Great post! I’m at the younger edge of genx at 47 and twin peaks was my first exposure, watching it at 13-14 years old with my family. I haven been pretty obsessed with it ever since, especially the music which made a huge impact on me when I was learning to play bass. I still listen to Julee cruise and the fire walk with me soundtrack on the regular. I think lost highway the most powerful David lynch film. But beleive it or not I love his Dune. Even though it wasn’t the movie he wanted to have made, it gets the spirit of Frank Herbert’s genius much much better and has so much more feel
Thank you! I feel the same way you do about Dune. In some ways I wish he had been able to make it his way but in other ways I am grateful the experience cemented his desire to remain an independent filmmaker, and never compromise his vision again.
Yeah I think we have missed out on his edit of dune. Imagine the dune he could’ve made with today’s technology and total editorial autonomy. I’m a huge dune nerd and have read all 6 books at least 5 times, probably 8-10x for dune itself. So while I love the amazing effects of villanueve’s version, to me it doesn’t capture the weirdness of the book and the deep Freudian and philosophical nature of Herbert’s thought as well as lynches did. I do think that Kyle mcchlachlan was simply superior to chalemet in every way. Also no one was going to be able to best Patrick Stewart as gurney.
I did like blade runner 2049 though. Beautiful movie
For some reason his movies happened to be my first date movies. Dune ( didn't work out) Blue Velvet (5 year relationship) Wild at Heart ( on an off for 3 years) Lost Highway ( 25 years last week). So to say he's had an influence on my life would be an understatement.
I have this nostalgic fondness for the Lynch Dune, even though it is massively flawed. There’s this dream that somewhere out there in the ether is a true Lynch Director’s cut of Dune where he fixes all the problems it had.
There’s like three or four versions, including some mysterious 3.5 hour one. Just not sure some things are fixable, like the strange Navigators with a vagina face 🤦♂️
Great guest post! Thank you. I had the rare honor of briefly meeting David Lynch at my cousin’s film school graduation (Lynch’s son graduated in the same class). He was eating two tables over at the restaurant we celebrated. And I walked over there, shook his hand and said thank you for your work or something to that effect. It was maybe 30 years ago and I will never forget how kindly he responded. RIP
What a great read. Thankyou Terry you speak for so many of us Xers and articulate what we share despite differences of location, culture and life experiences. Across the Atlantic in UK I first discovered Eraserhead at the tender age of 17 on VCR thanks to a fellow student who was absolutely evangelical in his obsession with the film and the genius of Lynch. I couldn’t watch Eraserhead a second time there was something so primordial about it that bypassed normal cognitive functions straight to the subconscious. Blue Velvet blew my mind a few years later. Something of a defining film for our generation.
I’m pleased to say that his films have a substantial following amongst the younger 20 somethings.
Thank you! I think the first time I saw Eraserhead was on VHS as well, and it was absolutely as surreal as I thought it would be. I watched it again yesterday and I see the film so differently now. I'm not as disturbed by it and I see the beauty in it. That is the magic of David Lynch's Art!
Beautiful tribute, Terry. As a kid I always felt like I was missing out on things because I didn't have a big brother. It seemed like everything cool my friends discovered was through an older sibling. I learned about the Catcher in the Rye and the Dead Milkmen from friends who learned about them from their older brothers and sisters. When I was in seventh or eighth grade I ended up palling around with this guy who was five years older than me. The first time I went to his house I saw two posters hanging on the wall, one of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the other was for Eraserhead. When I asked him about the latter he got all secretive and eventually pulled out a copy of the film he had stashed in his underwear drawer, wrapped in a brown paper bag and hidden from his ultra-conservative parents. He eventually loaned me that copy of a copy which I also copied, only adding to the films grainy look. I didn't understand it and I'm not even sure if I liked it, but I was mesmerized by it. I've watched Eraserhead dozens of times since then along with almost all of Lynch's stuff. I don't know if he turned me into a weirdo or simply unlocked my inner weirdo, but either way... yeah, I'm Gen X... and Team Weirdo.
