Autumn is my favorite time of year, and the period between mid-September and Thanksgiving in Northern Illinois presents days of breathtaking beauty and temperatures we wait all year to enjoy.
For those who endured winter's bitter cold and summer's unrelenting heat and humidity, early October's daytime highs of 70 degrees and low humidity are akin to a refreshing cup of water after a long period of physical work.
From September 20 to Oct. 12 the region experienced a pleasant stretch of moderate temperatures and low humidity during the day and cool nights when the low reached the upper 40s where I live. Air conditioners that had operated nearly non-stop since June were finally shut-off and heating furnaces were idle. We opened windows and left them mostly open for days on end. It was a welcome relief and many enjoyed it all to the fullest.
My wife and I enjoyed walks in parks, forest preserves, and just about any location where more than few trees could be found. And nature did not disappoint, fall colors were abundant and leaves were only beginning to fall.
Pumpkin-spiced items from beer and coffee to cookies and even Twinkies are everywhere. As one who enjoys pumpkin spice, apple cider doughnuts, and sweatshirts, I couldn't be happier than I was during these past few weeks. Heck, I was even wearing a pair of shorts on October 12.
We're now beyond October's halfway date and temperatures are steadily declining. The next few days are expected to see high temperatures only in the low 40s and overnight lows will reach 32-degrees. Snow showers are predicted for late this evening.
Autumn is settling in and November quickly approaches. The combination of the honking geese and the sound of their flapping wings is a personal favorite. It is to me the sound of autumn in the Midwest.
Autumn sights in film
I'm frequently asked about my favorite autumn films, and I'm happy to offer a few titles, films I return to again and again to celebrate the season or when I need a fix of cool temps. What makes a film set during autumn truly enjoyable for me is the atmosphere the director captures through images, sound, lighting, and special effects (generally called cinematography).
I distinguish films set in autumn from horror films, although I can name several horror films that successfully capture the spirit and familiar images of autumn. Those images include shadows, brilliant sunsets, falling leaves blown along lanes, skies that are either cloudless azure or overcast and windy.
Here are a few films I think capture autumn's images and sounds, if even for only a few moments.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Directed by Frank Capra
The Trouble With Harry (1955) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Ghostbusters (1984) - Directed by Ivan Reitman
Dead Poets Society (1989) - Directed by Peter Weir
October Sky (1999) - Directed by Joe Johnston
Far from Heaven (2002) - Directed by Todd Haynes
Knives Out (2019) Directed by Rian Johnson
Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments or send an email
Thank you for reading. I can be reached at kbotterman@gmail.com.
