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Happy Birthday Mr. Burton

There was a time when I looked to Tim Burton as my cinematic inspiration. While that time has passed in my evolution as a storyteller, I still very much look towards the creative style of the dark director. While many film critics argue that Burton often loses sight of the story, no one can take away from his very unique thematic style... Therefore, with today being the date of birth of one of Hollywood's most creative individuals... I present to you the Top-5 Tim Burton movies of all time...

Honorable Mention - Vincent
A wholly sweet, if slightly dark, love letter to Tim Burton's childhood inspiration Vincent Price, Vincent displays Burton's obsession with the macabre early on. Poor Vincent Malloy, no one understands the depth of pain and sorrow that only a 7-year old boy can feel... A rather heart-warming tale, Vincent is the closest you can come to seeing the work of Edward Gorey brought to life… You can find Vincent as a bonus feature on another film making this list...

Number 5 - Planet of the Apes
Just kidding.

Number 5 - Batman Returns
Although the first Michael Keaton driven film started the series and made a truckload of cash, I believe the sequel superior on all counts. The acting is better. The actors are more comfortable within the characters (particularly Michael Keaton, who is the best Batman after Christian Bale…NOT Val Kilmer). The story is better fleshed out. Finally, Burton seems to be in greater control of the film.

Number 4 - Sleepy Hollow
Okay, I know I am going to take some serious flack for this one. I know that many people hold this film a mere inches above the train wreck that was Planet of the Apes. I simply cannot agree. To me, Sleepy Hollow was all about Burton capturing that fantastic Hammer Film mood of the late 60s and early 70s. A mood sorely missing within modern horror. It had been a long time since a genuinely creepy folklore / fairytale film hit the American landscape. Sleepy Hollow is that film. With every shot oozing fog and extra thick blood, Sleepy Hollow is, visually, one of Burton’s greatest successes.

Number 3 - Beetlejuice
Okay, I feel like I should apologize right now. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is not going to make this list. Now, before you string me up, here me out! Beetlejuice is the result of all the cinematic experiments Burton took on Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. For that reason, I feel Beetlejuice deserves the place and not Pee Wee. Beetlejuice is Burton’s greatest "fish out of water" story. Beetlejuice also shows Burton's skill at mixing live actors, stop-motion, and traditional animation. Moreover, we see Keaton in his manic glory. (Though I do wish Sam Kinison had survived to play the role, as it was written for him).

Number 2 - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ah, without this film Hot Topic would have no holiday sales. Sure, it doesn't matter that this film has saturated the media landscape; The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beautiful film. What more can be said about this movie that hasn't been delved into adinfinitum. All good drama Geeks and Goths have used this film as an "I am so dark and can use this movie to make a move on this mascara covered Goth hottie... Then we can cut each other and smoke cloves". Um… Maybe only in my world did this happen.

Number 1 - Ed Wood
Tim Burton at his finest. No question. No doubt. I doubt Burton will ever top the work of genius that is Ed Wood. Every performance, perfection. Every shot, excellence. There is little to nothing that anyone who has any film knowledge can complain when speaking of Ed Wood. Ed Wood is cinematic perfection. Covering the life of the world's worst director, Ed Wood is a film that all Tim Burton fans must own and study.

Happy birthday Tim... Your work makes all us angsty Geeks smile with dark, dark glee.