WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Ed Wood
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 15 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Video
(Catalog Number): 2758 AS
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 127
(Color Type): Black & White
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 6/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Tim Burton
(Screenplay/Written By): Scott Alexander & larry Karaszewski
(Story): NA
(Music): Howard Shore
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Tom Duffield
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Chris Lebenzon
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Michael Lehmann
(Co-Producers): Michael Flynn
(Producers): Denise Di Novi & Tim Burton

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo SR
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Tim Burton’s Ed Wood is the true life-story of the 1950’s low budget movie director, writer, producer and actor who made his dreams of movie-making come true. Undisputedly the “worst filmmaker of all time,” Ed Wood, played by Johnnie Depp, is presented as an odd-ball angora-crazed cross-dresser transvestite who’s simple approach to filmmaking refuses to let bad reviews, unfinished scenes and hostile backers deter him from his goal. Wood, determined to succeed, assembles an oddball collection of misfit actors including Bella Lugosi, the forgotten veteran Hollywood horror star (brilliantly played by Landau, who won the 1994 Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor).

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is exemplary of black and white photography. Images are sharp and detailed and the grayscale spectrum is excellent. Perfectly matted at the theatrical 1.85:1 aspect ratio, there does not appear to be artifacts, nor distracting grain or noise.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby Surround® soundtrack is wanting in spatial envelopment and is seriously deficient in bass response, having a predominant midrange presence. Dialogue is exemplary and well integrated with the other soundtrack elements.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: