On Our List brings you, the reader, a little mid-month excitement: a look into the reading and watching lists of the Girls in Capes staff members. Check out what we’re reading and watching now:
“We need to talk about Orphan Black. Oh, my god. Tatiana Maslany has reached new heights in my love for actors. She’s amazing. She’s able to create a number of distinct characters that – with the help of make-up and wardrobe – look nothing alike. I’d love to know what her training was like because she’s fantastic at creating the physicality of each character so that they are all distinct. I forget sometimes that they’re all the same woman. Orphan Black is incredible not only because of Maslany’s abilities as an actor, but also in terms of the show’s focus around a group of women. Sarah Manning is one of my new heroes. She’s smart, resourceful, and ferociously protective of what is hers, from her daughter Kira to her brother Felix. What’s amazing is that each of the clones have a number of similar qualities, but particular ones developed differently based on the environment in which they were raised (a question that is touched upon briefly in the show, nurture vs. nature). It’s an incredible show with an amazing cast. I’m addicted.”
– Christina Casano, TV & Film Writer
“I’m kind of picky about the video games I play, but after starting the Assassin’s Creed series, I’m hooked. I never realized how much of the game’s plot is about not the assassin pictured on the cover, but about the man descended from him who’s looking at the assassin’s memories. I’m now in the middle (or towards the tail end) of Assassin’s Creed II, set in Italy, and the amount of history and the overall beauty of the in-game architecture is stunning and always grabs my attention. I can’t wait to find out what the rest of the game holds in store.”
– Feliza Casano, Editor in Chief
“After multiple recommendations from friends and loved ones, I finally settled down earlier this month to startDivergent, and to no one’s surprise at all, I absolutely loved it. Roth’s writing style is straightforward, so it’s a quick read, and as a sucker for less than optimistic, commentary-laden narratives about the trajectory of society, I absolutely devoured it. Rooted in a dystopian Chicago whose inhabitants are divided into five factions based on a single, defining aptitude, Divergent is the first in a trilogy that follows 16 year-old Beatrice – later Tris – Prior as she comes into her own, choosing a faction in which she’s to spend the rest of her life. Tris’ secret, however, is that she’s “divergent,” and has an aptitude for multiple factions. One of the things that I love most about the novel is how Tris’ divergence serves as a great commentary on autonomy by Roth, and how the greater story serves as an equally great colloquialization of the Allegory of the Cave. Like the equally dystopian compatriot it has in The Hunger Games, Divergent eulogizes Classic thought, making accessible its ideals to readers not necessarily previously exposed thereto, resurrecting them to leave in the care of a new generation.”
– Hannah Pingleton, LGBTQ Writer
“After months of hearing about it through an array of social media, I’ve finally buckled down and am now currently watching Shingeki no Kyojin (AKA Attack On Titan). This show holds no punches: with it’s interesting story, emotional impact, and an array of diverse characters, this show will leave you wanting more.”
– Janelle Smith, TV & Film Writer
“Someone I follow on Tumblr recommended an older TV show called Kings, and I gotta say, I’m so happy I started watching. The show is a modern retelling of the Biblical story of David and Goliath, with the added appeal of Ian McShane as King Silas and Sebastian Stan as his son, Prince Jack. David is an amazingly noble character and it’s so easy to root for him throughout the show’s many twists and turns. It was cancelled after the first season (in the distance you can hear my resounding ‘boooo’) but the whole thing is on Hulu for free. Do it. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll probably curse me after watching the whole thing in a day. ”
– Gabby Taub, Fantasy Reviewer
Christina – I completely agree with everything you’ve said. I can’t wait to see more of Tatiana in season two, because I know whatever happens, she’s going to continue to bring it. I’m not sure if you’ve read or watched any interviews with her, but one of the things she talks about a lot is her whole process of getting into character, and it’s fascinating. Some of her biggest tools are these playlists she makes and listens to to help her get into character: Sarah’s is the Clash, Allison’s is show tunes, Cosima’s is a lot of Grimes and Diplo-esque music, and so on. I just think it’s so cool and a really interesting insight into her process of characterization.
The music that inspires writers and creators always ends up being fascinating and insightful. Especially when you listen to the music and think about the characters.