lirazel: Lix Storm from The Hour works on film ([tv] got no bloody film)
lirazel ([personal profile] lirazel) wrote2023-11-10 11:20 am

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!)
dollsome: (reign | girl squad)

[personal profile] dollsome 2023-11-10 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so embarrassed that I can't think of something higher-quality off the top of my head, but honestly: Reign! It was love at first sight! I feel like that show just had its vibe figured out perfectly from day one, and the pilot remains one of my favorite pilots in all the land. I was just swept up instantly and watched it over and over the week it premiered!

The openings of Jane Eyre, Emma, Rebecca, and Gone Girl all really stick with me, as ones that come to mind immediately.

I'm gonna be pondering this because I'm sure there's a ton I'm forgetting!