Sunshine 2019: Prompt 3
Jul. 9th, 2019 08:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scripsi
Most of us here have at least one movie/book/tv series/comic book/and more that speaks to us on a special level. Here is your opportunity to wax poetic on those things!
We want to hear what new canons to investigate. Tell us why that thing is cool. Tell us why you enjoy it so much. Tell us where to start if we want to get into it too (and how to find it if it’s not something mainstream that’s easy to find everywhere). It can be difficult to find fandom friends with shared interests sometimes, but this is your chance to cultivate a shared interest!
I’m hopelessly multi-fannish, so at any given time I have feels for several fandoms at once. I never really know what will make me feel fannish, but the fandoms are almost always historical or fantastical. Or both at the same time! I have written fanfics for all the fandoms I mention, apart from Deadwood, because I feel I can’t make the language of that show justice.
I list the fandom in alphabetical order for convenience. There are no spoilers below the cuts, they are just there to not clutter up my f-list too much with a very long post.
All About Eve
What is it: A movie from 1950 which won several Oscars, starring Bettie Davies, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Gary Merill, Celeste Holm, and Marilyn Monroe.
Plot Margo, a brilliant but aging actress takes an interest in a young woman, Eve, who little by little starts to outmaneuver her, both in her private life as well as an actress.
Why I love it: This is the movie which re-started Bettie Davies career, and she’s great here as Margo, and the rest of the cast is great too- especially George Sanders who bagged himself an Oscar for the powerful but unpleasant theatre critic Addison DeWitt. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies and one I wish there was more of a fandom for. There are only a handful of fics on AO3, but they are worth reading. I’m a fan of George Sanders and the kind of polite villains he excelled in, but I find most of the characters in this movie interesting. I like that even the “good” characters have flaws, and there are some interesting themes about ambition, desire and where a woman is happiest. There is also a strong subtext (this is a movie made under the Hays Code, after all), that Eve is homosexual. Not all of that has aged well, but it’s still an interesting movie well worth watching!
How does “All About Eve” examine identity, sexism, and ageism in regards to fame and success (short essay)
Deadwood
What is it: TV show which aired for 3 seasons 2004-2006 with a concluding TV movie from 2019, set 10 years after the events of the series. Starring, among many others, Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif, Paula Malcomson,
William Sanderson, Robin Weigert, Jim Beaver, Kim Dickens, Powers Boothe, Titus Welliver, and Keith Carradine.
Plot Set in Deadwood in the late 1870s this show mix real persons and the actual history of Deadwood with made-up characters. It has a huge cast and a lot of plotlines, but it begins with Wild Bill Hickock coming to camp, and a shady brothel-owner trying to get his hands on a huge gold-claim.
Why I love it: Let’s be clear, I don’t like Westerns as a genre. At all. I also don’t like to watch violence. I still love this show with a passion. The writing is great and the characters are multi-faceted and compelling. When I first started watching I thought it a clear-cut set-up with the villain Al Swearengen (an absolutely brilliant Ian MaShane) opposing the righteous and law-abiding Seth Bullock. With a frail and beautiful widow as the damsel in distress. But as it turns out, Al has hidden depths of compassion as well as a strong sense for the community, and Seth has a vicious temper and a not altogether sound judgment. As for the frail widow- I think a quote from Blackadder sums it up perfectly:
I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a concrete elephant!
In other words, things are often not as simple as they seem. I also love that the various character forms relationships that often are just about them and doesn't have an impact on any overarching plot. It feels very real to me. Also, the costumes are great!
There is a lot of violence and profanity in this show, and pretty much all the racism and misogyny you can expect from the late 19th century. There’s a lot of themes which can be considered triggering, so you may want to proceed with caution.
Doctor Who, the Classic series
What is it: Science Fiction TV-show which ran for 26 season between 1963 and 1989.
Plot Alien with a time-machine picks up human companions and have adventures all over time and space.
Why I love it: First I want to say that I love the new Doctor Who too! Oh yes, absolutely one of my favorite TVshows. However, for some reason, it doesn’t spark my imagination the same way the old show does. And I think the classics need more love.
As there is so much of it I don’t think you absolutely have to start with the first Doctor. Personally, I didn't grow up with Doctor Who, but watched it as an adult, but before the new series started. Though I liked both One and Two it wasn’t until Three the show really clicked for me. I have a penchant for grumpy old Doctors it seems (Twelve is my New Who favorite Doctor), and I also really liked Liz Shaw as a companion. And then the Master showed up. For me, Roger Delgado will always be the ultimate Master, and his relationship with Three the ultimate Doctor/Master. They really have wonderful chemistry, and I say that as a person who almost never wear slash goggles.
