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Tv Movies

post #1 of 49
3/5/08 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 
What are everyone's thoughts on made for TV movies? Are any of them good? Or are they just terrible because they couldn't make it on the big screen? Whats the differences? How are they the same?
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post #2 of 49
3/5/08 at 2:37pm
What I consider to be the best TV movie ever made was The Day After (1983) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085404/

Starring Steve Guttenberg outrunning nuclear blasts.

It's actually a very well done movie, that has a rather bleak ending and a pretty decent message. If global thermonuclear warfare ever happened, mankind is fucked.
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post #3 of 49
3/5/08 at 4:59pm
My favorite made for TV movies. Killer hockey player, killer bulldozer, and killer runner.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075918/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071717/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079366/
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post #4 of 49
3/5/08 at 5:15pm
The Moment of Truth movies are the best in my book. You can't beat "She woke up pregnant."
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post #5 of 49
3/6/08 at 10:28am
One of the best TV movies I've seen, if not the best http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101550/
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post #6 of 49
3/6/08 at 10:59am
I don´t know if this would be considered a TV movie, but we have quite a few historical recreation of important events for our country made for TV.
It is awesome stuff. A mixture between original historical films like newscast etc. and reenactments of the political decision process.
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post #7 of 49
3/8/08 at 2:56pm
USA did a movie of the week about cutting called, appropriately, "Secret Cutting". I remember it really bothered me quite a bit- the young high school girl goes from slight cutting to eventually getting drugged and gangraped by a group of high school toughies. Also bothersome- Rhea Perlman was in it.
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post #8 of 49
3/8/08 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Tom View Post
One of the best TV movies I've seen, if not the best http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101550/
Wow, what a cast. And Detective H.P. Lovecraft is glorious in every way.

Also, fuck you justdecent. I could have sworn the mods disappeared your shilling ass when the changeover occurred.
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post #9 of 49
3/8/08 at 3:54pm
Still hard to top Kim Darby in DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. From 19-fuckin-73!

As for made-for-cables, HBO's BY DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT is a big favorite. A late cold war thriller that did it's original novel some justice. An awesome indictment of command and control weaknesses and the danger of hawkish lunacy anywhere in the system.
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post #10 of 49
3/8/08 at 6:37pm
There's always Duel.
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post #11 of 49
3/8/08 at 10:19pm
And LA Takedown
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post #12 of 49
3/8/08 at 10:30pm
No love for Billionaire Boys Club?

For shame.
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post #13 of 49
3/8/08 at 10:42pm
Some of the ones that stick out in my mind:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Executioner's Song
Murder in the Heartland
Small Sacrifices
Reflections of Murder
Orpheus Descending
The Best Little Girl in the World
Stay the Night
Bastard Out of Carolina
The Con
Haven
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post #14 of 49
3/8/08 at 11:29pm
True-crime serial killer goodness: The Deliberate Stranger and To Catch A Killer.
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post #15 of 49
3/8/08 at 11:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainZahn View Post
Some of the ones that stick out in my mind:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
I thought I was about the only one that remembered that particular Hallmark Hall of Fame moment. That was the first time I really *paid attention* to Anthony Hopkins, although I'd seen several of his projects prior. He was just excellent as Quasimodo. One of my fave performances from him ever.
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post #16 of 49
3/8/08 at 11:42pm


BEYOND BETRAYAL

Richard Dean Anderson plays against type as a psychotic cop who targets his ex-wife, who has fallen in love with a gentle toymaker. Lust and danger ensues. And I think RDA falls off a bridge at the end, I can't remember.



Dennis Boutsikaris (pictured) portrays the gentle toymaker. Is there any way an actor who looks like that can portray anyone but a gentle toymaker?
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post #17 of 49
3/9/08 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by teledork View Post
I thought I was about the only one that remembered that particular Hallmark Hall of Fame moment. That was the first time I really *paid attention* to Anthony Hopkins, although I'd seen several of his projects prior. He was just excellent as Quasimodo. One of my fave performances from him ever.
His performance was heartbreaking. The ending really kills me.
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post #18 of 49
3/9/08 at 7:47am
The Race For the Double Helix is one of my favorite movies regardless of origin. Go BBC!

No mention of Brian's Song? I'm old.
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post #19 of 49
3/9/08 at 8:09am
Boy in the Plastic Bubble for the win!
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post #20 of 49
3/9/08 at 8:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Boy in the Plastic Bubble for the win!
Wrong! Trilogy of Terror is the clear winner of this thread.
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post #21 of 49
3/9/08 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Tom View Post
One of the best TV movies I've seen, if not the best http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101550/
Directed by Martin Campbell! Haven't seen it, but it sounds intriguing.

