Hello there!
I see that there are still some active threads on here, so I am hopeful that this post will be responded to.
I am wondering if anyone knows of any shows that are somewhat similar to this show. I realize this show is pretty special, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any show that possessed a similar sort of charm, or was in some way comparable in terms of art direction (or what have you), style, etc.
The 2 that come to mind are
Dead Like Me
WonderFalls
These are both Bryan Fuller projects and were pretty good. Dead Like Me is one of my favorite shows ever.
http://codenamestone.blogspot.com/
You'll find more of that artistic style in movies by Tim Burtom (Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Barry Sonnenfeld (Addams Family), who directed the pilot and the second episode. There's also the French movie "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" from which Pushing Daisies borrowed a lot in terms of style. As for Tv shows, nothing ever game me the same feeling.
shareThat's funny. I've seen Amelie several times now and never clued into this. but now that you mention it, i can definitely see some resemblance. Though i like the narrator a lot more for PD. The one in Amelie was too harsh sounding for my tastes and didn't really go with the movie, IMO.
I can't really add any suggestions as i feel you both are pretty much dead on. Those movies for sure. The tv shows won't match PD in terms of over-the-topness but the wit and wackiness is definitely still there. I personally think Wonderfalls is funnier than PD but that's just me. Wonderfalls is more bright than Dead Like Me, so it's sorta close to PD in that respect.
All I want is someone who'll warm me when I'm cold, feed me when I'm hungry & maybe take me dancing
There is a short called Validation that I think is similar in the "fable and good feeling" quality of the show.
You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
Yes, I can see the similarity. Just wonder why they chose to shoot it in b&w. Thanks for sharing!
shareFor the vibe.. I'd recommend the Sonnenfeld Fantasy Island reboot as well as the CW series Reaper.. not to mention Fuller's previous shows (as they have) Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls.
shareMy best thoughts off the top of my head:
Little Shop of Horrors (1986 musical version only)
It's more of a loony musical than a horror movie. Some of it has similar art direction, especially a fantasy sequence in the middle. There is a giant man-eating plant and some humourous murders. A very serious bonus for PD fans is that Ellen Greene is the female lead and sings several songs.
Joe Vs. the Volcano
Loony, philosophical. Everything is heightened past realism. The gloomy images are preposterously gloomy, but most of the movie is in unrealistically bright colours. There's a fascination with death. Some of the dialog is amusingly weird. Samples -->
Angelica [Meg Ryan]: What did you do before you went to work for [my] Daddy?
Joe [Tom Hanks]: I was an advertising librarian for a medical supply company.
Angelica: Oh. I have no response to that.
Patricia [Also Meg Ryan]: My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.
I like the previous suggestions as well.
_______
HULK SMASH BOX OFFICE RECORDS!!
by Franco_Zed 3 days ago (Wed Jun 27 2012 18:03:23)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Little Shop of Horrors (1986 musical version only)
I love "Pushing Daisies"- it was my favourite TV show. Well, know I watch "Once Upon A Time" which is kind of special too, I think. I also liked "Dead Like Me"... There are some movies in a similar style.
shareIf you're looking for movies with a similar "feel", look no further than Tim Burton's Big Fish. Also try The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus by Terry Gilliam.
I find that a lot of anime have similar "gimmicks" to this show. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is about a young man that can control anyone's actions once in their life provided he can look the person he is attempting to control in the eye. Death Note is about a book with which the user may kill anyone simply by writing their victim's name in the notebook, provided they know how to spell their full name and also have the image of the victim in his or her mind.
Also, since Ned's power of resurrection is basically a superpower and a curse, try watching the American television show "Heroes".
The snappy dialogue and editing are very much like the Wes Anderson films. Almost as if one director inspired the other.
I've seen and enjoyed Wonderfalls, so now I'm heading off to check out Dead Like Me.