David Lynch, M&Ms and the Beatles
A few quick thoughts. First of all, I watched Inland Empire this weekend. Who was it that recommended this to me so enthusiastically -- was it you, Klay? One word:
BLEH
Now I know David Lynch is all obsessed with the subconscious and stuff, but seriously, man. Ouch. This movie was such a bad dog -- intentionally so, perhaps. I understand this is modernism and the art in the modern world might be tough to get through. In fact, it may feel like work instead of play. Fine. Fair enough. I'm equipped to handle complexity. Hell, I work at IBM! But I found Inland Empire abusive to the audience in a way that I don't think mined the subconscious or revealed any special complexities. If I weren't recoiled in horror I would have laughed when the camera retreated to reveal...a camera!! Gee willikers -- it's all a dream...or is it?!?!?! (note sarcasm, thanks) Close-ups on screaming faces? For three hours? Come on, Lynch. The movie played like a horror movie without a plot -- a series of nightmare vignettes thrown together in random sequence like the organ music in the background of a Beatles' song.
Speaking of the Beatles, I wonder if people my age are into various eras of the Beatles oeuvre based on their parents' age. For example, my parents are relatively young -- in the 60s. Meanwhile I have friends about the same age as me whose parents are a decade older. I noticed that they tend to prefer the Beatles earlier poppier stuff and I'm more into their later work.
Again, speaking of the Beatles...I revisited Let It Be...Naked this weekend. It's so much better than the original release. Seriously, check it out. The Long and Winding Road is actually an amazing song after all (I always hated it.)
Finally, I read this on Best of Craigslist and laughed out loud. I love this kind of minor -- but existentially crucial -- disregard for convention.
BLEH
Now I know David Lynch is all obsessed with the subconscious and stuff, but seriously, man. Ouch. This movie was such a bad dog -- intentionally so, perhaps. I understand this is modernism and the art in the modern world might be tough to get through. In fact, it may feel like work instead of play. Fine. Fair enough. I'm equipped to handle complexity. Hell, I work at IBM! But I found Inland Empire abusive to the audience in a way that I don't think mined the subconscious or revealed any special complexities. If I weren't recoiled in horror I would have laughed when the camera retreated to reveal...a camera!! Gee willikers -- it's all a dream...or is it?!?!?! (note sarcasm, thanks) Close-ups on screaming faces? For three hours? Come on, Lynch. The movie played like a horror movie without a plot -- a series of nightmare vignettes thrown together in random sequence like the organ music in the background of a Beatles' song.
Speaking of the Beatles, I wonder if people my age are into various eras of the Beatles oeuvre based on their parents' age. For example, my parents are relatively young -- in the 60s. Meanwhile I have friends about the same age as me whose parents are a decade older. I noticed that they tend to prefer the Beatles earlier poppier stuff and I'm more into their later work.
Again, speaking of the Beatles...I revisited Let It Be...Naked this weekend. It's so much better than the original release. Seriously, check it out. The Long and Winding Road is actually an amazing song after all (I always hated it.)
Finally, I read this on Best of Craigslist and laughed out loud. I love this kind of minor -- but existentially crucial -- disregard for convention.
posted by Ethan Rand at 3:23 PM
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