Rating: Summary: There are so many horrible movies put out on DVD... Review: There is so much garbage put out on DVDs these days (for example anything with Adam Sandler or Lucille Ball), why don't they release this classic movie?
Rating: Summary: Ed Wood: Dreck Has Its Place Review: For those who are fond of Grade Z movies, ED WOOD strikes a remarkably resonant note. Director Tim Burton daringly takes the life of one of the worst directors of all time and somehow makes it interesting. The real life Ed Wood was convinced of his own directorial talent and each of his wretched cinematic excesses reflect a highly charged but extraordinarily misplaced energy. Wood's personal life was not unlike the frenetic scenes that he liked to place in front of the camera. Wood believed that most people were as quirkily odd as he was. In fact, his oddness became the norm of his films. Johnny Depp as Ed Wood is convincing as a man whose cinematic vision was obvious only to himself. When things go wrong with his productions, Depp rolls his eyes in the creepy way that would make Michael Moriarity proud and schemes his way to the next step. Depp's interpretation of Wood's monomania for getting the scene filmed in one take captures the inner essence of a man whose own life was run on the same basis. Whatever Wood wanted done was done on the fly. If Wood had a genius it was not the genius of presenting his own distorted vision on the screen but rather the less obvious but equally necessary talent of letting nothing interrupt his directing. Burton gets some cheap laughs by focusing on Wood's cross-dressing, but the real humor lies in Woods' ability to get his backers to laugh while he convinces them to bankroll his various film projects. Depp is surrounded by terrific supporting help. Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi deservedly won an academy award for supporting actor. The scene in which Depp and Landau reminisce about Lugosi's previous triumphs on screen are both touching and powerful. As Landau speaks, he reaches out with his scrawny fingers in a come hither way that eerily brings to mind Lugosi's penchant for attracting his next victim. Bill Murray and Sarah Jessica Parker are also effective. Each of the real life screen characters was flawed, in some cases, massively so. What makes ED WOOD the superb movie that it is, is Burton's own loving penchant for presenting people who can succeed on their own terms, despite a society that seems determined to thwart their every move.
Rating: Summary: Plan 10 From INNER Space -- a true American classic! Review: Yes, Eddie! Not only Burton's best yet, but one of the finest American films from the 90's -- or of any decade for that matter. Cleverly written, lovingly directed, stylishly shot, acted with empathy, scored and designed with tasteful camp, ED WOOD is a virtual paen to Hollywoodism (whatever the hell THAT is!).Just Czapsky's cinematography or Shore's soundtrack alone are worthy of immense praise. And Tim Burton hits all the right notes flawlessly (for a change). Definitely his Citizen Kane. Can't praise Depp and Landau enough, nor the editing, or....oh, hell! If you have any affection for the 50s, or B-Movies, or Bela Lugosi (God rest his soul), or Maila Nurmi (yum-yum), or angora, or pulp American cinema - meaning REAL American movies - then you should be a fan of this movie, regardless of what you think of Ed Wood's stuff. Last point. This movie is overdue for a worthy DVD treatment: docus, bios, making-of-background -- the whole bit. Was good enough for an Oscar for Landau, so why are we still waiting?...
Rating: Summary: PULL THE STRING, PULL THE STRING! Review: This is one of my most favorite movies. It is a must have! Filmed in glorious black and white, it's so "film noir." This is the kind of movie that mainstream America, just wouldn't get. Fabulously directed by no less, Mr. Tim Burton. Campy humor, Bill Murray being the "drama queen" with classic one liners like, "Oh what does that old queen know?" There are so many wonderful things in this movie that it's unbelievable. Also, the soundtrack is fantastic. The movie is not boring for one minute. It's just one of those movies that you just have to own. I'm even going to buy this movie when it's released on DVD. Place your order today, it will not disappoint you, there was even a scene where I cried a bit. You just gotta have this movie. WAIT, PULL THE STRING, PULL THE STRING!
