Ed Wood (1994)

Ed Wood is widely regarded as the maker of some of the worst movies of all time. Plan 9 From Outer Space is a frequent contender for THE Worst Movie of all Time. This is the story of Ed Wood.Superb biopic, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Ed Wood. The Burton-Depp combination is critical to the brilliance of this movie. My most accounts Wood was an eccentric character and who better to direct a movie on such a man than Tim Burton and who better to play him than Johnny Depp.The finished product is quite wonderful in its portrayal of Wood. For all the criticism he faces as a director, he remains naively, serenely optimistic in the quality of his films. While his qualities as an artist can be faulted, his enthusiasm and perseverance cannot. Great homage to an underestimated, misunderstood devotee of the silver screen.

The mostly true story of the legendary "worst director of all time", who, with the help of his strange friends, filmed countless B-movies without ever becoming famous or successful.Not an accurate account of Bela Lugosi nor Ed Wood - but close enough to enjoy. It's not a film that pure Lugosi fans will enjoy.8.5/10

Ed Wood was the worst director of all time, but you must admit, his love for film was unbounded, and that counts for a lot. I sometimes think that some directors today are missing the affection that Wood showed, and are quite willing to put out something that may not be as bad as e.g. Plan 9, but is certainly in cases unwatchable, as though they don't particularly care about the product that they have unleashed upon us. Ed Wood believed in the films he released, and loved everything about the business. If he had the talent to match his enthusiasm, he would have been one of the best writer-producer- directors who ever lived.

Back before the public seemed to generally go off the once-bankable combination of director Tim Burton and leading man Johnny Depp, they made 'Ed Wood,' the biographical drama of the now 'infamous' Hollywood auteur of the same name. If you know your film history, you may have heard of 'Plan 9 From Outer Space,' largely because it has often been heralded as the 'worst film ever made.' Personally, I think that's a little unfair as Michael Bay is still alive, but it's hardly a masterpiece.It was Ed Wood himself who wrote and directed this *ahem* 'epic' which he basically blagged his way to get funded. Burton tells this story using Depp as the titular character. Who is also a cross-dresser. Did I mention that? Yes, not only does Ed Wood truly believe that he is destined to become the next Orson Wells, but he also likes wearing women's clothes. Cue Depp turning his quirky on-screen charm up to eleven.For some reason, Burton chooses to shoot the whole film in black and white. At first some may find this a little weird and jarring, yet, before long, you probably won't notice that colour has been drained, especially when the 'films within the film' start rolling and you see Wood's sci-fi flick in all its colourless glory.Yes, it's based on the real Ed Wood, but does that mean it's a true story? Well, it's as true as the next Hollywood 'true' story. A few liberties here and there have obviously been taken to further the plot, but, on the whole, it's reasonably accurate. You don't have to know much about Ed Wood or his work to enjoy this, you just have to appreciate a role that seems to have been written for Johnny Depp, who plays the man with so much wide-eyed wonder that you can't help but root for him, even if he probably hasn't got the talent to back up his ambition (but then that can be said for pretty much ever reality TV show participant ever).Depp carries the film on his own, but, besides Burton's behind-the-scenes presence shining through, it's worth mentioning the bunch of misfits Ed Wood brings along with him, all of which are allowed to have more than one moment where they shine.The real Plan 9 From Outer Space was a flop. However, it has since found an audience with the 'so-bad-it's-good' audiences, plus Burton/Depp's take on Ed Wood have furthered its reputation. You may not want to see the source material after watching this (although I did and I enjoyed – or appreciated at least – it for what it was), but the time spent with Depp and his band of freaks and desperates should keep you comically entertained with its mix of pathos and fluffy pink sweaters.