When Fall is Coming- My Recommended Movie for Seniors

My Recommended Movies for Seniors

When Fall Is Coming - A Quiet Film for the Autumn of Life

Recently, I watched a French film on Prime Video with English subtitles, When Fall Is Coming. It is not the kind of movie that grabs you in the first five minutes. There are no loud scenes, no dramatic music pushing you along. Instead, it unfolds slowly, almost gently and before long, I realized I was completely absorbed.

At this stage of my life, I find myself drawn to stories like this. When I was younger, especially during my professional years, I preferred films with strong plots, clear direction, and a sense of accomplishment at the end, much like my own life at that time. But now, at ninety-one, I appreciate something different. I look for reflection rather than resolution.

This film is about relationships, particularly family and how complicated they can become over time. It touches on aging, memory, regret, and the quiet tensions that exist even among those who love each other. Nothing is spelled out clearly. Instead, the film leaves room for interpretation, which I found both intriguing and very true to life.

What stayed with me most was the uncertainty. Was what happened intentional, or simply an accident? The film never fully answers that question. And as I thought about it afterward, I realized how much of life is like that. We often look back and wonder about our own decisions what we meant to do, what we actually did, and how others experienced it.

In my own life, I have seen many seasons, raising a family, building a career, and now living a quieter, more reflective existence. These days, my happiness comes from simple routines: playing bridge several times a week, writing my daily blogs, and hearing from my children. The pace of life has slowed, but in many ways, it has also deepened.

When Fall Is Coming feels like a film made for this stage of life. It does not rush. It does not try to impress. It simply observes, much like we do as we grow older watching, remembering, and occasionally questioning.

This is not a movie for everyone. Some may find it too slow or too subtle. But for those who are willing to sit with it, especially those of us in the later chapters of life, it offers something meaningful: a chance to reflect. I recommend it highly for senior citizens. 

And perhaps that is what autumn, whether of the year or of life, is really about.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview: 

When Fall Is Coming

 (original French title: Quand vient l'automne) is a 2024 film directed by François Ozon that blends a quiet retirement drama with the undercurrents of a psychological thriller. 

Plot Overview

The story follows Michelle (played by Hélène Vincent), a retiree living a peaceful life in a Burgundy village. Her tranquility is disrupted when her estranged daughter, Valérie, visits with her grandson, Lucas. 

• The Catalyst: During the visit, Michelle prepares a mushroom dish that accidentally poisons Valérie. While Valérie recovers, she uses the incident to forbid Michelle from seeing Lucas again.
• The Turning Point: Michelle finds new purpose and companionship in Vincent, the son of her best friend Marie-Claude, who has just been released from prison.
• The Mystery: As their bond deepens, a tragic "accident" occurs, leaving the audience to question the true nature of Michelle's past and whether certain events were coincidental or calculated. 

Key Themes and Style

• "Autumncore" Aesthetic: Critics noted the film's lush, earthy color palette and cozy rural setting, often described as "autumncore" or "cottagecore".
• Deceptive Calm: While the film appears to be a gentle character study, it is a "tonal bait-and-switch" that slowly uncovers family secrets, guilt, and moral ambiguity.
• Ambiguity: Ozon purposefully leaves key moments off-screen, forcing viewers to decide for themselves who is "guilty" or what truly happened.
• Ageism Rejection: The film is praised for portraying an older female protagonist with complexity, agency, and a "complicated past" rather than as a one-dimensional "sweet grandmother". 

Critical Reception

The film has been highly praised, holding a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of early 2025. Reviewers from The Guardian and Variety highlighted Hélène Vincent’s performance as masterfully nuanced film that doesn't rely on typical thriller.

REVIEWS

“French filmmaker François Ozon has cooked up a little mystery and an enigmatic heroine. A sleek, modestly scaled entertainment about families, secrets and obligations, it features fine performances and some picture-postcard Burgundian locations…Looks can be deceiving, though, as we’re reminded, and as Ozon’s movie goes along, that picture grows amusingly slyer.”
– Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

“[A] crackling autumnal thriller…France’s most prolific filmmaker returns with another crisp delight.” 
– David Opie, IndieWire

★ ★ ★ ★ “A small gem of a mystery…Hélène Vincent is a treat as a devoted grandmother who isn’t quite what she seems in this understated tale of family dysfunction…This spry little French-language picture, which delights in subverting our expectations and leaves us with teasing questions about culpability and a crime, shows the director at his most understated, the better to foreground the excellent, intriguingly layered performance from Hélène Vincent.”
– Wendy Ide, The Guardian

