Cozy Up Warm and Dry to these Fall Classics
Reel Reviews: Fall Films
by Donovan Darling Staff Writer
Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.
Matilda the Musical (2022)
A charming and musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s book, it’s a mix of humor, heart, and a bit of magic. The tale of Matilda features a bright young girl with telekinetic powers who uses her smarts and powers to stand up to her neglectful parents and the school bully and headmistress Miss Trunchbull. The musical differs from the ’90s movie with its vibrant, energetic performances, especially from the young cast and the incredible presence of Miss Trunchbull. Tim Minchin’s catchy, clever songs elevate the production, capturing both mischief and warmth, rebellion and joy. With a mix of whimsical storytelling and themes of empowerment, Matilda the Musical is a delightful, family-friendly movie that stays true to the book and original movie while delivering something fresh and entertaining. Rated PG for thematic elements, exaggerated bullying and some language.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Strange yet endearing like all Tim Burton movies, the gothic fantasy Edward Scissorhands has an “autumn in the suburbs” vibe to it. From the pastel cookie-cutter houses to the black hilltop mansion from which Edward comes, to Edward himself — a pale-skinned, darkly clothed, melancholic Johnny Depp — this is a great movie to watch while curled up in a blanket with hot cocoa and buttery popcorn. In the story, Edward is a bit like Frankenstein’s monster, a hobbled-together human, who, like the monster, has to adapt to society. Instead of the monster’s killing spree, thankfully, Edward has a knack for topiary trimming and giving haircuts to his female neighbors. He ends up staying with a local family, and the daughter (Winona Ryder) falls in love with Edward. With gorgeous production design, cinematography, and makeup (with an Oscar nomination), this is a real cinematic treat for the senses. Starring an incredible cast, including Vincent Prince, Alan Arkin, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall and more, it’s rated PG-13 for brief violence and mature content.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
A deeply moving and existential drama, the movie’s repeated line “carpe diem,” seize the day, inspires us to get out of our routine and conformity to express our greatest passions and live our greatest lives. Very much in the vein of “carpe diem” and Whitman’s other line, “cease not till death,” Robin Williams’ character Mr. Keating, an English teacher, attempts to inspire his class of boys at an all-male boarding school in Vermont in the 1950s. And arguably he succeeds, inspiring a group of boys to resurrect a secret artistic society called, you guessed it, the Dead Poets Society, which was formed by alums such as poet Henry David Thoreau. In this group’s meetings in a cave in nearby woods, they share their lives, poetry, music, and joys and fears — and through connection and vulnerability, many discover their passions, such as writing, music, and acting. Sadly, one boy — whose misguided father refuses his son’s dream of acting in lieu of military academy and medical school — commits suicide rather than live a life of his father’s choosing and conformity. Trigger warning for suicide. Rated PG for mature content, but I’d suggest young teens and older.
Fall Facts
🍂 Tree communication: Trees shed leaves in autumn to conserve water, but they also send chemical signals to each other, preparing the forest for winter.
🍂 Aurora Borealis visibility: Autumn is one of the best times to view the Northern Lights due to clearer skies and increased solar activity.
🍂 Hunter’s Moon: The full moon after the harvest moon is called the Hunter’s Moon, named for its brightness, which helped hunters track prey.
🍂 Increased testosterone: Studies show that men’s testosterone levels peak in autumn, possibly due to evolutionary mating patterns.