Saw Blue Velvet in a bar when I was 20 and sufficiently stoned to be not talking and bleerily focused on the images on the screen. "Are you watching this? What is it?" The sound wasn't on (or was on so low I couldn't hear it) but it wasn't missed. The images stuck, and Lynch made sure of that. That I'm seeing since David Lynch died more reels of the disturbing mystery man from Lost Highway - the sax players nightmare embodiment of cultural impotence - than the heart-melting vision of Isabella Rosselini singing Blue Velvet is probably a sign of our times.
Years passed before I saw BV with the sound on, and was happy to know that it truly was as good as I remembered it: one of the best films ever, and still Top 10 in my book, maybe even Top 5.
RIP David Lynch, and I'm glad you found the exit off the Lost Highway.
A wonderful tribute to a man who also meant a lot to me. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it with this: I vividly remember seeing Blue Velvet in the theater too, and my friends and I also quoted Frank Booth for years. Legendary.
“ my love of the alternative and dark was in full swing. I listened to gothic music, read Henry Miller, and was now obsessed with arthouse, international cinema, and independent filmmaking.”
Loved reading this. I've liked David Lynch since my late teens. Eraserhead was one of the first films I saw & a brilliant introduction into the weird & wonderful that is David Lynch. I think my favourite film is Blue Velvet, hugely uncomfortable to view at times but thought provoking & certainly sticks in your mind.
Thanks for letting me share my feelings about David Lynch on your badass Substack, Liz!
Only you could've written this ode! Thanks for writing such a heartfelt and personal piece, babe!
😘
Great post! I’m at the younger edge of genx at 47 and twin peaks was my first exposure, watching it at 13-14 years old with my family. I haven been pretty obsessed with it ever since, especially the music which made a huge impact on me when I was learning to play bass. I still listen to Julee cruise and the fire walk with me soundtrack on the regular. I think lost highway the most powerful David lynch film. But beleive it or not I love his Dune. Even though it wasn’t the movie he wanted to have made, it gets the spirit of Frank Herbert’s genius much much better and has so much more feel
And heart to it than Villanueves version.
Thank you! I feel the same way you do about Dune. In some ways I wish he had been able to make it his way but in other ways I am grateful the experience cemented his desire to remain an independent filmmaker, and never compromise his vision again.
Yeah I think we have missed out on his edit of dune. Imagine the dune he could’ve made with today’s technology and total editorial autonomy. I’m a huge dune nerd and have read all 6 books at least 5 times, probably 8-10x for dune itself. So while I love the amazing effects of villanueve’s version, to me it doesn’t capture the weirdness of the book and the deep Freudian and philosophical nature of Herbert’s thought as well as lynches did. I do think that Kyle mcchlachlan was simply superior to chalemet in every way. Also no one was going to be able to best Patrick Stewart as gurney.
I did like blade runner 2049 though. Beautiful movie
Agreed 100%. The recent Dune looks amazing but feels hollow, but Blade Runner 2049 is pretty close to a perfect film.
I don’t understand why blade runner 2049 was a bit of flop and not super critically well received. I loved it
For some reason his movies happened to be my first date movies. Dune ( didn't work out) Blue Velvet (5 year relationship) Wild at Heart ( on an off for 3 years) Lost Highway ( 25 years last week). So to say he's had an influence on my life would be an understatement.
David Lynch movies are the glue! Lost Highway is the perfect movie to start a 25 year love affair over! Congratulations!
Thanks for this passionate homage to a true genius!
Thanks for reading it. It has been so beautiful seeing the widespread love being expressed for him and his work online. His work is everlasting.
You're welcome. I hope you share your animation with us.
I have this nostalgic fondness for the Lynch Dune, even though it is massively flawed. There’s this dream that somewhere out there in the ether is a true Lynch Director’s cut of Dune where he fixes all the problems it had.
There is another edit that I saw on TV once that adds an intro narrative and a couple scenes. I have been unable to find it since.
