TV movies
 

I recently undertook a personal project in which I record all of the movies I have seen in my life and liked, and all of the movies that are already out that I want to see before I die. (The list will go on util that point, becuase new movies come out very often. The list includes Normal feature films, silent films, and Animated films. I now have this major dilemma about whether or not I should include TV movies on the list or not. I have 3 major problems with including them: 1. TV movies tend to not be of the same quality of theatrical movies (there are exceptions) 2. They aren't movies in the purist sense (I guess I've always thought abput movies as being theatrical) 3. If I were to add TV movies, I would feel obligated (weird I know) to see quite a few of them or else the list would feel and be much less complete (not to mention much more time consuming, some TV movies are really, really long). The things I like about them are 1. Some are well made (especially Jack the Ripper 1988) 2. It would make the list more complete in a sense. So....should TV movies count as movies? Should the be considered as much of a movie as theatrical ones? Should I include them in my list? Please give me your input and opinions on the matter.

I think a great movie is a great movie, even if it was originally produced for television or runs more than a few hours in total length. For example, not to include the epic mini-series "Lonesome Dove" (1989) or "Roots" (1977) on any must-see movies list is a tragedy.

http://www.tvfilm.hu/tvfilm/kepek/film/2822.pjpeg


Besides, there's no panel of international judges who are going to downgrade your score or strip you of your medal if you DO include made-for-TV projects, right?

TV movies of the week are usally tripe, but sometimes there are the good ones. I've always likedSalem's Lot. There are also some gems in the way of mini-series. Like; Roots, Lonesome Dove, and Shaka Zulu.

Let's not forget that HBO and Showtime put out some good ones from timt to time. However, I do see your point. It is hard to count the, "She's got Anorexia and the prom is in two weeks" type of TV movies, and I just saw an ad for Enron: The Movie. I felt like puking and laughing at the same time.

EDIT: Damn, as soon as I posted this, I realised that Holden posted his seconds before. Ah well, great minds and all...:p

Thats a very good point. Thanks.

off topic...sorta
 

Kinda off topic...but not really. Can you (directed at all forum members) suggest some good (or really good) TV movies? Keep posting on the advice thing too. Thanks!

In no particular order - other than "Lonesome Dove", which is my all-time favorite...

• "Lonesome Dove" (1989)
• "Roots" (1977)
• "Masada" (1981)
• "Holocaust" (1978)
• "Conspiracy" (2001)
• "Chiefs" (1983)
• "The Burning Season" (1995)
• "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones" (1980)
• "Helter Skelter" (1976)
• "Fatal Vision" (1984)
• "The Diliberate Stranger" (1986)
• "A Killing in a Small Town" (1990)
• "Adam" (1983)
• "The Rape of Richard Beck" (1985)
• "The Burning Bed" (1985)
• "Indictment: The McMartin Trial" (1995)
• "Dirty Pictures" (2000)
• "The Positively True Adventures of the Alledged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993)
• "Barbarians at the Gate" (1993)
• "Roe vs. Wade" (1989)
• "The Bunker" (1981)
• "The Missles of October" (1974)
• "The Day After" (1983)
• "Sybil" (1976)
• "Promise" (1986)
• "My Name is Bill W." (1989)
• "Citizen Cohn" (1992)
• "And the Band Played On..." (1993)
• "Separate But Equal" (1991)
• "The Tuskegee Airmen" (1995)
• "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976)
• "Brian's Song" (1971)
• "Dash & Lilly" (1999)
• "The Late Shift" (1996)
• "A Slight Case of Murder" (1999)
• "Friendly Fire" (1979)
• "Blind Faith" (1990)
• "Cruel Doubt" (1992)
• "Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story" (1989)
• "Traffik" (1989)
• "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1980)
• "Smiley's People" (1982)
• "Paris Trout" (1991)
• "Prime Suspect" (1991)
• "The Last Seduction" (1994)

That should keep you busy for a while. :laugh:

TV movies are basically serials in my opinon. They have a different rhythm than theatrical releases in that they need to start and stop at key points in the show for commercials. They also build up to as many climaxes as they have days to be shown. And I think subject content is more scrutinized by the censors (sans cable movie channels). I think it is the sudden "start" and "stop" rhythm that is uncomfortable; just as you're getting into the movie--it stops. Even though you might be interested in what's going to happen after the first night, you might not be able to watch the next night, or you have lost interest in the 24 hour period. Then what's the point of tuning in for parts 4, 5, and 6?

