With an overload of historic costume motion pictures and TV sequence on Netflix, Amazon Prime, broadcast TV (together with Turner Film Classics), precise film theaters, and extra, we spend method an excessive amount of time in entrance of a display, attempting to get via our backlog. Alas, not each flick set up to now is price our time (although for ones we DO overview, use the search field or menus to peruse the archives!).
Right here’s a little bit behind-the-scenes data: There are loads of snoozy historic costume motion pictures and TV reveals on the market! We’re not speaking Snark Week-worthy travesties — we LURVE watching these. However some stuff is simply weak tea. These are boring motion pictures, the boring reveals, those with mediocre costumes and tales that may’t even rise as much as the extent of camp leisure. Or those which might be mildly entertaining, perhaps have ‘good-enough’ costuming, or are reasonably snark-worthy, however we are able to’t be arsed to work up a sweat about it.
Thus, right here is our occasional sequence with easy one-line evaluations of issues we’ve tried to look at however simply don’t care sufficient about to put in writing an entire weblog submit or podcast. Your mileage could differ!
Anne of Inexperienced Gables (2016)
A reboot of the beloved basic, and perhaps in case you love the basic, you’ll love this. I haven’t learn the e book(s) nor have I seen the unique present, so coming in chilly, this felt sluggish, tedious, and appropriate just for babies. Additionally, predictable as hell. Good 1900s costumes, fairly settings, and OK performances contemplating the fabric, however a complete snoozefest. — Trystan
Blandings (2013-14)
A decently humorous, Twenties-set adaptation of some P.G. Wodehouse tales. I used to be amused by Jennifer Saunders because the bitchy sister and, specifically, complete dimwit airhead son Freddie — who, I want to notice, is performed by the identical actor who performs George Warleggan on Poldark. Plus, there are pig jokes! — Kendra
The Braveness to Love (2000)
Set in pre-Civil Conflict New Orleans, that is primarily based on the true story of Henriette Delille, a Creole ladies who based a convent as a substitute of changing into a white man’s mistress / common-law “wife,” as her mom and sister did and was widespread on the time. Whereas I’d like to see an in-depth remedy of this era and society, this flick is extra obsessive about the non secular facet over any of the difficult racism of the interval. It simply will get very treacly and preachy. The costumes are respectable for the 1850s, however the story needs to be set 20 years earlier. — Trystan
Dwelling Fires (2015-2016)
A not-bad however not-thrilling drama about ladies in a rural British neighborhood throughout World Conflict II. I favored that it’s female-centered, however the storylines weren’t probably the most unique or fascinating. First rate performances and really good (if un-flashy) Nineteen Forties costumes and hair. The second and closing season is coming PBS in 2017 if that is your factor. — Trystan
Medici: Masters of Florence (2016-)
Mildly entertaining political thriller sequence concerning the rise of the Medici household within the 1420s, specializing in Cosimo Medici (Richard Madden of Sport of Thrones fame). Usually historic, if boring, males’s costumes, however each boring and generally awfully inaccurate ladies’s costumes, accented by very trendy make-up. Distracted by the smokey eyes and coral lip gloss on the (extraordinarily few) feminine characters. — Trystan
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
On the one hand, I loved this Edwardian-set thriller — a bunch of Australian schoolgirls go lacking below mysterious circumstances — as a result of who doesn’t like a creepy/dreamy thriller? However, be aware 1975 because the manufacturing yr, as a result of that is like an prolonged homage to blonde Breck ladies. In case you like arty and dreamy, go for it — if that drives you loopy, keep away. The soundtrack was achieved by none aside from ZAMFIR MASTER OF THE PAN FLUTE (a reference misplaced on you younger ‘uns). My main question is, what the fuck was up with the school headmistress’s hair? — Kendra
Younger Hyacinth (2016)
Maybe in case you are an enormous fan of the British sitcom Maintaining Up Appearances, you’ll take pleasure in this one-off prequel that reveals Hyacinth as a working-class woman within the Nineteen Fifties — she is studying concerning the higher crust by being a maid in one among their homes whereas placing up together with her embarrassing household. However, my buddy who’s a Maintaining Up fan stated there wasn’t sufficient to tie this particular with the unique sequence. I used to be mildly entertained, however I wouldn’t exit of my method to watch it, both method. — Kendra
Do you like one among these motion pictures or TV reveals? What different stuff ought to we take away from our queue? Have you ever searched our website just lately to see if we’ve already reviewed your faves?
Extra Frock Flicks
“Well bless their hearts.”