Rating: Summary: Ed Wood - A Great Film about a Bad Director Review: Tim Burton's ED WOOD is probably one of his best films to date, showing he doesn't need big budgets and special effects to tell a good story. First and foremost, the underlying theme of this film is the joy of the art of filmmaking. In Ed Wood's case, inspiration far surpassed the perspiration. Therefore, in this biopic, Wood's optimism and the love of telling a story through film are characterized as a man who wanted to dream way passed his means and abilities as a writer, producer,and director. Also, it doesn't help that he is a cross dresser, an alcoholic, and is surrounded by some very weird people. Johnny Depp again takes on another unconventional role and pulls it off with humor, wit, and eccentricity of the man considered to be the worst director of all time and responsible for PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE. However, the outstanding performance is by Martin Landau of Bela Lugosi and deserved the Oscar for his supporting role as the pathetic, aged actor way passed his prime. Some of the scenes from 'Plan 9' are reinacted with great accuracy and loving tribute. Great supporting cast of Patricia Arquette, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray, wrestler George the Animal Steel, Lisa Marie, Vincent D'Onofrio, and it was nice to see veteran character actor Norman Alden (MAN'S FAVORITE SPORT) as Cameraman Bill.
Rating: Summary: The crazy mind of Ed Wood Review: I caught this movie late night on tv a little while back and had heard of it before but somehow I wasn't aware that Tim Burton was directing it. I thought it was a big joke when i first started watching Ed Wood. He had an outgoing personality and he tells someone he wore panties in the war to show someone he knows about transvestites in order to get a job. I wasn't sure if this was all true, if it was written for screen or if he actually said these things and did them or lied. The movie making scenes are hillarious, Ed Wood claims that audiences won't care about the little details and only at the big picture. This philosophy lets him put people that aren't in the scene go in to help someone up or do anything else. Strings that are easily visible and horrible special effect ofcoarse make all of his films B-movie classics to some people these days. Seen by many the worst director of all time Ed Wood certainly tells the offbeat story of a man, angora sweaters and film.
Rating: Summary: Modern Classic Review: Rarely have I enjoyed a modern release film as much as Tim Burton's "Ed Wood". Loving old Hollywood as much as I do I was prepared to enjoy it very much but I was really knocked over by this loving tribute to a bygone era in Hollywood's history and to one man in particular, Edward D. Wood Jr, affectionately known simply as Ed Wood, Hollywood's all time worst director. Everything about this production is not only affectionately but painstackingly researched and presented. The luminous black and white photography recalling all the classic black and white flicks forever associated with Ed Wood (for good and bad reasons!) like "Plan 9 from Outer Space", "Bride of the Monster" and the unforgettable "Glen or Glenda" is here used beautifully to recreate 1950's Hollywood as we will never see it again. Burton's recreation of the production of "Plan 9' in particular is memorable with minute attention to detail in making everthing just as it was when this "classic' was first made. I rushed out and borrowed "Plan 9 from Outer Space" after viewing this film and the resemblance was remarkable. What really impressed me however more than anything else was the great affection with which this film was created and secondly by the towering performances of almost all performers involved. Burton doesn't set out to depict Wood as an idiot or loser simply as a very optimistic and indeed imaginative person who happened to channel his "creative juices" into something less than memorable. Indeed in this film as portrayed by the wonderful Johnny Depp, Wood comes across as extremely likeable and a fun person to know and work with. I believe from what I have read that that was the case and goes along way to explaining why he was able to form his unique repertoire of performers who stuck with him through production after production despite the terrible reviews and ridicule. Johnny Depp is absolutely awesome as Ed Wood in what I believe is his best performance. He is wonderfully believable, energetic and funny in the role and I feel this great acting skill that he possesses explains why in my opinion he is one of the most talented and exciting performers in modern Hollywood. Martin Landau shines in a magnificent performance as the fading and tragic Bela Lugosi who in the last period of his unhappy life made a connection with