Frock Flicks - Costume Movie Reviews

This version of Little Women gets it nearly perfect, from a script that stays close to the Louisa May Alcott book and beautifully accurate costumes designed by Colleen Atwood. We discuss costumes, characterizations, casting, and a little bit of Transcendentalism and feminist theory.

The adorable Robert Downey Jr. indulges in the sensuality of King Charles II's court but learns some Important Life Lessons, with the help of a surprisingly not annoying Meg Ryan. This flick has it all, from fabulous costumes to a great story, worth revisiting. Who knew?

Bram Stoker's Dracula is an over-the-top costume extravaganza. We discuss the background of the film and source novel, the Art Nouveau aspects of the design, the arch theatricality, and Keanu Reeves attempts to NOT be Ted "Theodore" Logan.

This adaptation of the popular historical fiction/time travel books gets a lot right, but controversy ensued when the costume designer posted online some so-called facts about 18th-century hygiene. We review the movie and the costumes and discuss the controversy -- and how they REALLY handled hygiene back in the day.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VIII and a whole bunch of bad rental costumes ... and it only goes downhill from there! This time we record our discussion AS we watch episode 1 -- the horror!

Power and intrigue at the Vatican during the Italian Renaissance. Listen as we geek out on shoes and eyeglasses, discuss historical body ideals, and bemoan the shy guys.

Fabulous 18th-century costumes plus bad casting makes 'The Affair of the Necklace' (2001) a contradictory endeavor. Listen as we analyze the costumes, praise Adrien Brody's towel, and ramble on about historical underwear.

Regency England gets an Indian flair in this adaption of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel. But this isn't just another Bollywood-ization -- the Indian themes are carefully woven into the story and visual effects. This could be the anti-Austen with nary a dull muslin gown in sight.

Instead of watching a movie, we quiz a live, studio audience about costume trivia! Tune into the gang at Costume-Con 26, where we boldly went where no historical cosutmers had podcasted before. NPR fans, frequent eBayers, and Showtime snarkers may get a giggle out of this episode.

Ah, the great clash of history versus historical fiction! A best-selling book that toys liberally with the facts of Henry VIII and the two Boleyn sisters gets blown up on the big screen. Is it even more historically inaccurate than the novel? Does it matter? You may be surprised at what we think...

Is the Virgin Queen really a virgin? Does it matter? And check out the pants on that studly dude who'll later be flying around in a police call box. Bollywood meets Shakespeare in England's first golden age.

A metaphor of 1980s consumer consumption and post-punk isolation, plus hardcore costume porn. Remember, what happens in Le Petit Trianon, stays in Le Petit Trianon.