To Catch a Killer is great, Brian Dennehy as John Wayne Gacy. There's also Citizen X with Stephen Rea, about the hunt for Russian serial killer Chikatilo.
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post #22 of 49
3/10/08 at 4:20pm
Normally I tried to stay far far away from made for TV movies. There have been a couple of the course of my time that I've hit up...there's one airing pretty soon with Alyssa Milano (which would be worth my time checking out just because of her) called Wisegal.
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post #23 of 49
3/11/08 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Latentgreens View Post
Normally I tried to stay far far away from made for TV movies. There have been a couple of the course of my time that I've hit up...there's one airing pretty soon with Alyssa Milano (which would be worth my time checking out just because of her) called Wisegal.
Wow!! I can't believe that Alyssa Milano is still around. And apparently looking as hot as ever. I just never thought I'd see her do the whole Saturday night at 9 on Lifetime thing. Well maybe I can after doing Charmed!
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post #24 of 49
3/11/08 at 1:25pm
The Day After was a TV movie? I did not know that. Wasn't the best thing ever (depressing as hell) but it had more than its fair share of 80s cinematic moments.
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post #25 of 49
3/11/08 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KABONG View Post
USA did a movie of the week about cutting called, appropriately, "Secret Cutting". I remember it really bothered me quite a bit- the young high school girl goes from slight cutting to eventually getting drugged and gangraped by a group of high school toughies. Also bothersome- Rhea Perlman was in it.
Shit scared me when I was 13. Every time that actress shows up in a tv series (and she has, often) I'm reminded of horrible scenes like her mom finding bloody underwear in the laundry or the aforesaid gang rape.
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post #26 of 49
3/11/08 at 1:38pm
Oh! I remember now. Scared the piss out of me when I was 14 or so. I doubt it holds up well anymore:

Alien Abduction: Incident at Lake County
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post #27 of 49
3/11/08 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin View Post
Oh! I remember now. Scared the piss out of me when I was 14 or so. I doubt it holds up well anymore:

Alien Abduction: Incident at Lake County
I watched this a few years ago. It holds up ok, except the acting is really really bad.
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post #28 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1of3Kings View Post
Wow!! I can't believe that Alyssa Milano is still around. And apparently looking as hot as ever. I just never thought I'd see her do the whole Saturday night at 9 on Lifetime thing. Well maybe I can after doing Charmed!
YO! Alyssa Milano hasn't gone ANYWHERE. She's been in projects ever since she was like 10..nonstop. As much as her stint on Charmed SUCKED...she's been doing stuff and getting paid. So I say go for it. Make a TV movie Alyssa Milano...get your hotness on!
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post #29 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:26pm
My favorites:

The Return of the Incredible Hulk
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
That One Where Corky's Sister Kills Tori Spelling
The Death of the Incredible Hulk
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post #30 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:41pm
Which one is the one where Fred Savage kills DJ Tanner?
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post #31 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:44pm
I remember one where Dan Laruia ( The Dad from Wonder Years) played a NJ state trooper who was killed by a roving band of ex-hippies turned domestic terrorists and it was up to Nicholas Turturo and Adam Arkin to taken them down. Melissa Leo played one of the terrorists.

And speaking of Fred Savage, there was another in which he played a kid with muscular distrophy and was being abused in this caretaker facility.
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post #32 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:48pm
There's also the one where the Rocketeer and Lori Lauglin go on a bank-robbing spree. Based on a true story! Inspired by actual events!
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post #33 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:48pm
They've already been mentioned, but it should be said again: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and Trilogy of Terror (specifically the last story) kick all kinds of ass.

I'll also add the two hour movie of the week, Night Stalker, that preceded the series (and spawned another MOW called The Night Strangler). Fun stuff with an iconic performance by Darren McGavin.
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post #34 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RathBandu View Post
There's also the one where the Rocketeer and Lori Lauglin go on a bank-robbing spree. Based on a true story! Inspired by actual events!
Wasn't that Bruce Campbell and the girl from Full House or am I thinking of a different one?
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post #35 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:52pm
I'm pretty sure that was Billy Campbell (the Rocketeer) and Rebecca from Full House in that one.

There was also the movie Saget did about his sister and her unique but fatal disease. I think the Queen of the TV Movie, Dana Delaney, was in that.*

*For some reason, I saw a picture of what she looks like now, on Desperate Housewives, and goddamn. She aged well.
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post #36 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
I remember one where Dan Laruia ( The Dad from Wonder Years) played a NJ state trooper who was killed by a roving band of ex-hippies turned domestic terrorists and it was up to Nicholas Turturo and Adam Arkin to taken them down. Melissa Leo played one of the terrorists.
This it?
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post #37 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RathBandu View Post
I'm pretty sure that was Billy Campbell (the Rocketeer) and Rebecca from Full House in that one.

