Fall Flicks: Cozy up with these fall favorites

The changing seasons means different things to different people. The segue from luscious green, warm summer days, to the fiery red fall chill, doesn’t sit well for everyone. I always have the toughest time accepting that summer really is coming to an end; that the sun-soaked days will soon be in the past. One thing that makes me feel better about letting go of summer is thinking of what autumn brings. Brisk days call for a cozy sweater, warm soups, every food item flavored with pumpkin or spiced apple, and beautiful orange leaves providing a dramatic and defiant goodbye to the tree they’ve grown on all season. Despite signaling the end of summer, autumn is a magnificent seasonal shift. There are a few ways to sink into this shift, and one of those is watching films that capture what fall feels like, to help get you in that cozy fall mood. If you’re stumped on which ones to watch, trust a certified movie buff; I’ve got you covered. Here are a few things to watch as you gear up for the spooky, amber-colored time of year.

When Harry Met Sally

While this film goes through all the seasons as it shows Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal blindly falling in love with each other through the years, autumn is definitely the main season in this 1989 romcom. The big sweaters the actors wear don’t just scream the ‘80s, they scream crisp weather. There are scenes in Central Park where every leaf is a lovely shade of orange. The trees surrounding the characters make viewers yearn for autumn. If New York City isn’t on your list of places to visit this fall, watching this movie will transport you to the Big Apple – maybe while you eat a caramel one. The film has an R-rating for language, sexual innuendos, and adult material.

Tower Heist

This film, also set in New York City, takes place on the most fall day of all – Thanksgiving. With an all-star cast including heavy hitters like Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, and Alan Alda, to name a few, this 2011 film follows the workers of a high-end NYC apartment as they plan to rob the richest tenant in the building. Set in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, this movie provides an action-packed fall punch. The catalyst of the film even takes place during the Macy’s Day Parade. The film has a PG-13 rating for language; however, the appearances of Snoopy and Kermit the Frog make it possible to enjoy with family members of all ages.

Monster House The days leading up to Halloween are filled with anything but positive excitement for three kids living in a seemingly innocent suburb when they realize their cranky old neighbor’s house is actually alive. The film follows those three kids as they attempt to save trick-or-treaters from the dangers of the true-to-its-title, monster house. Don’t let the PG-rating fool you. This 2006 animated horror/ comedy scared the living daylights out of me when I was a kid. Steve Buscemi plays the cranky old neighbor, while Maggie Gyllenhaal voices the angsty, unassuming babysitter. Get the whole family together for this campy film that screams Halloween.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This is another film that goes through all the seasons but captures fall in a way only public school kids would appreciate. The film, based on the best-selling comic book series by Plainville, MA resident Jeff Kinney, follows Greg Hefley as he navigates his first year in middle school – and school always signals the beginning of fall. As Greg goes through the motions of adapting to middle school, he deals with the end of trick-or-treating, struggling to be cool, determining the strength of his friendships, and learning not to use the word “playdate.” This PG-rated film is perfect for the whole family and an excellent way to empathize with any kiddo mourning the loss of their summer freedom.

Halloweentown

Living in a place that’s Halloween all year round has never lost its allure. Disney Channel’s fourth-ever original movie packs a Halloween punch while following a young girl who discovers she is a witch. She gets transported to Halloweentown, where she must battle the evil that looms within. The 1998 film stars Debbie Reynolds, an eccentric and wise witch helping her granddaughter understand her new powers. The entire set of the film screams Halloween: Jack-o-lanterns, fall leaves, every-fictional-species-imaginable, and even a few flying-broomstick scenes. Get the fluffy blanket out, cozy up on the couch with your bowl of candy corn, and watch this film full of magic.

The Twilight Saga

If you want a film free from an overabundance of witches and pumpkins yet still want that chilly, spooky fall film vibe, may I suggest a super underground franchise not known by many (of course, I’m joking). The Twilight movies are based on the books by Stephenie Meyer and follow werewolves and vampires as they fight to protect one human stuck inside their wild world. The movies have everything, action-packed fight scenes, shirtless hot men, the changing leaves in the Pacific Northwest, and, scariest of all, love. Watch it for the first time or for the three millionth time, like me, this spooky season.

Silver Linings Playbook

The start of football season is a big indicator that fall is here. The Academy Award-nominated film has a huge focus on fall-time football and Halloween. It stars Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper. The latter plays a character with bipolar disorder who befriends Lawrence’s character. De Niro’s character plays the father. He makes money by betting on football games. The focus on football and Halloween scenes makes this movie a great sports/drama film to watch to get those subtle hints at the upcoming season. Rated-R due to language, nudity, and some violence. Please be aware of the heavy content before viewing.

“Gilmore Girls”

I’m throwing in a TV show that captures the essence of coziness and fall like no other TV show. Mix together a charming New England town with a fast-paced, witty script, throw in a warm, fuzzy soundtrack, and you’ve got “Gilmore Girls.” Get ready to daydream that life was as tranquil and innocent as life in Stars Hollow, and grab some coffee, no matter the hour, to watch this fall-ish show.

There are THOUSANDS of films that could fit here, but alas, I don’t have thousands of pages to fill. I hope some of these films help the transition from summer to fall be smooth and easy to digest. Until next season! •