I admit watching old episodes of DW demands some imagination and forgiveness. The sets and costumes are often bad, due to a low budget and the time it was made in. And as most of the earlier series ran for several shorter episodes there are a lot of cliffhangers and a lot of slow time that can really drag on. And at times personal arcs which ought to have been scriptwriter gold, are completely ignored, which can be annoying, but also gives a great deal of fanfic fodder.
But if you find the Classics too old fashioned I still think you should try Seven’s run. They were aired in the late ’80s and are much more similar to NewWho than the older episodes. I admit Mels is a bit trying as a companion, but she didn't last long and Ace is really great.
The Historian
What is it: A novel by Elizabeth Kostova
Plot A teenaged girl's father disappears and while she is looking for him she learns she is also tracking the real Dracula. As her father was 20 years earlier, and his university tutor did a generation earlier.
Why I love it: I have a penchant for books with several timelines, as well as a fondness for vampires. And I like long slow books, and I like history. This book has everything, in other words. It makes use of the myth of Dracula, but also the real Vlad Tepes, who lived in the late 15th century. I re-read this book every couple of years and though not perfect, it’s still one of my all-time favorite books.
Ivanhoe
What is it: Originally as a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott from 1820. Made into several movies. For example a version from 1952 with Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, and Robert Taylor. Another version came 1982 with James Mason, Anthony Andrews, Sam Neill, Olivia Hussey, Ronald Pickup, and Lysette Anthony. And a mini-series from 1997 with Steven Waddington, Ciarán Hinds, Susan Lynch, Aden Gillett, Victoria Smurfit, Christopher Lee, Ralph Brown, Ronald Pickup, and Siân Phillips.
Plot Set in 12th century England, Ivanhoe is a knight loyal to Richard Lionheart who thwarts Prince John’s attempt to usurp the throne.
Why I love it: I admit, the plot is silly and the historical accuracy is very cursory. It reflects the early 19th century views on women and Jewish people. It’s romantic and contrived and I still love it. To be fair, it’s not Ivanhoe himself who interests me; I've always found him very boring. It’s Rebecca of York I love, with her intelligence, kindness, and courage, and it’s not her falling in love with Ivanhoe which interests me, but how the knight Bois-Guilbert falls in love with her. He begins with seeing her as a disposable plaything, then falls in love, albeit a very selfish love, and then, at the end changes again and loves her unconditionally. I fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor’s Rebecca with George Sanders as Bois-Guibert when I was five, saw through my teens with Olivia Hussey and Sam Neill, and finally settled on the mini-series version with Susan Lynch and Ciaran Hinds.
The mini-series is undoubtedly the best version as it expands the novel and makes it both more realistic, and tones down the racism. The rest of the cast is very good too, especially Christopher Lee as fanatical temple knight and Victoria Smurfitt as a very capable Lady Rowena. It does have a good deal of very gory violence though, and more deaths than the original.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
What is it: A fantasy novel by Susannah Clarke which was made into a mini-series in 2015. Starring in the series are; Bertie Carvel, Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley, Alice Englert, Samuel West, Enzo Cilenti, Paul Kaye, Edward Hogg, Ariyon Bakare, Vincent Franklin, John Heffernan, Brian Pettifer, and Ronan Vibert.
Plot To simplify it in extreme: In Regency England magic is long gone. That is until a certain Mr. Norrel revives it.
Why I love it: The book is a big sprawling novel with several subplots, characters and little footnotes which can take up pages. I love it! I like the TV series too, and if you don’t fancy the book I have been told you can watch the show without having read the novel. I find the show very well cast and with gorgeous scenery and costumes. I also liked how Arabella was given more room and that the nonsense Lady Pole is magically forced to say actually have relevance, in a very roundabout way, to her bondage. But I also think Stephen Black’s role was unnecessarily simplified and changed and that the end was a bit rushed. It’s still well worth watching.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
What is it: TV show set in the late 1950s. 2 seasons 2017-2018 and with a 3rd coming late 2019. Starring Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Kevin Pollak, and Luke Kirby.
Plot Midge Maisel, a wealthy housewife suddenly finds herself abandoned by her husband, and, quite by accident launches a career in stand-up comedy.
Why I love it: I find almost everything about this show delightful! It puts me in a good mood, I love the acting and the costumes are gorgeous. I vax at length over the show here, and more on the costumes here. I also ship Midge with Lenny Bruce which will never happen in the show, but thankfully can happen in fanfic.
The Mummy
What is it: In this particular case the movie from 1999 starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Oded Fehr
Plot A librarian accidentally brings a mummy to life in 1920’s Egypt and tries to put things right with the help of her never-do-well brother, an American adventurer and an Egyptian warrior.
