I figure I could probably write a a top 200 list of the WORST movies from TV shows list… but that takes longer and quite frankly I don’t have that kind of initiative, so we’ll stick with the much shorter “BEST OF” list. A list that doesn’t even deserve to be 10… so I’m sticking with 5.
So here is the list of the 5 best films ever made that were based on a television show
5) George of the Jungle
Ok, I know it was slapstick and silly… but at the same time it was completely charming, funny and had a lot of life to it. I know that of all the movies on the list this one will probably get the most negative feedback… but it was still a fun and enjoyable flick to watch so it comes in at #5.
4) Charlies Angels
Yeah, the second one sucked stones, but the first Charlie’s Angels flick had excellent action and a lot of hard laughs along the way. Man they should have just walked away after the first one.
3) Mission Impossible
Also under the category of “They should have stopped after 1”, the first mission Impossible was not a pure action flick like many were expecting… it was more of a thinking man’s thriller with some action. Imagine that… a guy’s flick that made you think. Good stuff!
2) The Fugitive
TV show or not, this movie is killer! I have a very hard time thinking of any weaknesses in it at all. Fantastic cast, well directed, great plot twists, solid action and a very satisfying ending. This is a wicked fricking movie and has a spot in my top 50 films of all time.
1) The Untouchables
This is easily the greatest film based on a TV show ever made. Brian De Palma (who also directed Mission Impossible, Scarface and Carlito’s Way) crafted a wholly engaging story of the Capone/Ness war. Nominated for 4 Oscars (Sean Conery won best supporting actor for it). It was ROBBED at the Oscars in 1988… there is no chance in hell The Lat Emperor should have won best picture over this classic. One of the all time truly great films. “Isn’t that just like a wop… bringing a knife to a gun fight”.
So there you have it folks. How would your list look different?
Hell yes! The Brady Bunch! Very underrated movie.
http://www.moviepatron.com
The Addams Family, The Brady Bunch, Casshern, Head (The Monkees)
South Park, Serenity, Wrath of Khan, Fugitive, and Naked Gun.
First, I would replace “Charlie’s Angels” with, as previously mentioned, any one of the “Star Trek” films (probably Wrath Of Khan) but also, I would bump ‘George’ for ‘The Naked Gun’- which orginated from the short lived TV series ‘Police Squad!’
I think among the ‘list’ “The Fugitive” is the best of the bunch. I’m not including “Untouchables”, and I’ll explain why.
It isn’t based on a TV series.
Yes, there was a TV series which featured Eliot Ness fighting against Capone and other mobsters, but what is forgotten here is that Ness was a real person, as was Frank Nitti the Enforcer and Alfonse Capone. But the film directed by Brian DePalma isn’t influenced or based on the TV series that starred the late Robert Stack. A Battleship Potemkin nod, alright, but not the TV show.
And BTW, the film wasn’t robbed. Yes, I loved the picture too, but there’s nothing foul about Last Emperor winning that year.
My five in order:
5) Naked Gun
4) Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me (surprise!)
3) X Files Fight The Future
2) Star Trek II Wrath Of Khan
1) The Fugitive
Now, there may or not be another added to the list in another week or so (Serinity) but that’s how it stands right now.
I was just thinking about this the other day while talking about idiotic movies like Dukes of Hazzard and Bewitched. I forgot about The Untouchables, but The Fugative was on the top of my list. Hopefully Miami Vice will make it too along with Serinity. Since Michael Mann is involved, it just may have potential. I just wished it still took place in the 80’s instead of modern day. Then there is a movie based on Get Smart with Steve Carell coming out next year as well.
How about television shows based on movies? The first show that came to my mind was M.A.S.H. Then there is Buffy. The movie wasn’t that good but the series rocked.
That’s it, X- Files!
Cheers, Pudie!;-)
Hey guys,
Oh yes… I am looking forward to adding Serenity to this list. I hope it’s at least half as good and I’m picturing!!
~John
SERENITY!!!
[oh well, I just love firefly and I couldn’t wait till the movie premiered]
Oh, and one more (bit of a stretch)…PLEASANTVILLE…not directly from a TV show, but inspired and gently mocking the whole ‘prim & proper 50’s TV’
Does Mulholland Dr. qualify, after all it was supposed to be a TV show for ABC before it was turned into a feature. And no love for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me?
What about Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn? Surely it was based on TV, directly springing not only from the show, put from a particular episode…
And by the sounds of it, you will have to make room on that list for Serenity…
u have to do a quarter circle forward and mash the hp button
Have to disagree on you with THE LAST EMPEROR…As much as I love THE UNTOUCHABLES (and believe me the De Palma / Mamet combo is sweet and there are fine performances)…But The Last Emperor is a better film. And it is increasingly rare that the Academy gets these things right.
do the Muppet movies count?
what about the Brady Bunch Movie. seriously. I saw it on TV again recently, hadnt seen it in a long time – its so much better than I remembered. its just silly, and its stupid but its ‘smart stupid’ if you know what i mean. Plus it has Gary Cole as Mike Brady, Gary Cole as you know is Lumbergh in “office space” and the voice of Harvey Birdman.
No X-Files ethier.
Charlie’s Angels sucked ass. It was an abysmal Matrix rip off that tried very hard to be funny.
Oh and before I forget – Charlie’s Angels!?!!?? Puhlease tell me that is a joke! Both sucked.
Wow – no Star Trek movies!?!? KHHHHAAAAANNNNNN! Doug will pummel you!
i lvoed george of the jungle, I’ll watch anything with Brendan Frasier in it.