Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week’s theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!
This week’s theme is ‘Bingeworthy TV Shows/Movies’, so this week I’m going to share some of my favourite films and TV shows, some of which have finished and some of which are ongoing.
Beauty and the Beast (1991): Don’t even talk to me about the remake (it was awful), but this original is my favourite film of all time. I adore it, I adore its take on forgiveness and learning, and while it’s not a perfect film by any means (Belle seems to be the only woman from her village with any sense, which is a shame) I just love it and it was also the first Disney film written by a woman. Considering Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937, it’s pretty shocking we had to wait almost 60 years for a woman screenwriter.
The Mummy (1999): Beauty and the Beast is very closely followed by The Mummy when it comes to my favourite films of all time. Again, while it might not be a perfect film or a cinematic masterpiece, it was the first time I saw a character like Evie in an action movie – and in the starring role, too. I love Rick and Evie’s relationship, I love that he’s never intimidated by her intelligence, and this film is so fun and has become my comfort film whenever I’m feeling particularly low.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008): Yep, can you believe it? This series ended ten years ago. I feel so old. Man I love this show. The character development and world-building is all fantastic, and Zuko’s character arc in particular is one of the best I’ve seen on television. If you haven’t watched this yet, I highly, highly recommend it!
Labyrinth (1986): While David Bowie’s music was brilliant, I’ll always remember him as Jareth the Goblin King. This film is just so… ’80s. It’s so bad it’s good, and it’s still one of my favourites.
The Tudors (2007-2010): I initially had no interest in watching this – I caught a scene of two characters having sex in the woods and assumed the whole show was just characters having sex in period costumes – but thankfully my friend Elena convinced me to give it a chance at uni. Is there a lot of sex in it? Yes, but 99.9% of the sex in this show is consensual and it honestly doesn’t take up as much time as you might assume. My favourite period of history is the Tudor era, and while there are definitely historical inaccuracies throughout this show, what I love most is how it gives each of Henry VIII’s wives fully realised personalities and each of them have plenty of screen time that doesn’t involve Henry. If nothing else, give this show a chance for Natalie Dormer’s fantastic portrayal of Anne Boleyn.
The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003): I remember being taken to see all three of these films in the cinema, they were a Christmas treat along with the first three Harry Potter movies, and I’ve loved them ever since. I own the extended editions and I don’t care that they’re ridiculously long, I love them. The Return of the King is my personal favourite because I love a happy ending, but I think this entire film series is brilliant.
Game of Thrones (2011-present): I have to admit I had to take a break from this series during Season 5 because I hated what happened to Sansa and, to be honest, I’m still pretty angry about it, but ultimately I’m weak and I want to know what happens. Luckily, Season 6 and 7 were far better in my opinion and the end is nigh! I have some theories (as does everyone) but I’m looking forward to seeing how the series ends and who, if anyone, ends up on the iron throne. To be honest, as long as Sansa, Brienne, Arya, Ser Davos and Lyanna Mormont are alright I don’t really care what happens to anyone else.
Castlevania (2017-present): The second season is coming this October and I am so excited! This new (very dark) animated show premiered on Netflix last year with a total of four half hour episodes (so if you have two hours to spare and you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend checking it out!) and it’s so good. I’m not usually a fan of the ‘man seeks vengeance for murdered wife’ trope, but this show has done it so well and you can understand the villain’s fury which makes for a really interesting watch because, in all honesty, do the protagonists really deserve to succeed?
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991): And now for something much lighter. In my opinion Robin Hood is one of those lucky stories to have several good films; the ’70s Disney movie is a classic, the 2010 flick with Russel Crowe is pretty good and this year there’s a new medieval punk version of Robin Hood starring Taron Egerton which just proves that it’s a story we can’t get enough of. My heart, however, will always be with this version. Yes, it’s cheesy and probably too long but I love this film so much. Alan Rickman’s performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham is perfection and, fun fact, the song that Bryan Adams wrote for this movie, ‘Everything I Do (I Do It For You’, was number one in the UK for 16 weeks and it’s a record that still hasn’t been beaten.
