Undeadcow

I enjoyed We're All Going to the World's Fair last year - it's got a novel premise and I enjoyed the existential qualities of it. Anna Cobb gives a great performance and the artful leering shorts and slow burn of it. I thought the social media video framing was timely. I probably need to revisit it soon.
Deadstream is a gem, I love how everything comes together in the trap ending.

Undeadcow

When Evil Lurks has an odd setup - there are some demon rules that took me off guard and I found a bit confusing even with subtitles from the start; but some of the imagery and twists are fun.
I didn't realize Shudder was opening theatrical films but that was good to see.

WillieMLF

I may try and get some of these in this weekend. You were right about Cobweb....

coyoteblue

I'm aiming at 50 and I'm sitting at 35. I'll make 40's for sure but I'll need a good weekend to make that 50. Otherwise, I've currently got about a 50/50 old/new ratio, which is pretty good. Have to see what it looks like at the end. I'm choosy about what I watch so I'm mostly content with everything I've watched so far.

IBJoel

This is not a criticism (and I'm sure it's been answered before), but how the fuck do you guys hit 100 or 200 movies a month?

Like do you just have stuff on in the background and count that? Like what about work, errands, other hobbies, making meals, et cetera. Do you watch just to watch or do you enjoy most of the films? Do you watch stuff that you aren't even interested in to get those numbers up?

I'm trying to wrap my head around it. I went through 3 movies in the background on Halloween during work last year and I definitely needed a break

BobO'Link

My wife is mostly very understanding of my growing collection. I long ago ran out of shelves so now store overflow titles in plastic totes like this 32-quart Sterilite:

It'll hold a single layer of BR/DVD placed on their side so you can see the titles - 80-100 titles depending on case size. It's also not that heavy when full (a plus). I label the tote with an index number and put it in a room we have dedicated for storage (my media and her baking supplies). In my database I simply note which tote a title's in so I can easily locate it later.

Trevor

As our house fills up and the boxes keep coming I’m getting more and more pushback too.

Just found the huge Vinegar Syndrome box that I ordered in last year’s sale, none of the discs opened yet.

fiver

it helps not to have kids or a life outside of work. I definitely watch all the titles I put on the list , it might be a tough stretch hitting 100 for me but I think I might still do it. By 60 or 70, I am definitely starting to burn out esp if I haven’t been lucky with new titles. This year hasn’t been too lucky that way but I have finally started finding some gems that I will definitely watch again so that re-energizes me for the final sprint,

MysterioMan007

I basically limit my social interaction. I've only gone out once this month and I only work 8 hours a day, sometimes less. I also work from home some days. Horror is my favorite genre and I never get tired of it. So, for me, breaks aren't needed since it's something I really enjoy doing. I took this week off because I had some vacation time, so that helps. One year, 2017, I was unemployed, didn't work at all, and hit 300. But I think I'm on track to hit 200 this year.

In the past, I've had stuff on while I was doing other stuff. This year, though, I've made it a point to pay attention to what I'm watching.

MysterioMan007

The only thing that bothered me about it was that the finale is decided in a physical fight with a ghost in which he "kills" her....which is ironic, since she's been dead for years. But, while the main character is a total self-absorbed dick, I get that it's poking fun at the social media ghost hunters and such because he's so overly dramatic with his screaming and stuff.

Gobear

It also helps to include old movies from the 30s that run 60-70 minutes, e.g. the 1936 Boris Karloff classic The Walking Dead.

clckworang

This is basically me. I'll put a lot of things on hold for a month. I'll usually take a little time off as well. I've never not hit 100, although there have been a couple years when it was down to the wire. I've never hit 200. Not sure if I ever could unless I took the whole month off from work.

If you really want to hit 100, you need to keep in mind you need to average at least 3 movies per day. When you work, the idea is to keep up the pace as much as you can. I typically go to bed around midnight, so I usually have about 6 hours at home. Shave off some time to walk the dog or sometimes pick up food, and you still should have time to get at least two movies in. Then you make up any lost ground on the weekends. It really helps that there are a ton of horror movies that are 90 minutes or less. Heck, a lot of classics are just over an hour. You can really maximize your time by focusing on old Universal horror films and films around that time.

