By EMMA LAUS
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Directed by: Ana Lily Amirpour
Advertised as “the first Iranian vampire Western,” this movie contains the typical characteristics of a Western: morality, justice and a desolate setting. However, the film subverts this flawed genre through its feminist themes. It follows “The Girl,” a CD collecting, skateboarding vampire as she lurks through the city at night and prays on amoral men. The film is shot in black and white, which pays homage to its vampire film predecessors and contributes to the bleakness of “Bad City,” where it is set. Although the plot is slow paced, the film’s breathtaking cinematography and general mystique make for an mesmerizing watch.
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Autumn Sonata perfectly captures the essence of fall: a season of reflection and renewal alike. The movie explores the strained relationship between a mother and daughter primarily through dialogue, as their conversations slowly reveal more and more about the two characters and their pasts. From its warm color palette to the calming piano soundtrack, this film develops a peaceful atmosphere right off the bat. However, as it progresses, tensions flare, making it a distressing yet powerful experience. This reflection on the inevitably complex bond between mother and daughter is perfect for a rainy fall evening.
House (1977)
Directed by: Nobuhiko Obayashi
House leans into the absurd and experimental at every turn, making it an unpredictable and thoroughly entertaining watch. Although set in summer, its horror elements render it perfect for a Halloween night viewing. The movie follows the main character, a girl named “Gorgeous,” and her friends on summer vacation at her aunt’s house in the countryside. As with any haunted house film, the place is predictably less idyllic than it may originally have seemed. However, the ways in which this becomes clear to its inhabitants are endlessly creative and just as funny as they are horrifying. Despite being anything but typical, House maintains the charm and suspense of any good horror movie throughout its 88 minute runtime.
Coraline (2009)
Directed by: Henry Selick
Coraline is an unforgettable movie in several regards. For many, the iconic horror scenes have cemented themselves as a point of childhood trauma and the stop motion animation is still impressive more than a decade later. Even minor characters are memorable, whether due to their detailed visual designs or idiosyncratic personalities. Its gloomy setting creates an ominous backdrop to the movie, which begins when a young girl (Coraline) and her inattentive parents move into an old Victorian house. Left to her own devices, Coraline takes it upon herself to explore her new home and soon discovers a secret door leading to a seemingly perfect alternate reality. Despite its status as a children’s movie, Coraline’s imaginative storytelling and stunning visuals have the power to engage audiences of any age.
Over The Garden Wall (2014)
Created by: Patrick McHale and Katie Krentz
(TV Show Honorable Mention)
It feels negligent to write about autumn without mentioning the media I most associate with the season: Over The Garden Wall. The soundtrack, which ranges from eerily orchestral to a cohesive blend of jazz and folk, adds a melancholic undertone to the show. For the most part, the show stays faithful to its autumnal color palette of muted oranges, greens and browns as the majority of its ten episodes are set in the wilderness. The narrative follows two brothers who have become lost in the forest as they encounter an endearing if not slightly off putting cast of characters, each memorable in their own regard. There is a nostalgic undertone to the show, a product of the childlike wonder with which the characters explore their world, as well as the comforting combination of its visuals and music.
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