Mount Hood

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

The best Earth Day films

A list of movies and documentaries to celebrate Earth Day

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Documentaries about saving the earth:

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

Documentaries about the small wonders of the world: 

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

Movies about the apocalypse:

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

Movies about living after the apocalypse:

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

Movies about corporate greed, evil intentions and the earth:

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

Animated movies about saving the planet: 

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

 

Review: “Turning Red”

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

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

This review contains spoilers. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Popular movies and TV coming to streaming

The critically acclaimed media coming to Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu this October 

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Classes are back in session, which can mean more stress for students. For those who need a break from homework, here’s a sneak peek into some of the critically acclaimed movies and television shows coming to streaming services this October. 

Coming to Netflix:  

  • “Seinfeld” (1989) ⏤ Oct. 1. All nine seasons of the famous sitcom featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 
  • “Till Death” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 1. A romantic lake house vacation turns deadly when Emma’s husband enacts a revenge plot against her. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%.
  • “On My Block” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 4. Two years after Monse’s departure from Freeridge, the group is back together, and this final season will explore their changed dynamic as they navigate new threats in the neighborhood. Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%. 
  • “YOU” (2018) ⏤ Oct. 15. In season three, Joe and Love are raising their newborn son in a Californian suburb. But when Joe’s attention shifts to their next door neighbor, Love must take drastic measures to protect her perfect family. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 

    Coming to Disney+:

    • “Black Widow” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Natasha Romanoff must confront her dark past as an assassin — and the people she left behind — when a new foe arises. Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%. 
    • “Marvel’s What If…?” (2021) ⏤ Oct. 6. Marvel’s newest addition to their growing media arsenal comes to a close in the finale episode. Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%. 

    Coming to Hulu:

    • “Crimson Tide” (1995) ⏤ Oct. 1. Set after the Cold War, a rookie lieutenant commander of the submarine USS Alabama stages a mutiny to prevent the captain from starting a nuclear war with Russian extremists. Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%. 
    • “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. Frank Morris, a criminal with a reputation for breaking out of prison, is sent to Alcatraz and crafts a plan to escape the inescapable. Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%.
    • “Goldfinger” (1964) ⏤ Oct. 1. When gold magnate Auric Goldfinger is suspected of concocting a scheme to rob Fort Knox and cripple the world economy, 007 must foil the plot. Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%. 
    • “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005) ⏤ Oct. 1. The season 18 premiere will feature the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital treating patients after the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduce new obstacles as they try to employ doctors. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Mad Max” (1979) ⏤ Oct. 1. In a world where oil shortages have led to famine, war and financial crisis, police officer Max goes rogue to avenge his murdered wife and son. Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%. 
    • “The Hunger Games” (2012) ⏤ Oct. 1. Every year, the Capitol picks two children from each assigned district to join a bloodthirsty competition. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to save her sister, her life is changed forever. Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%. 
    • “Waitress” (2007) ⏤ Oct. 1. Waitress Jenna is married to an abusive husband and stuck in a small town, with plans to escape ⏤ but complications arise when she begins an affair with the town doctor. Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%. 

    Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

    Catch these flicks coming out in April

    Watch from home or hit the theaters for these new movies

    Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

    There are always new movies hitting streaming services, and with select movie theaters opening back up, there are even more films to enjoy in April, while social distancing. Some films are re-releases of old school favorites, like Sky High, or popular series like Shadow and Bone. Whether people are going out or staying in, here are over twenty of the latest titles to hit the silver screen ⏤ and laptop screen ⏤ this month:

    April 2

    • “Every Breath You Take” (AppleTV, Vudu, Amazon Prime)
    • “Roe v. Wade” (YouTube, GooglePlay, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Apple TV)
    • “Assault on VA-33” (YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Prime)
    • “The Girl Who Believes in Miracles” (Select theaters)
    • “Sky High” (2005) (Disney+)
    • “The Unholy” (Select theaters)
    • “Just Say Yes” (Netflix)
    • “Madame Claude” (Netflix)
    • “Godzilla vs. Kong” (Select theaters) 

    April 6

    • “Dawn of the Beast” (Amazon Prime)
    • “The Enormity of Life” (AppleTV, GooglePlay, Vimeo, FandangoNOW)

    April 7

    • “Dolly Parton: A Musicians Tribute” (Netflix)

    April 8

    • “The Power” (YouTube, GooglePlay, AppleTV)

    April 9 

    • “Voyagers” (Select theaters)
    • “Thunder Force” (Netflix)
    • “Held” (Theaters)
    • “Naked Singularity” (Select theaters)

    April 10 

    • “The Nameless Days” (Select theaters)

    April 16 

    • “Vanquish” (Select theaters)
    • “In the Earth” (Netflix, Disney+)
    • “Killer Among Us” (Select theaters)
    • “Monday” (Amazon Prime)

    April 20

    • “Night of Sicario” (FandangoNOW)

    April 22

    • “Stowaway” (Netflix)

    April 23

    • “Shadow and Bone” (Netflix series) 
    • “Together Together” (Select theaters)
    • “Mortal Kombat” (HBO Max)
    • “Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train” (Select theaters) 

    Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

    Booze & reviews: “Valentine’s Day”

    A comedic romance in the perspective of three drunken reviewers

    Kyle Morden | Head Designer

    Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

    Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

    “Valentine’s Day” may not have scored high on Rotten Tomatoes, but it sure makes for a great drunk movie night. Read our full reviews in our online issue, which may contain spoilers. Please drink responsibly.

