VIDEO CAPSULE: Ed Wood (7/10)

[JoBlo]

Ed Wood (1994)

The first time I saw this movie back in 1994, I thought it was so-so. Since then, I've heard just about every movie geek in the world spout about how great of a film it is, so I just had to revisit the film one more time.

Well, I must say that after yet another viewing, I STILL don't see exactly what all the fuss is about. I mean, I loved the acting, Johnny Depp and Landau are awesome, the B&W look is perfect and the story is kind of cute, but where is the genius in this flick? Am I missing something?

I actually thought that the film slowed down at several points, and honestly spoke more about Lugosi's character, than it did about Ed Wood himself. I wanted more background on Wood, more insight into his trials and tribulations, as opposed to all that "on the set" time and his angora sweater fetish.

Don't get me wrong, I still liked the movie quite some and would surely watch it again one day, but I guess I was just waiting for that extra "something" to knock me upside the head, but alas...it never came.

[Tuukka]

I would also rate the film 7/10 and I pretty much feel the same way you do. It was a good film, but they could have done a lot more interesting film about Ed Wood, who was a truly fascinating, tragic and dark person. Burton's film makes it all an unrealistic fairy tale, which looks and feels good, but lacks the emotional punch and deeper meaning that could have been achieved easily with a more realistic approach.

[Kaku]

ED WOOD - *****

[This message has been edited by Kaku (edited 11-04-2000).]

[DaN]

quiropewuqt!!!!!! Are you kidding me? Ed Wood is the best Burton movie, and one of the greatest movies ever made. i can't think of a more accurate yet fun movie that managed to be fun, frightening, funny, weird, and cool all at the same time. I mean, how can you go wrong with this movie? It is perfect. PERFECT. I rented it and watched it 6 times in the 5 day rental period. And never did it get old. Depp gives his coolest performance as the transvestite director. And Martin Landau gives the best performance. He gives like one of the 5 best performances I have ever seen! I'm not kidding either. I honestly cant see how this movie can get only a 7/10. It should be higher, say around 10/10. ****.

has anyone seen one of Ed Woods real movies? If not you should. They are amazingly horrible. I mean, youve seen bad and then you've seen Ed Wood's movies. Heres a list for you:

Plan 9 From Outer Space (saw it. funny as hell!)
Orgy of the Dead (seen it. one the the worst movies ever made!)
Glen or Glenda (yet to see it)
Bride of the Monster (yet to see it)

[JoBlo]

I still don't get it, dude. I thought it was fun and well-acted also, but nothing frightened or terribly bowled me over about the whole story. Seemed too concentrated on the Legosi character in my opinion. Oh well, I guess it just ain't "doing it" for me...

Funny you should ask about Ed's other flicks because I just happened to have a copy of GLEN OR GLENDA handy after seeing ED WOOD, and I watched it right afterwards. It was just as they all said it was....HORRIBLE!

Although, it was pretty neat to see the "real" Ed Wood walking around in angora sweaters and basically going through some of the same scenes that I had seen in the Burton movie, but other than that, it was just awful to watch. Very incoherent...Legosi OBVIOUSLY put in the movie for his name and nothing else...and even some "Lynch"-type touches. All in all, a hoot to watch but definitely a stinker.

[DaN]

Oh yea Joblo! His movies are one of the biggest jokes I have ever seen! I still like to see them though. Its good to just stare at and be disturbed at how damn bad they are! I'm probably the only guy here who saw the pathetic Orgy of the Dead. I'll give you the plot:

A couple crashes in their car. (when they change from far scenes to closeups during that part, it is screwed up!) Then they get lured into a graveyard and watch a crazy dead man watch a bunch of sexy TOPLESS women dance around. It is some kind of celebration for the dead that happens only once a night. The smoke effects are really really bad and so is the acting. But hey, TOPLESS women for the whole movie. I mean the WHOLE movie. I'm not joking either. It's all a bunch of TOPLESS women dancing strange dances letting them fly about. It's cool at first but then the TOPLESS women start to get old. If I were to rate it I'd give it a good 2/10. SO BAD IT'S FUNNY!

