“Ed Wood”

Johnny Depp and Martin Landau in “Ed Wood” (Touchstone, 1994)

This week’s entry is “Ed Wood” (Touchstone, 1994), Tim Burton’s biopic about schlock movie director Edward D. Wood Jr. Wood made the 1959 film “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” which many consider to be the worst movie ever made. He also wrote and directed the awful cross-dressing (and semi-autobiographical) pic “Glen or Glenda,” (which I think is the worst movie I’ve ever seen) along with “Bride of the Monster.” Filmed in glorious black and white and directed in the style of, well, an Ed Wood movie, the story follows Ed (played by Johnny Depp) and his crazy entourage as they do everything they can to get their movies made. The film also focuses on the relationship between Ed and actor Bela Lugosi (brilliantly played by Martin Landau, who also won an Academy Award® for the role). Ultimately, the movie shows a character who is incredibly in love with what he’s doing, even though he’s not very good at it. A classic film and definitely made for grown ups. Also stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray, Jeffrey Jones and Patricia Arquette. Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Directed by Tim Burton. “Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else’s dreams?”