artists. Inspired by a Chinese proverb, the red thread is said to connect people who are destined to meet. Following such, a literal red thread was hung throughout the Cannon Art Gallery.

Many of these artists collaborated, but each of their pieces displayed their unique personalities. Two artists, Susan Napeck and Jessica Ramey, had a similar theme to their art — returning to childhood. 

Napeck decided to embroider over the nostalgic drawings by their six-year-old self, depicting themself, their family and their home at the time. 

Ramey created a wondrous fortune-teller out of wood and clay, so anyone could come and find something out about themselves. 

Napeck discussed the connection between them and their art. Napeck’s inspiration came from the idea of “…letting go of old things and making new things with them,” Napeck said. 

Though the piece was sentimental, Napeck said they were alright with letting it go: “…once you make it into art, sometimes it’s easier to let go… once you’re done with it… you can let it fly.”

The fortune teller piece, titled “Elemental Fortune” and embellished with fake eyeballs and bright colors, drew many people in. Ramey had a different approach with their interactive sculpture. Though it was a fortune teller focused on reading personalities, they wanted to make sure it was unlike typical zodiac tropes. 

“The idea is just playfulness, and as adults, we kind of lose that a little bit,” Ramey said. 

The nine artists that showcased their work in the Cannon Art Gallery were part of a collective group from the Willamette Heritage Center. 

Both Napek and Ramey shared their thoughts on working alongside the other artists. “We all do very different things, but are equally curious,” Ramey said. 

In response to comparing their colleagues’ art with their own, Napek said: “as an artist, you try to give back to that facility without being self-conscious.” The idea of the red thread was present in both the profound words and work of the artists.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Fun fall watchlist

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

“Gilmore Girls” on Netflix

“Practical Magic” on Hulu

“Charmed” on Netflix

“Dead Poets Society” on Prime

“Coraline” on Max and Hulu

“Coco” on Disney+

“Over the Garden Wall” on Hulu

“The Shining” on Max

“Knives Out” on Prime

“Wendell and Wild” on Netflix

“The Birds” on Prime

“The Golden Bachelor” on Hulu

“Halloweentown” on Disney+

“What We Do In the Shadows” on Hulu

“Haunted Mansion” on Disney+

“Black Swan” on Prime

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Season two of “Our flag means death” dives deeper into the difficult topic of address emotions

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

The Max original, “Our Flag Means Death,” has won hearts and captured the attention of many. The relatable characters, charming relationships and lots of piracy, offer something for everyone. Though many scenes deal with the typical pirate activities, such as stealing and murdering, the newest season of the show dives into the murky depths of the characters’ emotions.

The first season of the show ended with a heartbreaking split of the main characters, Ed, also known as Blackbeard, and Stede, played by Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby. What some fans may not know is that these two characters are real-life historical figures, and while they may not have had a romance as the show depicts, they definitely met. A new historical character introduced in season two is Zheng Yi Sao, a pirate queen. 

Zheng, played by Ruibo Qian, brings a whole new level of comedy to the show, such as the iconic line: “Girl, how are you?” This question forces Stede to reflect on his past mistakes, and he even offers relationship advice to another character. 

On the other hand, Ed is struggling with negative feelings of self-worth and learning to accept the fact that he is lovable. Who would have thought that Blackbeard, the world’s most infamous and feared pirate, secretly had these emotions deep down?

Lili Minato, a Western sophomore and an avid watcher of “Our Flag Means Death,” shared what she liked about the show in comparison to others that try to tackle the topic of mental health. “This show is showing you pirates in the 18th century and allowing hard subjects to be shared without bumming you out too much because it’s a comedy,” Minato said. “There’s a level of fun to it that allows these harsher, more draining subjects, to be shared to a wider audience without it being too depressing.”

Both the cast and crew work hard behind the scenes to ensure everything is smooth sailing. Taika Waititi, the New Zealand director and star of “Our Flag Means Death,” has taken similar approaches in his past work. His shows, such as “What We Do in the Shadows,” tend to be representative of many communities, so it’s no wonder they have reached a broad audience.

“Our Flag Means Death” offers a new perspective to historical, comedy and drama television fans. It will make viewers laugh, cry and gasp. The show will inspire its audience to create their own “safe space,” as the pirates aim to do on their ship and with each other. It’s a heartfelt comedy that reinvents the stereotypical perception of pirates and will make its audience reflect on the way they love themselves and others.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Lessons from the school of SAW

Written by: Aubrey Laine Baker | Freelancer

The late September release of “Saw X” met box office success and critical acclaim as the film grossed $29.3 million worldwide on its opening weekend. Long-time fans of the “Saw” franchise have rejoiced at its return to the limelight, inciting countless sentimental reflections on its colorful history and cultural relevance. For almost 20 years, the continuing saga has dispensed dopamine fixes and unified audiences across the globe through their insatiable desire for psychologically unsettling storytelling, complex moral quandaries and labyrinthine narrative twists. Or, maybe they’re simply brought together by their hardwired, human hunger for ultraviolence.

While some critics dismiss the films with labels such as “torture porn,” others praise them for their deeper philosophical outlooks and metaphorical explorations of redemption — needle pits, anyone? But whether one is binging on gore or strung out on the subtleties of cinema, “Saw” leaves viewers of any disposition with a timeless takeaway: life is to be cherished.

I want to play a game. The game I want to play is not unlike the game of life. There’s a slow-acting poison coursing through the world that each and every person has the antidote for.

Are they going to watch themselves die, or are they going to do something about it?

Thankfully they’re not typically strapped by their teeth to a home-brew head shredder on a timer, and they don’t need to face their most personal flaws in a grimly ironic, gruesome death room. They don’t need to push the limits of self-mutilation or sacrifice the well-being of others for their survival.

But they will have to do some surgery. Somewhere inside of them is the glow of their passions. Can they find it?

Will they tend to it and radiate with its warmth? Or let it dwindle and die, and rob the world of their brilliance.

Life is a gift and it’s not to be squandered. In our contemporary world of nihilistic persuasion and ever-rising suicidal tendencies, it can be easy to forget that. 

In the words of John Kramer, “Congratulations, you are alive. So many people are ungrateful to be alive, but not you. Not anymore.”

Contact the author at

albaker23@mail.wou.edu

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