The Community EditionA GUIDE TO AUTUMNAL MOVIES TO VIBE WITH
As the leaves turn colours and the temperatures begin their gradual decline, we begin to withdraw indoors. Pies and tomato soups, warm teas and warmer blankets. In this search for coziness, we turn to movies to remind us of the wonder and mystery of Autumn.
Here is a list of movie recommendations for the season categorized according to theme. Read through and watch them where you can (both Waterloo and Kitchener Public Library offer a selection of DVD’s you can borrow, along with online access to Kanopy’s video streaming service)!
Movies with Autumn or Fall in the name
A Tale of Autumn (1998): Éric Rohmer movies are ridiculous, romantic and unfailingly genuine. This one is no exception, starring a widowed vineyard owner caught in the schemes of her two friends who attempt to get her back into dating.
Autumn Sonata (1978): A mother and daughter spend a night unpacking a lot of childhood trauma. Ingmar Bergman is one of the best to ever do it.
The Fall (2006): A stuntman recounts a tale of heroism and a fight against an evil ruler to a young girl while they both recover in a hospital. Incredible use of colours.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009): Sam Witwicky is about to begin his freshman year of college when he is called upon once again to help his Autobot allies—this time against an ancient Decepticon threat. Military-entertainment complex aside, the visual effects in this are unbelievable.
Scary (please check parental and trigger warnings)
Cure (1997): One of the many quintessential films of Japanese horror. Showing at the Princess!
Possession (1981): This one is incredibly graphic, unsettling and maybe even funny. Featuring an extremely disturbing scene in a subway.
Mad God (2021): Director Phil Tippet had to check himself into a psych ward midway through production, though whether it had anything to do with the film itself is…unclear.
The People Under the Stairs (1991): Showing at KPL Central Library this October as a part of their scary movie series! A movie about crazy evil landlords? What’s not to love?
Farm
Harvest (2024): Accusations of witchcraft, expropriation of land and truly stunning cinematography. Somewhere along the lines of Terrence Malick and early Yorgos Lanthimos.
The Gleaners and I (2000): One of the best documentaries ever. It’s a joy to watch Agnes Varda meet, interact with, and discover the world of gleaners: people who—for a variety of reasons—gather farm produce left over after a harvest.
Shaun The Sheep Movie (2015): Can it be said that the narrative following Mr. X and the mindlessness with which his haircuts go viral can offer valuable insight into the rise of online influencer culture? Maybe.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Wes Anderson at arguably his best (although I prefer The Grand Budapest Hotel).
Personal picks
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Scarves, sweaters, brisk air, and a whole lot of dreary skies.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008): Few things offer as formative of an experience for a child than a story involving some rag-tag youngsters who discover a wonderous fantasy world.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990): A prime example of how New York City and the movies have always gone hand in hand. Holds up to this day!
Hall of Fame: Practical Magic (1998), Hocus Pocus (1993), Ghostbusters (1984), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Hereditary (2018), David Lynch, Tim Burton, Donnie Darko (2001), House (1977), Gilmore Girls, anything vampires, Charlie Brown.
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