Underrated Films - Ed Wood Review

Ed Wood is a 1994 biographical comedy drama about the life of cult filmmaker Ed Wood (aka The Worst Director of All Time). The movie was produced by Touchstone Pictures and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures. Ed Wood was written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski and directed by Tim Burton.




The story is Ed Wood wants achieve his dream of becoming a film director. His biggest challenge however is because of his terrible films and skills he has become a Hollywood outcast. Lucky he's friends with former acting superstar Bela Lugosi along with other misfits that are willing to help him accomplish this dream.

Why It's Underrated




While the film was a critical success and did win many awards (something I'll get into later) it sadly didn't do well at the box office. The movie had a budget of $18 million but only made a total of $5.9 million thus becoming a box office bomb. What also makes it underrated is it simply doesn't get enough attention. I don't really see people online talking about this movie nor have I ever seen a single TV listening on websites or when I simply press "guide" on my remote.






My Thoughts




Now while the movie is about Ed Wood's film career it mainly tells the story of him and his friendship with Bela Lugosi. Which is by no means a bad thing. It was rather enjoyable seeing them interact whether it was for comedy or for drama.




Since this is a movie about Ed Wood does it anyway celebrate what he was know for? Oh hell yeah it does! The opening credits only tell you your in for a great homage of the guy. The film celebrates all of his "great" "accomplishments" in his film career. But what really made it work was while the filmmakers were having a great laugh at his suspense they didn't do it in a mean spirited way it was rather respectful actually.




Now there are some things in the movie that they do take some liberties on. One of two examples of this is how Ed met Bela Lugosi. I won't give away what is was the movie but let's just say some introduces them to each other as suppose to how they met in the film. The other example is Bela's hatred for Boris Karloff. While they did have a rivalry between each other it wasn't the heated one the movie would make you expect. I'm bringing these up because I feel as thought while the film is taking liberties I don't thing that should discredit it as a good movie. If anything I makes me curious what was real and what was fictional.




With the film also being a comedy you can definitely expect get some laughs. There not gonna be something that will make have to pause the movie so you can catch your breath, there nice and subtle humorous scenes. My favorite parts is the running gag of Ed always using the first take of the movie no matter of flawed it was (which also plays to the movie bring some real life stuff into it).




Another thing I enjoyed about the movie was the filmmakers decided to have the film be put in black and white. I thought it was a nice touch for the film because it really tells/shows you what time period we're in.




The final thing I'll praise this film for is the performances. Now Johnny Deep looks nothing like the real Ed Wood but what helps you forget that fact is how he portrays Ed. Ed was very excited and happy with his product despite how bad it was and Johnny Deep plays that part to a perfect ten. The other amazing performance is Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi. He nailed the actor he's playing flawless. Hell he almost makes you think that he is Bela Lugosi.






My final rating is A Must Watch






Accomplishments




Despite being a box office bomb due it's critical acclaim Ed Wood was nominated for some awards but it also manged to win some awards. The list goes




Academy Awards


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau


Best Makeup - Rick Baker, Ve Neill, and Yolanda Tossieng






American Comedy Awards


Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Martian Landau






Boston Society of Film Critics


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau


Best Cinematography - Stefan Czapsky






Chicago Film Critics Association


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau





Golden Globes


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau





London Film Critics' Circle


Actor of the Year - Johnny Deep





Los Angeles Film Critics Association


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau


Best Cinematography - Stefan Czapsky


Best Music - Howard Shore





National Society of Film Critics


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau


Best Cinematography - Stefan Czapsky






New York Film Critics Circle


Best Supporting Actor - Martian Landau


Best Cinematography - Stefan Czapsky





Saturn Awards


Best Actor - Martian Landau


Best Music - Howard Shore


Best Makeup - Ve Neill and Rick Baker








Alright guys that's going to do for me. Come back on Thursday, March 7th. Because on that day we begin the Road to Star Wars: Episode IX with my review of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Hopefully the title of the film will be revealed soon and if that's not the case I'll just go back on edit it in later. Either way you're getting that review. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.

Classic Film Night - Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles is a 1974 satirical Western film. The movie is produced by Warner Bros. and Crossbow Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was written Mel Brooks and Andrew Bergman and directed by Mel Brooks.



