Leaves are falling. Red and orange are littering the streets of Vanderbilt. Pumpkin lattes are in every coffee shop, and cider is a weekly must-have from Suzie’s. This could mean only one thing: Fall has started. Nothing evokes a fun fall vibe like sitting in a dorm, cozied up under your covers as you eat all the fall favorites from Trader Joe’s, watching a perfect fall movie. With the new season comes classic movies everyone needs to watch; here are five films you should watch as fall begins to unfold.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a Charlie Brown animated Halloween special about unwavering hope, belief and sincerity. This special takes place on Halloween night, in Charlie Brown’s quaint little town. The Peanuts gang is getting ready for Halloween, getting excited about a Halloween party and trick-or-treating, except for one — Linus. Linus is obsessed with the Great Pumpkin, a mystical figure, much like Santa Claus, who rises from the “most sincere” pumpkin patch every Halloween and brings gifts to children who believe in him. While everyone goes trick-or-treating and to the party, Linus sits patiently and waits for the Great Pumpkin.
Meanwhile, Snoopy imagines himself as a World War I flying ace battling the Red Baron, adding a comedic subplot to the lighthearted, fun movie. This special is a perfect fall movie as it encompasses friendship, childhood innocence and hopefulness. The scenery is very atmospheric, capturing the feelings of fall and Halloween. The orange, red and golden leaves litter the ground and trees. At the start of the film, the sky is painted pink and red and then later is pitch black with an infinite number of stars splayed across the sky, creating crisp and cool outdoor scenes and setting a seasonal tone. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a perfect warm and nostalgic short movie that blends the fun of fall, Halloween, autumn coziness and hope, making it perfect to watch with hot cider on Halloween night.
“Dead Poets Society”
“Dead Poets Society” is about an elite all-boys boarding school set in the 1950s. John Keating — played by Robin Willams — the school’s new English teacher is unconventional and inspiring. Keating creates a secret group that shares a name with the film, where the students meet in a cave to uncover writings and embrace creativity. He shows the boys the power of art and poetry and how it awakens the human spirit. He urges his students to break free from societal norms and to think for themselves.
While the other teachers and parents do not agree with Keating’s unconventional style of teaching, the conflict shows what true passion is and the risks of going against conformity. The movie takes place in New England as the autumn leaves drop, and the old brick buildings are dressed in ivy.
This is the perfect fall backdrop. The movie is set at the beginning of the school year, aligning with the changing of weather, making it seasonally fitting. The candlelit poetry readings in the caves, library and warm study rooms, crisp outdoor scenes and brown, red, orange and yellow color palette are perfect for a cozy fall afternoon. The movie is bittersweet, gorgeous, hopeful and tragic, reflecting the fall mood.
“When Harry Met Sally”
This is a romantic comedy about Harry and Sally, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as two graduates from the University of Chicago. The pair share a car as they move to New York, where they discuss that men and women can never be just friends. They go their separate ways, but meet a few years later, when Harry reveals he has a wife. They meet again later on, and Harry reveals they got divorced. From there, Harry and Sally develop a friendship that grows into best friends and then eventually into romantic love. Even though the movie is filled with lots of arguments and stubbornness, both unwilling to accept that they are a perfect match, it is filled with silliness, whimsy and warmth. The film’s most notable scenes are set in New York City’s Central Park during the peak of fall. During these scenes, golden leaves, cozy sweaters and a cool autumn breeze float across the screen, showing the definition of the “autumn aesthetic.” Fall feels cozy and exciting, which is the exact feel of watching “When Harry Met Sally.”
“Hocus Pocus”
This movie is set in Salem, Massachusetts, where two siblings have just moved. On Halloween night, the siblings and their friend explore an abandoned home, accidentally uncovering a coven of three witches. The witches want to stay immortal forever, and to do that, they must steal the life force of children before sunrise.
The three children and a black cat (who was cursed by the sisters) try to stop the witches through a series of tricks and battles, with a lot of magical chases. “Hocus Pocus” is a great movie to watch with your family: it has a fun, spooky and comedic vibe, making it a great Halloween classic.
“Knives Out”
Not a typical fall classic, but nevertheless, a perfect one. It is set in New England, in a creaky old mansion.
In this comedic whodunnit that follows the murder of renowned novelist Harlem Thrombey, a famous detective (Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig) must untangle the web of lies in a very dysfunctional family. Each family member is a suspect, and it uncovers everyone’s woes, problems and family drama. “Knives Out” is a classic whodunnit, making it perfect for a fall night. The mansion is filled with muted colors, books and fireplaces, giving strong “curl up with tea” vibes. The clothing worn throughout the film is sweaters, coats and scarves, perfect for fall fashion. The mystery encompasses the fall mood with a gray sky, rain and cozy tension.
As midterms come and go, remember to go outside and look at the changing leaves. Enjoy a fun fall movie, relax and take advantage of the changing season!