Ed Wood which forever bought him immortality (some would say infamy!!) as the star of many of Woods "cult classics". He richly deserved his Oscar for his portayal of Lugosi who comes across as tragic and highly amusing at the same time. Landau's scenes with Wood are in particular poignant and beautifully done whether they are the scenes of the two of them sitting watching Lugosi's "White Zombie" together on Halloween or where Wood is helping Lugosi with his drug rehabilitation. Johnny Depp and Martin Landau's screen chemistry is there for all to see, two remarkable performers in roles perfectly suited to their talents. The rest of the cast are faultless in particular Sarah Jessica Parker as Dolores, Wood's girl friend through cross dressing, movie disasters, ridicule etc, Lisa Marie as the exact reincarnation of the unforgettable Vampira , and Bill Murray in a small but memorable part of Bunny Breckenridge forever preparing for his "surgery". They will all have you alternatively laughing, crying and cheering them on. Each performer is made to look rather eerily like their predessor and for that alone the film is wonderful. So many wonderful recreated scenes come to mind such as Vampira's late night TV show, Bela Lugosi's hilarious fight scene with a deflated Octopus which will have you laughing out loud, Woods memorable directing style where "That was great, cut, print!! lets move on to the next scene" takes on new meanings, and lastly the lengthy recreation of the awful "Plan 9 From Outer Space" production which is the highlight of this film and will have you laughing till you drop. These make this film of "Ed Wood" so remarkable. Johnny Depp of course is the whole centre and spirit of this film and rarely have I liked a performance as much as his in this film. It really is in a way old fashioned entertainment and for anyone who loves films and old Hollywood in particular cannot help but feel affection for this production and for the memory of Ed Wood however dubious his claim to fame might be!!
Rating: Summary: "I want it to end with a BIG explosion, smoke fills the sky" Review: Johnny Depp plays Ed Wood, who earned the distinction of America's worst movie maker. In post-war California Ed just wants to make pictures, even if it means stringing together bits of unrelated stock footage. The events portrayed in the film are true, little has to be embellished to make a comedy of a man's life when he did such off the wall things as getting himself and his crew baptised by a local church just to get some of it's members to invest in a movie. Wood is an eternal optimist and rather clever hustler who knows how to sling the bull, cut costs and corners and be convincing enough to pass himself off as a competent "B-movie" director. Wood thinks he has hit the jackpot when he has a chance meeting with Bela Lugosi (brilliantly played by Martin Landau), whose star has long since faded. The two are perfect for each other, Lugosi gives Wood a name he can attach to his marquee and Wood pays Lugosi the money he needs to support his unfortunate morphine habit. The supporting cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Bill Murrary, does a marvelous job portraying all the crazy people that filled the life of Ed Wood. One of the best roles goes to Jeffrey Jones as 'Criswell', a two-bit pyschic who got lucky by accidently predicting the Kennedy assassination, who helps instruct Wood on how to fake it in show biz. At times Wood is a clueless optimist at other times a cynical manipulator and always driven by ambition and the love of films, which makes him rather American and easy to like, just like this movie.
Rating: Summary: A remarkable film that too many people overlook Review: Tim Burton takes a most affectionate look at oddball director Ed Wood in this movie, and there's much to recommend it. It's shot in lustrous black-and-white, and in this day and age using black-and-white film effectively takes no small talent. There are some absolutely remarkable performances: Johnny Depp gets to show off his formidable acting range yet again, Martin Landau absolutely CHANNELS Bela Lugosi ... and in one pleasantly surprising scene Vincent D'Onofrio plays Orson Wells to startling effect. Perhaps what I like most about this film is how Ed Wood is depicted as a director or insurmountable enthusiasm: No matter what pitfalls or tragedies bedevil the production of his films, he maintains a charming optimism that makes him impossible to dislike. And he looks good in angora, too.
Rating: Summary: HOW DO YOU BUY IT? Review: I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ED WOOD BUT I CAN'T FIND WHERE IT SAY'S BUY THEIS ITEM. WHY MAKE IT SO COMPLICTED TO BUY SOMETHING.I'M GETTING FRUSTRATED JUST TRY TO FIND OUT HOW TO BUY THE MOVIE.
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