Slog - Comments on David Lynch's Magical Ocean http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean I went to the sold-out premiere of Inland Empire at the Cinerama last night. The movie was great—ultimate Lynch, best Lynch since Blue Velvet, all crazy Lynch narrative and stylistic tricks present and indulged to glorious, hilarious, and terrifying effect, a genuine gesamtkunstwerk if ever oh ever a gesamtkunstwerk there was. But you don't need me to tell you that when you have Michael Atkinson's fine review in this week's paper. Lynch was in attendance to introduce the screening. Minister for Culture Annie Wagner asked me to Slog about it "if he says anything freaky." Well, he came out to... Copyright 2008 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:56:57 -0800 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 11:14:52 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Josh Feit Thanks for the report Sean, Emeritus. I cannot wait to see this movie.

Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the shore
Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the sea
Earth is a hollow hair bought of a bigger head
It nearly drives me crazy
I am a lazy son
I never get things down
...(unknown)

]]> Josh Feit http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591965 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591965 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:07:18 -0800 Comment by John Tynes What I found freaky about the Q&A was how the audience would applaud every answer he gave. That's bad enough, and true to Seattle's slutty audience tradition. But what was really freaky was how the volume and enthusiasm of the applause varied depending on the question. It was like the crowd was judging how good a question it was, a collective thumbs-up or thumbs-down, like some bastardized version of American Idol.

Oh, and Michael Atkinson is incorrect on a minor technical note: the Sony PD150 is not an HD camera. It's just a good old miniDV camcorder. The fact that it looked so good blown up is a tribute to whatever lab did the conversion.

]]> John Tynes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591967 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591967 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:11:19 -0800 Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS i am a lazy son/i never get things done/it's known to drive men crazy

maybe? i can't remember. that's still the best song ever.

]]> SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591968 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591968 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:16:09 -0800 Comment by Explorer It was like the crowd was judging how good a question it was

What's so weird about that? The worst part about a Q&A is having to endure dunderheaded questions like "Will you sign my DVD?" or gushing praise. What a waste of time for both the audience and the speaker.

]]> Explorer http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591975 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591975 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:30:43 -0800 Comment by tim There were some truly beautiful chunks and scary-as-hell bits. But there is always a balance with every surreal endeavor, of length and pattern. A shorter work can have a less recognizable patter and a longer one needs a bit more or it becomes dull. This was certainly 1.5 hours to long.
When the thing is pushing 3 hours it’s just cruel to have three false endings.
I skipped the q&a because it would of ruined the 1.5 hours that I did enjoy.

]]> tim http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591978 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c591978 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:42:24 -0800 Comment by David K. Artists enjoying having their work praised and appreciated by others -- even by "nerdlings." And Lynch's response of "bless your heart" was sincere and not eye-rolling at all.

I thought the Q and A last night was great. Just the right mix of fandom "color" and serious inquiries.

People need to get over their too-cool attitude and judgemental stance and relax and then go and make some art themselves. Oh, right, they can't -- they're too busy putting down other people.

]]> David K. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592014 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592014 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:36:53 -0800 Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS Dude, read it again.

]]> SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592037 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592037 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:55:19 -0800 Comment by hungover_at_work I guess Lynch hung out at Dahlia Lounge right after? I was walking by on 4th and he was outside smoking with a bunch of folks

]]> hungover_at_work http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592064 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592064 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:18:01 -0800 Comment by PieceOCrap the film was a piece of crap. i cannot stand the people who like someone just to say they do. the movie was horrible. the Q @ A was painful. lynch's time was over with "blue velvet" folks. realize it.

]]> PieceOCrap http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592072 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592072 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:26:54 -0800 Comment by Baxter At the moment, I still like Mulholland Dr. better, but that may have a lot to do with the fact that I'm still formulating theories about Inland Empire's meaning. One thing is for certain, however: Laura Dern is AMAZING.

]]> Baxter http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592088 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592088 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:48:31 -0800 Comment by Fehler gesamkunstwerk? Sean, you need to work on your German. You forgot the t in Gesamtkunstwerk.

