TV series vs movies

[andytoh]

The fact that tv series on blu-ray fills the screen and is almost grain-free made me switch from movies on blu-ray to tv series on blu-ray some months ago. But, now having seen Smallville seasons 1-5 and now season 6 on blu-ray, I find myself quite addicted to tv series not because of the aspect ratio anymore but because I find the content more enjoyable.

Smallville (and many other TV titles I'm waiting for to come out on blu-ray) has a continuous plot that stretches over 150+ hours, whereas a movie's plot ends after just 2 hours (perhaps up to 8 hours for trilogies). These plentiful hours of continuity makes me care and fully understand the characters and their ambitions much more than for movie characters (whose character names I usually forget once the movie is over). On the other side of the coin, there must be certainly some aspects of movies that make movies superior to tv series, but I honestly can only think of one--higher budgeting. In terms of writing quality, I don't find it to be any better than tv series (except for allowing for foul language, adult scenery, and perhaps more violence, but so what?). What are some other thoughts of why the majority prefers buying movies over tv series?

[tiger roach]

Movies are better.



Actually, why choose? It is OK to like the best of both.

[JJ]

Interesting quandary. Ive never thought about it that way before.

[Deadster]

One reason I love TV series is the constant character development over multiple seasons. There are also lousy shows with no/poor character development, I don't really watch those (Law & Order I'm lookin at you.)

[MasterXeus]

Originally Posted by andytoh

The fact that tv series on blu-ray fills the screen and is almost grain-free made me switch from movies on blu-ray to tv series on blu-ray some months ago. But, now having seen Smallville seasons 1-5 and now season 6 on blu-ray, I find myself quite addicted to tv series not because of the aspect ratio anymore but because I find the content more enjoyable.

Smallville (and many other TV titles I'm waiting for to come out on blu-ray) has a continuous plot that stretches over 100+ hours, whereas a movie's plot ends after just 2 hours (perhaps up to 8 hours for trilogies). These plentiful hours of continuity makes me care and fully understand the characters and their ambitions much more than for movie characters (whose character names I usually forget once the movie is over). On the other side of the coin, there must be certainly some aspects of movies that make movies superior to tv series, but I honestly can only think of one--higher budgeting. In terms of writing quality, I don't find it to be any better than tv series (except for allowing for foul language and adult scenery, but so what?). What are some other thoughts of why the majority prefers buying movies over tv series?

Within the last 2 years I find myself enjoying TV shows on DVD (now Blu-ray) more than movies. I still enjoy movies, but like you said. 100+ hours for, plots, character development, etc... On the other hand sometimes you have some really bad episodes too. (But the same can be said for movies)

I think majority prefer buying movies because of the fact that they're less time consuming and high budget (sometimes means better special effects) People also complain about the high price of TV shows vs. Movies on Blu-ray.

[Kristin Simard]

Originally Posted by tiger roach

Actually, why choose? It is OK to like the best of both.

I agree.

Personally, I don't have the time to sit through most series/mini-series productions. I like to set aside a couple or 3 hours in the evening for watching a film and have it completed by the end of the evening. I don't have to go back to it the next day or days.

I just recieved the 8 hour Russian mini-series (a film made for TV) Doktor Zhivago but have not had the time yet to watch it continuously, or even over a couple days. I may have to wait for the Christmas holidays for that.

Ken Burns's films are great, but I never buy them for that reason.

[supersix4]

I'd actually rather watch sopranos blu-ray, brotherhood, simpsons,nypd blue, exc... anyway hopefully it doesnt take them forever to start releasing blu-ray full sets... One downside could be lets say we start buying a set and after two 100+$ seasons they say meh we wont make it anymore how lame is that! im stuck on season 4 of nypd blue

[Haikira]

I'm more of a movie guy. But you do raise interesting ideas and i do agree that it's nice to have the extra hours for character development, provided they're used. The Wire, Breaking Bad and The Shield are good examples, of time well used. They also happen to be some of my favorites.

Another interesting plus for television shows, is some actors find their character as a show continues. Walton Goggins as Shane in The shield is one of my favorite performances and i find he only gets better as the show continues.

The same can be said about the writers. It's evident that Breaking Bad has made some changes, due to the fact it's a long running show rather than a film. Jessie Pinkman, one of the main characters was originally intended to be killed off early in the show. But due to it not being a film, but a series. They were able to let things play out, see how interesting the character is and what the actor can bring to the show. Then plan accordingly.

Originally Posted by andytoh

On the other side of the coin, there must be certainly some aspects of movies that make movies superior to tv series, but I honestly can only think of one--higher budgeting.

For myself. I prefer movies, as in the case of good ones, you feel it's a product of the director. There's less finger prints over it and it's more consistent due to that fact. Some television shows go through radical changes behind the scenes and those changes can really effect a series for good or bad. Dexter and Prison Break are two shows i enjoyed early on. Neither were amazing, but perfectly fun entertainment. But they both declined in quality due to a number of reasons behind the scenes. Which i find a very annoying experience. You become invested in the characters and story. Though I guess the same could be said about movie sequels.

