A Monster Camp Content Corner
Nope, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, They/Them, Paper Girls, and so much more!
Hey campers!
It’s been a minute—from family visits to finally catching the dreaded COVID bug, the last few weeks have been pretty all over the place. Hope you’re all doing well and staying safe, AND that you’ve been enjoying some fun content, which brings me to today’s post, a Monster Camp content corner! Let’s dive in 🖤
Movies
Haven’t been in a big movie watching mood during the last month or so (anyone else’s attention span completely suffering?), but there are a few that have made me want to dive back in to my Letterboxd watchlist.
Spree
Finally watched Joe Keery’s wild ride of a movie. I expected it to be more cringe than it actually was, which is a big plus! You can really tell he put a lot of time and research into the character of Kurt and his delivery was properly creepy, crazy, and everything we wanted out of him. I’m not sure this is a movie I can watch over and over again, but it definitely stuck with me for a while after the credits rolled.
The Halloween Kills Trailer
Y’all. I’ve watched it so. many. times. If you missed my reaction video, have a watch and let me know what you think about more Monster Camp video content!
Marcel the Shell
I have to be honest, Marcel the Shell truly wrecked me. The relationship between Marcel and Nana Connie hit me to my core, and this 90 minute movie was one of the most beautiful depictions of grief I’ve experienced in a long time. As a big fan of the original viral video, it was a strange feeling to walk in the theater and not know what to fully expect. A mockumentary about a shell and his grandma?
Who knew what it would all eventually mean once the theater lights went up and my mask was covered in salty tears. Between the moments of sadness and tears to the laugh out loud lines and comedy, this movie turned out to be the surprise of the summer for me 🐚
They/Them
Ooof. This was not the But I’m a Cheerleader slasher I was hoping for. Without giving away too many spoilers if you do intend to watch this movie, it’s less of a horror flick and more of a Lifetime drama with a really fun P!nk musical number. While the acting was enjoyable, it pulled the weight of an otherwise plotless, themeless story. Not to mention the ending, which is probably the worst I’ve seen in any film in a looong time. We’re queers. We don’t let cops handle our problems.
I do think a lot of the criticism online can be pretty harsh—it wasn’t a great movie and I won’t be watching it any time soon, but I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would after seeing some of the takes online.
Prey
Holy shit. What a fun, thrilling, and original journey. I’m not a big Predator franchise fan—this is the second one I’ve seen since the original. But damn was this a gorgeously shot and acted film. Amber Midthunder is an absolute icon and gave me big slayer vibes, a true hero and someone for all young people to look up to.
Everything down to the fight scenes, the emotional points, and even some funny beats was an absolute pleasure to watch, and I can’t wait to rewatch it in Comanche.
Nope
What more is there to add to the conversation about Jordan Peele’s latest, Nope. Keke Palmer absolutely blew me away, and her character’s queerness and final girl moments were big highlights for me. This movie kept me on my toes for the full runtime and left me thinking about its themes and eeriness for a week afterward. The cinematography was truly out of this world, the dialogue was hilarious and heartfelt. I loved every minute of this film.
I’ll share more thoughts on our newest episode of Fear Queers this week where we cover the movie of the summer—what did you all think about Nope? Where would you rank it in your Jordan Peele list thus far?
TV Shows
Stranger Things Vols. 1 + 2
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: season 4 of Stranger Things reignited my love for the show. Consider having a listen to the Fear Queers episodes below for full thoughts about favorite scenes, character development, where we think the show will go from here, Will’s sexuality, and so much more:
Paper Girls
As a huge fan of the Paper Girls graphic novels, you can imagine my delight when I found out a TV show was coming out bringing the characters I had read, enjoyed, and cared about for years to life. Thankfully, the show is great! The acting and delivery from every character is top notch, and the talent on this team is truly something special. I think a lot of Stranger Things fans would enjoy Paper Girls if they gave it a shot.
The fact that this show was shot on location in Chicago only made me love it more—seeing a conversation about young love and queerness in my local movie theater, and watching these young girls make their way back home brought a big smile to my face along with so many questions. It’s already time for a rewatch, and I’m praying it gets renewed for a second season.
Love Island UK Season 8
YOU ARE A LIAR, EKIN-SUUUU!
I have to put this on the list simply because Love Island saved my life when I had Covid. All I could do was immerse into the lives of these hot, ridiculous people looking for love, and I cannot believe how emotionally invested I got. If you need some hilarious brain rot, look no further than season 8. You will not be disappointed (and you’ll be speaking in a British accent for weeks).
Conjuring Kesha
This is just fucking delightful. Kesha is such a strange and sweet person, and this is giving me all the Ghost Adventure feels I’ve been missing. With her famous friends like Big Freedia and Whitney Cummings, Kesha goes on adventures to some of the most haunted places in the US and brings us along. What more could you really ask for?
Dead End: Paranormal Park
I’ll never stop praising this transformative, special, one of a kind show. Besides the fact that its main characters are a queer trans boy, a neurodivergent brown girl, a hilarious demon, and adorable talking puppy, Dead End: Paranormal Park is about friendship, frights, and finding yourself. While it leans toward a YA audience, some shots and monsters in the show actually gave me nightmares. I also highly recommend the original graphic novels that give so much more context to an already perfect TV show. Oh, and it’s CAMP—think Dollywood, but haunted.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Babes, we already knew I was going to lose it over this one. And I did. Everyone is buzzing over Original Sin, as they should. We all know I’m a massive fan of the original show, and this slasher twist is icing on the cake for me. I’m left with more and more questions after each dramatic and over the top episode ends, and I grow closer to the main girls as they continue to uncover the mystery that is A.
Last week’s Halloween episode was *chefs kiss* as expected, and the horror references are smile-inducing. So far, Tabby has my heart as the resident film nerd of the group, and there’s just something a little too suspicious about Mouse. What do y’all think, are you keeping up with Original Sin?
Comics
Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer
A must-read for any fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This book is full of care for the characters we know and love, and punchy moments that are funny, inspiring, and so fucking sad. Plus Buffy as an undercover slayer in her 50’s is, expectedly, hot. One of my favorite pieces of Buffy media since the show’s finale.
I Hate This Place
After inheriting a plot of land and farm house, queer couple Trudy and Gabby begin the next chapter of their lives together in a home that’s…larger than life? Meaning, they’re roommates with a mysterious force that’s attracted ghosts, aliens, and all types of supernatural beings for decades. Yikes.
The art in this series is stunning, and the mystery and tension are so evident. You can really feel what Gabby and Trudy feel, their fear and anxiety, which makes a great horror/sci-fi comic to me!
Aaaand that’s the list! Is there anything you’re going to check out, or some things you already have? Let me know, and I’d love to hear your suggestions—what are some shows, movies, games, and comics that y’all are enjoying lately? Post them in the comments or email me: hellomonstercamp@gmail.com. Catch you next time, ghouls!
Stay queer, spread fear,
Beyza 🎃 🖤
so many great picks here, but of course no one can outshine EKIN-SUUUUUUUU