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It's that time of year again. I've spent the past two days browsing around the Festivids 2013 Masterlist, first just to enjoy, then to make notes, and then, for the first year ever, to actually leave comments on stuff -_-; I'm a terrible person, but I tried this time, yes?
This was such a good year, though. Possibly I only say this because of the first rec under the cut, but still. Such a good year. Enjoy! ;)
This was such a good year, though. Possibly I only say this because of the first rec under the cut, but still. Such a good year. Enjoy! ;)
Festivids 2013 Recs
Top Picks:
Sleep No More (Strange Days)
Okay. There are three Strange Days vids this year, and you should watch all three of them. If for no better reason than that they're awesome, and Strange Days. It's one of my favourite movies, no lie.
But this one, this vid ... Lenny and Mace, helping each other survive. It is the best thing. It's the strength of their friendship and all the shit they've propped each other up through, and when Lenny finally wakes up and smells the kibble at the end, when he finally kisses her, it is SO GOOD. Mace is the reason I love this movie, Mace is basically the most awesome character ever, and she's so strong in this, and so vulnerable, and so goddamn badass and tender. It's like the movie all over again, waiting for Lenny to wake up. Because they go through so much, murder and pain and disillusionment, and when they just hold on at the end, it's ...
Um. Favourite movie, favourite pair, favourite character. This vid is so good for me, you have no idea.
(Warnings: nudity, sex, violence, a rape-murder, civil unrest ... the movie is a cyberpunk dystopia set in the run-up to the turn of the (2000) millennium, it shows, yes?)
Such Great Heights (WALL-E)
Because it is the EVE/WALL-E OTP vid of hope and wonder and joy. And not just them, that whole world, the people on that ship. Courage and exploration and wonder and hope, fighting for a dream you can hold in your hand. So perfect. So, sooo perfect.
Kids (Spirited Away)
"Control yourself. Take only what you need from it." The vid that shows why Chihiro is so strong. So scared, so out of her depth, but so strong, and kind, and sensible, and brave. I love it. I love it so much.
Cuz I Can (The Losers)
This is my sister's fandom more than mine, but I love this vid. I gather than Pink's Cuz I Can is more or less the perfect song for this bunch, and sometimes you just want to enjoy that. Heh. Although ... I admit to spending a fair bit of this vid wondering if Tony Stark is actually Clay's illegitimate brother or cousin or something. Because ... well, look. You know? *shakes head at self*
Take My Librarian (The Librarian Series)
I meant to watch these movies a while back. This vid reminded me why that needs to get bumped back up my list of priorities. This looks like exactly my kind of cheese. Sort of 'Romancing the Stone' crossed with 'Relic Hunter' with maybe a touch of 'Warehouse 13'. Setting it to A-Ha's 'Take On Me', though, is pure gold, because there're all these gender-reversed echoes of the original music video, and it's PERFECT!
The Virtuous Among Us (Gargoyles)
Because David Xanatos being awesome, with bonus David + Fox + Owen + kids family feels. Never has being a megalomaniac, somewhat honourable supervillain with a family looked like so much fun. Xanatos, I will never not love you.
A New Groove (Emperor's New Groove)
I need you to understand this. This is Emperor's New Groove, set to the Pink Panther Theme. With some of the best movement I've ever seen, and the best matching of moments to beats, and it's perfect. It's amazing. Watch it now.
Other Awesome Vids:
Wish (Arena)
I haven't seen this source, but judging by this vid it's a movie about a futuristic dystopian gladiator arena with an evil and very well-dressed Samuel L. Jackson in charge. Which ... sounds good enough to be going on with? Warnings for gore, and slavery, and what looks like heavy betrayal.
Paper Planes (Bandidas)
Again, haven't see the source, but from this vid it looks like a femmeslashy buddy bank-robbers movie set in 19thC Mexico, with vengeance and robbery and criminal hijinks and tragedy and friendship, and there is just nothing wrong with this picture. Nothing at all.
Finished Symphony (Blue Planet)
Yes, the nature documentary series about the oceans. But. This vid is quirky and fun and majestic and inspiring, and it builds beautifully. And I'm always surprised by how much life underwater looks alternately like a graceful ballet, a lethal race to the death, and an exceptionally bizarre alien rave from a sci-fi movie. Never gets old.
Citizens of the World (Blues Brothers)
The Blues Brothers, set to the Village People, as an anthem of revolution. The vid is worryingly long (5 mins plus), but the focus on all the other people in the movies, the lives affected by the action, and just the whole mood of the thing ... Um. Like I said. Blues Bros, Village People, revolution. Whadda ya want from me?
