Looks like Martin Scorsese could get used to this serial narrative thing. Following the launch of Boardwalk Empire, news is now circulating that a Goodfellas TV series examining the early years of the film's characters may actually happen. Scorsese, as well as screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, are on board, so it actually sounds promising. In case the Oscar-winning director decides to stay on this track, here are five more suggestions for past films that would make great TV shows. Check them out and submit your own after the jump.
·Bringing Out the Dead
If Rescue Me, The Shield and House are any indication, America loves TV shows about people in noble professions struggling with demons and their shaky ethics. So bring back Nicolas Cage's tortured, batsh*t insane ambulance driver for his own weekly series! Most of the movie more or less unfolds in an episodic structure anyway; this would write itself and become a ratings monster! But I only want to see it if Cage reprises his role.
·After Hours
I know -- this choice seems like a round peg for a square hole. The original movie worked so well because it unfolded in a short amount of time and because there were no ATM machines or cell phones in the early '80s. Hear me out, though: This re-imagining would follow a similar unassuming Manhattanite through one crazy night in real time, 24 style. After he reluctantly accepts a strange "artist's" invitation to a loft party deep in Bushwick, a perfect storm of awful luck conspires to leave him stranded in Brooklyn. I'm talking dead cell phone, subway infrastructure failure, strangers who lead him deeper into the borough -- the works. Hijinks ensue.
·Mean Streets
Similar to Goodfellas, the Mean Streets series would be a prequel. But it will go way back to examine the grade school and junior high years of Charlie and Johnny Boy. In other words, The Wonder Years with John Cassavetes-style improvisation, more dangerous mischief and a sense of Catholic guilt lurking beneath the surface.
·The Departed
Just give lone survivor Mark Wahlberg his own tough-talking-cop-with-a-heart of gold TV show. And make sure it's on HBO or some other channel where swear words are allowed.
· No Direction Home
Bob Dylan has reinvented himself and gone through so many ups and downs and tangents that a weekly documentary series examining more phases of his life and career would be totally feasible. And judging from the interview footage in No Direction Home, the reclusive legend is actually comfortable talking to Scorsese. A few of the other picks here may have been tongue-in-cheek, but come on Marty! If you have the access, this would be awesome.