There’s like three or four versions, including some mysterious 3.5 hour one. Just not sure some things are fixable, like the strange Navigators with a vagina face 🤦♂️
Hate to break it to you, but Lynch’s navigator isn’t flawed, you’re just projecting your own vagenda lol
Great guest post! Thank you. I had the rare honor of briefly meeting David Lynch at my cousin’s film school graduation (Lynch’s son graduated in the same class). He was eating two tables over at the restaurant we celebrated. And I walked over there, shook his hand and said thank you for your work or something to that effect. It was maybe 30 years ago and I will never forget how kindly he responded. RIP
Wonderful story! I'm so glad you got to meet him!
What a great read. Thankyou Terry you speak for so many of us Xers and articulate what we share despite differences of location, culture and life experiences. Across the Atlantic in UK I first discovered Eraserhead at the tender age of 17 on VCR thanks to a fellow student who was absolutely evangelical in his obsession with the film and the genius of Lynch. I couldn’t watch Eraserhead a second time there was something so primordial about it that bypassed normal cognitive functions straight to the subconscious. Blue Velvet blew my mind a few years later. Something of a defining film for our generation.
I’m pleased to say that his films have a substantial following amongst the younger 20 somethings.
Quintessential twisted Americana.
Thank you! I think the first time I saw Eraserhead was on VHS as well, and it was absolutely as surreal as I thought it would be. I watched it again yesterday and I see the film so differently now. I'm not as disturbed by it and I see the beauty in it. That is the magic of David Lynch's Art!
I'll give Eraserhead another watch thanks to you...
Really enjoyed reading this Liz. And holy shit is that class photo legit 🤣!
Isn’t it though? 😆 So ‘80s!
Beautiful tribute, Terry. As a kid I always felt like I was missing out on things because I didn't have a big brother. It seemed like everything cool my friends discovered was through an older sibling. I learned about the Catcher in the Rye and the Dead Milkmen from friends who learned about them from their older brothers and sisters. When I was in seventh or eighth grade I ended up palling around with this guy who was five years older than me. The first time I went to his house I saw two posters hanging on the wall, one of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the other was for Eraserhead. When I asked him about the latter he got all secretive and eventually pulled out a copy of the film he had stashed in his underwear drawer, wrapped in a brown paper bag and hidden from his ultra-conservative parents. He eventually loaned me that copy of a copy which I also copied, only adding to the films grainy look. I didn't understand it and I'm not even sure if I liked it, but I was mesmerized by it. I've watched Eraserhead dozens of times since then along with almost all of Lynch's stuff. I don't know if he turned me into a weirdo or simply unlocked my inner weirdo, but either way... yeah, I'm Gen X... and Team Weirdo.
I love how i’ll never be able to make sense of lost highway…
Saw Blue Velvet in a bar when I was 20 and sufficiently stoned to be not talking and bleerily focused on the images on the screen. "Are you watching this? What is it?" The sound wasn't on (or was on so low I couldn't hear it) but it wasn't missed. The images stuck, and Lynch made sure of that. That I'm seeing since David Lynch died more reels of the disturbing mystery man from Lost Highway - the sax players nightmare embodiment of cultural impotence - than the heart-melting vision of Isabella Rosselini singing Blue Velvet is probably a sign of our times.
Years passed before I saw BV with the sound on, and was happy to know that it truly was as good as I remembered it: one of the best films ever, and still Top 10 in my book, maybe even Top 5.
RIP David Lynch, and I'm glad you found the exit off the Lost Highway.
What a talent
A wonderful tribute to a man who also meant a lot to me. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it with this: I vividly remember seeing Blue Velvet in the theater too, and my friends and I also quoted Frank Booth for years. Legendary.
Similar experience for me thankfully!
“ my love of the alternative and dark was in full swing. I listened to gothic music, read Henry Miller, and was now obsessed with arthouse, international cinema, and independent filmmaking.”
Loved reading this. I've liked David Lynch since my late teens. Eraserhead was one of the first films I saw & a brilliant introduction into the weird & wonderful that is David Lynch. I think my favourite film is Blue Velvet, hugely uncomfortable to view at times but thought provoking & certainly sticks in your mind.
Feels like when David Bowie died. Another mysterious gap in the wall that let in the light of another dimension just closed.
Somehow the only thing of his I've watched is the "David Lynch Cooks Quinoa" video...and wow, that needed to be a whole cooking series.
🤣 I remember that!
That Quinoa video really is classic!