Are We Havin' a Hootenanny (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
... What is this source? Is it actually as cracked as it looks? I clicked on the vid because with that title, it wasn't like I was going to miss seeing what it was about, but the vid is actually funny and surprisingly warm, and I like it a lot.
Black Flowers (Call the Midwife)
I don't know this show, or this woman, but holy shit this vid. I was so afraid for her in this vid, so desperate for this not to end badly for her. There is no way for this situation not to hurt, but gods I wanted it not to end badly.
Emotional rollercoaster, my gods.
The Boxer (Carnivàle)
Carnivale. Portrait of a man with a part to play, caught up in big and terrible things. A mostly kind man with maybe not a lot of sense, who tries anyway. And pays anyway. Poignant, this one. It's been ages since I watched Carnivale, but I think I must rewatch sometime soon.
Find My Way (Carnivàle)
Same canon and same character as the last vid, but for some reason this one punched me in the gut so much harder. It's not as complete a story, more a different mood, but it's quietly visceral. I was watching with my hands pressed to my mouth for so much of it.
Get Me Bodied (Fifth Element)
Ru! By! Rhod! Set to Beyonce. Because that is so very much a thing the world needs. Get me bodied, I wanna be myself tonight. Yes indeedy.
Drumming Song (Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo)
Gankutsuou is basically the story of those people caught up in the machinations of a vampiric, LSD-fueled Count of Monte Cristo as the plot builds to tragedy around them. And Florence + the Machine is fantastic for conveying an intensely building urgency. Combined, the result is stunning.
221B And A Half (Great Mouse Detective)
"Here dwell together still two men of note
Who never lived and so can never die"
[...]
"Here, though the world explode, these two survive,
And it is always eighteen ninety-five."
Right in the childhood.
Trouble (Interview With A Vampire)
This song had to have been written for Lestat/Louis. "I knew you were trouble when you walked in, so shame on me now." Yes, Louis, Lestat is pretty much the dictionary definition of trouble.
And, also, incredibly pretty in this. Tom Cruise should get his flounce on more often.
Tik Tik Tok Tok (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
People keep recommending this movie to me, on the grounds of neo-noir and also RDJ. And for some strange reason I have a fondness for vids set to this song. It makes things look like just the best/worst night of someone's life, a long stream of bad decisions that they sort of get spat out of at the end, usually the worse for wear. Which, judging from the footage, seems to be quite apt for this movie -_-;
Um. Nobody warned me about the finger, though. *winces*
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Raumpatrouille/Space Patrol Orion)
I've been meaning to watch this show for a while (it's basically a matter of finding a subtitled version), and this vid just reminds me WHY. It's old-school sci-fi, with the robots and the UFOs and the weird bubble-design landing craft and the underslung laser pistols, all the good stuff, and set to Daft Punk. Which, yes.
Gods, I love me some old-school TV science fiction. *grins*
Ocean (Stardust)
Because it's a lovely and adorable look at Tristan/Yvaine, from troubled beginnings through danger to happiness. It's lovely, and it made me notice a little detail that had completely passed me by while watching the movie (that his hand was actually burned after lighting the Babylon candle - I missed so much of the impact of what he did because I didn't notice the physical cost of it). So, yes. This is a lovely vid. *nods*
The Waiting Game (The Station Agent)
I haven't seen this source, but the story in this vid is of three battered people, of trials and tribulations and trains, of friendship and found family. I'm hoping I was supposed to come out of it shipping an OT3, because, well, I kind of am, but I'm loving the friendship/found family thing they develop over the course of the vid. There are hard bits in this (the opening, him on the tracks in the middle), but it ends up in such a good place.
I Was Made For Sunny Days (The Thin Man Series)
Nick and Nora make me so happy. They're so confident and bitchy and playful with each other, it's lovely. Made for sunny days, yes, they do still light up the room.
Carpe Diem (Ultraviolet (the series))
Quiet and vicious, from the first scientific forays against the vampires, building in pace as the fight heats up. Ultraviolet is such a strange show. Kind of Cold War/Andromeda Strain about it, the violence bleak and disinfected, and almost more brutal for it. This vid is a fantastic look at that.
Also, as a commentor pointed out, Idris Elba + Jack Davenport + vampires. Worth mentioning.
Peace Love and Understanding (Wallander)
I've only seen three episodes of Wallander, but my basic impression is that it is the most lyrical and gorgeously filmed story of violence and tragedy and pain without end that ever aired on television. This vid does nothing to damage this impression.
Dutch (The Wire)
Stringer Bell: slick and cool and crisp as the Chicago Manual of Style, and absolutely ALL of it is built on broken lives. I've only seen parts of the Wire, but this was still so perfect. Dreams built on brutality, and violence coming home to roost.