“A darkly funny French drama worth savoring…has a number of Ozonian elements that devotees of the prolific French auteur will cherish: intentional plot holes that keep things spicily ambiguous; characters who appear boringly bourgeois but are hiding secret pasts or proclivities or both; a tiny dash of the supernatural; and an irony in all its forms that runs through everything…a rock-solid demonstration of his control over storytelling, technique and ability to get the best from actors.”
– Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

“An elegant, slippery game of tonal bait-and-switch, WHEN FALL IS COMING finds the ever-unpredictable Ozon in mellow, pensive mode…Nobody is exactly who they appear to be, but Ozon’s nimble, perceptive little film takes that as a given: When winter and mortality are beckoning, the past only counts for so much.”
– Guy Lodge, Variety

Lastly,  Why is 'My Way' popular?

"My Way" is a timeless classic that has remained popular across generations due to several factors:

Universal themes: The song's themes of self-reflection, perseverance, and individuality resonate deeply with listeners worldwide.
Iconic melody: The song's catchy and memorable melody, combined with Paul Anka's English lyrics, has made it an enduring favorite.
Cultural significance: "My Way" has been associated with various cultural icons, including Frank Sinatra, who popularized the song in the late 1960s.
Timeless appeal: The song's message and melody transcend genres and age groups, making it a staple in popular culture.
Versatility: "My Way" has been covered by numerous artists, including the Virtuosos Talent Show's version featuring Placido Domingo, José Carreras, Dimash Qudaibergen, and HAUSER, introducing the song to new audiences.

These factors combined have cemented "My Way" as a beloved classic that continues to inspire and entertain people worldwide.

Oscar Winner -Best Documentary Film

From My Recent Readings on the Oscar Winners, 2026

MR NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN is a powerful reminder of what authoritarianism looks like up close and why the world must continue to stand firmly against Vladimir Putin.

MR NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN tonight won the Oscar for Best Documentary.

This is not just a documentary. It is a window into how Putin’s regime operates through fear, indoctrination, propaganda, and violence. It shows how even ordinary spaces like schools can be turned into instruments of the state, used to normalize war and condition the next generation to accept lies as patriotism.

The film was shot over roughly two years by Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, who worked at a primary school in Karabash as both videographer and events coordinator. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Talankin began more seriously documenting what was happening around him as the Kremlin imposed new demands on schools. 

Patriotic spectacles became mandatory. Teachers were expected to push state-approved lessons defending the invasion. Schools had to upload video proof of compliance to a government portal. That requirement, ironically, gave Talankin the cover he needed to keep filming what was unfolding without immediately drawing suspicion.

He originally planned to leave his job rather than help carry out the regime’s messaging. But after connecting with director David Borenstein, he chose to stay and continue gathering footage. That decision transformed the documentary into something even more powerful: not simply an outside critique of Putinism, but an inside record of how dictatorship invades daily life and corrupts institutions that are supposed to educate, not indoctrinate.

And that is why this story matters.

Putin is a violent dictator whose rule has brought death, repression, and devastation on a massive scale. Millions of lives have been upended by the wars, displacement, and destruction tied to his regime. Families have been torn apart. Communities have been shattered. Children have grown up amid trauma and fear because of one man’s obsession with domination and imperial conquest.

Too many people still try to sanitize Putin by describing him as merely “strategic” or “strong.” He is neither admirable nor misunderstood. He is the head of a brutal authoritarian system built on coercion, lies, and bloodshed. MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN exposes that system in a way that headlines alone often cannot.

The courage behind the film only deepens its impact. In the summer of 2024, Talankin secretly fled Russia after evidence emerged that police were surveilling his home. With help from the film’s producers and Borenstein, he escaped and sought asylum in Europe. That fact alone says everything about the kind of regime Putin has created: one where telling the truth can force someone into exile.

This film matters because it shows that art can confront power. That truth still matters. That documenting evil is itself an act of resistance. And that in the face of dictatorship, silence is not neutrality it is surrender.

We should say this clearly and without hesitation: we stand against Putin.

We stand against political repression. We stand against propaganda disguised as patriotism. We stand against the destruction of Ukraine and the normalization of authoritarian violence. And we stand with those brave enough to expose it.

Meanwhile, here's Pope Leo XIV's message last Night:

Pope Leo XIV's recent message is about standing firm in the face of power and pressure. He went live at 3 a.m. to address a threat he received from a powerful political figure, choosing to speak directly to the public without a script or intermediaries. He emphasized the importance of conscience and faith, stating, "I will not step back." The Pope highlighted the challenge of navigating influence and power, warning that silence under pressure can become consent.

