If the eight foot tall image of Bob's Big Boy
March 11, 2002 6:52 AM Subscribe
If the eight foot tall image of Bob's Big Boy doesn't scare you, maybe the thought of having lunch with David Lynch would. What would you ask him over a tasty Tuna Melt? Quicktime required for full goodness.
"David, there's an ear in my salad. I'm not pointing a finger at anyone. I'm just saying there's an ear in my salad.
And it's got ants."
posted by pracowity at 7:27 AM on March 11, 2002
And it's got ants."
posted by pracowity at 7:27 AM on March 11, 2002
I'd ask him why he thinks anybody is going to pay 10 bucks a month to visit his site.
I might pay $25 a year tops.
posted by chainring at 8:00 AM on March 11, 2002
I might pay $25 a year tops.
posted by chainring at 8:00 AM on March 11, 2002
"How's your tuna melt? Mine's delicious, don't you think Eraserhead's about the most overrated film in history? Could you please pass the pepper? Thanks...*achoo*...I mean, you did a good job of convincing people it was deep and all, but come clean, man...it was meaningless right? You were just being obscure for obscurity's sake, right? Right? Hey! Where are you going? Who's gonna pay for your white wine spritzer? The Log Lady?"
posted by biscotti at 8:02 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by biscotti at 8:02 AM on March 11, 2002
"What the hell is that thing in the picture after you sign up for the competition? Am I supposed to be dressed like that? Why in the name of God did you feel compelled to make Firewalk with Me? Did you really build your house with no kitchen because you can't stand the smell of cooked food? Does that mean you eat at Bob's Big Boy every day? So what is Isabella Rosselini really like?"
posted by elgoose at 8:18 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by elgoose at 8:18 AM on March 11, 2002
Lynch's site seems to be getting a lot of hard sell coverage recently. My guess is he's having a hard time finding anyone stupid enough to pay the sub.
posted by jiroczech at 9:03 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by jiroczech at 9:03 AM on March 11, 2002
Lynch's site seems to be getting a lot of hard sell coverage recently. My guess is he's having a hard time finding anyone stupid enough to pay the sub.
posted by jiroczech at 9:04 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by jiroczech at 9:04 AM on March 11, 2002
At least as legend has it, David Lynch does really eat at Bob's Big Boy every day. When he's writing, he loads up 7-8 cups of coffee with sugar and has as many milkshakes then writes off the buzz that gives him.
How he's not dead or 340 pounds is beyond me.
And, just to clear up a few points, it's Fire Walk With Me -- a subtle difference, but instead of asking someone to firewalk, you're inviting fire to walk. Still not a great movie. And I don't think even Eraserhead's biggest fans think it's "deep." I'm sure Lynch doesn't. It's just a particular kind of experience.
posted by argybarg at 9:16 AM on March 11, 2002
How he's not dead or 340 pounds is beyond me.
And, just to clear up a few points, it's Fire Walk With Me -- a subtle difference, but instead of asking someone to firewalk, you're inviting fire to walk. Still not a great movie. And I don't think even Eraserhead's biggest fans think it's "deep." I'm sure Lynch doesn't. It's just a particular kind of experience.
posted by argybarg at 9:16 AM on March 11, 2002
"So, what was up with _The Straight Story_? Were you telling it straight, or being slyly ironic?"
posted by mecran01 at 9:36 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by mecran01 at 9:36 AM on March 11, 2002
I would ask him why he continues to direct masturbatory, self-indulgent crap when he is capable of so much more (cf. Mulholland Drive and Wild At Heart).
posted by estopped at 9:57 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by estopped at 9:57 AM on March 11, 2002
estopped, biscotti: Would you really?
If, by chance, you had lunch with David Lynch, would you ask him those things?
Or are you just being snide?
posted by brittney at 10:17 AM on March 11, 2002
If, by chance, you had lunch with David Lynch, would you ask him those things?
Or are you just being snide?
posted by brittney at 10:17 AM on March 11, 2002
brittney: I'd really ask him that, but perhaps not in so many words. I sometimes like Lynch, but generally he seems to me to be of the "weirdness for weirdness' sake" school, which I don't have all that much respect for. Especially not in directors who are capable of better, smarter work. I wasn't being snide, I was being honest with snarky wording for (limited) amusement value.
posted by biscotti at 10:42 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by biscotti at 10:42 AM on March 11, 2002
Biscotti, that was my first thought (weirdness of weirdness sake) after watching Mulholland Drive until I read this excellent piece at Salon that parsed it out. I wouldn't say that all his work is as complex and full of meaning as Mulholland Drive, but I'd give him props for a few gems. I just wish I had the time or wits to sit down and analyze his work bit by bit, but instead I have to rely on outside interpretation for whatever it is worth. Sometimes it is OK to admit that a film completely baffled you rather than writing it off as eccentric. Oh, and I would probably ask him about being a pinch-hitter for Dune, and what Angelo Badalamenti is like.
posted by machaus at 11:02 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by machaus at 11:02 AM on March 11, 2002
brittney: Yes I would. Really.
To coin a Southern phrase, he man shits behind two heels, just like everyone else, and deserves no special treatment.
posted by estopped at 11:15 AM on March 11, 2002
To coin a Southern phrase, he man shits behind two heels, just like everyone else, and deserves no special treatment.
posted by estopped at 11:15 AM on March 11, 2002
machaus: what I mean is that he's more than capable of making complex films with something to say (like Mulholland Drive), but oftentimes I think he's just messing around with his audience (which some people may like, but I don't, not when it's, to my mind, nonsense pretending to be depth). I'm not above saying a film baffled me, but in the case of Lynch's lesser films, I don't often feel that's the case (or, rather, if his lesser films baffle me I'm inclined to think it was because there was no sense to be found). But, obviously, YMMV. :> Thanks for the link, BTW, very useful.
posted by biscotti at 11:33 AM on March 11, 2002
posted by biscotti at 11:33 AM on March 11, 2002
dong: " Stop doing the seefood, thing, Dave. You're upsetting the old couple in the booth behind me."
Dave: " They say here at the Big Boy breakfast is anytime you want it."
"Indeed. Did you know that every one of my ex-girlfriends is dead?"
Dave: " That must be nice. Did you know I directed Speed under a pseudonym?"
dong: (shrieks hysterically and claws at own eyes)
Dave: " Yes, I know. Do you like Toto?"
posted by dong_resin at 11:39 AM on March 11, 2002
Dave: " They say here at the Big Boy breakfast is anytime you want it."
"Indeed. Did you know that every one of my ex-girlfriends is dead?"
Dave: " That must be nice. Did you know I directed Speed under a pseudonym?"
dong: (shrieks hysterically and claws at own eyes)
Dave: " Yes, I know. Do you like Toto?"
posted by dong_resin at 11:39 AM on March 11, 2002
biscotti: Why your insistence that he is trying to pass off his films as something they aren't?
estopped: You'd sit down to a meal with a stranger and insult him and his trade? I don't think merely having couth is considered giving someone special treatment.
But, then, I am a just a stupid Southerner who pays ten dollars a month to ask him whatever questions I like.
And oh posey, me too. I'd eat him up. :)
posted by brittney at 11:42 AM on March 11, 2002
estopped: You'd sit down to a meal with a stranger and insult him and his trade? I don't think merely having couth is considered giving someone special treatment.
But, then, I am a just a stupid Southerner who pays ten dollars a month to ask him whatever questions I like.
And oh posey, me too. I'd eat him up. :)
posted by brittney at 11:42 AM on March 11, 2002
brittney: because it seems apparent to me that that's what he's doing sometimes (note that I didn't say *all* of his films were pretentious, in fact the only one I directly slagged was Eraserhead. And I don't necessarily think it's always *him* trying to pass his films off as something they aren't, I think oftentimes his audience does that for him). It's just my opinion, your mileage clearly varies.
