Ed Wood (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Ed Wood (Special Edition)
Movie Review: A Loving Tribute to Ineptitude
Summary: 5 Stars
Why make a movie about the man universally regarded as the worst filmmaker of all time?Well, simply because the word "worst" does not even adequately describe Ed Wood. He was the absolute, undisputable worst, unrivalled in his mindless disregard for decent production values, coherent storytelling, credible scriptwriting, and competent acting. If he were just "the worst," he would be no more than a mere footnote in cinematic history. But by single-handedly redefining the standards of ineptitude, Wood achieved that rare status of lovable loser. I mean, really, you have to admire someone who approaches his craft with so much grit and determination and so little talent.
It takes an A-grade cast to bring to life this story of Z-grade moviemaking. And we have one. Johnny Depp delivers a performance of fire in the title role, giving us a lot of insight into the character that Ed Wood was. Martin Landau (in an Oscar-winning performance) doesn't just portray Bela Lugosi. By golly, he becomes Lugosi, almost convincing us that the horror movie legend was resurrected for this project. Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Jones, Bill Murray, George "The Animal" Steele, and Lisa Marie comprise the ensemble cast that portrays a motley crew of rank amateurs. Think about it, these people had to re-enact the shooting of Wood's movies, looking serious but coming out funny, and doing all that with a straight face.Try that, folks.
Appreciate too, the film's most memorable line. At the premiere night of Plan 9 From Outer Space, Wood declares with unqualified conviction: "This is it. This is the one I'll be remembered for."
Whether you're a fan of bad movies or not, you simply have to see Ed Wood. It's not often that a film comes along that makes you like a man who so admirably succeeded at being a failure.
Movie Review: "Indefatigable" is the best way to describe Ed Wood
Summary: 5 Stars
Tim Burton's homage to Hollywood director, Ed Wood and his crew of movie regulars (irregulars?) is both accurately and poignantly done. Shot in glorious black and white, "Ed Wood" is a bio-pic that covers Wood's attempts at cinematic greatness. In particular, Burton features Wood's movies, "Glen or Glenda", "Bride of the Monster", and the best (worse?) of the lot, the infamous "Plan 9 From Outer Space". Each are detailed in painstaking accuracy showing Wood's attempt to get them funded and then filmed. Much of the film depicts the wonderful friendship that Wood established with the fading film star, Bela Lugosi. Burton shows Lugosi in a sympathetic way and actor Martin Landeau is flawless in portrayal of one of Hollywood's early horror stars. (Landeau won an Academy Award for his performance, by the way.)
In addition to Johnny Depp's great performance as Wood, other stars make great contributions to the picture. They include, Bill Murray who's outstanding as Wood's friend, Bunny Breckinridge; Jeffrey Jones as psychic, Criswell and Sarah Jessica Parker as Wood's girlfriend (and sometimes leading lady), Dolores Fuller.
All in all, this is a wonderful film that flows throughout with very few dull spots. It is heartwarming and uplifting to watch Depp show the undying spirit that Ed Wood had for his films and how his next big break is right around the corner (in his mind, anyway).
Because of Wood's cinematic obscurity (or possibly because of his reputation as a director) this film will not appeal to all movie goers. However, if you are a fan of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp or the films of Ed Wood, then this wonderful little gem HAS to become part of your collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Movie Review: Sheer Friggin Genius! Tim Burton's Best Film!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is Tim Burton's best film and it's a testament to his character and vision that he was willing able to use the credibility he earned in Hollywood after producing such films as "Batman", "Edward Scissorhands", "Beetle Juice" and "Batman Returns" to take a dramatic left turn and produce a biopic about Edward D. Woods Jr., surely one of the worst directors ever (although Michael Bay manages to come close). Johnny Depp plays Wood and his performance is a work of genius, you watch this film and realize that if Wood had had half as much talent as he did enthusiasm he'd be lauded as one of the greats. Depp's performance is manic and over the top, but never overbearing and the scene where he meets Orson Welles (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) is pure joy to watch. Depp and Burton have a perfect synergy in this film. The portrayal of the friendship between Wood and Bela Lugosi (played by Martin Landau, who won an Oscar for the role) is brilliant, tender and touching.
