Summary
- HBO movies showcase a wide range of genres, from intense dramas like The Normal Heart to hilarious comedies like 7 Days in Hell.
- The talented cast in HBO movies, including Al Pacino and Julianne Moore, bring real-life and controversial figures to life on screen.
- HBO movies tackle important and relevant topics, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic in The Normal Heart and the scandal surrounding Clarence Thomas in Game Change.
HBO is certainly best known for its ground-breaking television shows like The Sopranos and Game of Thrones, but the best HBO movies showcase their talent for feature-length storytelling as well. From the early days of the cable channel to the more recent offerings, the HBO movies have told a wide range of movies that have earned acclaim, brought in big-name talent, and further cemented HBO as a television brand above most others.
Audiences can look back at the wonderful HBO movies that they have made over the years. There are intense dramas like The Normal Heart, ridiculous and hilarious comedies like 7 Days in Hell and there are even continuations of outstanding HBO shows like Deadwood: The Movie. Looking back at the best HBO movies is a reminder that their library of great stories goes far beyond the shows that fans love.
The Rat Pack (1998)
It became a trend of HBO movies that they would tackle real-life and well-known figures in biographical and exploratory movies. The Rat Pack was one of these early hits, bringing an all-star cast in to bring one of Hollywood's most iconic groups of stars together. Goodfellas star Ray Liotta steps into the role of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, the head of the Rat Pack which also includes Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford. The movie is an exciting bit of Hollywood history as well as a tale of a friendship falling apart.
61* (2001)
The world of sports is not something often explored in HBO movies, but 61* is an intriguing tale, especially for those viewers who like baseball history. Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper star in the movie as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, respectively, as the two ball players race each other to sur Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. The movie, directed by Billy Crystal, is a light-hearted yet compelling sports story about an exciting time in the game with Pepper earning a Golden Globe nomination for his role.
Paterno (2018)
Al Pacino has starred in a number of HBO movies, often taking on real-life figures who are steeped in controversy. His latest in this trend of projects is Paterno. The movie is directed by Barry Levinson and details the downfall of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno whose legendary career was brought to an end following the abuse scandal at the university. The subject matter is not easy but Pacino's fascinating performance carries the story as he presents Paterno as someone overcome with guilt and unable to accept his responsibility in the wrongdoing.
Clear History (2013)
Feeling like a lost storyline from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Clear History is a perfect movie for anyone who enjoys that show. Larry David stars as a man who starts a new life in a seaside community, but when his former business partner and the man he blames for ruining his life comes to town on vacation, he hatches a plan to get even. The movie is packed with an all-star cast, including Michael Keaton, Kate Hudson, and Jon Hamm while maintaining the socially awkward humor David does so well.
Bessie (2015)
Another biopic that gives a look into the history of show business is Bessie. It stars Queen Latifa as Bessie Smith in the story of how she transformed from a young and talented singer to being named the "Empress of the Blues." The movie doesn't reinvent the typical Hollywood biopic formula, but it is elevated by the performances of the talented cast. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie while Latifa, Michael K. Williams, and Mo'Nique all received nominations for their performances.
7 Days In Hell (2015)
Though it is another sports story, 7 Days in Hell takes a much less serious look at the game than something like 61*. The mockumentary details the bitter rivalry between two top tennis players, a cocky American bad boy (Andy Samberg) and a naive British prodigy (Kit Harrington), which leads to a grueling seven-day match. The movie has no interest in realism as it embraces the most ridiculous humor and hilarious gags. It also features appearances from the likes of Karen Gillan, Michael Sheen, and Serena Williams.
RKO 281 (1999)
Over 20 years before David Fincher's Mank, the story behind the making of Orson Welles's all-time classic, Citizen Kane, had already been told on the small screen. HBO's RKO 281 features an excellent cast including James Cromwell, John Malkovich, Melanie Griffith, and Liev Schreiber as Welles. The story tracks how Welles and screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Malkovich) boldly risked their careers by making a film inspired by William Randolph Hearst (Cromwell) and how that film wound up becoming one of the greatest movies of all time. RKO 281 has aged well, especially because it is anchored by Schreiber's strong central performance.
The Crash Reel (2013)
A consistent and vital portion of HBO's quality content over the past few decades is its documentary programming. Lucy Walker's The Crash Reel, which follows snowboarder Kevin Pearce's recovery and comeback after a traumatic head injury, exemplifies the intimate and thought-provoking work of HBO documentaries. The Crash Reel follows the narrative of the inspirational comeback story, while also subverting that narrative by depicting the very real concerns from Pearce's family . The film also dares to ask larger questions about the purpose behind extreme sports given the potentially life-threatening consequences.
The Tale (2018)
Jennifer Fox's harrowing of her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse was acquired by HBO at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. The film stars Laura Dern, in one of her best performances, as Fox, a documentarian slowly uncovering the details about the coach who groomed her at 13 years old. The Tale is not an easy film to watch, but it is a profound example of a filmmaker using the medium of cinema to demonstrate how perspective can affect or reframe experiences of trauma.
Normal (2003)
Jane Anderson's adaptation of her own play tells the story of a marriage after one partner (Tom Wilkinson) comes out as transgender. Ruth, formerly known as Roy, becomes ostracized by the small town in which she lives. Ultimately, despite the difficulties she faces, Ruth goes through with her transition and maintains the of her wife (Jessica Lange). There are several aspects of Normal that do not age well, given the increased visibility of the transgender community. If this film were released today, it would likely face criticism for not including more trans voices in front of and behind the camera. Still, the heartfelt message of this piece remains poignant.
