Eraserhead

If there's one director whose name is synonymous with mind fuckery, it's easily David Lynch. His bizarre sense of imagination has proven popular for nearly forty years in both film and television. But does his work hold up after all these years?

In the case of his debut Eraserhead, its surreal nature hasn't lost its edge in the many years of its existence. Lynch would have the likes of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive in the years to come but their roots could be traced back to his first film.

Despite all its weird aspects, it's clear that Eraserhead basically a depiction of the sense of fear that follows becoming a new parent. (Worth mentioning that Lynch himself wouldn't become a father for a few more years.)

There's something about the use of white noise throughout Eraserhead that makes it more unsettling than it already is. (And that's saying a lot.) As if the images Lynch captures aren't nightmare-inducing enough (looking at you, freaky-sounding baby), he has to make it sound just as creepy. (That's one way to let your audience know what they're in store for.)

Eraserhead is strange on so many levels, you begin to wonder how many heavy narcotics Lynch was under the influence of when making it. (Astonishingly, none.) And at the same time, there's a sense of brilliance to it as well. (In short, watch this completely sober; watching it under the influence might result in a crisis of some sort.)

My Rating: ****1/2

The Elephant Man

It's funny once you think of it. David Lynch is renowned for making freaky movies, and one of his earliest movies was about one of the most famous circus freaks in history.

I'm of course referring to The Elephant Man. Lynch doesn't portray Joseph "John" Merrick (John Hurt) as a freak of nature but more as a being confusing the rest of society. When people first see Merrick, their response is usually that of shock. (Frederick Treves' (Anthony Hopkins) reaction to first seeing Merrick is my favorite shot in the whole film.) But they don't know what Merrick feels.

That's what makes Lynch an interesting director to watch. He is willing to explore a certain character to many extents. But he also doesn't make us completely sympathize for Merrick. He has us come to terms with our own differences with Merrick's deformity.

The Elephant Man has all of these subtle notes, it just works perfectly. Hurt plays his part wonderfully, as does Hopkins (who should have been nominated as well). If you don't feel any pangs of emotion from any scene, you are a heartless robot.

My Rating: *****

Blue Velvet

Alfred Hitchcock was dubbed "the Master of Suspense". I call David Lynch "the Master of Mindfuckery".

I mean, Mulholland Drive is a weird movie, but the weirdest in Lynch's line of work has to be his magnum opus Blue Velvet. For Pete's sake, it starts off with the lead character finding a severed ear. That aside, Blue Velvet is excellent as a neo-noir.

The highlight performances come from Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper. Rossellini is the right embodiment of the battered woman while Hopper is right embodiment of demented evil. Seriously, Hopper's depiction of the foul-mouthed, gas-inhaling Frank Booth has to be one of the most horrifying performances I've seen. How both Rossellini and Hopper were ignored for nominations, I'll never know.

Bizarre as it may be, Blue Velvet is perhaps one of the best movies made in the last thirty years. About, say, half of it is hard to watch for its brutality, but it's a very absorbing movie at the same time.

My Rating: *****

Mulholland Drive

The only thing I knew about David Lynch is that he directs movies that are really out there. And Mulholland Drive is no exception.

After a brutal car accident in Los Angeles, Rita (Laura Herring) is the sole survivor but suffers mass amnesia. Wandering into a stranger's apartment downtown, her story strangely intertwines with Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), a perky young woman in search of stardom. However, Betty is intrigued by Rita's situation and is willing to put aside her dreams to pursue this mystery. The two women soon discover that nothing is as it seems in the city of dreams.

Holy crap, that was one weird movie. If it's your first time watching it, don't be upset if you don't understand (I sure as hell didn't). It's definitely one of those movies you need to watch a few times to actually get it. Apart from Mulholland Drive being the weirdest thing I've ever watched, it's also a really good film noir. Oh, and also the biggest case of mindfuck EVER. Don't say I didn't warn you.

My Rating: ****1/2