What defines a "movie"? (1 Viewer)

[Siddartha_Gau]

I had been thinking about this for some time, but what defines a "movie"? Does it have to be at least 90 minutes? Does it had to have a high budget? Does it need an ending? Finally, what makes a movie different from a TV show, even though both are motion pictures mediums?

 

[Paul_D]

60 mins plus. I think. Also, having been shown in a theater can't hurt.

 

[Don Black]

Nudity.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

Technically, a movie is a video. The term "movie" comes from "moving pictures."

To me, there is a difference between a "movie" and a "film." A "film" is made with care to the artistic integrity and is taken seriously as a form of expression. A "movie" is a quick cash-in on a franchise or a teen movie. There are some things that are in between, but generally a theatrical presentation can fit into one of those two categories.

To me, a movie/film should be a good length, usually around 80+ minutes. If it's less, it's ok.

 

[Chad R]

The difference between a movie and a TV show is obviously that a TV show has an episode every week(ish) and a movie is usually a one shot deal with a self contained beginning, middle and end. There are after all TV movies.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Chad's definition seems to be the most all-encompassing to me, too.

 

[Scott Weinberg]

75 minutes minimum.
It better have either a three-act story or a very good reason why not. (i.e. Fantasia)
Created with some small semblance of professionalism.
No Freddie Prinze Jr.

 

[Steven L]

...a movie is usually a one shot deal with a self contained beginning, middle and end.

By "end", do you mean conclusion? In my opinion there are lots of movies that are not a one shot deal and that don't have conculsions. For example Empire Strikes Back ends before the storyline concerning Han Solo is resolved and requires you to see the next movie in the series - but it's still a movie.

 

[Blaine Skerry]

All "new world" films are movies and all "old world" movies are films. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

 

[John Watson]

Used to be, the only ads in the movies were for other movies.

Now, they are almost as bad as TV

 

[Chad R]

Steven,

That would be one of the exceptions, which is why I said "usually."