The story is a crafty railroad worker Bart is chosen to become the newest sheriff of Rock Ridge. After some time the town folk warm up to Bart and his new gunfighter friend Jim aka The Waco Kid. Soon Bart and Jim find out about a plan that will destroy Rock Ridge. Now Bart, Jim, and the citizens of Rock Ridge must fight back to save their beloved town.

My Thoughts




One thing to love about this film especially in today's world is this film has no filter. Which to me just adds to it's enjoyment. There is no way Blazing Saddles could be made today. The first 20 minutes only would have people go into a riot.



Another part of the movie to enjoy is something I never noticed before when I first viewed the film was it's not racist as you may think. The film actually makes fun of racism. I mean the writers actually point out how's stupid it is. The best part of it was they weren't afraid to use certain words to say that.



Now since this movie is a comedy does it contain funny moment?. Yes. There are a lot of scenes that had me laughing. That joke with the KKK is still hilarious to this day. I mean you have to watch this movie because explaining the jokes as they go down in the scenes doesn't work. It needs to been seen to be believed.



Blazing Saddles has some great cinematography. The movie looks and feels like the western movies it's parodying.



Another thing to love about Blazing Saddles is well our main character. Bart. Not only is he likable but I really liked the way he got the townsfolk to like him. He didn't to it by lecturing them he did by going about his day and saving them.







Blazing Saddles is a true comedy classic. It truly can't be made today, the writers deserve respect for talking racism in a comedic way, from start to finish it's hilarious, it has great cinematography, and Bart is an excellent protagonist.






My final rating is A Must Watch







Alright everyone that's going to do it for me. Come back next time on February 28th, Thursday when I return to my other segment Underrated Films. The film I'll be reviewing for that is Tim Burton's Ed Wood starring Johnny Deep. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Review

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a 3D animated action fantasy film and the sequel to both 2010's How To Train Your Dragon and 2014's How To Train Your Dragon 2. The movie is also the final installment to the How To Train Your Dragon film series. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The movie is written and directed by Dean DeBlois.



The story is Hiccup's life is better than it's ever been. Not only is he the chief of Berk but he has successful made a peaceful dragon and rider utopia. Then Hiccup and Toothless meet a another Night Fury because of this Toothless falls in love with the wild dragon. While this is happening a new threat has arrived to challenge Hiccup's reign and the villager's dragons.

Initial Reaction



Now I've liked both of the How To Train Your Dragon films so I of course was looking forward to the third movie. The trailers got me excited, so there's that. However I was skeptic because usual trilogies don't work on so well. Sure there at some exceptions like Evil Dead, Back to The Future, and the original Star Wars trilogy. But then we get those trilogies that aren't good. But I was willing to give this movie a chance.






Cons




The movie's biggest downfall is it's main villain Grimmel. He's quite the downgrade compared to Drago. He's just another dragon trapper. I really didn't get the same feel from him like I did with Drago. In matter of fact I wouldn't be surprised if me or any of you hear/see other reviewers say the film could have done better without him.







Middle Ground



I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.







Pros




One thing I gotta praise the movie is the same thing I praised the last two movies for and that's it's animation. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World counties the tradition of this franchise having gorgeous animation. That scene with The Hidden World was not only eye candy but left me in awe. The other aspect of the film that is great is Toothless with the Light Fury. I was worried that the writer would have rushed their relationship but he didn't. It's built up. Dean gave time for Toothless and Light Fury to bond and actually form a relationship. The other part of the film I enjoyed is Hiccup learning to accept the changes in his life. He has to not only deal with the fact that Toothless is trying to form a life of his own but that also makes him have to think what is he without his buddy. It was a great and subtle message about accepting change. Just like the other previous films we get some humor. This is just as funny as the other movies. My personal favorites were Toothless trying to impress Light Fury and Tuffnut of all people giving Hiccup relationship advice. My final praise for the movie is it's ending. I won't give it away all I'm saying is I thought it was a great way for the movie to say goodbye.







How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is definitely a worthy end to a trilogy. It has absolutely beautiful animation, good development of Toothless' relationship with Light Fury, a nice message about accepting changes to life, lovely humor, and a satisfying ending. The only major problem I had with it was the main bad guy.





My final rating is Good






Alright guys that's going to do it for me. Come back on Monday, February 25th for a newest Classic Film Night. The film I'll be reviewing for that segment will be Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.

