Tim Burton is a director who made his directorial debut with the featurette, Frankenweeniein 1984. His full-length debut would be in the following year, with Pee-wee’s great adventure. His films have become known for their quirky misfits and memorable aesthetics; many people are quick to think of his black and white color palette, creepy designs, and whimsical Danny Elfman scores when they think of his movies. He has directed 19 films in his nearly 40-year career, many with frequent collaborators delivering outstanding performances. Here are the best performances in his movies ranked.
11/11 Alan Rickman – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical about a hairdresser determined to take revenge on all those who have wronged him. Alan Rickman plays Judge Turpin, who falsely convicted Benjamin Barker, sexually assaulted Barker’s wife and now has Barker’s daughter as his guardian. Rickman captures all the depths of Turpin’s evil, from his abuse of the law to his sexual thoughts about his neighborhood. He makes Turpin completely mean and repulsive, a strong villain who deserves the hard death that Todd bestows on him.
10/11 Vincent Price – Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The story of a humanoid with scissors for hands, Edward Scissorhands marks the last appearance for the legendary actor Vincent Price. With just a few scenes as the inventor Edward creates, Price brings life and emotion to the film. The audience can see his love for his creation, and how this kindness is then continued in Edward. He is a strong presence in Edward’s life and it’s easy to see how his death makes Edward lonely. It’s only a small part, but the movie wouldn’t be the same without him.
9/11 Helena Bonham Carter – Corpse Bride (2005)
.jpeg)
The stop motion movie corpse bride focuses on Victor, a young man engaged to Victoria. While practicing his vows, he accidentally marries Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), a dead woman murdered by her betrothed. With only a voice acting, she gives Emily everything she needs. We can see the anger she feels along with her heartbreak and loneliness, especially when she sings that she still has tears to shed. She brings real emotion to Emily’s pain and ultimately release from her torment.
8/11 Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz – Big Eyes (2014)
.jpg)
Big eyes is a biopic of Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), who made paintings of wide-eyed children in the 1950s and 1960s. However, as the film tells us, Margaret didn’t get the credit right away, as her outgoing husband, Walter (Christoph Waltz), pretended the paintings were his. The film is elevated by both actors, who are great together. Adams shows Margaret’s shy nature and how she falls for Waltz’s charm as Walter; Adams then shows Margaret’s shift to self-confidence as Waltz Walters brings violence to life in tense, heartbreaking ways.
7/11 Michael Keaton – Beetlejuice (1988)
beetle juice Characteristics Michael Keaton as the title ghost, who helps a deceased couple scare away the new people in their house. Keaton actually played the role several times, according to The Hollywood Reporter, before getting to work creating some of the elements of the character’s now iconic outfit. He embodies the character completely, from his crude humor to his raspy voice. Chaotic and campy, he brings fun to the movie while stealing the show.
6/11 Ewan McGregor – Big Fish (2003)
In big fish, Ewan McGregor plays the young version of Edward Bloom, who tells fantastic stories to his son. While the old version of Edward — perfectly played by Albert Finney — is dying, Will reminisces about all the stories his father told him. McGregor plays Edward for the flashbacks of his stories, which show how Edward has become the man he is. He is a charming and likeable character to follow through the fantastic environments and ground everything with emotion. He gives us insight into Edward and makes his reconciliation with Will even more poignant.
5/11 Danny DeVito – Batman Returns (1992)
Danny DeVito will be the iconic Batman villain in the sequel Batman returns, in which the Penguin takes on Michael Keaton’s Caped Crusader. DeVito shows the pain of his origin story, when he was left at the zoo because of his penguin-like features, and then gives in to his bad side. From his raspy voice to his waddling walk, he really becomes the penguin. Not only does he stand out as a great villain, but he’s a great character in every way.
4/11 Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
.jpg)
Johnny Depp takes on the title role in the musical film, while Carter is Mrs. Lovett, who becomes Sweeney’s business partner and stuffs the people he kills into her meat pies. Depp, with no singing experience, was seen as a risky casting choice. However, he executes the songs well and does an excellent job of showing the pain that went into Sweeney’s wrath; he develops the character more than just a killer. Carter is his perfect match, with a dark humorous touch while effectively showing her own secrets, and both make it an excellent musical adaptation.
3/11 Jack Nicholson-Batman (1989)
Batman marks the Dark Knight’s first major movie outing since 1966, and Jack NicholsonThe Joker gives him a villain worthy of the opportunity. He starts out as crime boss Jack Napier, who appears to be dead after falling into a vat of chemicals. However, he returns as the Joker and wreaks havoc on Gotham. It’s an outrageous, off-the-wall performance for Nicholson and created the inspiration for most of the character’s modern portraits.
2/11 Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder – Edward Scissorhands (1990)
.jpg)
Depp plays Edward with a scissor hand in the film and falls in love with Winona Ryder‘s Kim, the daughter of the woman who brings Edward home after the inventor’s death. With little dialogue, Depp already shows Edward’s innocence and emotions, which makes him a really sweet character. Ryder, who grows from being afraid of Edward to falling in love with him, also brings the love and emotional aspects that the film needs. They both show the love and loneliness present in this outsider’s story, making it a deeply emotional film.
1/11 Martin Landau – Ed Wood (1994)
Ed Wood tells the story of Ed Wood, who would be labeled as Hollywood’s worst director. The biopic focuses on the time he made his more famous films, along with his relationship with Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau. Lugosi was a horror acting legend, but by the 1950s he was forgotten and had developed a morphine addiction. Landau shows Lugosi’s former glory and showmanship as well as the loneliness and heartbreak of his later years. Landau, in conversation with The Baltimore Sun about the film’s release, said it was a “love letter” to the actor; his moving portrait forms the heart of the film.