Screen Junkies » David Lynch

They’re Going To Remake ‘The Elephant Man’

Joseph Gibson — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:24:18 +0000

David Lynch‘s 1980 film The Elephant Man is one of the most revered and popular classics of the 80s. Many of its elements, like the famous “I am not an animal!” speech are still known to people who have never even heard of The Elephant Man, let alone actually sat down and watched it. So I guess it’s inevitable then that a Hollywood studio is going to remake it. Or – to put it more accurately, Silver Nitrate Entertainment has purchased the rights to a book on the life of severely disfigured Joseph Merrick, the subject of the original movie. But producer Ash Shah is said to be basically approaching this as a remake anyway, something he doesn’t deny in this recent statement:

“There is a whole generation of people who are unfamiliar with Merrick’s incredible story, having not been exposed to Lynch’s 1980 film. We’re confident that an interesting filmmaker can bring this compassionate story to a whole new audience. Merrick’s life is a testament to what the human spirit can endure and what life truly should be.”

Well, that sounds promising. No word yet on who that “interesting filmmaker” could be, or on casting. Who do you think would be good for the role of Joseph Merrick? Zac Efron? Chris Hemsworth, maybe? (The Playlist)

David Lynch Directs Another Commercial For His Coffee Line

Wookie Johnson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:16:39 +0000

Coffee. It’s a rite of passage into each new day. Many of us look forward to waking to the deep aromas of a fresh pot. It’s the only thing that can get us out of bed. Well, now the associated nightmares will also do the job.

David Lynch has made a new commercial for his David Lynch Signature Cup Organic Coffee. It’s as moody and foreboding as you’d expect from the director of Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive. I especially like the part where the coffee kills its clone and assumes its identity. The master has done it again.

‘Blue Velvet’ On Blu-Ray: Now Dean Stockwell’s Singing Is Even Creepier

Archibald Bayou III — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:29:48 +0000

Blue Velvet makes its Blu-Ray debut today, in a special 25th anniversary edition. The mystery of a college boy (Kyle MacLachlan) and the severed ear he discovers has aged well, and remains the perfect entry to the weird world of David Lynch films. It’s probably the director’s most straight forward story aside from… well, aside from The Straight Story. The film retains its power after all this time, but it’s hard to believe it was considered so shocking and controversial at the time of its release. Even so, Blue Velvet earned Lynch the second of his three Oscar nominations.

How does it look and sound on Blu-Ray? Superb. The picture is sharp and clear, but not as artificially bright as many Blu-Ray transfers of older films seem to be. The end result reminds you that you are watching something on film, with the rich color textures that film should provide. The sound is very good. On a good sound system, Isabella Rossellini’s song will still stun you, and Dean Stockwell’s song will still make you want to hide under your bed.

The extras are solid, but many of them are reused from the 2005 Special Edition DVD. This includes a documentary, and a clip from Siskel & Ebert‘s original review of the film. The clip is notable as Roger Ebert did not like Blue Velvet, and was vocal about his disdain for it. Gene Siskel defended the film, but it was interesting to see a negative review included in a film’s home video edition, and it demonstrates the confidence Lynch has in his work.

The main draw in the extras is a whopping 50 minutes of lost footage that has been restored, edited and scored for this package. The footage is fascinating. You can see why it was left out of the movie, but any fan Blue Velvet or Lynch will still want to soak it in. The extra scenes are presented out of context, one after another, which still makes them more coherent than about half of Lynch’s other films.

Blue Velvet’s 25th Anniversary Blu-Ray is released Tuesday, November 8th, with a SRP on 24.99. It’s worth upgrading for the new picture, and certainly for the newly released footage.

David Lynch’s 5 Non-Film Related Hobbies

Wookie Johnson — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:29:51 +0000

An artist as provocative (read: crazy) as David Lynch can’t be placed into a box. We primarily know him as a film-maker that weirds us out. But many of you aren’t aware that Lynch has proven himself capable of weirding people out across several platforms. Here’s a rundown of Lynch’s outside hobbies. Please don’t put any in your mouth.

