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REVIEWS
Reviews


Don’t Walk Out The Door on Congress The Band
Strings of fairy lights illuminate faces of community members bundled into AMB, chatters of anticipation grow, the crowd awaits the newly popular Congress The Band.

Rosalyn Rabinowitz
5 days ago4 min read


Fall Into the Season with “Gilmore Girls”
The leaves are turning colors, there is a slight chill in the air, and the pumpkin patches are starting to open. Taylor Swift's “Evermore” can be heard on the radio and a baggy sweater becomes a common outfit seen in schools. There are many defining aspects of fall that become a common practice out of habit, rather than intention.

Carrie Bradbury
Oct 15 min read


No Second Chances: How “Resident Evil” Portrays a Zombie Apocalypse
The lights dim, the trailers end, and suddenly the movie theater transforms into the eerie world of Raccoon City. As the sun goes down, one more emergency order is called in during the middle of an icy storm. The destination? Raccoon City General Hospital. However, no one knows that this unassuming medical transport bag contains a crucial piece in saving the world. With double the pay promised, a regular courier now has everyone's lives unknowingly in his hands.

Sophia Stull
Sep 244 min read


Chick-fil-A’s Sweetest Fall Experiment
Chicken and waffles have gone from a Southern classic to Chick-fil-A’s newest experiment. But this isn’t quite unfamiliar territory. The Dwarf Grill, which opened in 1946, was the beginning of what would become Chick-fil-A. One of Dwarf Grill's most popular menu items was chicken and waffles, meaning Chick-fil-A is taking a page from its own history and putting a new spin on it.

Marina Brown
Sep 233 min read


“The Warmth of Other Suns” is a Nonfiction Book Like No Other
Most people assume that nonfiction books are boring. And sure, a lot of them are. Most people don’t want to read an 800-page tome about Civil War era diplomatic relationships or a footnote-heavy catalog of shipping logs or formal letters. “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson is a prime example of a book that breaks the pattern of dry, uninspired nonfiction.

Aspen Hickman
Sep 162 min read


Good, Evil, and The Power of Choice: A Review of “East of Eden”
Most students at Watauga are likely familiar with the great novelist John Steinbeck. In freshmen English, many will read his book “Of Mice and Men” as a part of the curriculum. Packed full of his signature prose, the book is often thought of as an introduction piece to the world of Steinbeck. Having grown up in the region himself, Steinbeck’s vivid depictions of California’s central coast region, the setting for the majority of his most famous works, are remarkable in their a

Isaac James
Sep 93 min read


New Hit Show “Sterling Point” Captures the Complexities of a Gen-Z Audience
Sisterhood: the close bond, friendship, and mutual support shared among women. The classic sisterhood trope is frequently used by various young adult books, movies, and TV shows, often paired with some kind of family drama. These tropes are used so often that that can make a story feel repetitive and empty.

Carrie Bradbury
Sep 33 min read


“Hadestown”: A Story for the Ages
“Once upon a time there was a railroad line / don’t ask where, brother, don’t ask when.” Thus begins “Hadestown,” a jazzy musical retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. “It was the road to Hell, it was hard times / it was the world of gods… And men!”

Aspen Hickman
Sep 23 min read


The Strokes New Album “Reality Awaits” Fails to Impress
Can a band come back from a six-year hiatus and create a cohesive album while simultaneously trying to change both their sound and identity? For New York City-based indie rock group The Strokes, the answer is a resounding no. Their new album “Reality Awaits” is their attempt to accomplish this feat for a second time, and it falls significantly flat when compared to the rest of the band’s body of work.

Ian Biles
Aug 274 min read


The Five Biggest Films from This Summer
Going to the movie theatre for teens became an incredibly popular activity due to its ease and high level of entertainment. As a frequent visitor of the local theatre myself, it is easy to see why this summer was such a hit for the box office. While there were many interesting films in and out of the theatre that caught my attention, here are five in particular that stood out.

