Twin Peaks is my favorite thing by David Lynch. The first half of the series is so strong, but wanes after it’s 2nd half after Lynch and writer Mark Frost left the show, only to be yanked out of the jaws of defeat when they returned for the finale. The film seems disliked by many but I find it an excellent prequel, especially the fanedit (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - Teresa Banks and the Last Seven Days of Laura Palmer) that brings it up to a 3 and a half hour running time. And Twin Peaks The Return is a masterpiece. It just is, lol
Eraserhead is a good starting point with David Lynch, it is a good upfront example of his weirdness and typifies his style. Blue Velvet is a classic and is probably the film that cemented him as an essential American filmmaker. A dark and captivating mystery/thriller that also showcases a lighter, less bleak and more hopeful side to his films.
Tarkovsky is definitely a filmmaker who I’ve heard people mention but I’ve never really had exposure to him outside of a trailer for Stalker, which I recall did intrigue me but I have yet view. It seems to me a filmmaker who has multiple Criterion Collection releases probably warrants at least a thorough exploration of their catalogue.
I’d really like a subscription to The Criterion Channel. I really wanna check out alot of these films they offer, especially their foreign films. I have seen too little non-United States produced films aside from ones made in the UK, Japan and South Korea.
I’ll have to keep that in mind when I check out Twin Peaks. lol, oh wow! I didn’t realise there was more than one film. I’ll have to try watching them at some point too. Thank you for telling me about them!
Oh, that’s good to know about Eraserhead. I’ve not watched the trailer for it but I’ll have to do so. Yes, Blue Velvet looks great. I liked seeing that Laura Dern got her big break with the film. That’s a big reason I was leaning it as my first of his films but I may have to go with Eraserhead now!
This video was my introduction to Andrei Tarkovsky. It might be good for you too.
I honestly love him. He’s my favourite filmmaker not named George Lucas. He’s truly an amazing filmmaker unlike any other. His films are more experiences and felt than explained or given definitive answers in their meanings as each viewer finds something different. He really changed my life for better or worse. I think Stalker is definitely a great entry point for a newbie. I’d also say Andrei Rublev. Both are truly incredible. Mirror is his best film though but I don’t recommend it for a newbie.
Here’s the trailer for Andrei Rublev.
Me too. There’s lots of films they have that I want to see. There’s also an interview they have with Alicia Malone interviewing Rian Johnson. It looks intriguing. He talks about Stalker and 8 1/2 as two of his favourites.