And as a sidenote, I first encountered Dessa on another fanvid. I think I'm developing a fondness for her stuff.
And there are more, I haven't fully gone through the masterlist yet, but I think this is perhaps enough to be going on with? *grins* I love vidding season!
Top Picks:
Sleep No More (Strange Days)
Okay. There are three Strange Days vids this year, and you should watch all three of them. If for no better reason than that they're awesome, and Strange Days. It's one of my favourite movies, no lie.
But this one, this vid ... Lenny and Mace, helping each other survive. It is the best thing. It's the strength of their friendship and all the shit they've propped each other up through, and when Lenny finally wakes up and smells the kibble at the end, when he finally kisses her, it is SO GOOD. Mace is the reason I love this movie, Mace is basically the most awesome character ever, and she's so strong in this, and so vulnerable, and so goddamn badass and tender. It's like the movie all over again, waiting for Lenny to wake up. Because they go through so much, murder and pain and disillusionment, and when they just hold on at the end, it's ...
Um. Favourite movie, favourite pair, favourite character. This vid is so good for me, you have no idea.
(Warnings: nudity, sex, violence, a rape-murder, civil unrest ... the movie is a cyberpunk dystopia set in the run-up to the turn of the (2000) millennium, it shows, yes?)
Such Great Heights (WALL-E)
Because it is the EVE/WALL-E OTP vid of hope and wonder and joy. And not just them, that whole world, the people on that ship. Courage and exploration and wonder and hope, fighting for a dream you can hold in your hand. So perfect. So, sooo perfect.
Kids (Spirited Away)
"Control yourself. Take only what you need from it." The vid that shows why Chihiro is so strong. So scared, so out of her depth, but so strong, and kind, and sensible, and brave. I love it. I love it so much.
Cuz I Can (The Losers)
This is my sister's fandom more than mine, but I love this vid. I gather than Pink's Cuz I Can is more or less the perfect song for this bunch, and sometimes you just want to enjoy that. Heh. Although ... I admit to spending a fair bit of this vid wondering if Tony Stark is actually Clay's illegitimate brother or cousin or something. Because ... well, look. You know? *shakes head at self*
Take My Librarian (The Librarian Series)
I meant to watch these movies a while back. This vid reminded me why that needs to get bumped back up my list of priorities. This looks like exactly my kind of cheese. Sort of 'Romancing the Stone' crossed with 'Relic Hunter' with maybe a touch of 'Warehouse 13'. Setting it to A-Ha's 'Take On Me', though, is pure gold, because there're all these gender-reversed echoes of the original music video, and it's PERFECT!
The Virtuous Among Us (Gargoyles)
Because David Xanatos being awesome, with bonus David + Fox + Owen + kids family feels. Never has being a megalomaniac, somewhat honourable supervillain with a family looked like so much fun. Xanatos, I will never not love you.
A New Groove (Emperor's New Groove)
I need you to understand this. This is Emperor's New Groove, set to the Pink Panther Theme. With some of the best movement I've ever seen, and the best matching of moments to beats, and it's perfect. It's amazing. Watch it now.
Other Awesome Vids:
Wish (Arena)
I haven't seen this source, but judging by this vid it's a movie about a futuristic dystopian gladiator arena with an evil and very well-dressed Samuel L. Jackson in charge. Which ... sounds good enough to be going on with? Warnings for gore, and slavery, and what looks like heavy betrayal.
Paper Planes (Bandidas)
Again, haven't see the source, but from this vid it looks like a femmeslashy buddy bank-robbers movie set in 19thC Mexico, with vengeance and robbery and criminal hijinks and tragedy and friendship, and there is just nothing wrong with this picture. Nothing at all.
Finished Symphony (Blue Planet)
Yes, the nature documentary series about the oceans. But. This vid is quirky and fun and majestic and inspiring, and it builds beautifully. And I'm always surprised by how much life underwater looks alternately like a graceful ballet, a lethal race to the death, and an exceptionally bizarre alien rave from a sci-fi movie. Never gets old.
Citizens of the World (Blues Brothers)
The Blues Brothers, set to the Village People, as an anthem of revolution. The vid is worryingly long (5 mins plus), but the focus on all the other people in the movies, the lives affected by the action, and just the whole mood of the thing ... Um. Like I said. Blues Bros, Village People, revolution. Whadda ya want from me?
Are We Havin' a Hootenanny (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
... What is this source? Is it actually as cracked as it looks? I clicked on the vid because with that title, it wasn't like I was going to miss seeing what it was about, but the vid is actually funny and surprisingly warm, and I like it a lot.