[PackBacker]

Finally saw the flick last night....great stuff! I wouldn't say "genius", but Johnny Depp and Martin Landau gave tremendous performances and the direction by Burton was top notch. Martin Landau, at times, had me believing that it was Bela Lugosi on screen...not an easy feat to do.

Lugosi interested me much more so I'm fine with the fact that a lot of the film centered on him. I still haven't seen any Ed Wood films so that didn't hold the same interest in my case. 7/10 would be a fair assesment of the film IMHO

[JoBlo]

<moderator bump>

[Brock Landers]

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[Cyclonus]

I saw it a few years back, and since then, it has been one of my faves. Every member of the cast seems born to play his or her particular role. Martin Landau, in particular, is no less than perfect as the infamous Bela Lugosi.

The film is as much a parody as it is a biopic (as another critic pointed out /ubb/smile.gif), but it is never condescending towards Wood's dreams and aspirations, even if they are sorely misguided. /ubb/wink.gif

The black-and-white photography helps to give the film an eerie air of authenticity, capturing the feel of 1950s sleaze without succumbing to it.

After renting it, I also took a look at Glen or Glenda and Plan 9 From Outer Space. Let's just say I was left speechless. /ubb/wink.gif

[pennywise46]

I love it. The acting is great and it's just so entertaining and funny. The thing is though, its not nearly as interesting unless you've seen any of his movies, cause it's amazing to experience such crap. They are so bad. I have seen Plan 9 from outer Space(about aliens who attempt to take over the world by reanimating 3 or 4 corpses) and Glen or Glenda(a documentary about transvestites) and they are both so funny. Cult movies are great.

[Si Cole2001]

I agree with the ol JoBlo. Why does this film have such a following?
I think the film is over-rated. I liked it, but I didn't love it. Burton greats such as Edward Scissorhands, leave you striving to achieve more with your life. Ed Wood on the other hand suggests that there is a random meaningless nature to life. I felt pretty dull after watching it, even though the acting, direction and biography of Edward D Wood Jr are all very clever and all. It definitely reinforces that Tim Burton is a genius director, but its not a great story. 7/10

[wyodebbie]

Director Tim Burton's brilliant black and white film "Ed Wood" is about Hollywood's worst film director. Johnny Depp gave a fantastic performance as the director Ed Wood in all his weirdness and all the short cuts he took to make his cheapie films. And I couldn't believe Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi, he absolutely was Bela in every way, especially that voice. This film is definitely not for all tastes as it is so campy, but if you are a film buff it is a loving tribute to all those low budget films. I enjoyed the supporting cast of Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray, Jeffrey Jones and Patricia Arquette. I applaud director Burton for having the guts to do a film about the eccentric Ed Wood.

[chinton]

9/10


Simply brilliant film. Everyhting about the movie clicks from the acting to looks. The script is tight and s mart but also very moving. Joblo you say that they ddint spend enought time on Ed Wood. I would agree but I didnt mind. I thought the relationship bw Lugoise and Wood was much more meaningful. For some reason I could really connect with their odd relationship. Also, brillient ending.

By the way I like the fact that this move wasnt out to make fun of Wood. It has a definite loving side to it

[LedFloyd]

A classic. I'm amazed by Tim Burton's talent. The cast is one of the best ensembles of the 90's, and it's funny, touching, and never boring. ****/****

[Arathon]

8/10

Brilliant when I first saw it, but it isn't as good in repeated viewings and does drag in parts. However it is solid work by genius Tim Burton, and showcases great performances by Johnny Depp and Martin Landau.

[Kevin Smith fan]

The only Burton film I had yet to see, I rented this film the other night and was taken away by it. It definitely has it's wonderful spots, and the acting is remarkable (Landau and Depp), but still not a perfect film. I wouldn't go as far to give it a 10/10, it lies merely on the 9/10 in my book. It was a great film, but I think that, as JoBlo mentions above, there was not as much detail on Wood. I didn't mind the extra on Lagousi though. I think Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood are tied as Burton's best films.

[Cronos]

another great film from Tim Burton, gets better with every viewing, excellent direction from Burton, and great performances and script, also very funny

10/10