Pre-Festivids Fandom Rec Festival (2014 Edition)

[jetpack_monkey]

Festivids is nearly here! Now is the time for all good vidders to start looking at their favorite small vidding fandoms and say, "Man, I hope somebody else has seen this thing."

That's where the Pre-Festivids Fandom Rec Festival comes in! Get the word out now and you might get someone else to become obsessive about your favorite thing! Or just find that there are others who love it too, so you can feel encouraged that you won't be the only one requesting/offering it.

How It Works:

Leave a comment in this post (either the Dreamwidth or Livejournal variety) with the name of a fandom you're thinking about offering and/or requesting. If there's multiple possible versions, be sure to be specific (leaving a link to an IMDb or Wikipedia page is useful).

You can also leave a quick description (1-2 sentences) of why the source is awesome and I'll add that to the fandom's entry in Festival master list. If there's a longer description, I may pluck out a short teaser and then link to the rest of the comment.

Example:

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010) -- In this wacky comic book adventure set in the 1910s, intrepid writer Adèle Blanc-Sec faces pterodactyls, mummies, and the patriarchy with equal measures of irritation and determination. Director Luc Besson provides the exhilarating and vivid visuals for this hilarious and weird caper.

So comment away and I'll add your recs to the list behind the cut below.

 

The Masterlist

3rd Rock from the Sun  -  Wonderful physical comedy and a rare blend of light science fiction and comedy, along with a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I just love this show. [valoise ]

Better Off Ted - A sitcom too good to live, about the research and development department of a mega-corporation. Lots of vivid characters, including the adorable neurotic scientists Lem & Phil and Queen Perfect of Perfectiondom, Veronica (who may be one of the greatest characters in television history). [jetpack_monkey ]

Clash of Empires, AKA The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines, AKA Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. A delightful Malaysian movie, mostly in English, about the mythical foundation of Langkasuka. Involves amazing ocean magic, a Malaysian pirate and the Roman soldier he is, um, shepherding, a Chinese princess and her awesome maidservant, and Archimedes' Death Ray. Picspam available if you want to get a sense of some of the visuals: Part 1 (not spoilery), Part 2 (plot starts), Part 3 (the rest of the plot.) [aris_tgd ]

Europa Report A low-budget independent film, this movie proves that you don’t need a big budget to do sf right. [valoise ]

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010) -- In this wacky comic book adventure set in the 1910s, intrepid writer Adèle Blanc-Sec faces pterodactyls, mummies, and the patriarchy with equal measures of irritation and determination. Director Luc Besson provides the exhilarating and vivid visuals for this hilarious and weird caper. [jetpack_monkey ]

Good Eats - Goofy show with props and puppets that embraces the science behind cooking, Good Eats is my on my list every year, but so far, no luck. [valoise ]

House of Cards (UK) and its sequels "To Play the King" and "The Final Cut" - "Francis Urquhart, Chief Whip, manipulates things and people to achieve his ambitions in the Houses of Parliament, all the while keeping his hand carefully hidden behind the scenes." If you like an anti-hero, this one is very addictive to watch. [dkwilliams ]

Knights of Badassdom LARPing gone wrong! Summer Glau! Peter Dinklage! [valoise ]

The Lost World (TV) (1999-2002) - In which a wealthy woman with a dark and mysterious past funds an expedition to a hidden plateau of DINOSAURS and assorted improbable civilizations. On the plateau they encounter a tough jungle babe, and three years of cheese commence. [thirdblindmouse ]

The Maxx (1995) is based on the Sam Kieth comics, and is part of MTV's mid-90s venture into edgy animation (think the original Aeon Flux, which I should also nominate). It's definitely of its time, and not without issues, but there's a lot to love. Generally, it's a deconstruction of superhero and damsel-in-distress tropes in comics in a less dudely way than Alan Moore could ever do. Please be warned that a trigger warning for sexual violence against women applies to this canon throughout--a past event that is a driver for part of the plot. [rhivolution ]

