You asked for it, so here’s an occasional open thread to bitch about anything tangentially related to history, costume, movies, or TV shows! Or whatever else is on your mind right now. Note that URLs are automatically held for moderation, but most anything else goes as long as you’re not bitchier than we are!
Another Snark Week is done (our 11th, omg)! Hope that helped lift your spirits a little as the world goes nuts around us. February feels a bit of a slow on the frock flick front, so maybe we’ll catch up on our backlog.
How are you spending this shortest month?
Hi, any opinion on the last version of the Count of Monte Cristo?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Count_of_Monte_Cristo_(2024_film)
I liked the change in costumes between the beginning (1810s) and the end (1830s).
French trailer https://dai.ly/x8y557u
I really enjoyed it, good actors, settings and costumes
Enjoyed the movie. I liked the jewelry : women’s earrings are beautiful.Not an expert so I can’t say it’s accurate or not.
The week after next, I’m on vacation so I’m going to to watch Rome (the series). I got both seasons on DVD from ebay; really looking forward to watching it.
It’s the gold standard–so good!!! I’ve watched it at least three times, straight through. My husband and I spent our holiday in Rome last summer, and you can book a tour of Cinecitta and wander around the set–no longer complete, but still a huge portion of it and still in use for various other productions.
Are anyone else’s asses chaped about the LHoP remake at Netflix? Is it just me? Also has anyone seen the Hardacres adaptation yet?
I’m reserving judgement on the Little House remake until I see more. I loved the OG series but also the actual books have so many problems.
Can’t find the Hardacres yet :(
Save for next Snark Week: Another review of an episode of The Vampire Dairies, particularly the 1490s or 1860s flashbacks? They’re especially bad in terms of accuracy! (Chafing issues amongst others!)
I just watched Down With Love and found it a quite fun and frothy escape.
The costumes really pulled me in(all the colors!)— some great little black dresses and pretty gowns. But I’m no expert on 60’s fashion so am curious if those who are find them well done.
I love classic films, so I really appreciated the homage this makes to some of those older romantic comedies, including some loving send ups of the period. Recommend if you’re looking for something light and enjoyable!
I love this movie! The costumes in Down With Love are gorgeous, and pretty well on point for the era and with lots of attention to detail. The homage as well as sending up romcoms of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson era is so cleverly done and funny too. Just goes to show that you can do fun movies without having to go dumb (which done too often these days!). And isn’t Ewan McGregor an absolute dreamboat in this?
Yes, exactly- not dumb at all! Ewan is great and I especially loved Sarah Paulson’s entrance scene. I don’t enjoy most “romantic comedies” from the past twenty or so years, so it was a surprise coming upon one so well done!
I started watching “Those Who Are About to Die,” based on a book from the 1950s about gladiators, horse races etc. in ancient Rome. The good? It showcases a variety of social classes and ethnicities. The writers did their research. Plus, the portrayal of women hasn’t been terrible. Costumes are just OK.
But now I’m on episode 4, and the “tits and blood” is ramping up. I just watched a scene where two naked women crawl to their lover. No narrative purpose, just the glorified subjection of women. We’re in a new age of “your body, my choice” and I’m just… out. Enough.
Many people enjoy a Ridley Scott film. I love Blade Runner, but his historical films do such egregious things in terms of costuming. What the shit is Cate Blanchett wearing in Robin Hood? There is a strange riding habit that makes no sense to me. In the first Gladiator the costumes worn by Connie Neilsen look like sheets wrapped with ribbons and some of them are rather stiff. The material may be to blame for that or the choices made by the costumer perhaps. Anyway, I know he likes history but he seems to ignore actual facts and makes things up as he goes along. Same thing with the costumes in many of his films. Thanks for being her so we can snark and whine at will.
I actually quite enjoyed the last Duel. But what you say about twisting historical facts was especially true of Napoleon, which was a soulless shitshow
I haven’t seen either for the very reason that he screws with history so badly.
Has anyone seen the trailer for The Leopard by Netflix? I don’t know what to make of it: on the one hand, it is shot in Italian, the Sicilian settings look amazing, the costumes look good and I recognized several moments of the original movie (riots, fleeing in the mounbtains and the BALL of course) . On the other hand, I am dreading the “series by Netflix” washing machine, butchering classics for teens audience… The “hot chick” make-up and hair of Angelica is ominous to that regard (though Claudia Cardinale was already wearing eyeliner in the original movie, lol). Trying to compete with Visconti will be hard!
Just watched the trailer…at least there are hairpins? :)
You just owed five bucks for “At least her hair’s up.”
Just owed owed five bucks for the “At least her hair’s up.” Comment.
You are right. But we can feel they were given a maximum of two hairpins per girl. Their hair scream « modern bride »!
I just want to say that I’m so grateful for this blog, where I have found so many historic costume movies and shows. I’m keeping track of all the ones I want to watch! I love your snark and encyclopedic knowledge of costume! Thank you for this little happy corner of the world! <3
Is a review of Murder at the Breakers Coming soon! As a fan of 1890s fashion (Thank AOGGs) this personally offended me!
Comforting myself through the first month of lawlessness with donations and phone calls, and rewatching the two great Sherlock Holmes, Brett and Cumberbatch.
I’m watching that too, and for the same reasons! Carry on! I’m loving Cumberbatch all over again.
Having already watched Brett and Cumberbatch, I’m on to Marple and Poirot, specifically Hickson and Suchet, for the very same reason. Looking for more to avoid the news of the day.
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Long-time lurker’s first time participating! Are you guys planning on reviewing sesson 2 of Marie Antoinette when it releases on PBS? I’ve recently watched it in overly dubbed Russian, so f*ck all when it comes to the plot but the costumes and especially the HAIR are SO MUCH BETTER than last season. I was honestly shocked on how good everyone looked (besides the Comtesse d’Provence, but only for a few episodes). They definitely got a wider budget and a new director with an alternate vision(?) since the costumes and hair were done by the same group from last time. Another thing before I return to lurking, I recently binged-watched Miss Austen and I have to say the costumes don’t merit anything to write home about but the story is sharp and sweet and the cast does an excellent job.
I am watching Winter Palace on Netflix – the series takes place in 1899 in a Swiss village, where they try to open a Grand Hotel. Haven‘t seen much yet, but the clothes look quite nice (though a bit plain) and there are hairpins and even headwear!
That one’s still not available on Netflix in the US :(
Just read Sarah’s look at The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and was disappointed that more was not said about Marjorie’s costumes. Her day wear was ok, although the denim outfit seemed odd. What I found disappointing was her evening attire. I know where they got the idea for the green dress. There is a wonderful picture of Claudette Colbert in, I think, a film about Cleopatra in which she wears a white version of the green dress. The problem I have with it is the fit. It just doesn’t look right and I don’t think it is the material. The white dress she wears at the end is also very ill fitted. I looked like her side boob is about to pop out. The costumes could have been much better, but then it is a Guy Ritchie film in which women just aren’t that important.