Mount Hood

“You” and Ted Bundy: Analyzing how society ignores problematic content

Sean Martinez | Freelancer

On Sept. 9, 2018, Netflix introduced the world to a new style of thriller and suspense with a show called “You”. The main character, Joe Goldberg, falls in love with a woman named Beck and makes it his mission to become her boyfriend. But in doing so, he follows her, sees her friends as obstacles and obsesses over her.

While the show captivates its audience, it also sheds light on the social issue of stalking. The show tackles this subject by telling the story through Joe’s perspective, allowing viewers to understand his actions; this has sparked some controversy because it’s easy for people to use this as justification for his actions. The bigger issue, though, is people romanticizing Joe’s character.

Following the show’s success, posts on social media comment on the physical attractiveness of Penn Badgley, the actor who plays Joe. One tweet from @MalikaPlays read, “kidnap me pls,” to which Badgley, under the twitter handle @PennBadgley responded, “No thx.”

However, the issue does not stop with “You”; it continues with an upcoming movie on Ted Bundy’s life: “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile. Scheduled to be released sometime in 2019, the movie trailer highlights the fact that Bundy was a conventionally attractive man, using his charm and charisma to sway people away from the belief he was a serial killer. Zac Efron being casted as Ted Bundy has many people split on the decision.

Humanities and English major, junior Never Retallack, believes that casting Efron as Bundy is “… pushing that charismatic factor a little too far.” She goes on to explain that this choice is “… taking away who Ted Bundy really was (because) it’s Zac Efron playing him.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Jasmine Morrow, a junior English major, thinks casting Efron is “more realistic than anybody else because of how attractive he is and he has a charming side.” With Morrow’s perspective, in order for the movie to capture the accuracy of Bundy, it makes sense to cast someone as idolized as Efron.

Regardless of the controversy, it is possible that Efron will attract many people to this movie. The more people who watch it, the better odds are that people will receive the message. We are entering a new era of television where serious issues are presented on entertainment platforms. Shows like “You” and Netflix’s Jan. 24 release centered around Bundy titled “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” attempt to illuminate, enlighten, and educate audiences on the scope of these topics. But the controversy surrounding them and the tendency for some to warp the stories and misunderstand their messages can lead to the glorification of problematic and malicious people.

 

Contact the author at martinezs17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of mylifetime.com

Review: Esmé Weijun Wang’s “The Collected Schizophrenias”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Esmé Weijun Wang has attended the prestigious institutions of Harvard University and Stanford University, and has an MFA from the University of Michigan. Wang is the winner of the 2016 Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, a published novelist and an experienced fashion blogger and editor. Wang also has schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

In her book “The Collected Schizophrenias,” Wang includes 13 essays concerning her life and what it’s like to live with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and late-stage lyme disease. The book starts with the essay “Diagnosis,” wherein Wang describes the science, and controversy, behind her diagnosis and related disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Wang emphasized the importance of her diagnosis, even though some others with mental illness believe that diagnoses can be stigmatizing: “…I’ve always found comfort in preexisting conditions. I like to know that I’m not pioneering an inexplicable condition.”

In another essay, “High Functioning,” Wang discusses with brutal honesty the sensitivity she has about “appearing” ill. “I’m uncomfortable because I don’t want to be lumped in with the screaming man on the bus, or the woman who claims that she’s the reincarnation of God,” Wang wrote. The author wrote about how she often overcompensates with her fashion choices, so she can seem more high-functioning than she often feels.

Other essays cover topics including her choice to not have kids, how her psychosis has affected her life and higher education’s tendency to reject mental illness. Wang writes the fine line between accepting her mental illness as a large part of her life and being frightened of deteriorating and losing control of her life.

Wang’s writing is both relatable and informative — so little is known about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and misconceptions about the disorders run rampant. Wang’s transparency and eloquent writing style was truly a breath of fresh air for me, a person who also identifies as mentally ill.