Road to Dark Phoenix - X2: X-Men United Review

X2: X-Men United (aka X2 or X-Men 2) is a 2003 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics' team the X-Men. The movie is a sequel to 2000's X-Men and the second film in the X-Men film series. The story was influenced by the Marvel storylines Return to Weapon X and God Loves, Man Kills. X2: X-Men United was produced by Marvel Enterprise, The Donners' Company and Bad Hat Harry Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The movie was written by Zak Penn, David Hayter, Dan Harris, and Michael Dougherty and directed by Bryan Singer.




The story is after a mutant attack on the President of the United States, Colonel William Stryker suggests an attack on the Xavier School of Gifted Youngsters. Wolverine and the gang think there's something off about all of this so they decide to figure out what's going on. In order to do this the X-Men must team up with Magneto and Mystique to stop this common enemy.

• Negatives

I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.

• Mix

I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.

• Positives

One of the many great things about this movie is how all of our main characters are fleshed out. We get more of them on an emotional level and get to know more about how they feel about being mutants.

Now much like the first movie we explore the politics of how people feel about mutants. Now I thought the first movie did that well but here I think it was done better. Mainly because while the first movie was about how politicians feel about mutants X2: X-Men United went with how ordinary people feel. I'm mean that scene with Iceman and his family will really strike a core with you.

Our villain for this movie is William Stryker. Boy are you going to hate this guy. Seriously he's an awesome bad guy. I mean he's making his own mutant son do some messed up things that made my skin crawl.

Another thing I liked about the movie was there is quite a bit of humor in it. It's not jokes that will ruin an emotional moment or any action scene. It's humor when it's appropriate. Today this day I think one of the many best moments in the film is Wolverine's reaction when he see's Lady Deathstrike's powers.

The final thing I'll praise the movie for is the action. You'll definitely be in for a thrill ride for with this movie. Don't believe watch this opening scene with Nightcrawler.

If you look at this and say this scene doesn't make you want to watch the movie. You my friend are a lair.

X2: X-Men United is one of many great sequels. Our characters whether they be the good guys or the bad guys are developed perfectly, we dive more into how people feel about mutants (seriously that scene with Iceman and his family is amazing), William Stryker is a great villain, the humor is nice and doesn't ruin anything, and the action is badass.

My final rating is A Must Watch

Well that's going to do it for me. Come back on Saturday, February 23rd for my review of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.

Road to How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World - How To Train Your Dragon 2 Review

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is a 2014 3D animated action fantasy movie and the sequel to 2010's How To Train Your Dragon. The movie is produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. How To Train Your Dragon 2 was written and directed by Dean DeBlois.




The story is it's been five years since the events of the first movie. During this time Hiccup and his people have fully impressed dragons in their village. One day Hiccup and his friends meet a mysterious dragon rider. This rider begs for their help against a powerful warrior named Drago Bludvist.

• Negatives

I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.

• Mix

Now at first Drago Bludvist didn't really have much of a presence in the movie. At first we just get a backstory and the characters wondering about him. Then once he was introduced and his actions were shown. Wow. This guy was intense. I mean you really need to see all of the evil deeds he did in this flick. But I still feel like if had a bigger presence in the first act then it definitely would have made the film just slightly better.

• Positives

One thing to love about How To Train Your Dragon 2 is it's very mature. Because of that maturity this film can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Also with this mature attitude this helps the film become timeless.

Another thing to give the movie credit for is it's darker tone. Seriously that took me by surprise. How darker it is compared to the first. I'm you see both people and dragons die. No it's nothing gory or anything but still that was unexpected.

Once again we're giving amazing animation from DreamWorks. Also once again it comes from the flight scenes. The best animated sequences is when Hiccup and Toothless are playing around with the other dragons they found at a secret cave and of course the action scenes those are amazing.

Throughout the movie you really get a sense of Hiccup's development. In the first movie he was our hero but now this movie while he's still the hero to us the audience this time around he was to become a hero again while at the same time take a very big title that he's dad wants to bestow upon him. So from beginning to end you really root for him to win.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is a spectacular animated film as well as a sequel. The maturity in this movie is great for not only the film but for whoever watches it whether it be a child or an adult, the darker tone was an awesome surprise and really drives home the stakes in the movie, the animation is beautiful, and Hiccup's journey was one hell of a ride. The only real grey area is Drago. The beginning part with him is nothing thrilling but once he's in action oh boy do you want some bad things to happen to him.

