Scarecrow Video isn’t just a video store. It’s a landmark for all we love about movies.

Each year, they do a month-long challenge to get people to stretch out and watch some movies they’ve never seen before.

Check out my lists for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The basic guidelines are:

• Watch at least 1 movie per day during the month of October in whatever order suits you.

• Must fall within the psychotronic definition.

• Have fun and get weird.

• If you see something, say something! Post your watches on social media and make sure to tag them with #SCVpsychochallenge. @scarecrowvideo (Letterboxd, Bluesky) @scarecrow.video.official (instagram) and @scarecrow.video (TikTok)

• Want to be part of B&S About Movies’ Scarecrow entries? Just reply or email me at bandsaboutmovies@gmail.com

Here are the challenges!

1. INTRODUCING…: A well-known actor’s first movie. Bonus points if it has an “introducing” credit.

2. FANGS FOR WATCHING: Charm your senses with an anguine flick.

3. SIMIAN CINEMA: Grab a six-pack of bananas and watch a primate film. Something appeeling.

4. MYTHICAL CREATURES: Though they are hard to capture, you must see one in this feature.

5. SHRIEKS & SQUEALS: This one’s gotta have that sound that makes the hairs on your neck stand up and sends shivers down your spine.

6. SQUEAKY REELS: [whispers] This one came out in 1925. Shhhhh!

7. NOW THAT’S BRASS: Skewer the end of week one with a thrust of metal – be it precious or, better yet, base.

8. HOLY WEDNESDAY: …And on the 8th day the Physical Media God watches a Christploitation flick.

9. MASTER OF DISASTER: Watch any Irwin Allen offering.

10. ESTIMATION…DECIMATION: Today’s forecast is mushroom cloudy with a 100% chance of radiation.

11. DYSTOPIAN FUTURE: Polite society just ain’t what it used to be.

12. MOROSE CODE: Nestle into your favorite dark place to view a Gothic horror piece.

13. HOLLYWOODLAND BACK: Made by an indigenous filmmaker or has featured indigenous cast members.

14. “SHUT THE FACE UP”: Watch a TV edit of an R-rated movie, you fairy godmother.

15. GOES WITHOUT SAYING: Feast your eyes on something with little to no dialogue at all.

16. SEQUELAR SUBTITULAR: You know how sequels sometimes have clever subtitles? Like House II: The Second Story…

17. THE WATCHENING: Today’s film title should end with an -ing.

18. VIDEO STORE DAY: This is the big one. Watch something physically rented or bought from an actual video store. If you live in a place that is unfortunate enough not to have one of these archival treasures, then watch a movie with a video store scene in it at least. #vivaphysicalmedia

19. THE ABANDONED PLACE: This spooky classic trope that must inhabit tonight’s viewing.

20. DANCE DANCE DEVOLUTION: Today’s viewing soiree must be some kind of mutant, freak, or genetic mishappening.

21. TWINNERS CIRCLE: Scientists rejoice! Human cloning has been achieved.

22. WRECK TANGLE: Rubberneck a car crash scene.

23. SURVIVORS?: If anything walks away from a plane crash, the chances of it being healthy are pretty slim.

24. IN YOUR DREAMS: Heavy on the dream sequence, Jack.

25. ELECTRIC SLIP’n’SLIDE: Wriggle your way through a sloppy/goopy good time flick.

26. THAR SHE GLOWS: There be a light house in this plot.

27. TRANCING AND HYPNOTISM: Gold watches ain’t just for retirement.

28. THIS IS JEOPARDY: Ken says you must solve the clues to survive the predicament.

29. “OCCULT”URAL CENTER: This one’s gotta have a supernatural hotspot in it.

30. DEVIL’S NIGHT: Mischief, mayhem or pranks – oh my!

31. I REMEMBER HALLOWEEN: This night, anything goes.

Look for posts starting on October 1.