workshed:

Ed Wood (1994)

My top 9 Tim Burton Films (Reposting from my archive)

These days, Tim Burton is one of the most well-known directors. In a lot of cases, he is a very favorite among this generation. And in all honesty, he doesn’t even break my top-ten. I’m not a very big fan of Tim Burton. This is mostly due to the fact that he’s said by critics and fans (and himself, let’s not lie) that he is one of the most unique, imaginative and unorthodox individual in the film industry. I’m not going to question the fact that he is weird, and definitely imaginative- but the fact that he uses the same format to create his films is questionable to how unique he can really make a film. Cast Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, use Danny Elfman for the music, and get Colleen Atwood to make the costumes- You got a Tim Burton blockbuster.

However, despite his reoccurring collaborations, he has still worked on a handful of films that I really do enjoy. And, here they are:

9. MARS ATTACKS! (1996)

I was probably way too young the first time I saw this, and it wasn’t until years later that I realized it was a Tim Burton film. This is kind of just on the list as a default. The fact that Burton’s name is attached has nothing to do with the appeal to me- it’s mostly the novelty of seeing it at a time when it actually scared me. This and Ernest Scared Stupid are the earliest memories of a stupid movie giving me the creeps.

8. BEETLEJUICE (1988)

I feel bad for putting this film so low, but it’s not fair to post it any higher, as I’ve only seen it once. I think it warrants a higher rating, but alas, I don’t have any reasoning as to why. I felt the need to mention it is based on the views of friends and co-workers, and I owe it to myself to watch this again so I can give it the credit it deserves. EDIT: I have re-watched Beetlejuice since originally posting this. It definitely deserves a higher mark on this list.

7. VINCENT (1982)

This was a very early short that Burton wrote, designed and directed. It’s about a 7 year old boy named Vincent who reads Edgar Allen Poe and wishes he were Vincent Price. The short itself is narrated by Price, which is the main defining factor as to why I like it so much. You can find it on the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD- or on youtube. Obviously.

6. SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

I’ve found it hard to find another person who likes this film. It really is not very good, but it makes me laugh- thus, I must place it. It does have a pretty impressive cast, but that doesn’t help the acting much. I’m pretty sure this is actually supposed to be a scary movie (it is in most movie store’s horror section, mine included), but it’s impossible to take anything that is happening seriously- let alone find it scary. But that’s ok, once I got over it, I was able to just laugh and enjoy it. Christopher Walken’s teeth stand out in my mind- check it out.

5. BATMAN (1989)

This movie was so prominent in my youth, it’s hard to imagine what it would’ve been like without it. It came out the year I was born, and despite all the sequels, it was still the only one my brother really cared about for as long as I can remember. Again, this is another film that took me a long time (not as long as Mars Attacks!) for me to realized that Burton was attached to it. I mentioned this film in my previous list about villains, as it contains Jack Nicholson’s Joker, which is some of the finest casting you can ask for. And, for Burton not being a comic fan at all, he pulled this off very well.

4. BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

Despite Batman (1989) having the Joker, I still enjoy Batman Returns just a little bit more. It was little darker, little more intense, and Michelle Pfieffer as a smokin’ hot Catwoman. Also, Danny DeVito’s version of the Penguin is a definite close second to my favorite DC villain. His character is so repulsive and evil, it’s almost hard to watch some scenes because of his awkward body shape and flipper-hands and black sludge leaking from his mouth and around his eyes. Another excellent cast for a fantastic sequel.

3. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990)

Unlike Sleepy Hollow, it’s hard to find somebody who doesn’t like Edward Scissorhands. There’s a lot about this movie that appeals to me, including a great cameo (and his last film role ever) by Vincent Price, a FANTASTIC score by (who else but) Danny Elfman, which completely dominates the entire film, and a supporting role by Winona Ryder- who is one of my favorite actress’. The entire film is just so sweet and soft, with a signature Burton hallmark of the sense of being judged and excluded for being different.

2. BIG FISH (2003)

This is the only Burton film in the Past 10 years I included on the list, and it was difficult not placing it at number 1. Big Fish is so unlike, so apples and oranges compared to everything else Burton has done, I almost couldn’t believe that it was his. It’s so bright, so romantic, so happy and so elegant. It’s also the only film of his that has touched me in a way so much that it reduced me to endless tears. I probably cried through 80% of this film the first time, and am always worried about doing the same every time I go to re-watch.

1. ED WOOD (1994)

I’ve brought this film up to so many people who are talking about Tim Burton and/or Johnny Depp- and I don’t think a single one has ever seen or even heard of it. THIS IS BOLLOCKS AND MUST BE CORRECTED AT ONCE. I’ll admit, I just watched this film for the first time back in the fall of ‘09, but now that it’s in my head, I want everyone to experience the awesomeness that is Edward Davis Wood, Jr.

The film is a biopic about real-life 1950’s sci-fi/horror/cult director, Ed Wood. This is Johnny Depp’s finest role in my mind. And, the rest of the casting is nothing short of perfect. It includes Sarah Jessica Parker and Patrica Arquette (neither of who I’m a fan of, but they do a fantastic job), Bill Murray, and Lisa Marie as Vampira (FUCK ELVIRA), and Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi (Landau won an Oscar for his portrayal of Lugosi- and this was the first time someone won and Oscar by portraying a real-life person)

Ed Wood is known as one of the “worst” directors of all time, but is also well known for not caring. This film depicts Wood’s obscure outlook on life, positive personality, love of films, and caring nature amazingly and perfectly. I can’t speak enough about this film, it is in my top 10 for sure.

Note: No, there is no mistake. I did not forget about A Nightmare Before Christmas. It simply doesn’t belong on my list because *GASP* I actually really don’t like it. #Kanyeshrug