]]> Fehler http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592096 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592096 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:03:35 -0800 Comment by David K. I didn't mean your slog entry Sean, I was addressing previous comment posters.

And btw I'm loving your new art. My copy of your 33 1/3 homage to Court and Spark arrived yesterday and it's fabulous. Thank you for taking a straight ahead approach to exploring the album and not going all stream-of-consciousness on our asses. It's a beaut.

]]> David K. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592152 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592152 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:51:43 -0800 Comment by Shawn Wolfe Sean, I don't know how you managed to post that slog already. I am still totally speechless over the film. Shocked and awed, but in no way disappointed. Looking forward to seeing it again. And again.

The Q part of the Q&A was cringe-inducing, as expected. Lynch's responses were sincere and generous.

I like that you quoted the guy who said Lynch would go down as "one of the greatest living film makers of all time". Good on ya!

We were sitting in the third row and it felt like Matrix Reloaded at IMAX, with lots of huge faces with huge pores and icky wrinkles around the mouths (at least Lawrence Fishburn wasn't in it).

Did you notice the window behind the screen showing through to the projected image? There are so many dark shadowy sequences in the film, and that window pane kept showing through from behind the Cinerama's screen. I don't get it. Why can't they at least nail a piece of plywood over that window? Never noticed it before.

]]> Shawn Wolfe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592154 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592154 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:54:27 -0800 Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS oh, man. good call on the missing "t." mein bad.

]]> SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592173 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592173 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:01:55 -0800 Comment by Jessica Barnes I liked David Lynch’s response to the women who asked what the film is about, he said something like: It tells you on the movie poster. The movie poster has one caption: “A Woman in Trouble”. That’s perfect.

]]> Jessica Barnes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592216 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592216 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:41:36 -0800 Comment by annie Crazy, not freaky. Since when have I used the word "freaky"? Thanks for the post, though. Delectable.

]]> annie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592307 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592307 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:47:51 -0800 Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS You often use it on the dance floor, or so the whisper goes.

]]> SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592360 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592360 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:36:56 -0800 Comment by Ebenezer The movie was great but 3 hours is too long to endure. Mostly because the seats at the Cinerama are crap, especially the ones near the ends of the isles. Maybe if I had the physique of Paul Allen they would be comfortable.

]]> Ebenezer http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592547 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592547 Arts Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:56:38 -0800 Comment by Jurgen Thanks for the write-up. I've been collecting reviews and theories about the film here: http://worldfilm.about.com/od/inlandempire/INLAND_EMPIRE.htm

]]> Jurgen http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592674 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592674 Arts Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:01:24 -0800 Comment by Red Wendy The film was brilliant (all 3 hours of it) but I agree that some of the questions that followed...and the applause that followed them...were unfortunate wastes of time. I can't help but wonder if it's really worth making a complete ass of yourself in front of 800 strangers (and the man you greatly admire) just to get a fucking autograph. Was that you "David K?"

BTW Sean...the Paul Rucker link takes me nowhere. His performance was a first for me but it certainly won't be the last.

]]> Red Wendy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592689 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592689 Arts Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:49:38 -0800 Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS I fixed the Paul Rucker link. Thanks for the heads up.

]]> SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592696 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592696 Arts Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:01:29 -0800 Comment by Green Monkey Sean, I would have to agree that David Lynch has the coolest hair ever. Amazing hair. I got a close up look at it at Scarecrow, and it's truly a work of art.

Inland Empire was incredible, and I was blown away by Laura Dern. David Lynch was right when he said she can play anything. She can be glamorous, super trashy, totally everyday normal...and screaming flipping her lid fucking psycho. Fun to watch.

I gotta honestly say that though I loved the movie, I thought the digital transfer was hard on eyes, like my glasses had the wrong prescription or something.....but interesting nonetheless.

The Q and A was pretty uncomfortable agreed.

]]> Green Monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592743 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/david_lynchs_magical_ocean#c592743 Arts Fri, 19 Jan 2007 11:14:52 -0800