"Ed Wood" (1994)

Now that we're in summer, with students on summer vacation and some seasonal workers idly relaxing, here is a suggestion for a movie to watch.

It is Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994), a comedy-drama based on the schlock film producer-director and his friendship with the late horror star Bela Lugosi. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Ed Wood.

Ed Wood, at the time of its release, was given two thumb's up by critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (see video below). 

 

Although it didn't make that much theatrically, it is now considered a cult classic by movie fans. It is hard to believe that it was released 32 years ago.

Above, yours truly with Martin Landau at Monsterpalooza in 2013.

Back in 2013, I met actor Martin Landau, who garnered a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as Bela Lugosi at Monsterpalooza. Rick Baker, who created Landau's Lugosi make-up, also received an Oscar for his Ed Wood work.

 

I highly recommend getting the DVD (or Blu-ray) of Ed Wood. It is available at Amazon or at other dealers.

Siskel & Ebert Review "Superman and the Mole Men"

Way back when, film critic Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert managed to give a mini review of Superman's first feature film, Superman and the Mole Men (1951) starring George Reeves, Phyllis Coates and Jeff Corey.

Their review was favorable, although they poked some fun with the Mole Men, saying they "looked like midgets wearing shower caps." They liked the nostalgia aspect of the movie.

They also take a look at Kirk Alyn's Superman (1948).

Roger Ebert Dies At 70

Above, Roger Ebert (left) and Gene Siskel during their heyday.

Movie critic Roger Ebert lost his battle with cancer at age 70.

He teamed up with Gene Siskel for the long-running At The Movies (which later became Siskel and Ebert At The Movies) that originated the "thumb's up" or "thumb's down" jestures on whether they liked a particular movie or not.

I usually found myself agreeing more with the late Gene Siskel (who died in 1999) than with Ebert.

Back in 2004, he drew the ire of Godzilla fans when he panned the original Japanese version of Godzilla (1954) that was released to U.S. theaters in celebration of Godzilla's 50th anniversary.  The review was written as if he watched some other movie and got many facts wrong.  Some even questioned whether or not he had a ghost writer writing it as it was so badly written.

He and I locked horns years ago over something political (I don't even remember what the subject was, I just remember it was political).

Now that Ebert is gone, the balcony is definitely closed.