Every year, I'll sort of think about going just for the high number, but then I'd likely not be able to pay so much attention to the subset films. I'm mainly satisfied with how I do.

I think it's so much easier to hit 100 now than when this first started. You can stream so much more now. It's ridiculous. Before, you almost had to have a big collection to do it. The big collection does still help, though, especially if you have it entered into something like DVD Profiler. I can filter to see just the horror films and can also filter by runtime. It's not perfect. Some eligible titles get left out, but it saves a lot of time. I've considered going in and making a custom OHMC tag to add to all eligible films, but I think that might be going a little too crazy. Maybe ...

WillieMLF

Yep, Most everything gets put on hold during October. My typical routine is to watch something over lunch while at work, and watch one on the bike when I get home. Watch one with wifey if she’s up to it. Lather, rinse, repeat. Weekends I will try and get 4 a day at least. I still have to do all the crap that goes with adulting, but by the end of the month I’m exhausted and ready for a break. It’s my favorite time of the year.

ViewAskewbian

Hit 100 tonight with a good choice for the magic number: Halloween 1978. Today is the flicks 45th Anniversary.

Undeadcow

I've been able to break 200 but it does take some pushing. I'm usually busy so try to use watching horror in October to recharge - do more in September (which I usually use as a sort of 'Spring Cleaning'), say 'no' to more things (I usually take on whatever people need so it gives some balance), take some needed rest/relaxation time off work, etc. If I treated it as just a normal time with usual pace I might be lucky to watch one movie a day but I use it more as 'self care' and indulgence.

clckworang

Has anyone here seen The Creator? I notice it has a thriller tag on IMDB and AllMovie. Is it enough of a thriller that I wouldn't feel guilty counting it as a wildcard? It will be playing at the drive-in with Five Nights at Freddy's starting Friday. I was thinking about seeing Freddy's at the regular theater but would much prefer the drive-in.

Chad

I hit it yesterday with The Monster of the Opera. Was hoping to finally reach 200 (never have), but that clearly isn't in the cards. I'll probably top out around 140.

You just described my exact situation minus the wife part. I discovered them a couple years back when it became apparent shelf space was not in the foreseeable future. After having some renovation work done last year, I had to have a good chunk of my collection temporarily relocated to a family's member's house, and these were absolutely perfect for transporting them without losing whatever little organization I had going. Plus you can see everything inside, they stack high, they're light ...love 'em.

I'm still in the midst of my 2 year organization attempt, and mine is anything but typical--usually by boutique label, themes, actors, directors, etc. But once I get that sorted, DVD Profiler updated and some sort of labeling system in place, I might actually be able to find a title without it taking an hour.

brainee

I watched it for last year's challenge. And it sounds like I'm on board with you two. My mini-review from my list post:

A fair title could also be ASMR: The Motion Picture. You know something's up when Rotten Tomatoes has this kind of difference between the critics and the audience:

It's the kind of movie that's arty, indie, and has its heart in the right place (looking at how lonely and unstable people can spiral out of control on the internet) ... so I don't think professional critics want to look bad and pan it. But for an audience, it's awfully dull. **

I've hit 100 6 times, with a high of 121. And I can reasonably see how someone could push themselves a little harder and get to 200. For me, it's been a matter of putting my other entertainment activities (like gaming, reading, sports viewing, anything non-horror) on hold for the month. And there are some things that I could watch while doing something else (like working out, eating lunch/breakfast). When I was going through my Dark Shadows coffin box DVD set, those episodes were great for that. Only ~22 minutes long each (with 1000+ episodes), and easy to keep fitting them in here and there. And with the pacing of daily soap operas, it didn't require my mind to be 100% focused.

I still can't wrap my head around the 300+ totals we used to have. Though I guess if someone is retired/unemployed/bedridden, or has a job where they can get away with watching tv at work, it could be done.

My days of 100+ may be done though. I'm finding I miss doing other things for enjoyment in October besides watching horror. And like IBJoel says, more than 3 movies in a day feels like a grind to me. I'm on pace to hit 50 though this year. And to the vast majority of people, that's still a shitload of horror viewing in a month

mrcellophane

I completed one of my goals for the month: watching all seven of Hammer Film's Frankenstein movies. I'm a huge fan of Hammer's horror movies, but I'd only seen the first five, and not in order. It was an enjoyable project. I'm still adjusting my ranking, but with the except of Horror of Frankenstein, it liked all of them. Peter Cushing is great, and his portrayal of Frankenstein shifted to fit the tone of the movies' stories while still being essentially the same character. I'm thinking about doing a watch of Hammer's Dracula movies next October.

mrcellophane

Don't disparage Skinamarink. I saw a TikTok stating that Science had determined it is the scariest movie of all time so it has to be true!

