A thrilling, spooky evening at the CPC Film Series
It’s great to have it back!

By Nik Hogan
CPC Film Series Correspondent
nikolai.hadleyhogan@mymail.centralpenn.edu
The CPC Film Series made its grand return to the Capital Blue Cross Theatre on Oct. 25.
After a hiatus during the summer term, the event was back on track for the fall term, and what better way to return than with a spooky showing of the 1999 classic “Sleepy Hollow”?
Hosted by Professor Susan Black, a communications instructor at Central Penn College, the event lined up perfectly with Halloween week. As a result, Black chose a film that, while not horror per se, still provided plenty of thrills and chills that fit the season. Before the show, I got to sit down with Black to ask her a few questions about her opinions regarding the film and why she chose it.
First, I asked Black why she selected this film. I wanted to know what drove her to pick the Tim Burton classic, as while it clearly fits the Halloween season, it is a bit more of a lighthearted story, albeit with dark and foreboding moments.
Sitting down with the host

“Of course, I chose the film for the season,” Black said. “But I also feel as if this film can really resonates with a college audience,” she remarked.
She cited how the film utilizes the concept of fear and how the most considerable anxiety for the film’s protagonist, Ichabod Crane, and for many college students, is simply the fear of the unknown.
Not knowing what lies beyond college is a terrifying prospect that few people are willing to think too deeply about while in school. But, as this film shows, when people face the unknown head-on, it becomes less scary and empowers people to continue to work toward improving their situation.
I also asked Black about the role film screenings (like the CPC Film Series) can play in enhancing student engagement or enriching the academic community. She enthusiastically spoke about seeing the Central Penn College community as a tight-knit family unit. She said that events like this, which bring the faculty, staff and student body together, show that a smaller campus community fosters a sense of commitment, joy and determination.
Film review and commentary
After I spoke with Black, the presentation on the film began. I adored how invested Black was in the original “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” short story, written in 1820 by Washington Irving. She went in-depth on the differences between the book and the 1999 film, primarily referring to the more frightening tone in Irving’s story compared to the film’s still grim but more lighthearted tone.
Black provided photos of the cast from the film and the original book and even showed a time-accurate map of the town of Sleepy Hollow . Black immersed the audience lightly in knowledge that allowed people who were familiar with the story and the movie — and those who were not — to learn something about both.
During the presentation, Black shared more about Burton’s auteur style. His work is characterized by a distinct blend of dark fantasy, gothic visuals, quirky storytelling and whimsical characters, which creates a unique cinematic atmosphere recognizable across his films. His work often explores themes of isolation, eccentricity and the blending of beauty with the macabre. A prime example of this is seen in “Sleepy Hollow,” where Burton reimagines Washington Irving’s classic tale with his signature gothic aesthetic. The film’s eerie, fog-laden landscapes, exaggerated set designs, and muted color palettes showcase Burton’s flair for creating atmospheric worlds.

Additionally, Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Ichabod Crane—a peculiar, awkward protagonist—embodies Burton’s tendency to center his narratives on unconventional characters, reinforcing the director’s fascination with the misfit archetype.
This was my first time seeing the film, and as someone who truly enjoys the art of filmmaking itself and Tim Burton’s directing style, I fell in love instantly. The film has a bleak color palette, but when blood and other vibrant things like chalk are shown, they stand out against the dull colors of the film’s world.
I love it when films can artistically change their appearance without relying on too many digital effects like green screens and computer-generated images (CGI). The movie certainly had its fair share of those, but they contributed to the film’s tone, which is unapologetically Burton (which is weird in the best possible way). After the newly released “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” it’s refreshing to see some of Burton’s older works.
While certainly not a flop by any stretch, “Sleepy Hollow” might be forgotten among other Tim Burton classics like “Batman” (1989), “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) and “Beetlejuice” (1988). Because of this, it is understandable that people have not seen the film. Almost the entire audience had not seen the movie before the film series event, which made for a tense and exciting movie-viewing experience.
The importance of the Film Series
The latest CPC Film Series movie demonstrated that the event continues to offer fresh insights, regardless of how much time has passed between screenings. Whether revisiting beloved classics or discovering new favorites, the series consistently encourages participants to reflect on the messages within these films. The event inspires attendees to connect these themes to their own lives, deepening their appreciation of cinema and its impact. The CPC Film Series continues to be some of Central Penn College’s best entertainment, and it’s great it’s back.
Hogan is also secretary of The Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College.
The CPC Film Series will return in the winter 2025 term. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to http://cpcknightlynews.com for more details and an announcement of the movie, the presenter and date.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by media-club co-advisers Professor Paul Miller and Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.