“The Collected Schizophrenias” is a courageous and important piece of literature that looks at the complexity of mental illness through an intersectional lens. Wang’s most recent work describes what mental illness is like and reminds readers that a life with mental illness is worth living.

Overall rating: I would strongly recommend this book.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of graywolfpress.org

Western’s production of “Speech and Debate” starts a discussion about the secret life of teens

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“Speech and Debate” follows three teens attending North Salem High School grappling with a sex scandal that is on the verge of imploding.

Madeline Weinstein, a junior theater major, attended the production.

“The characters (Diwata, an over-the-top wannabe high school actress pregnant with an unwanted baby, Howie, an openly gay high school student who goes on chatrooms with other gay men in order to hook up, and Solomon, a headstrong closeted gay student who is a reporter for the school newspaper) find their way into each other’s lives through the Speech and Debate club,” said Weinstein. Solomon, Diwata and Howie are brought together when Solomon, a tenacious reporter for the school newspaper, starts an investigation into the school’s theater teacher, Mr. Healy.

After hearing of the mayor’s inappropriate sexual contact with young men, Solomon starts building an article on the subject, much to the anger and chagrin of the school administration. Howie gets involved when he lets slip that he may have evidence against Mr. Healy. Diwata is reluctant to join in on the investigation, although she also has evidence against the teacher, and only agrees when the boys agree to become a part of the school’s new speech and debate club.

The play then follows Diwata, Howie and Solomon’s attempts to get the club funded by the school board, a process in which they have to prepare a mock debate presentation.

“The three students invite a reporter for the Oregonian newspaper to write about their presentation for Speech and Debate, and instead of addressing the actual problems that the students wanted, the reporter instead degraded them and said that this is what high-schoolers do in order to separate themselves from adults, and plugged her own book as well,” explained Weinstein.

The three students are all stubborn and strong-willed, and they bump heads often. Throughout the play, it is revealed that each of the speech and debate members have secrets of their own — secrets that could alter their lives in monumental ways.

This production follows tough topics such as sexual assault, sexual orientation and the lack of comprehensive sex education available to teenagers. “Speech and Debate” analyzes the ways in which American society fails it’s young people, refusing to speak to them frankly about substantial topics that affect their lives. The play tackles the important questions: is Oregon, and other states viewed as “liberal,” as open-minded as many people would like to believe? And are adults really keeping kid’s best interests at heart?

Some moments were laughable, while other moments were gasp-worthy. Overall, the production captures the essence of what it’s like to be a teenager: grappling with identity, personality and how they fit into the world — the subject matter is dark, but hauntingly realistic. The characters were familiar, with personalities that audience members may remember from their time in high school.

“I wasn’t so sure of what to expect when I went to see the show, so I came into the black box with an open mind,” said Weinstein. The main message, in Weinstein’s opinion, was: “to not be afraid of speaking up and doing what’s right.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Scott Grim

Staff picks: Favorite romantic movies

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“Call Me By Your Name” (2018)

Based on a book of the same name, “Call Me By Your Name” is a movie following a young man named Elio who falls in love with a graduate student named Oliver. Oliver is staying with Elio’s family in Northern Italy, studying ancient sculptures for the summer. This film was nominated for best picture in 2018, and for good reason. The cinematography is superb and many important topics are explored, such as Judaism and how LGBTQ love was seen as forbidden at the time. Timothée Chalamet (Elio) and Armie Hammer (Oliver) are at an acting skill level that is matched in few other films.

Contact the author at cweedon16@wou.edu

Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief

“My Bloody Valentine” (1981)

For those who know me, this choice comes at no surprise. I’ll take any opportunity I get to promote a classic horror film. Not a huge fan of romantic movies? This might just be your perfect Feb. 14 flick. It’s everything one could want in a cheesy 80s slasher — the holiday-hating deranged murderer wielding a pickaxe, who, in this case, has it out for anyone celebrating Valentine’s Day; the cliche one-liners, which in this movie come in the form of Valentine poems to warn of an imminent death; and the absolutely unnecessary amount of gore. What’s not to love?