Of course the film wouldn't have been as great as it was without the performances of Sarah Jessica Parker as Wood's long suffering girlfriend Delores Fuller, Bill Murray as the fey Bunny Breckinridge (why doesn't this man have an Oscar?) and Jeffrey Jones as con-man psychic Criswell. The film also has a fantastic score by Howard Shore that is worth listening to by itself and which meshes perfectly with the film.
The message of this movie is one that should be taken to heart by every film maker, "visions are worth fighting for, why spend your life making someone else's dreams", a message that Burton has obviously taken to heart.
The DVD transfer is excellent, maintaining that special luminosity that is the hallmark of a well crafted black and white film.
Movie Review: Wonderful Film. Makes you feel for Ed.
Summary: 5 Stars
What a pleasant surprise this movie turned out to be - Much better than I expected, and I expected a lot.
Presenting the Ed Wood story in glorious black-and-white certainly gives it a more authentic feel, but even more than that, Johnny Depp's performance as Mr. Edward D. Wood Jr. is top-notch. As I watched the film, I really felt I could understand the humanity behind the most infamous low-budget, five-day-shooting-schedule pieces of cinematic flop to ever grace God's green Earth.
You see, when I first saw an Ed Wood directed movie, I thought, "My gosh, what idiot is responsible for all this mess on the screen?" But this wonderfully produced Ed Wood biography changed my entire outlook completely. I now understand why the films Ed Wood made turned out so bad. He was so motivated to produce the next Citizen Kane that he lost patience, and he didn't put in the necessary effort to refine his presentation to accepted standards. Instead of classifying Ed as an idiot now, I classify him as a guy who just wanted to do so much in so little time that he was unable to view his films with an objective eye.
I don't think there's a more fun way to learn about the making of Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space than watching this historic 1994 picture. But both Plan 9 and Bride don't have quite the story behind them that the less-popular yet more controversial transvestite-film Glen or Glenda has. I'm telling you, the man Ed Wood has a very strange history - definitely worth taking a look at - which is the main reason I'd encourage anyone over the age of 18 to see this funny and touching biography of one of the worst writer/producer/directors of all time.
Movie Review: It's a Wrap!
Summary: 5 Stars
ED WOOD is a fascinating film in regards that a truly talented and original filmmaker such as Tim Burton would choose such an inept - yet optimistic - subject such as Edward D Wood Jnr and turn him into a viable celluloid-biography.
This is by far Burton's best work. Shot in crisp black and white, this has actors turning in career best performances. Johnny Depp is perfect as the infamously terrible filmmaker, redeemed only by his will and optimism and an iron ignorance of his own failures. Despite this, Depp's Ed Wood is so likeable that we root for him and his quest for his ever elusive `success'.
Bill Murray is nearly unrecognizable as the very neurotic and festive Bunny Breckinridge. This is the best performance I have seen him in, and does more to support the theory of Murray as a substantial actor as well as a celebrated comedy actor. However, the film belongs to Martin Landau, as his mirrored Lugosi is at times sad, bitter, pathetic, and heartwarming (at first, he sees Wood as nothing more than a harmless idiot, but later relies on Wood and cohorts as his only friends).
Wood's other friends include The Amazing Criswell, played energetically by Jeffrey Jones, and the sulking Vampira, played by Lisa Marie (her waist is literally 6 inches wide!). And last but not least the hairiest Swede ever known, Tor Johnson, played by George `The Animal' Steele.
If these guys were around today they would be the coolest gang on the planet, if not the most talked about!
My favourite scene is when Wood meets Orson Welle's in the smoke-filled bar. One of the greatest talents ever in the history of movies meets Orson Welles!