Why I love it: It reminds me of the adventure movies I loved as a child, and it’s also very funny. Also, Rachel Weisz is completely adorkable and she and the rest of the main cast are very attractive. Evie/Rick/Ardeth is my number one O3P I can never get enough of it.
Penny Dreadful
What is it: Supernatural TV show which ran for 3 episodes 2014-2016. A 4th series with a new timeframe, place, and cast is upcoming. Starring Eva Green, Reeve Carney, Timothy Dalton, Rory Kinnear, Billie Piper, Billie Piper, Harry Treadaway, Josh Hartnett, Danny Sapani, Simon Russell Beale, Helen McCrory, and Sarah Greene.
Plot set in London in the 1890s, this show borrows characters from a number of classic horror tropes like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Werewolf and Dorian Grey. The show begins with Sir Malcolm Murray trying to find his daughter Mina who has been kidnapped by a vampire, with the help of Mina’s best friend, Vanessa Ives, an Americal with a cloudy past, Sir Malcolm’s African butler/best friend, and Doctor Frankenstein.
Why I love it: I have a deep and abiding love for classic horror, both in literature and old movies, so this show fitted me perfectly. There’s also a lot of good acting, I especially love Eva Green who plays Vanessa and Rory Kinnear who plays the Creature. The 3rd season drags a little and I also think they only learned there wouldn’t be a season 4 halfway through and had to scramble to tie it all up. I’m miffed because I had set my heart on a season where they chased the Mummy.
Versailles
What is it: TV show which ran for 3 seasons 2015-2018. Starring George Blagden, Alexander Vlahos, Tygh Runyan, Stuart Bowman, Evan Williams, Elisa Lasowski, Maddison Jaizani, Anna Brewster, Jessica Clark, Catherine Walker, Pip Torrens, Lizzie Brocheré, Noèmie Schmidt and Amira Casar.
Plot Period drama set in the court of Versailles in the late 17th century, focusing both on real persons like Louis XIV and his brother Philippe, and made-up characters.
Why I love it:Well, to be truthful I absolutely loved the first season. The second one was good, but the third was abysmally bad IMO with most of the characters behaving OOC and the plot being extremely contrived. But the two first seasons are good fun.
I love it because Philippe is a wonderful character and his sibling rivalry with his brother the King and his complicated personal relationships are compelling. Historically speaking Philippe was married twice for dynastic reasons, but preferred men- which didn’t stop him from being very jealous and possessive of his first wife. Alexander Vlahos s superb; I really look forward to following his career.
I also developed a huge crush on Tygh Runyan and his character Fabien Marchal. Overall there’s a lot of eye candy in this show, of all genders. The costumes are lovely too, and, of course, the setting. Also, Pip Porrens is an excellent baddie in season 1 and 2.
I also love it because there are a great number of really well-written female characters. Most of the act within the confinements women lived in during that time, but they all have their own agendas and ideals. There is also a female doctor which is a purely modern character, but she’s so adorable I don’t mind.
You probably won’t like it if you are a stickler for historical accuracy as the show plays fast and loose with historical facts. I didn’t mind the inaccuracies in the two first seasons but found it very badly handed in the last one. There is also a fair share of period appropriate violence and, in season 2, a very nasty rape scene.
Oh my gosh!
Date: 2019-07-09 07:59 pm (UTC)All About Eve is one of my favorite movies. Every time it's on I watch it if I can. It's so satisfying!
I grew up watching reruns of the 4th Doctor, but sometimes they would show the others and I fell in love with Three. His flashy clothes, his debonair spy stuff, his car!
Mrs. Maisel is a great series. I've even written a couple of drabbles for it. I love Susie, but the whole thing is wonderful. And I ship Midge/Lenny too. How can you not? He's so much COOLER than Josh! (ETA: The actor who plays Lenny played the love interest for Anna Madrigal on the netflix series Tales of the City, but every time they were together I couldn't see him as anyone but Lenny Bruce)
I don't even like vampire stuff, and I enjoyed The Historian. It's just a really absorbing and well-plotted book.
I'm seriously going to check out your other recs.
Re: Oh my gosh!
Date: 2019-07-11 02:45 pm (UTC)All About Eve is one of my all-time favourites as well! I don’t know how many times I have watched it. Funnily enough I didn’t realise until quite recently that the ending is quite unhappy for most of the characters. I admit that Margo giving up a career for being a wife, and finding it more satisfying, probably wasn’t seen as negative in 1950, as now. But Karenand Lloyd’s marriage is in shambles, and Eve’s paying a steel price for fame. And Addison who is, IMO, a much worse person thanEve, get’s exactly what he wants with no repercussions at all.