    Kyle Morden | Head Designer

    This needs to be put out there. If Allie doesn’t say this, SHE IS PISSING WHILE WRITING THIS> 

    Love, cheating, thriller, jason, harry styles, queen beyonce, and valentines day — a day full of lonely a– b—–s who somehow get a love interest by the end of the day?? EVEN THIS LITTLE A– 7 YEAR OLD GETS HIS ONWN MOTHER BACK?? “Lmao im 7 and love sick” B—H WHAT ABOUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWSEFERSFDRSGFDRGFGFRGdfgfsjhfvsgfsjhghkjfbvdjkbfhjsdbhjvhbfhbhjvbjnkvbjnkfnk?????????fjkhsgjcgkhhbjkhjkgfbgjfhgfxhjgyibfhhsdjkbzakuhks. Btw. military families amitire? Love em. Thank god that military mom came back for her son. Btw tbh i only remember the actors name (bradley cooper hit me up)

    Valentines day is a day where a lot of people get f—-d (up to your interpretation uwu)

    Ok ok so “valentine’s day” a movie full of twist and turns and sharkboy and lavagirl — without the lava girl and shark. How the f–k do you get two taylors into one movie??? LET ALONE HAVE THEM DATE EACH OTHER??????????????????????

    ANNIE HATHAWAT IS OKAY WITH PEOPLE WITH FETISHES, BUT BACK OFF. SHES MINE. SO IS BRADLEY COOPER — HE LOVES ME. B—H

    I accidentally deleted my last paragraph, so go watch this movie yourself.

    GAY COUPLES ARE THE ONLY COUPLES. ALSO DONT F—–G GROUP ALLIE WITH ME. SHES CRAZy. She said shes rolling, but idk if she means the drug or literally rolling on the floor? Dont do drugs, drink responsibly

    How much do i need to type? I dont remember a word count. I KNOW HOW TO FINISH THIS.

    Overall review: Let’s get naked~ uwu

    Slide into my dms @_kylemorden on instagram 😉

    Or contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

    Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

    Okay first of all i was NOT too into this movie i was just having fun. MY ROOMMATE was into it tho

    I would like to preface my review with the fact that i know none of the characters names, only taylor and taylor. I am inept when it comes to celebrities

    Rotten tomatoes is WRONG, I had an AMAZING time watching this movie even though I was really confused. Who’s at the airport??? Whos barely legal in high school??? I could not tell you I could not

    But listen. Really. It’s a fun movie to watch drunk. Tbh itd probably be Bad if I was not intoxicated. But it was cute! It was nice! There was representation! Gay men and single mums! We support them all!!! GAY BRADLEY COOPER!!!!!!!

    Even through the confusion i was extremely satisfied w/ the ending. Through the MULTIPLE PG-13 sex scenes, there was still a sweet undertone where everyone got a happy ending uwu Not that I shouvlde expected ANY less from a 2010 rom com. Google “romcom drinking games” and watch this movie, you’ll have a fantastic time.

    Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu or don;t

    Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

    Okay so this what I got from this, please note this is my first time being drunk in my life. There were a lot of straight people but at some point we were gay and it was beautiful. I’m convinced all of these people were stunt doubles cause there absolutely no way all these famous people got together. The stunt doubles failed to give me wolf man and sharkboy there was sex scenes sometimes which was fine but i wasn’t really paying attention because I was busy eating my chili fries there was a little boy with a lot of angst for no reason over a cougar woman In conclustion roses are expensive af, and this mans was throwing them in the lake to feed ducks and thats acceptable.  THE MILITARY MOM CAME BACK AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. Im going to bed 

    Dont email me, i wont’ reply email thank you

    15 films to close off the year

    Scope out some of the newest December films

    Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor 

    There’s no shortage of memorable movies that have been released this year, and new flicks are still being produced through December for anyone to enjoy during the holidays. Ranging from action movies, thoughtful tales and lighthearted family films, all these films can help make a cold night feel more comfortable. Plus, staying at home, kicking back with some cocoa and throwing something on the big screen sounds like a pretty solid way to close off the year. 

    Here are 15 movies that are sure to keep everyone occupied during winter break and help beat any boredom. Most of these films are or will be available on video streaming services, and some can be found in select theaters after their release date. 

     

    1. “The Sound of Metal” (Dec. 4) (Amazon Prime Video)
    2. “Let Them All Talk” (Dec. 10) (HBO Max)
    3. “Songbird” (Dec. 10) (Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes and Youtube )
    4. “The Prom” (Dec. 11) (Netflix)
    5. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Dec. 18) (Netflix) 
    6. “Greenland” (Dec. 18) (Amazon Prime Video)
    7. “Coming 2 America” (Dec. 18 — postponed) (Amazon Prime Video)
    8. “Breach” (Dec. 18) (Amazon Prime and in theaters)
    9. “The Father” (Dec. 18 — postponed) (Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix)
    10. “Soul” (Dec. 25) (Disney+)
    11. “Promising Young Woman” (Dec. 25) (In theaters)
    12. “Wonder Woman 1984” (Dec. 25) (HBO Max and in theaters)
    13. “News of the World” (Dec. 25) (In theaters)
    14. “We Can Be Heroes” (Dec. 25) (Netflix)
    15. “One Night In Miami” (Dec. 25) (Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix)

    Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu