Inland Empire

David Lynch has created a Transcendental Experimental Masterpiece in his new digitally shot movie "Inland Empire." I liked it. i mean I LIKED it. But, I also like to listen to RADIOHEAD alone in my car when its raining out. I then put on track two from 'Hail to the Thief' and as Thom utters "and the rain drops...." over and over I have an ethereal moment. Yes, I liked inland Empire, but can I recommend it to anyone? No. there is such a thing as Accessibility. Lynch is generally a unique filmmaker and his films are about 95% accessible to an audience that may not be familiar with his work. Lynch has spoken frequently about how he wishes to create a filmic "experience." Much like Kubrick's "2001" Empire is definitely a unique experience but not always an entertaining one.
The first hour or so is classic Lynch, cool and crisp. Cigarettes are lit, coffee is swallowed and fingers are snapped. But then, out of nowhere, the film takes a path into Lynch's surreal dream world where nothing makes sense to anyone. Especially the audience. I give Lynch props for doing what the hell he wanted with this project. He funded it himself and he distributed the movie himself. The film for Lynch is a success because he did exactly what he wanted. It also a terrific failure in that the movie is so experimental and so LONG that even the most loyal Lynch fan might be disappointed or even alienated. A few trims here and there and we would have a tight film, but we wouldn't have the film Lynch wanted to show. If you want to see this film, you should, but you need to start the Lynch films on an easy start.
Just follow these easy steps:

1. Wild at Heart ---fun and funny, classic Lynch.
2. At anytime watch The straight Story/Elephant Man-- these films were departures for Lynch and still quite good.
3. Watch BLue Velvet-- Lynch's surreal violent masterpiece. This will show you why Lynch is such an important filmmaker and his first film to show us what Lynch is capable of as a storyteller.
4.w atch the entire Twin Peaks series. (episode 29, in my opinion is one of the most visually captivating and cool things Lynch has ever done.)
5. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with me- an R-Rated version of the TV show. Laura Palmer is naked a whole lot.
6. You now have a fully realized idea of what Lynch is all about. You've seen the Lynch that we all love. Now enjoy "Lost Highway" and don't try to put the pieces together until the movie is over. Wait a week. then
7. Watch 'Mulholland Drive"--Lynch's best film since Blue Velvet, a beautiful confusing sexy masterpiece, You'll talk about it for weeks.

8. Okay. if you've gone this far you are ready for Eraserhead. Lynch's first film, surreal and strange. Just relax and enjoy. Don't try to figure it out. Its just cool and weird.
9. Okay. Now light a candle, smoke some pot and watch Inland Empire. You are now a Lynch fan and you can go do other things like check out Lynch's failed TV series, "Hotel Room" and the 'radio' one...watch his Short Films collections and then get a one month membership on davidlynch.com and have a ton of fun.