I wishDoctor Who had aired in Sweden when I was a child! I’m sure I would have loved it, and then I wouldn’t have noticed the less than perfect productions values. Oh well. I love Four too- though to be fair there isn’t a Doctor I don’t like- there is just a few I like more.
Susie is great! And the actress spo good at being funny. Susie gatecrashing that vacation village with her plunger made me laugh out loud. I saw Luke Kirby in The Deuce with the same reaction- whar is Lenny Bruce doing there?
I’m glad you like The Historian!
Re: Oh my gosh!
Date: 2019-07-12 11:51 am (UTC)The plunger! That was hilarious and so in character.
Re: Oh my gosh!
Date: 2019-07-12 12:05 pm (UTC)And then one consider how smooth and practiced Addison is and you realise it can't possibly be the first time he has done something like this, and clearly always gotten away with it...
And I loved the bit when Susie's been away and her "co-worker" has started a search party and she realise they really like and care for her. I sniffled a little there.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 01:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-11 02:45 pm (UTC)fannish squee
Date: 2019-07-10 01:32 am (UTC)I've just added Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell to my Netflix list. Man, I need to remember to actually WATCH my Netflix list. I keep adding things faster than I'm watching.
Re: fannish squee
Date: 2019-07-11 02:59 pm (UTC)I hope you will likeJS&MN!
no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 03:44 am (UTC)Thank you for reminding me about The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - I've heard so many good things about it and have not yet had the chance to watch.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-12 04:43 am (UTC)I completely agree! I never get tired of it. :)
I hope you will enjoy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel when you get around to it!
no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 04:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-12 05:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-12 05:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 07:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-12 05:22 am (UTC)So many good things!
Date: 2019-07-11 01:49 pm (UTC)The Mummy I have no words for. It's a funny, silly goofy action movie with so many quotable lines and I adore Rachael Weisz especially in this. This and George of the Jungle are my two favourite Brendon Fraser movies. My husband and I will quote so much of this movie at each other.
Penny dreadful I enjoyed at the time but it didn't leave me with a longlasting impression. It reminded me of a more serious and considered version of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, something I love but can't in good conscience recommend as its objectively terrible
Re: So many good things!
Date: 2019-07-12 05:28 am (UTC)I completely agree!
I often rewatch The Mummy when I feel the need for some RL-escape. :)
It reminded me of a more serious and considered version of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, something I love but can't in good conscience recommend as its objectively terrible
I like the trope of getting various literary characters together in all forms and shapes, really. I enjoyed The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, though I felt it could have been a lot better with fairly small changes. :)
no subject
Date: 2019-07-11 05:49 pm (UTC)There's lots of goodies listed here, thanks for sharing! I've been in the mood to watch more black & white era movies, so I'll definitely have to check out All About Eve.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-12 05:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-15 03:10 am (UTC)And Versailles has been on my list! Your explanation makes me excited to watch. and I know next to nothing about that time period/location, so the historical inaccuracies probably won't bother me.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-15 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-16 04:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-15 01:10 pm (UTC)Growing up in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s, for quite a few years there they would show Doctor Who four or five nights a week. And when they finished running the latest season they would do repeat airings of Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker's episodes, so I got to know those ones particularly well. If you can ignore the less than stellar effects, then often the writing and the acting will carry it and make it work, even now.
I love several of your other choices, including All About Eve and Mrs Maisel (though I didn't think the second season was quite as good as the first) so I think I'll have to check out The Historian, which I hadn't heard of before. Sounds like just my sort of thing. Thanks for the rec!
no subject
Date: 2019-07-16 07:53 am (UTC)I wish Doctor Who had aired in Sweden. ack then. I know I would have adored it as a child too! And I agree, the acting and writing are often very good!
I agrre that the second season of Mrs Maisel wasn’t as good. I hope the third will perk up!
I hope you will enjoy The Historian!
no subject
Date: 2019-07-19 01:53 pm (UTC)I've never read an rec for old Who from someone who didn't grow up with it, so this perspective is really valuable for me! I've only watched an episode or two of the first doctor and stopped soon.
I keep forgetting that Jonathan Strange has been filmed! I read the book when it came out and have to put the series on my to-watch list.
:-)
no subject
Date: 2019-07-19 03:31 pm (UTC)To be fair I would probably have given up on Who if not the friend who lend me the DVDs had insisted I should. continue. 😊 And by the Third Doctor I was hooked.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-28 07:03 am (UTC)And I'll try Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It seems to be exactly the kind of escapism I loved as a teenager.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-28 12:41 pm (UTC)I hope you will enjoy it!