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Kyle Morden | Digital Media Manager

“Crazy Rich Asians” (2018)

As a fellow Asian American, it is only befitting for me to recommend this movie. This film features an all-Asian cast, and it captures the true essence of what it is like to be a part of an Asian family — always having to live up to expectations. The story follows Rachel Chu as she meets her boyfriend’s crazy-rich family. Throughout the film, Rachel struggles to live up to the standards of her boyfriend’s mother. Although this movie might sound pretty dramatic, it’s a romantic comedy. You will be shedding tears of sadness and joy.

Contact the author at kmorden17@wou.edu

Rachel Hetzel | Designer

“The Princess Bride” (1987)

One of my all time favorite movies, “The Princess Bride,” is a witty fairy-tale adventure movie based on a novel by William Goldman. Buttercup is separated from her true love by Prince Humperdink, who plans to murder her and blame it on an opposing country to start a war. Her true love, Wesley, sets out to rescue her. Once reunited they must overcome the three dangers of the Fire Swamp: find the six fingered man, acquire a miracle and crash a wedding. This movie is inconceivably amazing, and I highly recommend it.

Contact the author at rhetzel18@wou.edu

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

“While You Were Sleeping” (1995)

If anybody is looking for a good old-fashioned romantic comedy that is not “The Notebook” or “When Harry Met Sally,” look no further than “While You Were Sleeping.” This hilarious and heartwarming story follows Lucy, a lonely ticket booth worker with no one in her life, as she finds a new family in the unlikeliest of ways. After saving a man’s life at her work, Lucy is mistakenly believed by his family to be the man’s fiancé. In the number of twists and turns that ensue, Lucy’s journey is one that will make you laugh, reminisce and admire the wonderful Sandra Bullock.

Contact the author at bthompson15@wou.edu

Ashlynn Norton | Photo Editor

“How to Be Single” (2016)

When it comes to Feb. 14, I’m the person who says “Happy birthday, Oregon” rather than “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m a romantic at heart, but I’m perpetually single so Valentine’s Day is not my fave. That’s why I recommend the rom-com “How to Be Single”. This movie is about four single women who are trying to go through life while being single. I love this film because it’s about finding yourself and how love looks differently for every person. You don’t have to be in relationship to be happy or feel love — just do what makes you happy.

Contact the author at anorton17@wou.edu

 

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Review: Netflix original “Velvet Buzzsaw” breathes life back into the slasher genre

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Are you ready to be thrown back in time, to the age of slasher flicks with their dramatic cinematography and sense of impending doom? “Velvet Buzzsaw,” released on Jan 31, does just that. Featuring the talents of Jake Gyllenhaal, Toni Collette and Rene Russo, “Velvet Buzzsaw” brings old-school horror to a modern setting — the world of elite art.

This film begins with the secretary for an artist manager, Josephina, finding a collection of mesmerizing paintings when her elderly upstairs neighbor, Vetril Dease, dies. After being revealed to her boss Rhodora, the paintings are sold and showed in galleries, and Vetril Dease becomes one of the most talked-about artists in the scene.

In the beginning, all the audience knows about Dease is that his final wish was for all of his art to be destroyed. As Dease’s background is slowly revealed, he posthumously begins to take his revenge. Every person who used Dease’s art for personal gain is killed in a new and gruesome way.

“Velvet Buzzsaw” takes a satirical look at the world of the rich art elitist and adds in elements of suspense and murder, creating a slasher flick that was as nostalgic as it was unique.

For a Netflix original, the CGI was impressive. The cinematography was great, with its combination of wide shots and close-ups, along with dramatic zooms.

The sterile image of art galleries and the homes of the ultra-rich stood in stark contrast with the darkness and dirtiness of Dease’s art. The art focused heavily on the eyes — all of the figures in his paintings had their eyes closed or blurred out, almost like they had been gouged. Images of fire and smoke throughout the film were also significant, seen through the destruction of Dease’s pieces by fire and the abundance of smoking amongst the characters.