And I know your other points weren't directed at me, but estopped didn't seem to be insulting him and his trade, asking him why he makes some crap films when he's capable of making not-crap films seems a legitimate question.
posted by biscotti at 12:15 PM on March 11, 2002
And I know your other points weren't directed at me, but estopped didn't seem to be insulting him and his trade, asking him why he makes some crap films when he's capable of making not-crap films seems a legitimate question.
posted by biscotti at 12:15 PM on March 11, 2002
You'd ask him why some of his movies are better than others? What artist could answer that question?
I've noticed that anyone who makes weird movies gets accused of "weird for weirdness' sake" -- it's a stock charge. Many people seem to react to "weird" movies defensively -- as if they're being challenged or insulted.
Sometimes, movies and the people who make them are just weird. Everything David Lynch has done, from his paintings to his photographs to his film to his furniture, over a 30-year-long career, has shown a fairly consistent sensibility. It seems hard to believe that he's been interested, the entire time, or even any of that time, in proclaiming how weird he is.
posted by argybarg at 1:11 PM on March 11, 2002
I've noticed that anyone who makes weird movies gets accused of "weird for weirdness' sake" -- it's a stock charge. Many people seem to react to "weird" movies defensively -- as if they're being challenged or insulted.
Sometimes, movies and the people who make them are just weird. Everything David Lynch has done, from his paintings to his photographs to his film to his furniture, over a 30-year-long career, has shown a fairly consistent sensibility. It seems hard to believe that he's been interested, the entire time, or even any of that time, in proclaiming how weird he is.
posted by argybarg at 1:11 PM on March 11, 2002
estopped: You'd sit down to a meal with a stranger and insult him and his trade? I don't think merely having couth is considered giving someone special treatment.
Hold up there a minute friend.
Firstly, I would, of course, use language calculated to extend the conversation beyond a cursory "fuck you." In fact, I would use a series of questions to bring about the point that some of his earlier films are more coherent in every respect than his more recent work. Then I would ask him what brought about the change.
Secondly, I don't consider the truth insulting. Southerners are generally raised to be well-mannered to a fault, and I am no exception, but I respect the man's abilities enough not to bullshit him. Now, if it makes you feel better I'll be sure to raise my pinky finger, eat my Bob Big Boy with the proper utensil, chew with my mouth closed, and say "pretty please with sugar on top" when I ask for the salt. If you find that "uncouth" than that's your concern.
I don't necessarily think it's always *him* trying to pass his films off as something they aren't, I think oftentimes his audience does that for him.
Well, if his audience is responsible for misrepresenting his films, Mr. Lynch certainly has been quiet about presenting the "truth." This situation reminds me of Enron's technique of dealing with critics, saying that, "they just don't get it." Well, turns out that there was nothing to get. That is precisely how I feel about the majority of Mr. Lynch's work. It looks wonderful, but it has no substance. If I were able to speak to him, I would want to know why.
posted by estopped at 1:50 PM on March 11, 2002
Hold up there a minute friend.
Firstly, I would, of course, use language calculated to extend the conversation beyond a cursory "fuck you." In fact, I would use a series of questions to bring about the point that some of his earlier films are more coherent in every respect than his more recent work. Then I would ask him what brought about the change.
Secondly, I don't consider the truth insulting. Southerners are generally raised to be well-mannered to a fault, and I am no exception, but I respect the man's abilities enough not to bullshit him. Now, if it makes you feel better I'll be sure to raise my pinky finger, eat my Bob Big Boy with the proper utensil, chew with my mouth closed, and say "pretty please with sugar on top" when I ask for the salt. If you find that "uncouth" than that's your concern.
I don't necessarily think it's always *him* trying to pass his films off as something they aren't, I think oftentimes his audience does that for him.
Well, if his audience is responsible for misrepresenting his films, Mr. Lynch certainly has been quiet about presenting the "truth." This situation reminds me of Enron's technique of dealing with critics, saying that, "they just don't get it." Well, turns out that there was nothing to get. That is precisely how I feel about the majority of Mr. Lynch's work. It looks wonderful, but it has no substance. If I were able to speak to him, I would want to know why.
posted by estopped at 1:50 PM on March 11, 2002
What a load of crap, estopped.