Spiderbite

I want to do a Hammer challenge for myself next year. There are so many of their horror films I haven't seen. Same for Amicus.

I am currently sitting at 84 so I hope to hit 100 but it will be tight due to various plans over the weekend. Plus, my Halloween night is taken up so no movie watching that night unless I can squeeze one in real late.

I watched a pretty good documentary on Hulu tonight about the fucked up haunted (aka torture) house called McKamey Manor. All the footage was real, and it is some pretty crazy shit. I had watched a different documentary on haunts which included the same house several years ago but this one was strictly focused on the fucked-up sociopath that runs the place. It is nutty how many people out there want to be brutalized and will pay for it.

jacob_b

I'm going to watch that doc but fuck that guy. Heard he makes it so no one wins and it's disgusting. Glad he's out of San Diego (I believe).

Ya I ended up knocking out a bit in theater (was my 4th film of the day there and just got back from dinner) so excited to see it on Shudder and catch what I missed. It was really good, my eyes just got the best of me.

So disappointing for me. Think I stopped on episode 3. Couldn't keep my attention and I was really excited when I came across it.


I am behind on updating my list and hope I remember everything I have watched. Been a crazy time. In a hotel for who knows how long as they fix up my parents place as there is a plumbing issue. Internet a bit slow but luckily got the PS5 hoked up to stream. I think I have hit 100 by now or close to it. What are some of the scariest/best horror films on streaming right now? With a little less than a week left, want to hit up all the good stuff. Friday going to be a wash as I'll be seeing Danny Elfman in concert and his NBC setup.

numbercrunch

I can hit 100 because i work from home and i get up at crack of dawn. Ive typically watched 1 or two movies before 8am

shadokitty

I too work at home, but I'm sitting at 67 right now and have a vet appointment this morning. Unless I get a lot in over the weekend, I don't think 100 will be in the cards. But the journey is the fun part, not the destination.

BobO'Link

I have an understanding family... Married but we have separate viewing areas so she doesn't have to put up with my horror/sf stuff (and I don't have to listen to her constant phone calls or Hallmark Channel/Home & Garden channel/etc.). Kids are grown and moved out. Grandkids come over and watch stuff with me on occasion. All know about October and the challenge. I'll get comments like "Oh... never mind... it's October" when they start to ask if I want to go out to eat. PLUS I tend to watch older films (30s-60s) which are often in the 70 minute range. Even then, most of what I watch is at most 90 minutes. That helps and I can *easily* watch 3 films after getting home from work (around 4pm), even taking time to talk to my wife and eat supper with her. Saturday and Sunday are the really good days as I can get in tons of stuff. I get up at the same time every day so movie watching begins at ~6am and runs until 9-10pm. I watch TV shows when it's getting late as they're easy to make up should I fall asleep at the wheel (which I often do). I'll also have TV episodes ready for when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep (may as well take advantage of those times, eh?). If I'm watching a movie I've seen several times I'll typically "multitask" and be on the computer while watching - mostly just browsing movie/board game sites or light forum reading. I'll also use those times to do some cataloging of movies as that requires little to no thought and is no distraction at all.

Doing all that makes it easy to hit 100. I don't even feel like I'm trying much. Even outside October I'll watch 2-3 movies a night or binge a TV series and watch 3-7 movies on a Saturday or Sunday. *One* year I tried to get to 200, wound up with 157. It absolutely wore me out and I was zapped for months after that effort. I watched 154 another year but it wasn't so draining as I concentrated on shorter things but still... I've always hit at least 100 and average around 110 (not taking those 2 150+ years into account). I hit 100 this past Sunday so am in coast mode now. Basically watching but not "stressing" over numbers. If I didn't work I could easily watch 200-300 - but really don't know if I'd want to watch that much horror in a month. I'll find out when I retire in a couple of years...