Comment by handfuloflight

I'm also ashamed to say I've also never seen any of his movies and TV series but this still hits hard because of his influence on some my most cherished fictional properties. These are Alan Wake/Control, Silent Hill 1&2, Returnal and Disco Elysium.

Actually, his influence on how surrealist fiction is presented throughout all media cannot be understated. I was surprised to read even the original Zelda has him as an influence. Majora's Mask does feel particularly Lynchian.

It would not surprise me if the Souls games and at least the later Berserks (late 90s/early 2000s forward) were either directly or 1-step indirectly influenced by Lynch.

I'm gonna say start with Blue Velvet. It still has the backbone of a classical noir, but it is completely run through with the character of his work. Mulholland Drive reflects the apex of his vision and talents, but there's a learning curve to appreciating it.

I'd personally say try Mulholland Drive first.

Start with "Eraserhead" and then go from there. Surreal is the word I associate with his movies and tv show (Twin Peaks) and I absolutely love watching such movies!

Whether you've seen his movies or not, this 35 second video clip is David Lynch gold ("David Lynch on product placement"):

https://youtu.be/F4wh_mc8hRE?si=SJwtz31ZEWuW9rk7

(Has swearing off that matters for your use!) Rest in peace.

Can recommend the documentary "David Lynch, The Art Life". For now appears to be here:

https://youtu.be/a6slh83RhfA

(Sorry — it appears to be 360p, not very hi-res. Other higher res versions can be found but with subtitles or dubbed in... maybe Farsi?)

Definitely worth checking out his movies at some point, but his interviews alone leave a lasting impression indeed. He could captivate audiences just by being himself (in a way)

Surprised nobody has mentioned Lost Highway - to me it is the perfect film.

Gentle intro: Rabbits, on youtube.

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If you only watch one, I think Fire Walk With Me is the most representative. If you like it, there's a lot more to explore. If not, then maybe Lynch isn't your thing.

Ha, I kind of agree with you, and I'm a little embarrassed it's as upvoted as it is. I just love the silly little video of him saying it and then cracking up. It pops into my head a lot and gives me a laugh. I just felt like sharing it to be goofy. Didn't imagine it would end up at the top of the thread!

I think if you're giving original opinions about movies it guarantees that you're going to be on the wrong side of history eventually. His reviews aren't any less interesting even when you disagree with him.

I'm with Ebert, I hated it. Not because it wasn't effective. It was convincing, but such a bad experience I'll never watch it again.

It certainly changes how you feel about listening to Mr sandman

The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference

I think he was talking about literal ants.

David Lynch’s work was never symbolic. You only ever got what was right in front of you.

The moment you start seeing symbols in his work, you know you’re viewing it wrong.

Edit: Lynch’s YT channel is filled with weather reports and random numbers. How much more anti-symbolic can you get?