As an end-of-year scheme, I came up with a cockamamie idea to watch 31 horror movies this January – one per night – and write an extensive response to each, as a way to raise money for the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Multicultural Women Against Rape. I did this once before, though to no one’s real benefit. (Or at least not their monetary benefit.) So, it’s heartening to see this 31 Days of Fright fundraiser has raised over $1,000 for the TRCC / MWAR so far. So, congratulations, kind donors! You’re supporting TRCC/MWAR’s resources, including a 24-hour crisis line, counselling, and court support!
But I’m not the only one proud of you. The TRCC / MWAR thanks you profusely, as well:
You can still donate here, if you like the project – up until the end of January. (Please do!) As part of the deal, anyone who donated $25 or over were given the power to select one of the horror movies I’d watch and write about. People got really into it, sending me a combination of classics both old and modern, as well as some really intriguing obscurities. And I haven’t seen any of them before! I’m pretty excited about a whole new palette of disturbing nightmares.
So, without further ado, I present to you the list of movies for January’s 31 Days of Fright screenings. I haven’t seen any of them, save one (It Follows) which was strongly requested – nay, demanded – by one donor.
- Paranormal Activity (2007) · trailer
- The Wicker Man (2006) · trailer
- Pet Sematary (1989) · trailer
- Ju-On (2002) · trailer
- Borgman (2013) · trailer
- White Zombie (1932) · trailer
- Stir of Echoes (1999) · trailer
- The Howling (1981) · trailer
- The Exorcist III (1990) · trailer
- Rodan (1956) · trailer
- Shivers (1975) · trailer
- Lake Mungo (2008) · trailer
- Spring (2014) · trailer
- Rituals (aka The Creeper) (1977) · trailer
- Flesh Eating Mothers (1988) · trailer
- Deadly Blessing (1981) · trailer
- The House with the Laughing Windows (1976) · trailer
- Candyman (1992) · trailer
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) · trailer
- Prophecy (1979) · trailer
- Re-Animator (1985) · trailer
- Lemora (1973) · trailer
- Stagefright (1987) · trailer
- Witchfinder General (aka The Conqueror Worm) (1968) · trailer
- V/H/S (2012) · trailer
- Alice Sweet Alice (1976) · trailer
- Society (1989) · trailer
- Chopping Mall (1986) · trailer
- Possession (1981) · trailer
- It Follows (2014) · trailer
- The Stepfather (1987) · trailer
Hopefully, this list represents a variety of genres, eras, cultures. Like last time around, if we’re friends on Facebook, I’m going to hold a couple ‘public’ screenings, if you want to get in on all this horror viewing. Or just message me if you want to watch a particular one of these films alongside me. As with my last horror-movie binge, prepare for daily write-ups that include such highlights as
- what happens
- takeaway points
- judgment: truly terrifying or truly terrible?
- best outfit
- best line
- unexpected cameo
- unexpected lesson learned
- most suitable band name derived from the movie
Stay tuned for more 31 Days of Fright updates throughout January. I’ll kick things off on January 2 with a write-up on Paranormal Activity, as suggested by friend and former co-worker Christina Palassio.