ED WOOD (1994) (****)

This film is one of my all-time favorites. I've seen it dozens of times. The movie is the true-life story of Edward D. Wood Jr., the director voted as the worst ever. And trust me, I've seen his films and they are the worst. The picture follows the making of his three most infamous flicks GLEN OR GLENDA, BRIDE OF THE MONSTER and PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, which was voted the worst movie of all-time.

The film is hilarious as it chronicles Ed's problems and manipulations to get his films made. He's a hustler of sorts roping in washed up or B-actors to appear in his films for peanuts. His big coup was getting Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau, TV's MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE), who by the time he hooked up with Wood was a broke drug addict. Wood's girlfriend Dolores Fuller (Sarah Jessica Parker, L.A. STORY) is a fledgling actress, but gets freaked out by Wood's strange friends and open cross-dressing. Later, he'll meet Kathy O'Hara (Patricia Arquette, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER), who will accept him for who he is.

The story works as a "man with a dream" tale, but what's so funny is that Wood's terrible at what he dreams of doing. Yet, his lack of talent doesn't stop him. At times the film is inspirational, because what success is often depends on what makes one happy. On his films, Wood doesn't worry about continuity or how cheap his sets look; all he cares about is the big picture. He's always hustling to get money for his next picture and doesn't have qualms compromising for it — whether its replacing his girlfriend with a wanna-be actress, or casting the barely literate son of a slaughterhouse owner, or tacking on big explosions to the end of a film, or getting baptized. It's all done for the good of the picture.

First and foremost, Johnny Depp plays Wood to perfection — in a style that's campy, but never too over the top. Another highlight is Martin Landau's Oscar-winning portrayal of Lugosi, as a bitter has-been who finds a bit of new life in the optimistic Wood. Other notable cast members include: Jeffrey Jones (HOWARD THE DUCK) as TV psychic Criswell; Bill Murray (STRIPES) as Bunny Breckinridge, an actor who goes to Mexico for a sex change operation; Lisa Marie (SLEEPY HOLLOW) as TV's horror host Vampira; and famed wrestler George "The Animal" Steele as lug-turned-actor Tor Johnson.

Director Tim Burton's (BATMAN, SLEEPY HOLLOW) flare for the period and material is infectious. The black & white cinematography adds to the overall appeal and mood. It's films in a very 1950s B-horror movie style, which works so well. In my opinion, this will be the one they remember him for.