Carrie Bradbury
Aug 204 min read


“Sing Unburied Sing” by Jesmyn Ward: The Song of Life Sung
A song filled with sorrow, love, and desperation. A song of life. A song with high notes, low notes, and always slightly off key. Jesmyn Ward, an award winning author, examines the nuances of life through the eyes of her characters in “Sing Unburied Sing”. Like many of Jesmyn Ward's other novels, “Sing Unburied Sing” earned a National Book Award. While it delves into an intensely emotional story surrounding the boundaries between the living and the dead in the rural south, th

Rosalyn Rabinowitz
Aug 204 min read


Top 3 Songs from ‘The Great Divide’ That You Don’t Want To Miss
‘The Great Divide’, Noah Kahan’s fourth studio album cover. Kahan released his first album, ‘Busyhead’ in 2019, and since then has gained great popularity within the folk music fan base. Chloe Greer, Photo Essay Desk Lead Singer Noah Kahan is known for his emotionally complex songwriting and beautiful vocals. When his last studio album, “Stick Season,” gained much popularity in 2023, Kahan’s career skyrocketed, gaining him many devoted fans. Kahan announced his new album “Th

Chloe Greer
May 283 min read


WingStop Wings Are the New Big Thing in Boone
Boone, North Carolina, commonly known for its scenic trails and outdoor recreation, was the home of another sight this past weekend. Students, families, and community members flocked to the infamous Walmart parking lot, which is newly home to the alluring green glow of the WingStop sign.

Rosalyn Rabinowitz
Apr 163 min read


“Reminders of Him” Restores My Faith in Colleen Hoover
Heartbreaking, eye-opening, entertaining, "Reminders of Him" is a lesson and a story, a rollercoaster and a rocky road, a movie that must be seen. It is easy to write a modern love story between two people who should not be together, but it is much harder to turn that story into an addictive page turner. It is easy to then adapt that novel into an eye-catching film that will gain people’s attention for a month or so before they inevitably fall in love with the next romantic c

Carrie Bradbury
Mar 264 min read


12 Drinks in 20 Minutes: Reviewing 7 Brew’s Most Popular Energy Drinks
A coffee isn’t always what you need for a quick pick-me-up. For some, coffee might be too heavy on the stomach. For others they simply don’t like the taste. For these people, energy drinks are becoming an increasingly popular way to get quick energy without drinking any coffee whatsoever. Between Red Bull, Celsius, and Alani, those looking for something sweet instead of bitter have endless options to choose from.

Grant Painter
Mar 196 min read


Wearing the Costume: “Wuthering Heights” Takes on a Modern Look
Classic literature has been a muse for movie producers for decades. From “Little Women” and “Pride and Prejudice” to “Atonement” and “The Great Gatsby,” Hollywood’s biggest stars have taken to the screen to bring to life some of the most memorable love stories and beloved characters from classic literature. Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” is no exception in terms of talent, being the most recent adaptation of Emily Bronte’s book by the same name. “Wuthering Heights” has

Carrie Bradbury
Mar 65 min read


Bridging the Gap Between Raw Emotion and Music: “The Great Divide” by Noah Kahan
A photo of the cover of Noah Kahan's new song, “The Great Divide”. This photo describes the nostalgia and remorse that is exemplified in Kahan's song. It describes the theme of watching someone for afar and hoping for the best. Photo Creds: Spotify Rosalyn Rabinowitz, Junior Editor of The Powderhorn Noah Kahan is a well known folk-pop musician that examines mental health and its effect on people in his life through his songs. Kahan has mastered taking on the perspective of a

Rosalyn Rabinowitz
Mar 64 min read


Instant Energy: Which Espresso Flavor is Worth a Shot?
The morning cup of coffee is a ritual in which most Americans take great pleasure. Waking up, brewing a cup, and revelling in the bitter flavor as you prepare for your day is an experience like no other. These days, you can get your morning fix of coffee faster than ever through instant coffee pods. Simply pop a pod into the machine, make sure it has water, and you’ll get a warm cup.

Isaac James
Mar 54 min read


“Cloud 9” by Megan Moroney Combines Fun Melodies, Heartfelt Lyrics, and Country Twang
Singer-songwriter Megan Moroney took the country music community by storm in 2024 with her second studio album, “Am I Okay?” Since then, she has been showered with praise and accolades for her combination of conversational lyrics, polished production, and authentic but upbeat sound. On February 20, 2026, she released yet another album, “Cloud 9,” which talks about everything from heartbreak to revenge to finding love again.

Rebecca Billette
Mar 54 min read


‘The Terror’: A Snow Day Show that Crosses the Natural and the Supernatural
A promotional image for ‘The Terror,’ a show that tells the story of Sir John Franklin, the leader of the Franklin Expedition. The Expedition’s aim was to find the Northwest Passage, a trade route through the Arctic Circle. It set sail in May of 1845 and was last seen two months later. Photo credits: AMC Edie Berke, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn As the ice and snow of the past several weeks have shown us, it’s easy for cabin fever to take hold after so many days at home. On

Edie Berke
Feb 194 min read
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