There was also the movie Saget did about his sister and her unique but fatal disease. I think the Queen of the TV Movie, Dana Delaney, was in that.*

*For some reason, I saw a picture of what she looks like now, on Desperate Housewives, and goddamn. She aged well.
Nope, it was Bruce after all.

And Delaney is all kinds of hot. Always has been.
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post #38 of 49
3/12/08 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan S~ View Post
Yup, that's the one.
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post #39 of 49
3/12/08 at 2:18pm
Sadly, I've seen many of the movies that have been listed. One that I don't believe was listed, but sticks out in my mind is I Know My First Name is Steven. It recently became surreal to me because the kid's younger brother grew up to become the Yellowstone Killer.
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post #40 of 49
3/12/08 at 2:25pm
Roadracers! By Robert Rodriguez, no less. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111002/
Nothing fancy, just a 50s period piece... but I remember some fun action sequences, particulary one where David Arquette slides down a rollerskate rink head down on his greasy ducktail (no really).

Interesting note: it's also listed as an episode in a series called 'Rebel Highway', with every movie an homage to 50s B-movies... other notable director names include Joe Dante, John McNaughton, John Milius, and William Friedkin.
Here's the list: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108902/episodes

Not really clear to me, but it seems the series consisted of edited down versions of the original movies.

Anybody got more on this? Roadracers in any case is not released on dvd, but apparently Rodriguez talks about it on the Planet Terror extras.
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post #41 of 49
3/12/08 at 5:47pm
The Night Stalker with Darren McGavin is great. In fact, I believe it's still to this day one of the most watched television programs of all time. I saw it again not too long ago and was just as captivated by it as I was the first time I watched it as a small child. Despite the '70s clothes and the restrictions of TV censors it still holds up incredibly well. There is a high level of suspense at the end when Kolchak goes into that old house in search of the vampire.
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post #42 of 49
3/15/08 at 6:12pm
Movieforumz doesn't have any of these in excellent quality, I'm trying the Buster next. Sadly the only one of these I could actually watch would have to be "Wisegal". Whatever
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post #43 of 49
3/15/08 at 6:22pm
The greatest:

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post #44 of 49
3/15/08 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin View Post
The Day After was a TV movie? I did not know that.
There was a bit of a scandal when it aired in my hometown. The mayor felt so strongly that people shouldn't watch it (I think he was worried more about mass panic than sociopolitical enlightenment) that he orchestrated a power failure. Never did hear how that lawsuit turned out...
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post #45 of 49
3/16/08 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
There was a bit of a scandal when it aired in my hometown. The mayor felt so strongly that people shouldn't watch it (I think he was worried more about mass panic than sociopolitical enlightenment) that he orchestrated a power failure. Never did hear how that lawsuit turned out...
That is amazing. I would actually love to hear more about that.
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post #46 of 49
3/16/08 at 10:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amphibatron View Post
The greatest:
YES!!

HELL YES!!

First movie to ever freak my shit out enough to keep me from actually going up to my room for fear there was a gargoyle waiting...leeering at me...from the top of the stairs.

Also, kudos for Citizen X. I thought that was a great flick.
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post #47 of 49
3/19/08 at 7:59pm
The best tv movies aired in the 70's and 80's. Most of the good ones were almost always true stories.

One of the best tv movies, miniseries- the first, was "Rich Man, Poor Man." Of course there's "Roots."

Farrah Fawcett was one of the most famous ones of all, "The Burning Bed."

I remember one with Linda Blair as a teen boozer.

One took place in my Dad's hometown about a Preacher murdering his mistresses' hubby, "Murder Ordained."

The Keanue Reeves/Keifer Sutherland team up, "Brotherhood of Justice."

One of the most depressing movies I've ever seen was about a six year old boy who was horribly burned thanks to his loving father setting his room on fire. Benedette Peters played his mother. Rough.
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post #48 of 49
3/19/08 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by teledork View Post
YES!!

HELL YES!!

First movie to ever freak my shit out enough to keep me from actually going up to my room for fear there was a gargoyle waiting...leeering at me...from the top of the stairs.

Also, kudos for Citizen X. I thought that was a great flick.

I loved this! A friend of mine had this on Laserdisc for some reason. I think this aired on the always awesome CBS Late Night, loooooong before Letterman took over.
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post #49 of 49
3/19/08 at 8:50pm
Gargoyles is great, but I'm all about Dark Night of the Scarecrow, and not in an ironic way either. The ending creeped me the fuck out when I was kid.

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