DVD Recommendation: Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" (1994) - Starring Johnny Depp

Ed Wood is a veritable pop culture feast. Why it took me 18 years to watch this film, I do not know. I recall the buzz surrounding the movie when it was released and was aware that Martin Landau won the Oscar for Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi (Dracula). I have also been a fan of Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and Bill Murray for many years and remember Martin Landau from the 1970's sci-fi series Space 1999. However, I did not realize that professional wrestler George "The Animal" Steele played a supporting role, as another wrestler/actor, Tor Johnson. I recall frequently watching George Steele play the villain of few words (but plenty of groans) in countless wrestling matches during my youth.

Ed Wood is set during the 1950s and is shot in black and white, which added to my enjoyment of the film. The story centers around the life of cult filmmaker Ed Wood, who struggled to make most of his films, but somehow managed to secure funding, sometimes through strange circumstances and with the use of his silver tongue. Wood was a transvestite and appeared completely comfortable with himself, but struggled to gain acceptance from others. His demeanor was usually positive, outgoing and matter of fact, which must have played a role in his rather long, but not necessarily acclaimed career. Wood is portrayed as childlike and, perhaps, naive in many scenes, but he is a very likable person who had the power of persuasion over many people. That ability came to benefit Bela Lugosi, who Wood befriended late in the actor's career. Bela, suffering from depression and a morphine addiction, would call Ed when he was feeling down and even when he was contemplating suicide. Ed would always try to be there for Bela and help him in any way he could, even attempting to make him a star once again by giving him roles in several movies. Their friendship is the highlight of the film and is portrayed brilliantly by Depp and Landau.

Martin Landau is simply phenomenal as the aging Lugosi, whose wife left him as he struggled with many problems. He seemed to be such a sad man during the latter part of his life and clearly something was missing for him to sabotage himself with drugs. Landau is able to tap into that pain and showcase it in several scenes as Lugosi's morphine habit spirals out of control and lands him in rehab. Landau perfectly captures Lugosi's accent and he convincingly conveys the late actor's physical struggles, as his body began to fail him in many ways. Landau's make-up, by Rick Baker, is uncanny and was also honored with an Oscar.

Wood's 1952 film "Glen or Glenda" (originally titled "I Changed My Sex!") is discussed during the early part of the film. While the movie is considered one of the worst ever made, credit should be given to Wood for having the guts to direct a film with such potentially controversial subject matter (it was the 1950s after all). A close friend of Wood's, Bunny Breckenridge (Bill Murray), spoke about having sex reassignment therapy throughout the film, so perhaps that influenced Wood to tackle the subject matter. In any event, I was surprised to learn about "Glen or Glenda" and that it was made nearly 60 years ago.

In addition to Depp, Landau, Murray and Steele, the supporting cast features Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), Patricia Arquette (Medium) and the great character actor Mike Starr. While the film may be set in "simpler times," the principal struggles of the characters are anything but simple and I rooted for many of them to overcome their demons, which is a testament to the performances from the talented cast and to director Tim Burton for soliciting such fine work from all of them. Finally, viewers who enjoy learning about old Hollywood, especially the horror and sci-fi films of the 1950's, will likely appreciate the considerable effort behind Ed Wood. 

Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" (2012) - A Love Letter to Frankenstein

Photo Credits: Disney

Director Tim Burton takes the familiar and usually heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog and infuses horror elements and a tribute to the original Frankenstein film, from 1931, in the recently released Frankenweenie. The film has already exited first run theaters, due to a mediocre box office take, but the bargain cinemas should be showing it soon. Frankenweenie is a film that is best viewed on the big screen to better appreciate the special effects and wonderful stop motion animation that is likely to make you smile from start to finish.

The story centers around young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan), an intelligent and good-natured young boy who has a keen interest in science and, unfortunately, has trouble relating to other children. As a result, Victor has few friends, but all he seems to need for companionship is his precious dog, Sparky. Their bond is so strong and genuine that viewers may weep when Sparky is run over and killed while chasing after a ball. Victor is beside himself with grief, but after listening intently to his science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski, speak about successfully reanimating frogs with the use of electricity, he gets an idea on how to be reunited with Sparky. Viewers who are acquainted with the original Frankenstein film will see familiar sites in the attic of Victor's home, where he readies his recently departed best friend for an experiment that he hopes will bring him back to life.

After an initial feeling of failure, Sparky is revived, thanks to Victor's ability to harness electricity during the town's nightly thunderstorm. However, Sparky has difficulty retaining fluids, as water pours out from his battered body. Victor must also keep Sparky hidden until he decides how to let his parents know what has happened. However, the curious little fellow finds a way out of the attic and explores his familiar surroundings and eventually sniffs his way to Victor's school, where he is spotted by Edgar Gore (or E. Gore), who looks and speaks very much like Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, Igor, from the 1931 film. However, E. Gore (portrayed by the hilarious Atticus Shaffer) has an agenda of his own and blackmails Victor with the knowledge that he brought Sparky back to life. As a result, Victor must teach E. Gore how to re-animate life, which leads to other students finding out, including one who looks very much like a young Frankenstein monster, and performing the same procedure on their dead pets. Soon, the town is littered with the recently dead who have been brought back to life and pose a great threat to the entire town of New Holland. Victor is then tasked with devising a way to save everyone since he initiated the experiments that brought about the havoc.

In addition to the numerous references to the Frankenstein legacy, fans of old horror movies are treated to images of Christoper Lee as Count Dracula, a nod to Godzilla, and a hilarious sight gag reminiscent of The Bride of Frankenstein. Viewers who remember the late Vincent Price, who appeared in countless horror films, will see his resemblance in Victor's teacher, Mr. Rzykruski, who is portrayed by Martin Landau. Landau also portrayed another horror legend, Bela Lugosi, in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. The screenplay, by John August, pays homage to Frankenstein for the duration. For instance, both films were shot in black and white and feature many similar characters. Of course, some of them have been creatively re-imagined since Victor is a young boy in Frankenweenie. The scenes in the laboratory/attic, in the pet cemetery and in the windmill at the end of the film, all pay hearty tribute to Frankenstein and director James Whale.

Frankenweenie managed to put a smile on my face for almost 90 minutes. The talented voice actors, including Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short, the great art direction, countless sight gags, foreboding music, and the lovable, innocent Sparky all conspire to make this a must see film, especially for those viewers who enjoy classic horror movies. I am disappointed that Frankenweenie did not resonate better with audiences, but it seems more suited to adults than to children. However, I think it was marketed as a family film, but younger viewers may not have understood the subject matter or could have possibly been frightened by  some of the more ominous plot developments. In any event, Frankenweenie is one of those films I would like to watch over and over again and it will likely become must see viewing for me every Halloween.