Morganville Vampires (Web Series) (2014) - It's not out yet but will be in time for inclusion in Festivids. It's only 60 minutes of content, so a great safety fandom. Plus it's written by my dear friend Rachel Caine, and the lead character is named after me :o) Stars Amber Benson and Robert Picardo. Based on the New York Times best-selling book series.  [littleheaven ]

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - I highly recommend the show--Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose are fantastic, as is the sense of place and tone, as one'd expect from the late Anthony Minghella. It's worth watching just because! [rhivolution 

Some Girls (2012-2013) - an amazingly hilarious show about girls in a low income neighborhood going through adventures in highschool. The theme song is called "Doing It Wrong" which should really tell you everything. It's gorgeously shot and there are only 6 episodes per season. Here's an official fanvid made by the BBC to give you a general idea.  [marina ]

The Thin Man series (1936-1947) - I'm never not going to rec this delightful classic film series about a pair of married sleuths who drink their way to the resolution of the mysteries. [jetpack_monkey ]

This Is Where I Leave You is not out yet, but it's a comedy with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey about sitting shiva, so it's probably going to be amazing.  [seekingferret ]

Veritas: The Quest - Made in 2003 but with its spirit and special effects stuck firmly in 1995, Veritas is about a plucky band of grave robbers "archeologists" battling an evil secret organization while looking for The Truth. It stars Eric Balfour, Cobie Smulders, some people whose careers have never taken off, and that guy who played the Mummy in the Mummy movies. Is it good? Hell no! Is it fun? Hell yes! [franzeska ]

War of the Worlds: Goliath Set on the verge of WWI and fifteen years after HG Wells’ novel, this steampunk (or perhaps diesel punk) animated movie is lots of fun. [valoise ]

 

Leave your own fandom suggestions in the comments!

Comments

[littleheaven]

How I love this time of year!

I'm going to rec Morganville Vampires (Web Series) (2014) - It's not out yet but will be in time for inclusion in Festivids. It's only 60 minutes of content, so a great safety fandom. Plus it's written by my dear friend Rachel Caine, and the lead character is named after me :o) Stars Amber Benson and Robert Picardo. Based on the New York Times best-selling book series.

[jetpack_monkey]

Added, he said belatedly.

[littleheaven]

LOL, thanks!

[jetpack_monkey]

The Thin Man series (1936-1947) - I'm never not going to rec this delightful classic film series about a pair of married sleuths who drink their way to the resolution of the mysteries.

Better Off Ted - A sitcom too good to live, about the research and development department of a mega-corporation. Lots of vivid characters, including the adorable neurotic scientists Lem & Phil and Queen Perfect of Perfectiondom, Veronica (who may be one of the greatest characters in television history).

[seekingferret]

This Is Where I Leave You is not out yet, but it's a comedy with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey about sitting shiva, so it's probably going to be amazing.

[jetpack_monkey]

I'll add it to the list, but I'm concerned that viddable material won't be available in time for Festivids.

[seekingferret]

A reasonable concern.

[swizzlespoon]

There needs to be a vid about the friendship that can exist between a pterodactyl and a Scottie dog. Though I fear there's not enough video for more than a vidlet. (Psst: this is one of the awesome things about The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec.)

[jetpack_monkey]

Agreed!

[aris_tgd]

Clash of Empires, AKA The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines, AKA Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. A delightful Malaysian movie, mostly in English, about the mythical foundation of Langkasuka. Involves amazing ocean magic, a Malaysian pirate and the Roman soldier he is, um, shepherding, a Chinese princess and her awesome maidservant, and Archimedes' Death Ray. Picspam available if you want to get a sense of some of the visuals: Part 1 (not spoilery), Part 2 (plot starts), Part 3 (the rest of the plot.)

[jetpack_monkey]

Added!

[marina]

Some Girls (2012-2013) - an amazingly hilarious show about girls in a low income neighborhood going through adventures in highschool. The theme song is called "Doing It Wrong" which should really tell you everything. It's gorgeously shot and there are only 6 episodes per season. Here's an official fanvid made by the BBC to give you a general idea.

[jetpack_monkey]

Added!

[valoise]

3rd Rock from the Sun Wonderful physical comedy and a rare blend of light science fiction and comedy, along with a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I just love this show.

