director Tim

Ed Wood (Special Edition)
$29.99
Ed Wood has been voted by his peers of movie producers and directors as the worst movie maker ever. Johnny Depp is arguably one of the best actors of our time. The combination of the two make for a terrific movie. Johnny Depp captures the dreamer, the inner turmoil, and the star-struck awe of Ed Wood and makes him sympathetic, lovable, and laughable. The supporting cast of characters depicts Woods' friends and movie cohorts to a T. In fact, it was Ed Woods bad movies that created some of our most endearing stereotypical characters and scenes. Vampira inspired a young woman to create a character called Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. And, of, course, there are the "amazing" (using the term very loosely) effects of the pie tin tied to the string for the flying saucer. Fantastic, funny, wonderful!! We also get to see how Ed Woods developed a friendship with the aging Bela Lugosi and cast him in what would be the movie giant's last role (with absolutely hilarious results, since Mr. Lugosi died before completing the film). The movie is great. Depp is great. The supporting cast is great. See this movie. Then go out and get "Plan 9 from Outer Space" for a true experience of bad and funny movie making (Ed Woods didn't mean for it to be funny, but he couldn't help it). Enjoy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
$8.99
I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on television and have to say it is 100% better than 1971's "Willy Wonka" film. Johnny Depp is the most versatile and talented actor on screen today! His portrayal of Willy Wonka is hilarious and heartfelt. My favorite scene is the "squirrel scene" (I'm not going to give away the details). Tim Burton's directing is magnificent.

The "Oompa Loompa's" (played by one man with special effects) are much more tolerable, not totally weird and kind of entertaining than they were in the 1971 'Wonka; movie.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is very true to the book.

I like the movie so much I am going to buy the DVD and/or purchase the movie download.

Flying an Octopus - Raising Balloon Art to New Heights [VHS]
$29.95
3 member team of balloon artists, an eight member flight crew, and countless community members were needed to launch the first ever piloted latex balloon sculpture. Nearly 20,000 animal balloons were twisted together by the hand-picked team of artists from around the US and Canada to create the Fantastic Flying Octopus. Several thousand people showed up to watch the construction and launch of the craft, powered by the wind and 10,000 cubic feet of helium. Challenges to be overcome included building the sculpture in a barn with a gravel floor and launching in the afternoon sun, both of which are natural enemies of balloons. Approximately 700 person hours went into the construction of the octopus over 5 days to complete the project before the first balloons deflated. This first collaboration between pilot John Ninomiya and artist Larry Moss was a success. The entire week-long project, from the inflation of the first balloon through the successful launch and landing of the sculpture and pilot can be seen in this documentary. In addition to the hour-long documentary, 45 minutes of instructional video is included to teach the art of large scale twisted balloon sculpture for those interested in exploring the art in a hands-on fashion.

Tim Burton
$19.95
This book does a good job of showing part of the marvelous collection that will be available at the Museum.