Queer Eye (2018-present): Last but certainly not least, if you ever feel like you need to be reminded of how much goodness there is in humanity, then watch this show. It’s such a pure, lovely show and it’s not usually the kind of show that I’d like but I binge-watched both seasons over the course of two nights because I couldn’t get enough. Bring me Season 3 please!
What are some of your favourite movies and TV shows? And, given my above tastes, are there any you’d recommend?
Jessticulates 
OMG – I had no clue there was a Castlevania show!!! I am super excited!!!! 😀 I loved playing the old school Nintendo game!
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I think the only one of these I have seen is Beauty and the Beast- and it was literally when it first came out, so obviously I fail! I am so, so terrible at movies in general, really. I don’t know why, I just never get too excited over them? I think because they’re over so quickly, you know? Not enough time to become invested! Great list!
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Okay, you’ve convinced me — it’s time for me to start Queer Eye! I love Beauty & the Beast. I was an avid viewer of The Tudors, and while there were things that annoyed me, I agree that Natalie Dormer was just amazing.
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Oh my god so many good things on your list this week where do I even start? Beauty and the Beast is the best Disney princess movie hands down, I cannot wait for GoT and I hate we didn’t any this year, Avatar was amazing and I wish Kora was as good, and Labyrinth is one of the best movies of all time.
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So many good choices here! I don’t watch much TV or movies, but I did like Beauty and the Beast, The Mummy, LOTR, and Avatar. I thought the Tudors sounded interesting, but I watch so little television that I’ve never gotten around to it.
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I love the first two Mummy movies! I actually wore out my old vhs copy of the first movie! 😀
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I love the Lord of the Rings movies, they’re so well done and it’s still amazing to me that we got such a high budget version of these. I love Return of the King too- the lighting the beacons scene always awes me, and the ending. Good stuff.
And Rickman was AWESOME in Prince of Thieves!
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Game of Thrones is the most bingeable show ever. I’m excited to see how it ends.
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I have never watched The Lord Of The Rings movies and I’ve heard a lot of opinions from a lot of people that were all over the place. I’ll eventually end up watching it, I guess. Great list! 🙂
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Ohh, Castlevania’s on my list for me to watch next month for Halloween! I haven’t played any of the games so I have barely any idea of what it’s about, but I’m still so excited to watch it 🙂
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I adore Beauty and The Beast. SO good. 🙂
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I had a bit of a tudors phase at uni but have never been able to watch the later series’ – it bothered me that Henry didn’t get fat! And I’m so excited for the final series of GOT – although my list of characters I’m worried about dying is much longer than yours. I’ll be devastated if Pod doesn’t make it.
My TTT: https://whenitdoes.blogspot.com/2018/09/top-ten-tuesday-favourite-binge-worthy.html
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Pod! Pod is adorable and I don’t want him to die either, but I’ve had to limit my losses for my own sanity – I’m still not over Margaery and Olenna. 😭
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Labyrinth is a good choice. I’d say it’s one of those films that has held up really well over the years, too.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
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Oh, Beauty and the Beast, The Mummy, and Labyrinth are excellent picks!
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I loved the Mummy– you mentioning it makes me think I need to rewatch soon!
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The Tudors is one of my favorite shows! I was in the middle of rewatching it last year when we moved, and I haven’t been able to find my DVDs! Beauty and the Beast is a great movie, and the music is spectacular. Sometimes I will find myself just randomly singing the songs!
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I did enjoy watching The Tudors, but mostly to pick at the historical inaccuracies-as a history student, that kind of thing really bothers me! I love Beauty and The Beast, it’s one of my favourite films.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/04/top-ten-tuesday-175/
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Avatar is so great! I haven’t heard of Castlevania but I’ll have to remember that one.
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Seeing Avatar on this list has got me all heart-eyes!!! YES, YES, & YES! I love that show so much. And I loved Legend of Korra, too.
* TTT: 10 feel-good TV series to watch while studying/writing notes
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