Comparing Lynch to Enron? That's the most idiotic thing I've heard in a week. He has no obligation to correct people's interpretations of his work. Why should he spend valuble time telling anyone what his films are about? Why would any filmmaker want to do that? He made the film - if you can't figure it out that's your problem, not his. I've never seen anything by him that made me think he was messing with his audience. Instead, I think he rigorously refuses to over-think what he does, meaning it comes out undiluted, and sometimes obscure.
But I cannot see how the relationship of a filmmaker to his audience is in anyway similar to that of a company to its shareholders.
posted by videodrome at 2:10 PM on March 11, 2002
Comparing Lynch to Enron? That's the most idiotic thing I've heard in a week. He has no obligation to correct people's interpretations of his work. Why should he spend valuble time telling anyone what his films are about? Why would any filmmaker want to do that? He made the film - if you can't figure it out that's your problem, not his. I've never seen anything by him that made me think he was messing with his audience. Instead, I think he rigorously refuses to over-think what he does, meaning it comes out undiluted, and sometimes obscure.
But I cannot see how the relationship of a filmmaker to his audience is in anyway similar to that of a company to its shareholders.
posted by videodrome at 2:10 PM on March 11, 2002
I said that the situations are similar. That is all.
Pull your head out of your ass and read the post.
posted by estopped at 2:15 PM on March 11, 2002
Pull your head out of your ass and read the post.
posted by estopped at 2:15 PM on March 11, 2002
But the situations are not similar. Read my post. Why should he present the 'truth'?
posted by videodrome at 2:21 PM on March 11, 2002
posted by videodrome at 2:21 PM on March 11, 2002
No, no, no.
I am not being clear. I meant that the "truth" is how I view his films, NOT the "Truth."
Got it?
posted by estopped at 2:23 PM on March 11, 2002
I am not being clear. I meant that the "truth" is how I view his films, NOT the "Truth."
Got it?
posted by estopped at 2:23 PM on March 11, 2002
Wait, not that my views are the "Truth," but that I respect him enough not to tell him my views.
Jesus, this is confusing.
posted by estopped at 2:25 PM on March 11, 2002
Jesus, this is confusing.
posted by estopped at 2:25 PM on March 11, 2002
Scratch that. In fact, scratch everything I've said and continue singing Lynch's praises. Lynch for president! Horray! He's a genius!
I'm going to Fark.
posted by estopped at 2:25 PM on March 11, 2002
I'm going to Fark.
posted by estopped at 2:25 PM on March 11, 2002
I went to a fight and a MetaFilter broke out.
posted by dong_resin at 2:27 PM on March 11, 2002
posted by dong_resin at 2:27 PM on March 11, 2002
OK. I guess there's a couple of problems here.
From your post I get that you see no meaning in his recent work. From that I'm not sure whether you mean that the story points, when combined do not make sense (properly deduced), or that the complete story does not have any point beyond its own, erm, existence.
If the former, I disagree. If the latter, there's time when I'm with you and times when I'm not. I've found meaning in just about everything (Wild At Heart being the main exception) but that meaning is usually transmitted as a kind of empathy rather than in the typical manner found in most narrative films. Sometimes there's a lot going on, as in Eraserhead with the fear of parenting, and sometimes it's just a strong sense of paranoia and loss of control, like what permeates Mulholland.
As for his refusal to discuss what his films mean to him, I have to admit admiration. As I implied earlier, I like the fact that he is willing to work on impulse and imspiration, and that he's not really eager to pull apart his own work while he's doing it. Whether he analyses his stuff once it's done is open to debate, but I don't think it really matters.
posted by videodrome at 2:32 PM on March 11, 2002
From your post I get that you see no meaning in his recent work. From that I'm not sure whether you mean that the story points, when combined do not make sense (properly deduced), or that the complete story does not have any point beyond its own, erm, existence.
