The hood won't open, and I desperately need to change the oil.

The release cable appears to be intact. When I look up at the hood latch mechanism while someone else pulls the hood release, the parts of the latch that are supposed to move appear to be moving just fine.

Something is stuck, though, because the hood doesn't pop up the way it should. I've tried prying it up, but it's stuck good.

I hate to take it to a shop for something like this.

Does anyone have any ideas about it?

Thanks!