Black Flowers (Call the Midwife)
I don't know this show, or this woman, but holy shit this vid. I was so afraid for her in this vid, so desperate for this not to end badly for her. There is no way for this situation not to hurt, but gods I wanted it not to end badly.
Emotional rollercoaster, my gods.
The Boxer (Carnivàle)
Carnivale. Portrait of a man with a part to play, caught up in big and terrible things. A mostly kind man with maybe not a lot of sense, who tries anyway. And pays anyway. Poignant, this one. It's been ages since I watched Carnivale, but I think I must rewatch sometime soon.
Find My Way (Carnivàle)
Same canon and same character as the last vid, but for some reason this one punched me in the gut so much harder. It's not as complete a story, more a different mood, but it's quietly visceral. I was watching with my hands pressed to my mouth for so much of it.
Get Me Bodied (Fifth Element)
Ru! By! Rhod! Set to Beyonce. Because that is so very much a thing the world needs. Get me bodied, I wanna be myself tonight. Yes indeedy.
Drumming Song (Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo)
Gankutsuou is basically the story of those people caught up in the machinations of a vampiric, LSD-fueled Count of Monte Cristo as the plot builds to tragedy around them. And Florence + the Machine is fantastic for conveying an intensely building urgency. Combined, the result is stunning.
221B And A Half (Great Mouse Detective)
"Here dwell together still two men of note
Who never lived and so can never die"
[...]
"Here, though the world explode, these two survive,
And it is always eighteen ninety-five."
Right in the childhood.
Trouble (Interview With A Vampire)
This song had to have been written for Lestat/Louis. "I knew you were trouble when you walked in, so shame on me now." Yes, Louis, Lestat is pretty much the dictionary definition of trouble.
And, also, incredibly pretty in this. Tom Cruise should get his flounce on more often.
Tik Tik Tok Tok (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
People keep recommending this movie to me, on the grounds of neo-noir and also RDJ. And for some strange reason I have a fondness for vids set to this song. It makes things look like just the best/worst night of someone's life, a long stream of bad decisions that they sort of get spat out of at the end, usually the worse for wear. Which, judging from the footage, seems to be quite apt for this movie -_-;
Um. Nobody warned me about the finger, though. *winces*
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Raumpatrouille/Space Patrol Orion)
I've been meaning to watch this show for a while (it's basically a matter of finding a subtitled version), and this vid just reminds me WHY. It's old-school sci-fi, with the robots and the UFOs and the weird bubble-design landing craft and the underslung laser pistols, all the good stuff, and set to Daft Punk. Which, yes.
Gods, I love me some old-school TV science fiction. *grins*
Ocean (Stardust)
Because it's a lovely and adorable look at Tristan/Yvaine, from troubled beginnings through danger to happiness. It's lovely, and it made me notice a little detail that had completely passed me by while watching the movie (that his hand was actually burned after lighting the Babylon candle - I missed so much of the impact of what he did because I didn't notice the physical cost of it). So, yes. This is a lovely vid. *nods*
The Waiting Game (The Station Agent)
I haven't seen this source, but the story in this vid is of three battered people, of trials and tribulations and trains, of friendship and found family. I'm hoping I was supposed to come out of it shipping an OT3, because, well, I kind of am, but I'm loving the friendship/found family thing they develop over the course of the vid. There are hard bits in this (the opening, him on the tracks in the middle), but it ends up in such a good place.
I Was Made For Sunny Days (The Thin Man Series)
Nick and Nora make me so happy. They're so confident and bitchy and playful with each other, it's lovely. Made for sunny days, yes, they do still light up the room.
Carpe Diem (Ultraviolet (the series))
Quiet and vicious, from the first scientific forays against the vampires, building in pace as the fight heats up. Ultraviolet is such a strange show. Kind of Cold War/Andromeda Strain about it, the violence bleak and disinfected, and almost more brutal for it. This vid is a fantastic look at that.
Also, as a commentor pointed out, Idris Elba + Jack Davenport + vampires. Worth mentioning.
Peace Love and Understanding (Wallander)
I've only seen three episodes of Wallander, but my basic impression is that it is the most lyrical and gorgeously filmed story of violence and tragedy and pain without end that ever aired on television. This vid does nothing to damage this impression.
Dutch (The Wire)
Stringer Bell: slick and cool and crisp as the Chicago Manual of Style, and absolutely ALL of it is built on broken lives. I've only seen parts of the Wire, but this was still so perfect. Dreams built on brutality, and violence coming home to roost.
And as a sidenote, I first encountered Dessa on another fanvid. I think I'm developing a fondness for her stuff.
And there are more, I haven't fully gone through the masterlist yet, but I think this is perhaps enough to be going on with? *grins* I love vidding season!
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