Nominated for this by the lovely @princessskater
Day 1 - October 1st
1) Favorite werewolf film
I'll have to go old school for this and pick the original "The Wolf Man" (1941). While Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen could almost have swung this in favour of "Underworld" (2003), it's just not in the same league (and I heartily approve of the Welsh setting, even if it is basically just the same generic folksy "Überwald" as in so many other classic Universal films).
2) Favorite vampire film
Tough one, but I'll go with "The Hunger" (1983). David Bowie's tortured performance as a ruthless but pitiable yuppie vamp who discovers a horrible catch to his immortality is enough to sell this alone, but great acting across the board and lovely atmospheric visuals from director Tony Scott who I hazard a guess paid close attention to brother Ridley's chilling, otherworldly cinematography in "Alien".
3) Favorite zombie film
No contest. The original "Dawn of the Dead" (1978). Bleak, cynical, yet twistedly hilarious (much as I love "Shaun of the Dead", this film pretty much anticipates its parodies), and the Goblins soundtrack just nails it. More on them later ...
4) Favorite ghost film
It was very nearly "Crimson Peak" (2015), as those richly decadent del Toro visuals along with Tom Hiddleston's bare butt are pretty convincing arguments. I shall have to go with "The Haunting" (1963) though, as it scared the living bejeezus out of me on the strength of pure atmosphere and paranoia, long before "The Blair Witch Project" got in on the game, and is still reliably eerie (and indeed haunting) on repeat viewing.
5) Favorite witchcraft film
A tie between "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) and "Suspiria" (1978). The former has the better performances and script, but the latter has absolutely unsurpassed sets and visuals from the great Dario Argento, a thoroughly insidious nightmare-like atmosphere, and another phenomenal Goblins soundtrack. Neither are very complimentary towards witches, sadly. :(
6) Favorite giant creature film
Not really much of a kaiju girl, to be honest. I guess the original "Gojira" (1954) has the freshness, shock, and awe of being the first of its kind, the raw emotion of following on so closely from its dire inspiration (the atomic bombings of Japan), and another killer soundtrack. Kind of inclined to just cheat and pick "Transformers: The Movie" (1986) though. ;) Poor, poor Optimus (sad sniffles, to this day) ... :(
7) Favorite frankenstein/science gone awry film
"The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), partly because I love the design of the titular creature (what a shame she never really got to shine), but mainly for Ernest Thesiger's devilishly, delightfully camp performance as the villainous (but ever so appealing) Dr. Pretorius. Amazing production all round, and John P. Fulton's trick camerawork - especially the scene with the homunculi in the glass jars - is utterly awe-inspiring and seamless (It would look amazing nowadays, and he had no computers to help him back then).
8) Favorite supernatural slasher film
"The Fog" (1979). Beautifully minimalist, eerie ghost story with a strong female lead and John Carpenter's wonderfully creepy piano playing to complement the dread.
9) Favorite alien film (horror related)
Unoriginally, "Alien" (1979). Slow but tense burn, stunning visuals, stunning music, great performances, and I love the whole "truckers in space" premise.
10) Favorite psychological horror film
Since "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Haunting" have already had their moment, I'll pick "The Innocents" (1961): a marvellously creepy adaptation of "The Turn of the Screw" which puts us squarely in the less-than-reliable POV of the governess, never leaving us certain of what is supernatural and what might simply be her escalating breakdown. Not that the children aren't legitimately creepy whatever the explanation ...
11) Favorite horror comedy
"Shaun of the Dead" (2004). While "Dawn of the Dead" (as mentioned) pretty much sends itself up, I won't deny I laughed my socks off on repeat occasions watching Edgar Wright's affectionate (and very British) tribute to the genre. Not to mention it's got Bill Nighy. How's that for a slice of fried gold?
12) Favorite foreign (language) horror
"Ringu" (1998). The English language remake isn't bad, but this is one of those occasions where less is more, and the Japanese folkoric subtext adds an extra depth of otherworldly eerieness.
Bonus:
13) Most memorable final girl
I feel like I ought to pick Ellen Ripley or Sarah Connor, but I've a soft spot for Suzy Bannion from "Suspiria", probably because I always wanted to be a ballerina (and it doesn't hurt to be one who knows the right moment to shove a glass dagger through an evil, near-omnipotent hag's neck, and thus inspire so many quests in Skyrim ... possibly).
Anyone who wants to have a go, please do, but since it's customerary to name a few nominees, here they come ...
@badabigail @ferkixlll @violetgrey @dhyani @skydot
