Kids are back in school, the leaves are changing call, we’re getting into fall mode, but if you’re still hanging on to summer, Movie Expert Michael Gendron has a few movies to get into the autumnal mood.

Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Starting off with a back to school movie I saw for the first time recently, Richard Linklater’s spiritual follow up to his 90s classic Dazed and Confused, 2016’s “Everybody Wants Some!!”  A group of college baseball players in the year 1980, including recent breakouts Glen Powell and Wyatt Russell, hang out for a few days before class starts and forge new friendships and hopes.    This one is a loving look at the relationship of new buddies forced together in circumstances—really reminds me of early Navy days.  Its funny, nostalgic, and  a great reminder that it’s a beautiful thing when other people invite you into their world. “Everybody Wants Some!!” is available on Blu-ray and can be rented on most digital platforms.

Primary (1960)
For many, fall is also a season of politics and elections…and if you’re looking to jump back to a seemingly simpler time of American politics, I can’t recommend Robert Drew’s 1960 documentary “Primary” enough.  Minnesota’s Hubert Humphrey and John F. Kennedy, hit the campaign trail in the battle ground state of Wisconsin to try and secure the democratic nomination.  It’s a fascinating time capsule of public pandering, public smoking, and polite politics.  It’s a got a real fly-on-the wall type of feel and its equally fascinating to see how much things change and how much they stay the same.  Primary is available on Blu-ray and you can also stream it on Max and the Criterion Channel.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Spirit Halloween seems to open earlier and earlier every year and I know for a lot of people, the moment September 1 rolls around, that’s just an excuse to enter Halloween mode for two months, but what Halloween movie has the best fall mood?  For my money, it has to be “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.”  Right from the opening credits, it just hooks you with its undeniable atmosphere.  In general, this entry is one of my favorite Halloween movies, with great performances all around, thrilling set pieces, and horror movie characters that, for the most part, all make pretty smart decisions. Also for the horror adverse, its scary enough without really being gruesome.  It’ll give you a nice autumn chill down your spine, but nothing more extreme than that.  Halloween 4 is currently streaming on AMC+, Shudder, and if you have the ability, the colors feel especially cozy on UHD.

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Finally, I know this movie spreads across multiple years and seasons, but does any movie have better fall colors than Rob Reiner’s “When Harry Met Sally…”…I think not.  Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal spend a decade trying to determine what type of love the two share, all while wearing some of the best fall fits.  I mean look at those sweaters and jackets.  Cinematic gold with an all time script from Nora Ephron and off the charts chemistry from Ryan and Crystal.    “When Harry Met Sally…” is currently available to rent on most digital platforms or you can pick it up on Blu-ray.