TV series vs movies

[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.)

[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.