It seems like fall starts earlier and earlier every year. The autumnal flavors are out in full force, yet nary a leaf has hit the ground. I, for one, love this.
Although I’ve never been a “Gilmore Girls” type of person, I agree with curating your own fall vibes, and am always on the lookout for the perfect seasonal watch. To help others find their own favorite fall film, I’ve rewatched some of my own and picked a few that deserve their time to shine.
For those who appreciated Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” the 2015 film “Mistress America” is for you. It follows Tracy (Lola Kirke), through her first semester of college in New York City. By the recommendation of her mother, Tracy connects with Brooke (Gerwig), the vibrant and hectic woman who will soon be her step-sister. Tracy finds Brooke inspiring and begins to model herself after her, leading them both down a spiral of bad choices.
As for calling “Mistress America” a fall film, part of what I loved about this movie was the beautiful background of an autumnal New York City. Orange leaves grace the ground, everyone’s wearing beautiful jackets and the plot of the film leads up to a Thanksgiving shared between their two families. As funny as the film is, there’s also a lot of heart behind the journey Tracy goes on to discover herself, which I love.
If you prefer your academia a little darker, I’d have to recommend the 1989 film “Dead Poets Society.” Although this film is already incredibly popular, it’s one that I can’t help but sing praises about. The film is set at a private, all-boys boarding school, where John Keating (Robin Williams), an inspiring new English teacher, has arrived to change the lives of his students. His out-of-the-box pedagogy influences his students, primarily Todd (Ethan Hawke) and Neil (Robert Sean Leonard), to live their lives as they wish and not give in to societal pressures.
“Dead Poets Society” is peak fall for me; the scholarly atmosphere combined with the warm tones of the eighties is part of what makes this film so appealing. The plot is engaging throughout, and as the students are inspired to be themselves, the audience is too. The film is fairly emotional with lots of ups and downs, but if you’re looking for a movie that feels like a nice, chilly breeze, I’d give this classic a watch.
For something on the lighter side, the mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows” should do the trick. The 2014 film, written and directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, revolves around a group of vampires excited to show off their supernatural lives to the documentary crew. Each of the vampires are unique, from Viago (Waititi) looking for love, Vladislav (Clement) looking for power, to Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) whose ultimate goal is to be cool.
The story focuses on the group’s challenges incorporating a new vampire into their lives while feuding with their local werewolf pack. Admittedly, the fall feeling in this film is a little slim, but I find its humor and heart make up for it. With the film’s humorous vampire lore and “realistic” view into a vampire’s life, watching it leaves me excited for Halloween.
Speaking of werewolves, if you’re looking for a fall film with that scary Halloween vibe, I’d recommend the 2001 horror movie, “Ginger Snaps.” This film follows two strange sisters, Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Bridgette (Emily Perkins), miserable in their suburban town and obsessed with death. At the beginning of Ginger’s first period, she’s attacked by a mysterious animal that’s been destroying their town. After her wounds miraculously heal, it’s Bridgette’s job to figure out what’s going on and save her sister.
“Ginger Snaps” is not a watch for the faint of heart. Although the special effects are a little dated, they are not lacking in the freaky department. This film is unabashed in its grotesque nature and doesn’t let up for a second. Propping up the frights, there are plenty of orange leaves with the story leading up to Halloween night. As someone who appreciates a good werewolf film, “Ginger Snaps” delivers.
There are many films people would deem “fall classics,” but these are some that deserve their moment in the spotlight. Hopefully, soon there will be some real orange leaves on the ground, but until then, these movies will have to do.