If you take Holden's selections and watch them, especially "Roots" or "Lonesome Dove" you might find that viewing them with fewer breaks will change your mind about their quality.

My suggestion:
Taken (2002)
Probably will be on DVD by March.

Lonesome Dove? That dove has definitely never flown near me. Never heard of it before. But of course you can't rely on me to be that adventurous with my movies.

About that Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom Movie.... isn't there two TV specials about that? Because I think I've only seen the really bad one (though, I thought it was hilarious) that's been on the Lifetime channel.

First off, may i commend the site Admins for having a functioning Search tool.

The funny thing about Made for Television movies, is often they are dated in that they reflect the times of the day. There are many that, from the casting to the overall production values, feels like a movie of the week.

There are a few standout productions though, that not only stand the test of time imo, but also doesn't have that TV feel.

Brians Song (1971)
http://www.tradeport.com.ph/uploads/...%282001%29.jpg


Sybil (1976)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n_2Wakow7A.../Sybil_DVD.jpg


Something for Joey-1977
http://www.pacsignatures.com/shop/images/T/dvd.jpg

The Burning Bed (1984)
http://www.womansday.com/var/ezflow_...show_image.jpg


The Sacketts (1979)
http://i36.tinypic.com/2nl7qrn.jpg

I'm still waiting for an answer about this. Anyone? Anyone?

If you mean two TV movies, yes, numbers 1. and 3. under Tiltles (Partial Matches).

Re: TV movies
 

My Wife is right into the True Crime stuff, I seem to recall the Cheerleader mom thing was profiled on A&E American Justice Series.

http://new.aetv.com/american_justice...episode=136159

Whether its available on DVD or not, i couldnt tell you.

Re: TV movies
 

I personally I wouldn't consider something that originally ran more than four hours (and if it's from the networks, that's with commercials) a movie. So I wouldn't consider Roots a movie. Some good directors got their start doing TV movies. Steven Spieberg, Peter Hyams, and others got their first theatrical movie gig because they made an impressive TV movie. In some respects, TV movies are the equivalent of the old B movie where directors like Anthony Mann and Fred Zinnermann got their start.

I really like this one.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3.../recount-1.jpg

Re: TV movies
 

I agree with the Roots assessment above, its certainly can be apprecciated for what it is, however for categorical purposes, i dont think of it as a movie in the classic sense.

There is another category that I would like to touch on, and that is the made for TV movie using pre-existing characters from a defunct TV series.

A little background:

I am a huge Rockford Files fan, and each year they have been released on DVD, they are slam dunk christmas/birthday gift. (which is great because kids dont know diddley bout aftershave ,,lol)

When the shortened Season 6 rolled around, I had hoped Universal might pad the set with a few of the made-for-tv movies of the week that were produced in the 90's.(they didn't cheap bastards)

Last year Volume 1 of the tv movies was released
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...OL._SS500_.jpg

My personal irrational disapointment at watching a much older James Rockford aside, I think of these as extended episodes as opposed to an Actual movie.

the only exception would be the original pilot "Backlash of the Hunter" a 2hr outing that strangely enuff appeared as a bonus feature on the 2nd Season DVD.

other titles taht should be considered extended episodes would be Columbo, MacMillan & Wife and McCloud imo.

Re: TV movies
 

Special Bulletin (Ed Zwick, 1983) was a grabber.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...lBulletin7.png http://www.rarehollywood.com/videos/0732.jpg

It was basically about TV reporters taken hostage and the station carrying a live feed from the kidnappers on the air. It also involved the threat of a nuclear bomb going off if the terrorists' demands were not met. The kicker was that the terrorists were actually anti-nuclear peaceniks. It was something for TV similar to what Orson Welles did for radio with The War of the Worlds. I'll try to add some more later when I have more time.

I don't think Peter Hyams' ever quite fulfilled the promise he showed in this ecconomically made homage/parody of 1940s film noir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uosZ_WLJeM0&feature=related

Often i see the Television movies are better than some 35mm movies. They are my favorite because i must watch them at home with full of comfort.

Things such as Roots or Prime Suspect shouldn't be included as TV movies, IMO.

Duel
To Catch A Killer
The Last Seduction
Threads
Cathy Come Home
The War Game
Culloden
The Naked Civil Servant
A Very British Coup

Re: TV movies
 

The Naked Civil Servant is probably the wittiest TV flick I've ever seen although it's been 30+ yeara since I've watched it. The War Game was harrowingly-realistic, and I've only seen that once when I was attending college (35 years ago).