Club Silencio

David Lynch has decided to get into the nightclub game (perhaps inspired by Brandon Walsh and the Peach Pit After Dark), and the Paris club Silencio is his first foray. Named after the club in Mulholland Drive, Silencio doesn’t feature any apparent illusions, but it does have black-on-black toilet bowls and salty nuts hand-picked by the director himself. That, and chairs designed to “induce and sustain a specific state of alertness and openness to the unknown“. I’m good standing.

Crazy Clown Time

Though he’s collaborated in the past on music for his films, Lynch is now beginning a second or third or whatever career as a recording artist. His debut album of electro pop, Crazy Clown Time, is in the works and should drop soon with guest vocals from Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

David Lynch’s Album Drops In November

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:30:44 +0000

Move over, Jay-Z and Kanye. You’ve had a good run but David Lynch has announced that his debut solo album Crazy Clown Time will drop November 8th. Upon which date, the services of Yeezy and Hova will no longer be required.

The electronic pop album will, of course, feature Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O on the lead track, titled “Pinky’s Dream.” I’m predicting big things here. What kid in America wouldn’t want a recording of David Lynch hitting things together while Karen O makes shrill, haunted sounds? This one’s going straight to the Top Of The Pops. Number one with a bullet! Or owl pelle knowing Lynch. (Pitchfork)

Trailer For Duran Duran Documentary Is As Cheesy As The Band Itself

Penn Collins — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:44:55 +0000

Duran Duran. Their story must be told. Or so thought David Lynch when he decided to direct the pop band’s documentary. Everything about this project seems a little tongue-in-cheek, from the effects to the name of the documentary (Unstaged), to even the band itself.

With Lynch in the director’s chair, it’s a fool’s errand to try to figure out what his goal or motivations are. Is this a self-aware effort or simply misguided? Check out the trailer above, complete with a negative effect that appears to be made with Flip Camera software. It’s difficult to tell if it’s weird and good or simply awful. So it’s classic Lynch in that regard. (Playlist)

A Duran Duran Concert Film To Be The Weirdest Thing David Lynch Does That Day

Joseph Gibson — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:50 +0000

Director David Lynch is a creature of habit. More specifically, he’s a creature of really weird habits. One day he might be filming himself delivering a weather report, the next releasing an audio recording of horrifying screams. And now, because of course he is, he’s directing a concert film for Duran Duran. Keyboardist for the band Nick Rhodes thinks it’s a good fit, saying, ““He works completely outside of the system, and that’s what we try to do.” When reached for comment, The System said “Whoa, David Lynch is directing a Duran Duran concert movie? That’s really weird. I guess I’ll allow it though.” Score another one for the establishment!

Anyway, the movie is going to seen via live stream from The Mayan Theatre in LA, and there might be a lesbian sex scene, if we’re lucky. (hilarious image and info via The AV Club)

Break Out the Bugs and Rotten Meat: David Lynch Wants You to Make a Music Video

Jame Gumb — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:03:19 +0000

Are you a David Lynch fan? Well, do you at least pretend to be a David Lynch fan? Good enough, because the eccentric director is asking fans to create music videos for his two new pop songs, “Good Day Today” and “I Know.” I’m assuming the original plan was to film a pile of goat meat rotting in the sun, but there were complaints from his condo association.

All entries will be judged by Lynch himself, and the winner will receive a box of doll heads covered in fire ants…probably. For more information, watch the video, or visit genero.tv. (MovieLine)

Fund His Next Documentary And Win David Lynch’s Self-Portrait

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

^{I can kind of see it around the eyes.}

You may listen to the Lost Highway soundtrack on repeat or enjoy Mulholland Drive for reasons beyond Naomi Watts’s chest, but you’re not a true fan of David Lynch until you have his face printed on your stylish tote bag. And Lynch is giving you the opportunity to do just that. Anyone who donates $50 to the production of his upcoming documentary Lynch Three, can win a limited-edition print of the director’s self-portrait on a poster, tote bag, or T-shirt.

Onto the self-portrait itself. I’m a little disappointed by it. I know that art is subjective and Lynch has proven himself time and time again in the creative world, but it looks like it belongs on Regretsy. Why isn’t this sculpted out of steak, or printed on dead skin? At least tell me the pen he used to draw it was involved in a stabbing. Give me something here. (via Cinema Blend)