Crisp leaves, layered coats and woollen jumpers, romance, friendship, New York City and throw in a witch or two – these are the cosiest flicks to curl up to this weekend …
You’ve Got Mail
Meg Ryan, seemingly the face of autumn, with ‘New York in the Fall’ as the romantic interest. Joking! Hanks is wonderful in this flick. Directed by the legendary Nora Ephron, this film is the perfect antidote to any blue feelings about the cold rainy weather or dark evenings. Meg stars as Kathleen Kelly the owner of a children’s book shop, The Shop Around The Corner – a fictional place where we have always longed to go. Queue Tom Hanks as Joe Fox of the bookshop empire Fox Books and Sons. While a Fox Books superstore pops up beside Kathleen’s shop and her business begins to suffer – Kathleen and Joe engage in an online friendship – in which they have no idea who they are talking to. It’s an enemies to lovers trope that we just cannot get enough of. Throw it in an autumn movie marathon, you will not regret it.
When Harry Met Sally
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walking around New York City just cinematically sums up this time of year. Sally Albright (Meg) boasts the perfectly oversized fashion of the 90s that we so love now – and the evolution of her hair as the movies progresses is just fantastic. The natural, humorous chemistry between the two just oozes out of the screen and feels like a warm hug on a cold autumnal day. They start, of course, as two graduates who are lumped together by a mutual friend to drive together to New York to start their adult lives. When fate brings them back together five years later, they form a friendship and are forced to deal with how they feel about each other. Pop the kettle on, pull up your slipper socks and get cosy for this one.
Good Will Hunting
97 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes – the toms don’t lie. This film has got the heart and the uplifting feeling that we so need right now. It is also incredibly pleasant to know as you watch that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, being the best friends they are, wrote it, starred in it and won Oscars for this wonderful creation (we love a back story), and we could watch Minnie Driver any time of the year. Damon stars as Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT who, although has had an extremely tough upbringing, is a mathematical genius. He is faced with love, life lessons and therapy from Robin Williams – which as you can imagine leaves you feeling contently contemplative post-watch. This really is one for everyone.
The First Wives Club
If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching The First Wives Club yet – this is a fun, fun, fun movie and one to watch if you’re having a cosy girly night in. An iconic trio of Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton make this the fun loving, sassy, wild and wacky film it is. The story surrounds three friends who attend the funeral of their classmate who committed suicide due to her husband’s adultery. But these women end up being dumped by their rich husbands for younger women – and so revenge ensues. A great watch, with music, humour, friendship and glamour – pop it on the watch-list.
Pride and Prejudice
A Jane Austen is an essential for cosy nights in and the 2005 Pride and Prejudice is always reliable. Autumnal-esque, possibly because Keira Knightly looks a little chilly throughout, it makes it onto our autumn viewing list. Joe Wright’s direction is a feast for the eyes, with sun speckled rolling landscapes, English cottages and opulent interiors. Elizabeth Bennett (Keira) is a strong-willed, second sister of five, who meets single, rich and proud Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen). As they fall in love – it begs the question – will they be able to overcome their pride and prejudice? You know the story and the fabulous cast – add it to the list.
Knives Out
If you are looking for something more fast paced and thrilling, Knives Out is the dark, thriller, comedy to watch. Daniel Craig stars as Benoit Blanc, a renowned detective who visits a family to investigate the death of the father, grandfather and patriarch of an family (Christopher Plummer) – with each member as eccentric as the next, and with Ana de Armas as the late patriarch’s home nurse who knows more than she is letting on, it also stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Toni Collette, Katherine Langford. This ensemble cast is really one to watch.
Hocus Pocus
We have to throw a Halloween one in here. Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy as a trio of plotting sister witches is a classic and an October must. These three witches resurrect after 300 years and plot revenge on Salem, the town which sent them to their deaths. They also begin a reign of terror after Max, a young boy moves back to Salem with his family and lights the cursed Candle of Black Flame. The costumes, the acting, the humour all wrapped up in a spooky and entertaining bundle for us at home.
Retro Drive-In Leopardstown
If you’re stiffening up from sitting on the sofa and are in the mood to get out and about, head to Retro Drive-In movies at Leopardstown – with all the amenities of a normal cinema on offer. This is a multi-award winning outdoor cinema experience just waiting to engross you in their selection of spooky movies for the autumnal period. Hocus Pocus, Ghost Busters, Beetle Juice, The Shining, Halloween Ends, Scream, The Witches, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Snapper! are all being shown, plus other horror films that are not for the faint hearted! Book here for a real hands-on experience; www.retrodrivein.ie.