The dramatic imagery, obsession with revenge and satire within “Velvet Buzzsaw” made the movie an instant winner in my opinion. It had all the right qualities to make it a classically cheesy slasher film without seeming like just another sub-par remake. Also, It didn’t hurt that Jake Gyllenhaal was in it.

Overall rating: I would recommend this film to horror fans and newbies alike.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Guest poet Todd Davis gives a poetry reading at WOU

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Born to two farmers from Kentucky and Virginia, Todd Davis grew up working beside his father as his veterinarian assistant and bonding over poetry. Today, Davis lives in Tipton, Pennsylvania and teaches creative writing, American literature and environmental studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He spends much of his time outside, in the field collecting data to fuel his poetry.

Davis has written six full-length poetry collections, the most recent of which is titled “Native Species.” Davis writes of the visceral, potent habits of nature and often utilizes memory to tell his stories.

Davis started writing poetry when he entered college. Since then, according to Davis’s website, todddavis.com, over 300 of his poems have been published in a variety of magazines, including American Poetry Review and Poetry Daily. On Feb 4, in Hamersly Library room 107, Davis gave a poetry reading that was open to the public.

“Death is something I’ve always written towards in my poems, trying to make peace with it,” said Davis as he prefaced a poem he read called “Homily.”

Half sermon, half poetry reading, Davis’s event was incredibly silent, reflecting how his words captured the attention of Hamersly 107, a room packed with onlookers. His poems drew inspiration from many different sources, such as John Coltrane, Judeo-Christian theology, James Wright and his own family and students.

In his poetry, Davis faces many questions, like “are humans an invasive species?”, “how will we give our bodies back to the Earth when we die?” and “is death really an end or a transformation?” But these complex ideas are translated through simple language, bringing an accessibility to Davis’s poetry that some other, more traditional poets may avoid.

Davis left the crowd with a poem that he recited as a blessing: “Being a man who has seen no angels, and who at times doubts what he’s been told in church, I’ll simply ask what the poet asked: that God would make this world as beautiful to you as it has been to me.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

2019 Oscar nominations and demographics

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

In 2016, outcry from celebrities and audiences alike started the twitter trend #OscarsSoWhite — a hashtag addressing the fact that all 20 actors nominated for lead and supporting roles for the year 2016 were white. There were also several movies featuring actors of color that were looked over for nominations, such as “Beasts of No Nation.” Suffice it to say, the Oscars don’t have the best track record for diverse nominations. But how diverse are this year’s nominees?

Although every nomination by the academy is seen as prestigious, the categories shown in this graphic are some of the most anticipated by audiences. These categories also provide the most visibility to those nominated, and are historically how diverseness of the awards are gauged.

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Best Picture”]

“Black Panther,” Kevin Feige, Producers

“BlacKkKlansman,” Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers

“Bohemian Rhapsody,” Graham King, Producer

“The Favourite,” Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers

“Green Book,” Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers

“Roma,” Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers

“A Star is Born,” Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers

“Vice,” Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actor in a Leading Role”]

Christian Bale, “Vice”

Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”

Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actor in a Supporting Role”]

Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”

Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”

Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”

Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actress in a Leading Role”]

Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”

Glenn Close, “The Wife”

Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”

Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”

Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Actress in a Supporting Role”]

Amy Adams, “Vice”

Marina De Tavira, “Roma”

Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Emma Stone, “The Favourite”

Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Cinematography”]

“Cold War,” Łukasz Żal

“The Favourite,” Robbie Ryan

“Never Look Away,” Caleb Deschanel

“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón

“A Star is Born,” Matthew Libatique

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Directing”]

“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee

“Cold War,” Paweł Pawlikowski

“The Favourite,” Yorgos Lanthimos

“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón

“Vice,” Adam McKay

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Writing (Original Screenplay)”]

“The Favourite,” Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara

“First Reformed,” Written by Paul Schrader

“Green Book,” Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly

“Roma,” Written by Alfonso Cuarón

“Vice,” Written by Adam McKay

[/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@wou.edu

Designed by Brittany Figueroa