In other recent messages, Pope Leo XIV has 

Called for a Ceasefire: Urging an end to violence in the US-Israeli war with Iran, saying "Cease the fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened." He emphasized that violence doesn't lead to justice, stability, or peace.

Advocated for Peace in the Middle East: Expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and other territories, and calling for diplomacy to silence weapons and chart futures with works of peace.

Shared Spiritual Guidance: Delivering a message about pausing for 20 seconds to experience God's presence and spiritual transformation, encouraging devotion, reflection, and obedience to God's call.

Overall, Pope Leo XIV's messages convey a sense of courage, conviction, and compassion, urging people to prioritize peace, dialogue, and faith in the face of adversity.

Finally, My Music Video of the Day: Monti's Csardas for Violin and Piano

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1653598619411587%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

My Reflections on Today's Headlines- March 21, 2026

Reflections on Today’s Headlines — March 21, 2026

At ninety-one, I find myself reading the daily news a little differently than I once did. In my earlier years, the headlines were something to analyze, debate, and sometimes even worry about. Today, they feel more like windows, small openings into a vast, ever-changing world that I am still very much a part of, even from the comfort of my senior community.

This morning’s stories carried a curious mix of science, sport, and global connection.

I was particularly drawn to the reports of the Northern Lights appearing farther south than usual. There is something quietly humbling about that. Long before satellites, forecasts, or scientific explanations, people simply looked up in wonder. Even now, with all our knowledge, the sky still reminds us that we are not in control of everything. At my age, I have come to appreciate those moments of awe more deeply. They are gentle reminders that beauty does not retire.

Closely tied to that is the geomagnetic storm watch, something that, in my professional years, I might have followed with a more technical curiosity. Having spent much of my career at the FDA, I was always interested in how science and systems intersect with daily life. Today, I read such news with a quieter appreciation. The same forces that can disrupt our technologies can also paint the sky with light. There is a lesson in that balance.

Then there is the world of sport. The Belgian Darts Open and the global athletics championships are underway, drawing competitors from across the world. I admit, darts was never my game, but competition itself is something I understand well. In every stage of life, we are striving for something, recognition in youth, stability in midlife, and perhaps meaning and connection in later years. Watching young athletes perform at their peak reminds me not of what I have lost, but of what I have experienced.

And of course, there is the digital world, millions of people logging in to participate in a Fortnite event. It is a different kind of gathering than what I grew up with, but a gathering nonetheless. In my own way, I, too, participate in a global community through my daily blogs. While others connect through games, I connect through words. The tools may differ, but the human need to reach one another remains unchanged.

As I reflect on these stories, I realize that the headlines themselves matter less than what they represent: curiosity, competition, connection, and wonder. These are not bound by age. They evolve, certainly, but they never disappear.

My world today is smaller in some ways. I no longer travel far, and my daily routines are simpler. But through these headlines and through my writing, I remain connected to a much larger story.

And perhaps that is the quiet gift of aging: not stepping away from the world, but learning how to stay connected to it in new and meaningful ways.

Meanwhile, here are other five major stories dominating the news today, March 21, 2026. ( From Perflexity AI)  

1. Escalating US–Israel–Iran conflict

• Joint US–Israeli strikes have reportedly hit Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, sharply raising fears of direct war.​

• Iran has vowed severe retaliation, threatened attacks on enemies in public and tourist locations worldwide, and put its forces on high alert.​

2. Global oil shock and economic fallout

• Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf and broader Middle East have driven global oil prices sharply higher.​​

• Governments are warning of higher fuel costs and broader inflation pressure as energy supplies are disrupted.​​

3. Intensifying political stakes in the US

• With control of a narrowly divided House at risk, key races like Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s New Jersey seat are drawing national attention.​

• Today’s political coverage also centers on White House responses to the Iran crisis, congressional investigations, and the 2026 midterm landscape.

4. Extreme weather and climate-related crises

• Parts of the US are being hit by an unprecedented, dangerous heat wave, tying or breaking March temperature records in some regions.​

• Other areas, including Hawaii’s Oahu, are coping with flash flooding and severe storms at the same time.​​

5. Health and society: care and mistrust

• US pediatric and neonatal providers report rising refusal of not only vaccines but other routine preventive care for newborns, tied to broader medical mistrust.​

• Public health experts warn this trend could reverse decades of progress on infant health and disease prevention

  My Photo of the Day: