2. Martin Landau in Ed Wood
Tim Burton is one of the most inconsistent directors in the history of cinema. From absolute garbage (Alice in Wonderland) to unique brilliance (Edward Scissorhands), you're never quite sure what you're going to get from the off-beat auteur, but in my book, the pinnacle achievement in his filmography is Ed Wood and a large part of the film's success has to do with the outstanding performance of Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi. Ed Wood is an unconventional biopic about the eponymous protagonist (Johnny Depp) who is commonly cited by film historians as the worst director in the history of cinema. At the heart of the film though is the relationship between outcasts, the man perpetually on the fringe, Mr. Wood, and the once-great but now forgotten Bela Lugosi. At his old age, the world of fame and fortune long passed, Lugosi had little other than his pride and memories, but the endlessly energetic and optimistic Wood gave purpose again to an otherwise aimless life. What makes Laundau's performance so impressive is he not only manages to get the mechanics of Lugosi right (from the voice, to the mannerisms, to the posture and presence), but he nails the character that the film needs him to be. Even if there had never been a Bela Lugosi, and the story of Ed Wood was purely fictional, Laundau's performance would still be sensational because it goes far beyond mimicry. Landau is able to capture the waning bitter years of a legend whose time has past (like Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, but with less histrionics), a man who can not and will not (except through the aid of booze and drugs) accept the fact that his glory days are behind him. The fact that he is able to so accurately imitate the classic horror movie star just adds the perfect cherry on top.