I was watching the beginning of the first episode of Crystal Lake. I sometimes have the attention of a gnat, so I kept thinking how it reminded me of (possibly) the most bizarre horror flick I watched just a few months back. The movie is called Sleepaway Camp (1983). And being that Camp Crystal Lake is a summer camp, the relation is not such a leap. And if you haven’t seen it, it’s not so bizarre really until the very ending. I had that laugh reaction you do when you’re hit with something your brain has no idea how to process in the moment so you don’t really know how to react. Some cry, some laugh, I assume most laugh, maybe some scream? I laugh, but more so if I am scared with someone else. When I am alone and freaked, I do what I tell most horror flick victims to do, breathe so slow and shallow you can’t hear me. I don’t see why that is so hard, they are always huffing and it drives me nuts. Breath control, people.
I digress. The Sleepaway Camp scene wasn’t scary in a thinking there’s a monster in the closet kind of way, but it was terrifying in that you will never forget this scene/ending/movie for the rest of your days way. It was really a great mix of audio and visual that just sears itself into one’s brain. I don’t know if I can think of anything I have watched that had a similar effect.
I have never been to a summer camp or sleepaway camp. I grew up in a relatively middle class family, but camp just wasn’t a thing. I don’t recall any friends going away either, so I don’t think I really knew it was a thing for others until I was older.
Well, there was another odd thing in the film. There was a teenaged (14-16ish) camp counselor who was hot for the owner who was obviously above 40. That on its own is gross (duh), but unfortunately also very of the time — if 70’s/80’s music wasn’t so damn catchy and I didn’t grow up be-bopping to it, I probably wouldn’t be jamming to it today. But what was odd is he was unattractive (and annoying, and gross, and had nothing going for him) and she was very pretty. Total (pervy) male fantasy I suppose.
Anyway, I realize that I am at the age where scantily clad teens and young women make me want to wrap them in a muumuu. I get that’s not very feminist of me, people should wear what they want without feeling gawked at or criticized, though I have been stared at for wearing sweats. I do live in Florida, but my prerogative, bitches. My formative experiences with perverts can be easily projected when I see men looking in ways they shouldn’t at unsuspecting babies. Okay, they aren’t technically babies, but I am also a bit of an ageist in some ways and at my big ol’ age, 29 years old and younger are babies. Argue with me in the comments if you must.
I am also watching Carrie, the adaptation directed by my favorite director Mike Flanagan, but I am such a sap I have to watch it in increments because bitches be too mean. I have three episodes to go and it’s like I just need to rip the band-aid off and binge it. I felt for one asshole character for about 2.5 seconds before she went complete socio. There’s another I don’t have any idea how I am supposed to have any type of mixed/complex feelings about. Redditors were touting how Flanagan wrote it in a way you see why some choices would be made based on what that character is going through, but there’s one heifer I have yet seen fleshed out and I just wish she’d get her just desserts.
Great acting had by all. I just wish I was less of a pansy. I can watch true crime docs, listen to true crime podcasts, watch horror films, but have one person or a group be cruel to another as is done in bullying, I’m incensed and on the verge of tears. Pathetic!