Good Eats Goofy show with props and puppets that embraces the science behind cooking, Good Eats is my on my list every year, but so far, no luck.

Knights of Badassdom LARPing gone wrong! Summer Glau! Peter Dinklage!

Europa Report A low-budget independent film, this movie proves that you don’t need a big budget to do sf right.

War of the Worlds: Goliath Set on the verge of WWI and fifteen years after HG Wells’ novel, this steampunk (or perhaps diesel punk) animated movie is lots of fun.

[jetpack_monkey]

Adding!

[valoise]

Did you mean to leave Europa Report off of the list of recommendations?

[jetpack_monkey]

I did not. I think I went to go Google it out of curiosity and then *poof*.

[franzeska]

I will, of course, be nominating my new great love, Veritas: The Quest, a show made in 2003 but with its spirit and special effects stuck firmly in 1995. Veritas is about a plucky band of grave robbers "archeologists" battling an evil secret organization while looking for The Truth. It stars Eric Balfour, Cobie Smulders, some people whose careers have never taken off, and that guy who played the Mummy in the Mummy movies. Is it good? Hell no! Is it fun? Hell yes!

Man... I need some Veritas icons...

[jetpack_monkey]

Adding!

[rhivolution]

The Maxx (1995) is based on the Sam Kieth comics, and is part of MTV's mid-90s venture into edgy animation (think the original Aeon Flux, which I should also nominate). It's definitely of its time, and not without issues, but there's a lot to love. Generally, it's a deconstruction of superhero and damsel-in-distress tropes in comics in a less dudely way than Alan Moore could ever do. Please be warned that a trigger warning for sexual violence against women applies to this canon throughout--a past event that is a driver for part of the plot.

[rhivolution]

Also, I've been requesting The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for several years. Even outwith Festivids, I highly recommend the show--Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose are fantastic, as is the sense of place and tone, as one'd expect from the late Anthony Minghella. It's worth watching just because!

[jetpack_monkey]

Both added!

[thirdblindmouse]

The Lost World (TV) (1999-2002) - In which a wealthy woman with a dark and mysterious past funds an expedition to a hidden plateau of DINOSAURS and assorted improbable civilizations. On the plateau they encounter a tough jungle babe, and three years of cheese commence.

[jetpack_monkey]

Added!

[gwenfrankenstien]

Comics sources I've nominated so far:

Blue Beetle (2006-2009) is a mostly light-hearted superhero adventure starring Jaime Reyes, a latino teenager with an alien super-weapon fused to his spine. Jaime has a loving, supportive family who know he's a superhero. His friends are charming and realistically-written teenagers. Jaime is such a sweetheart that his darkest secret power fantasy is to become a dentist and help put his baby sister through college.

Gotham Central is a police procedural set in Gotham City; understandably, the Gotham cops mostly don't like Batman very much. Big-name characters appear briefly but the focus is on the ordinary detectives doing the best they can in an incredibly scary and corrupt city. Gotham Central has a very diverse ensemble cast including multiple black leads and multiple lesbian characters.

My Faith in Frankie: Frankie Moxon is a teenager with her own personal god, who keeps interfering in her love life. Narrated by her best friend Kay, who is a little bit in love with her. Okay, a lot in love with her. (Spoilers: The cover copy for this book makes it seem like a het love triangle, which is part of the story, but it has a canonical queer poly ending.)

Secret Six (2008-2011) is a team comic with a rotating cast of minor supervillains (because people tend to die, betray the team, or both) and a sick sense of humour. The core cast is a found-family of people who have done terrible things and are just trying to survive. It's funny, it's sexy, it's violent, it's made me cry, it's a hell of a ride (sometimes literally).

[dkwilliams.livejournal.com]

House of Cards (UK) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Cards_%28UK_TV_series%29) and its sequels "To Play the King" and "The Final Cut". "Francis Urquhart, Chief Whip, manipulates things and people to achieve his ambitions in the Houses of Parliament, all the while keeping his hand carefully hidden behind the scenes." If you like an anti-hero, this one is very addictive to watch.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Added! Thanks.