HDC BATTLE ROYALE III ROUND OF THREE #2 - THE VERDICTS
The first reply, came from Finalist
Straker.
"Ed Wood is widely considered to be one of the worst filmmakers to ever walk the Earth, but there is no question that he was also one of the most passionate. He had no resources, less money, few connections and blessed little experience - but against all odds, he still made movies, for no reason other than that it was what he loved to do more than anything in the world.
Which modern filmmaker would you say best encapsulates the spirit of Ed Wood?
To whom, in recent years, would you award the "Edward D. Wood Jr. Memorial Award of Excellence?"
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Straker
In order to truly capture the essence of Ed Wood and find a director worthy of the Edward D. Wood memorial Award I have chosen to look for a director who has shown a life long commitment to the craft and one whom best embodies the passion, flair and dedication of Ed Wood.
The director I have chosen began his journey towards this award back in the early 70’s and has added to his canon of work throughout his lifetime and continues to demonstrate his passion and love for the industry to the present day. In one of his earliest films, the blaxploitation classic, Black Caeser, he showed he had the flair, passion and ingenuity to follow in the footsteps of Ed Wood and hold true to the essence of his appeal.
Throughout his career, the director held true to the ideology and appeal associated with Wood, offering up his own brand of creative filmmaking. Writing, Directing and Producing inventive and entertaining movies such as:
The Stuff (writer/ director)
Maniac Cop (writer)
A Return to Salem’s Lot (writer/ director)
It’s Alive (writer/ producer/ director)
Original Gangstas (Director)
Phone Booth (writer)
Along with many more…
Of course, the award goes to Larry Cohen who’s long career, spanning 4 decades and still going, has personified the passion and flair of Ed Wood. Often working on low budgets Cohen has remained focused and has driven his long career on the desire to create. There is a sense of passion and flair running through his career which embodies the spirit and appeal of Wood, making him a worthy and deserving winner of the award.
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This is what the honorable Judges had to say in their verdicts...
Judge
RETURN - "
5 points on the dot. I've got no issue with his choice, but I would have liked a more in depth response.
No punishment from me, but also no reward."
Judge
DOC FAUSTUS - "
Compared to Wood's circumstances, the streets have been paved with gold for Larry Cohen. He's had some good successes, worked with excellent, not desperate actors and produced products that are not quite analogous to Wood's, I believe.
7/10."
Judge
NEVERENDING - "
A lot of filmmakers have flair, passion and ingenuity. What made Ed Wood stand out was his ineptness. That is why people remember him today, and why so many people find an inspiration in his life- the fact that his passion was blind and overcame his lack of talent. Your presentation completely ignores this aspect of Wood.
I give you 5/10. Small punishment."
Judge
ZERO - "
I really don't see Larry Cohen as an Ed Wood successor. Wood was a bizarre director with strange festishes and an anarchic sense of plotting (virtually absent in most of his films). Cohen is a low budget director and maybe exploitative, but I don't think he's nearly as adventurous (or misguided) enough to wear the Wood mantle.
Also, the answer doesn't really give any reason Cohen is the natural recipient of this award. So I found it lacking in justification.
4 out of 10 points. I'm also going to shoot Straker once (assuming I still have my gun)."
Judge
AUSTIN316426808 - "
Straker - 6/10."
So
Straker, you have scored an above-par score for your effort. You have also been SHOT TWICE Standard style by the Judges' Hand Cannons, once each by Judges Neverending and Zero.
Your score -
Judge Return - 05/10
Judge Doc Faustus - 07/10
Judge Neverending - 05/10 (Standard shot)
Judge Zero - 04/10 (Standard shot)
Judge Austin - 06/10
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TOTAL - 27/50
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That equates to 27 BONUS Health Packs for you Straker, out of which 10 are used up immediately to heal up the injuries by the Judges' punishment.
You gain 17 HPs, alongwith a .357 Magnum with SIX bullets to use in the subsequent Zone outing. Also, you are given a small, carefully wrapped parcel too, the contents of which we will see after the Verdicts are posted.
Let's move on to Michelle's verdicts...