[HD Goofnut]

Movies all the way. I feel that many TV shows are mediocre or worse because the director of each episode has to throw it together at 'get it done now' pace. There's also the fact that director's intent usually goes out the window with the TV shows due to the various network rules for violence, profanity, etc.

[Wyndam]

In my opinion, TV is the best form of the entertainment medium.

I love movies, but watching my favorite TV shows will always be my favorite thing to do.

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by andytoh

The fact that tv series on blu-ray fills the screen and is almost grain-free made me switch from movies on blu-ray to tv series on blu-ray some months ago.

I enjoy both, though I lean towards movies -- however I can't imagine the reason you give above as a reason for switching. For me it's the story, the characters, the writing, etc. Aspect ratio, grain, color or B&W have nothing to do with the quality of the show.

I would take a really good program in 1:33 grainy B&W over a gorgeous, widescreen, grain-free, color print of a mediocre show one any day.

[mayday72]

I love them both. Use to be hardcore into tv series but lately find movies to be the more enjoyable medium for story telling as it is more time efficient to watch a complete story much faster. Even something like the Star Wars Saga with 6 parts taken as awhole can be viewed in 2 to 3 days. Instead of months for a long running tv series. And i find it is much more likely that I will rewatch a movie as opposed to rewatching an entire series again.

[bookcase]

On my own, I prefer TV series -- I eat them up like candy. When I'm with others, I prefer movies.

[Dragun]

Grain and not filling the screen don't matter to me but many TV shows are more engrossing than movies. You can spend a long time with watching the characters develop. Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire, etc. The Sopranos started this trend of great dramas on TV.

[Hussun1]

Movies are great but TV shows are better imo. After watching shows like Prison Break, Jericho, Walking Dead I do enjoy watching them more than my favourite movies even though some of them got worse like season 3 of Prison Break and Season 2 of Walking Dead and Jericho getting cancelled. Dexter is still amazing imo, also Breaking Bad is another amazing show, it just gets better with every season!

Plus I much prefer the 16:9 full screen aspect ratio as well.

[critterdvd]

I've always been drawn more to Television Shows than movies personally. There is just something about being able to spend unknown hours with the characters and coming back to the narrative week after week for years sometimes.

I wish I had seen this thread 3 years ago when I was writing my Masters thesis on a similar topic, would have been interesting to get everyone's opinion while I was still in the writing process.

[Scottie]

I collect both Movies and TV Shows and I love them both.

I just prefer TV Shows more so than Movies occasionally because I enjoy the progression and the on-going story / character developments over multiple seasons.

I only own True Blood and The Walking Dead on Blu-Ray. I love The Walking Dead and I have True Blood because I wanted it and the Blu-Ray was cheaper than the DVD.

I still purchase a bulk of my TV Shows on Blu-Ray. I only have The Walking Dead pre-ordered and I'll probably just pick up the rest in DVD format.

I own several box sets for some of my favorite shows like 24 and The Shield and I don't mind the quality at all lol

[mikeyfridebuzz]

A Great TV Series is better then most movies, however in my opinion, there just aren't that many great TV Series. Shows like Lost and 24 are diamonds in the rough.

TV series are a big gamble. Do you invest 6 years of your life on a show and hate the way it ends, what happens then? I didn't hate the ending of Lost but allot of people did. Sopranos also applies. Stinks for them.

Some of these shows don't even get an ending or some get lame endings that have to be rushed out because the show got cancelled due to a sudden nosedive in ratings or the contract doesn't get renewed. Wonder Years, Quantum Leap, Firefly and Gilmore Girls comes to mind.

Allot of shows I want to like, such as Buffy, Smallville and X-files, but the repetitiveness of them gets tiresome. I'm currently working through season 2 of Buffy and will stick with it because I hear it gets better, but I have to admit that I've had a couple stall outs already.

I like going into something knowing that the writer's original intent was achieved from start to finish...which is why movies for the most part are more satisfying. Did Lost intend to have the ending it did from the very beginning before all the speculation and internet buzz? I suspect not.

The only way I can watch a TV series is if the show has completed it's run and given a proper ending and then I'll check it out on home video. No commercials (huge pet peeve) and I can watch how many I want when I want. Sitcoms like Big bang Theory don't apply although I still DVR the new episodes to fast forward through commercials and only watch reruns on DVD.

[Walts Ghost]

I love both movies and TV shows.

[Celtic Fan1980]

Originally Posted by bookcase

On my own, I prefer TV series -- I eat them up like candy. When I'm with others, I prefer movies.

I think you hit the nail on the head....August/Sept im always picking up tons of tv series. Ive already picked up (and not all on blu) news seasons of Community,Happy Endings,Strike Back,Grimm and I still plan on picking up the new releases of Sons of Anarchy,Boardwalk Empire,Walking Dead,Fringe and a few others.