A frightening hometown thriller

BLACK CHRISTMAS Recommended by David Strickland, musician

“This 1974 film is the ultimate contrast to the cheery and saccharine mood of most holiday movies. Though the phone call premise seems a bit dated now, it’s a frightening masterpiece, without much gore. It was also shot in Toronto—there’s even a reference to Scarborough, where I grew up—which you’d only notice if you were from here.”