Angora Sweaters Rule

Rating: 8/10 (3 March 2006)

As of this writing, this movie is ranked the 192nd greatest movie of all time on the Internet Movie Database. The important thing is that out of millions of movies, this one is considered in the top one percent. And I tend to agree that it is much better than the average film, and probably better than the average Tim Burton film.
What we have is a biopic of Ed Wood, the B-movie director. And like the man himself, it sure is odd! The closest thing to this film I've ever seen is "Shadow of the Vampire", but as this film came first I think I have a hunch where they got their inspiration.
Johnny Depp shines in this film, one of his better films and probably his best with Tim Burton. Jeffrey Jones is well-cast. Sarah Jessica Parker, whom I usually despise, is even pleasant... better than her "Mars Attacks!" role. That Vinnie guy from Doogie Howser is alright. But the two best roles? Martin Landau and Bill Murray.
Bill Murray is very hit and miss with me. Some films, like Ghostbusters and Rushmore, he shines. Other times he is just too bland. But this movie? Perfect. Who knew that the best actor to play a flamboyant grandson of a former vice president was Bill Murray? I really enjoyed the sexual tension between Murray and the mariachi band.
Martin Landau is Bela Lugosi, best known for his role of Dracula. But although we already knew the horror movie actor, did we know the alcoholic Lugosi? The potty-mouthed Lugosi? The Lugosi who danced with cross-dressers and wished death upon Boris Karloff? Landau makes us believe this man was real, and even Lugosi's son says the portrayal is accurate. So, that's good enough for me.
I didn't even mention Vincent D'Onorfrio as Orson Welles... This film is highly recommended!