C.S. Lewis' seminal children's book series, The Chronicles of Narniahas been highly influential in the way young adult fantasy literature has developed. One of the main features of Lewis' universe is that when the Pevensie children get older, they will not be able to return to Narnia. In books, Aslan is the voice of reason and imparts his wisdom and many of the rules of Narnia for children. One of them is that Peter and Susan, the eldest Pevensie children, will not be able to return after the events of Prince Caspianbut it is never explicitly stated why. THE Narnia…
Author: Mary Kassel
Andrzej Sapkowski's iconic book series, The wizardhas always been a classic for fantasy readers, but has recently become a crossover hit thanks to the Netflix series of the same name. The story follows Geralt of Rivia, a wizard or monster hunter who possesses incredible strength and skill that allows him to defeat the evil creatures that plague the land. Sapkowski's stories speak to the broader themes and trends of fantasy. However, he also imbues much of his Polish heritage and Eastern European influence into the books, what differentiates them. The wizard is a long saga of fantasy books that is…
Both the Outlander TV shows and book series revolve around the central relationship between Jamie and Claire, but each iteration of their love story is different. Although the Outlander series is faithful to Diana Gabaldon's novels in many ways, some of which the undercurrents of how the narrative creates drama and intrigue for Jamie and Claire are best handled on the page. However, it's almost universally agreed that Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe were perfectly cast as Jamie and Claire and made the series relentlessly compelling thanks to their chemistry and desire for each other. Although the Outlander The season…
romance and fantasy have always gone hand in hand, even if there are some non-romance fantasy book series. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of raunchy content in speculative fiction, as the use of fantasy escapism complements the romantic tension of these more explicit scenes. Fairies and magical creatures often play a role in these narratives, as authors use the more mystical and inviting parts of the fantasy genre to draw readers in and create an immersive world. These books are written for the female gaze, with strong female protagonists exploring their sexuality. Many books seamlessly blend…
The heyday of adolescence romance TV programs from from the late 1990s to the early 2010s created some of the best and most influential teen series of all time. This was the period when teenagers and teenage angst began to be taken seriously in film and television, as young adults proved to be a vast and marketable audience base. While there are many other great shows about teens that feature love stories, not all of them share the specific tone and atmosphere that make a teen romance TV show so unique. There are a lot of toxic couples in teen…
Like any other genre, fantasy Films can include dark, intense themes that make the mystical elements of the story terrifying. Whether through a genuinely scary villain or serious plot points that make the stakes feel very real, These narratives are intended to leave the audience thinking about what they saw and how it relates to the real world. The use of metaphors and allusions to true events is what makes fantasy such a popular genre, especially darker works of fiction that lead the viewer to interrogate complex conversations about human nature. While many darker additions to the genre make the…
Some of the best K-dramas push genre boundaries and include lots of bloody, action-packed sequences that even the most die-hard action fan would love. Violence is a difficult tool to master in film and television, as it can be too brutal for some viewers, while others can't get enough. The secret is to balance fast-paced, adrenaline-filled scenes with attractive character dynamics that make the audience invest in the outcome of the fight scenes and battles. Action is a difficult genre to master and is often secondary to the main thrust of a series, which is closer to the thriller, crime,…
THE fantasy The genre shines on television, as the episodic nature of TV shows allows plenty of time to focus on world-building and magic systems while also providing character development. However, all the moving parts and expectations surrounding fantasy TV series make it difficult for a show to hit the mark in every aspect of the story. Common problems arise with fantasy TV shows that go on too long, running out of ideas and getting repetitive before the end. In a perfect show, there can be no big problems or many moments that make viewers give up on the series.…
Greta Gerwig's remake of The Chronicles of Narnia Movies is one of the most anticipated fantasy franchises of the next few years. The only thing that would make the new films even more magical is if audiences had the chance to see them in theaters. However, with Netflix producing, there is good reason to believe that the latest iteration of C.S. Lewis' seminal novels will never make it to the big screen. It has not been confirmed that Netflix will not allow this, and in the past, the streaming service signed on for limited theatrical releases, such as the acclaimed…
Crime Dramas typically do everything they can to distract the audience from the mystery of the story, and sometimes supernatural or surreal elements come into play because of this. Making the audience question what is real and what is imagined is a great way to build unreliable narrators and a sense of dread throughout the episodes. Sometimes these aspects of the plot can get so strange that the series becomes almost absurd. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing as it sets the program apart from the competition. There's no shortage of supernatural series and crime dramas out there.…