This week was favorite TV shows and movies. My fellow bloggers faves can be found at Christine Allen-Riley, Kirsti Jones, Tess Grant.
Sooo I love history and at least 80% of what I read are historical fiction novels, so it only makes sense that my favorite show is Downton Abbey.
I started watching it a few weeks ago, swept through season one, and I'm irritated by the long wait on Netflix for season 2. I'm also restraining myself from watching the current season (three) on Sunday nights at 9 pm on PBS (Yes! PBS- how awesome is that?). It's no surprise to me that I love this show, but I admit I'm shocked to hear how many other people are as obsessed as I am. Normally I'm in the minority when it comes to entertainment. (I've never seen Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Twilight, just to give an example).
It takes place in England in the early 1900's, starting in 1912 with news of the Titanic, into WWI, and well, we'll see I guess. Not many movies, much less TV shows, take place in this time period. I actually started growing an interest in this era before I even heard of Downton Abbey. I'd been brainstorming a story of my own set around this time. Downton follows the lives of a wealthy family as well as their servants, exploring different class systems and each of their challenges.I enjoy the multiple story lines and looking in depth at the servants and working class characters. Servants are fleshed out as full characters rather than cast into stereotypes. The show has breadth and depth. Something that's hard to pull off.
Many people think of historical movies that have corsets and British accents as slow, stiff, and boring with twenty minute declarations of love by a Jane Austen character. But this show has enough suspense and is well paced, giving it a modern feel. I'm wondering if this is part of the appeal for mainstream audiences.
My husband insists on calling it Downtown Abby because he says, the British are just being British-y by calling it Downton. He's not quite as enraptured as I am.
Another favorite TV series of mine is United States of Tara.
It's about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder), and you get to see her alters, the messes they cause, and the stress it causes her family. The driving force is not just for her to recover from the mental illness, but to understand why and how she developed the disorder. Toni Collette is excellent in it! Like any TV show it's not an exact replica of what this disorder looks like, but I was very impressed with how they did it. Most TV shows are notoriously bad at mental illness.
Last night I did a marathon of season 3, only to learn that they cancelled the show after that! Unfortunately they weren't able to finish Tara's story. I was so disappointed that I emailed Showtime- even though it was cancelled in 2011. I've never done anything like that before. Apparently I was distraught enough. How frustrating to not have any closure- it's like reading a book and finding out that the author died before it was completed! Maybe I should write my own ending!
I have several favorite movies, but one that's dear to my heart is Elizabeth. This came out when I was in high school.
When I was in 7th grade we had "research week" where we could pick any topic to research and then put together a display to show what we learned. I'm not sure how, but I became hooked on learning about Henry VIII of England and his numerous wives, two of which he beheaded. Elizabeth was his second daughter who later became queen and ruled for many years. She never married. She was an excellent diplomat. This was the time of Shakespeare. Her story always captivated me, and one of my favorite actresses (Cate Blanchett) played the part!
I've always loved the opening scenes. There was something romantic, innocent, and whimsical about it. I haven't seen the movie since high school, but it's still a favorite. I believe this is a shot from one of those opening scenes that has always stood out in my mind.
I *really* need to start watching Downton. I'm working on clearing room in my schedule so I can just devour it all at once.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the United States of Tara is amazing. That was one I always wanted to watch, but now likely won't since I can't stand not knowing.
And YAY Elizabeth! I love historical pieces. :)
Right now, I'm listening to Code Name Verity, a WWII historical fiction. I highly recommend it. Also, older, but still just as good is Flambards--a WWI-era work. Either read or watch that one.
ReplyDeleteDownton is on my list, but I probably won't get to it until the kids are off to college and I can stop having to alernate one adult/one kid movie from Netflix!