My final rating is Great

Okay and I am done for today. Come back next time guys on February 14th, Thursday. Because on that day we return to the Road to Dark Phoenix with my review of X2: X-Men United. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Review

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is a computer-animated science fiction comedy film as well as the sequel to the 2014 hit The Lego Movie. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is the fourth film in the Lego film series following 2017's The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie. The film is produced by Warner Animation Group, Animal Logic, Vertigo Entertainment, and Rideback and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and directed by Mike Mitchell.



The story is it's been five years since the events of the first movie. During this time things are not the best. Life is way tougher than it was before the events of Taco Tuesday. One day an alien invader named General Mayhem comes to Earth and kidnaps Emmet's girlfriend Lucy along with his closest friends. Now Emmet must travel the stars with his new partner Rex Dangervest to save Lucy, his friends, Bricksburg, and the Lego universe.

Initial Reaction



Now I loved the first Lego movie. It was a surprisingly charming movie in what everyone thought was going to be a cash grab. So to finally see a trailer to a long anticipated sequel got me fully invested. But as I usual do I try to think that maybe there could be a chance that the sequel will be bad. However that still didn't detract me for looking forward to this movie.





Cons



I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.







Middle Ground




I've got nothing to say. Let's move on.







Pros




One thing I wasn't expecting from The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is that it's a musical. It was quite a surprise. A surprise I liked. The songs are very much fun to listen to. My favorites were "Catchy Song" (obviously) and "Not Evil". Another thing to enjoy from the film is a twist. I'm not going to give it away but yeah it was very amusing. Now I liked the animation to the first movie but this time around I loved it. Mainly because the animators put some more details into the character's designs. If you look closely you can see the paint coming off of the character's clothes. Quite fitting considering the movie is set five years later both in the LEGO universe and the film's real world. Throughout the movie we see Emmet struggle with the world around. Only this time instead of him having to combat the norm he has to be a part of it. As in his friends want him to be more tougher and gritty even though he just wants to see the bright side of things even when times are dark. What I like about it is as I said he had to fight against a certain rule now he must become part of it. It really helped his character develop. The final thing I'll give the movie credit for is it's humor. Once again we have another funny LEGO that will have you laughing from the beginning to the end.








The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is definitely a good sequel and is just as entertaining as the first film. The musical numbers are fun, the animation is still amazing if not better than the first, Emmet's story arc adds another lair to his character, and the movie has get jokes.





My final rating is A Must Watch







Okay I'm done for this week. Come back next time Monday, February 11th for the conclusion of the Road to How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World with my review of How To Train Your Dragon 2.

Is It True? - The Lego Movie is a Secret Sequel to Elf

With The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part coming out in only a few days I figured it would be fun to do a little conspiracy theory related to the first movie. So let's begin.

What is Elf?



Elf is a 2003 Christmas comedy movie and tells the story of Buddy the elf. He's story is he accidentally brought to the North Pole when he crawled into Santa's sack as a baby. During his time as baby to adulthood he was raised by the elves. One day he just has the feeling that he doesn't belong and goes on a quest to New York to find his real parents.






What is The Lego Movie?



The Lego Movie is a 2014 computer animated movie based on the Lego franchise. It tells the story of Emmett. An ordinary Lego construction worker who one day finds a mystical item and becomes "The Special". With this item he must save Bricksburg from the evil grip of Lord Business.






The Theory



The theory goes The Man Upstairs is a future Buddy the Elf. The theory states that after the end of Elf when Buddy has a child and becoming successful in the publishing industry with his father, Buddy is now determined to have a basement full of Legos to create his own creations. Then he glues the pieces together in doing so they want get broken at the hands of his child. Throughout the years he begins to lose his Christmas spirit mainly due to the pressures of running his business and being a father. Then his son helps him rediscovers the joys of imagination and creativity all with Legos.






Is The Theory Believable?



Now despite how much the theory has been deconstructed on Reddit, I just don't believe it. The theory is just grasping at straws because well Will Ferrell stars in both of them. But even thought I don't like the theory and I must admit it is an interesting one.








Okay so that's going to do it for me. Until then look out for my review of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part coming out on Saturday, February 9th.