If the former, I disagree. If the latter, there's time when I'm with you and times when I'm not. I've found meaning in just about everything (Wild At Heart being the main exception) but that meaning is usually transmitted as a kind of empathy rather than in the typical manner found in most narrative films. Sometimes there's a lot going on, as in Eraserhead with the fear of parenting, and sometimes it's just a strong sense of paranoia and loss of control, like what permeates Mulholland.
As for his refusal to discuss what his films mean to him, I have to admit admiration. As I implied earlier, I like the fact that he is willing to work on impulse and imspiration, and that he's not really eager to pull apart his own work while he's doing it. Whether he analyses his stuff once it's done is open to debate, but I don't think it really matters.
posted by videodrome at 2:32 PM on March 11, 2002
OK. I guess there's a couple of problems here.
From your post I get that you see no meaning in his recent work. From that I'm not sure whether you mean that the story points, when combined do not make sense (properly deduced), or that the complete story does not have any point beyond its own, erm, existence.
If the former, I disagree. If the latter, there's time when I'm with you and times when I'm not. I've found meaning in just about everything (Wild At Heart being the main exception) but that meaning is usually transmitted as a kind of empathy rather than in the typical manner found in most narrative films. Sometimes there's a lot going on, as in Eraserhead with the fear of parenting, and sometimes it's just a strong sense of paranoia and loss of control, like what permeates Mulholland.
As for his refusal to discuss what his films mean to him, I have to admit admiration. As I implied earlier, I like the fact that he is willing to work on impulse and imspiration, and that he's not really eager to pull apart his own work while he's doing it. Whether he analyses his stuff once it's done is open to debate, but I don't think it really matters.
posted by videodrome at 2:32 PM on March 11, 2002
From your post I get that you see no meaning in his recent work. From that I'm not sure whether you mean that the story points, when combined do not make sense (properly deduced), or that the complete story does not have any point beyond its own, erm, existence.
If the former, I disagree. If the latter, there's time when I'm with you and times when I'm not. I've found meaning in just about everything (Wild At Heart being the main exception) but that meaning is usually transmitted as a kind of empathy rather than in the typical manner found in most narrative films. Sometimes there's a lot going on, as in Eraserhead with the fear of parenting, and sometimes it's just a strong sense of paranoia and loss of control, like what permeates Mulholland.
As for his refusal to discuss what his films mean to him, I have to admit admiration. As I implied earlier, I like the fact that he is willing to work on impulse and imspiration, and that he's not really eager to pull apart his own work while he's doing it. Whether he analyses his stuff once it's done is open to debate, but I don't think it really matters.
posted by videodrome at 2:32 PM on March 11, 2002
Oh, alright. Guess I shouldn't have taken the time to type that out.
(and post it twice...)
posted by videodrome at 2:38 PM on March 11, 2002
(and post it twice...)
posted by videodrome at 2:38 PM on March 11, 2002
I don't know that I'd "interview" him, but I'd say three simple words and hope that he'd respond: "The Elephant Man".
posted by G_Ask at 7:38 PM on March 11, 2002
posted by G_Ask at 7:38 PM on March 11, 2002
Did you really build your house with no kitchen because you can't stand the smell of cooked food?
Frank Lloyd Wright built his house, actually. There is a kitchen but he does not use it a lot, he hates to smell food around the house, Lynch is apparently very particular about that.
Lots of people hate that -- he just has the means to eat out a lot (and to buy a FLW house in ther Hollywood Hills)
I'd love to have lunch with him. I love his movies and in interviews he sounds like a nice, unassuming man.
posted by matteo at 11:36 AM on March 12, 2002
Frank Lloyd Wright built his house, actually. There is a kitchen but he does not use it a lot, he hates to smell food around the house, Lynch is apparently very particular about that.
Lots of people hate that -- he just has the means to eat out a lot (and to buy a FLW house in ther Hollywood Hills)
I'd love to have lunch with him. I love his movies and in interviews he sounds like a nice, unassuming man.
posted by matteo at 11:36 AM on March 12, 2002
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posted by ZachsMind at 7:20 AM on March 11, 2002