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Fannish Friday: Favorite Beginnings
Tell me about a narrative of any kind--TV, movie, book, podcast, whatever--that has a beginning that just grabbed you. Especially if, once you've experienced the whole thing, you appreciate the beginning even more!
Some that I think of:
+ Octavia Butler's Kindred. When I pick up a new book, I like to read the opening matter--dedications, any author's notes, epigraphs the first few lines--as soon as I get it, even if I'm not going to read the book right away. I tried to do that with this book and...it did not work. I read the opening paragraph and I could not stop. I stayed up all night reading that book and it was totally worth it. Epitome of in media res used well!
+ Till We Have Faces. “I am old now and have not much to fear from the anger of gods. I have no husband nor child, nor hardly a friend, through whom they can hurt me. My body, this lean carrion that still has to be washed and fed and have clothes hung about it daily with so many changes, they may kill as soon as they please. The succession is provided for.”
+ The Hour. Let's start the first scene of the first episode of this show with Ben Whishaw talking directly to the camera. I never had a chance.
+ It's a cliche for a reason: A Christmas Carol has such a good opening line! Well done, Dickens!
+ Up! The rest of this movie is, imo, just okay, but the opening scene is a montage that lasts several minutes and it leaves me a weeping mess every time. This is kind of a cheat--it's more short-form storytelling than it is an opening tbh.
+ The Prince of Egypt. 'Nuff said.
(Next week is going to be favorite endings, so be thinking about that!)
Some that I think of:
+ Octavia Butler's Kindred. When I pick up a new book, I like to read the opening matter--dedications, any author's notes, epigraphs the first few lines--as soon as I get it, even if I'm not going to read the book right away. I tried to do that with this book and...it did not work. I read the opening paragraph and I could not stop. I stayed up all night reading that book and it was totally worth it. Epitome of in media res used well!
+ Till We Have Faces. “I am old now and have not much to fear from the anger of gods. I have no husband nor child, nor hardly a friend, through whom they can hurt me. My body, this lean carrion that still has to be washed and fed and have clothes hung about it daily with so many changes, they may kill as soon as they please. The succession is provided for.”
+ The Hour. Let's start the first scene of the first episode of this show with Ben Whishaw talking directly to the camera. I never had a chance.
+ It's a cliche for a reason: A Christmas Carol has such a good opening line! Well done, Dickens!
+ Up! The rest of this movie is, imo, just okay, but the opening scene is a montage that lasts several minutes and it leaves me a weeping mess every time. This is kind of a cheat--it's more short-form storytelling than it is an opening tbh.
+ The Prince of Egypt. 'Nuff said.
(Next week is going to be favorite endings, so be thinking about that!)
no subject
In the same vain, the beginning of The Lion King also grabs the viewer instantly. So good!
Mad Max Fury Road. The style. The action. The WTF.
Baby Driver, perfect meld of music, editing, and action. Gets me pumped every time.
Recently, Netflix's One Piece had the perfect opening to keep viewers glued to the screen.
Books, The Martian sure as hell knows how to get your attention. XD Yes, Mark, you're indeed quite fucked.
Pride & Prejudice is iconic for a reason.
Also, Lindsay Ellis' first Omegaverse Lawsuit video starts with a banger. XD Reading choice bits of the book this is all about definitely sets the mood. XD
no subject
Omg that sure was a choice on Lindsey's part to start with wolf porn!