TOKYO GODFATHERS (2003)

In Heaven Everything is Fine... But Down Here is Another Story Entirely

On the sixth Lynchian day of Christmas, we present Satoshi Kon's bizarre yet heartwarming Japanese Christmas tale Tokyo Godfathers (2003). Unfortunately Kon passed away of cancer last year, but his exceptional film legacy lives on through his remarkably intelligent and distinctively Lynchian work in animation. Kon's fellow Lynch-devotee, American film director Darren Aronofsky—best known for last year's twisted Black Swan (2010)—is a notable admirer of Kon's work. Aronofsky even secured the American remake rights to Kon's powerhouse mind-bending thriller Perfect Blue (1997) so he could lift certain shots and editing techniques for his film adaptation of Requiem for a Dream (2000).

12 MONKEYS (1995)

Beware What You Dream For... In Your Future's Past

On the fifth Lynchian day of Christmas, we present Terry Gilliam's thrilling virtuoso science fiction masterpiece 12 Monkeys (1995)—much of the film's action taking place around Christmastime. Perhaps best known for directing the popular comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974), Gilliam later distinguished himself for his powerful science fiction movies and dramas, including Brazil (1985) and The Fisher King (1991). One of the most Lynchian American film directors, Gilliam's movies almost always feature a similar mind-bending style to David Lynch's work—12 Monkeys is no exception.

THE THING (1982)

I am Not an Animal! I am a Human Being! I am a Man... or am I?

On the fourth Lynchian day of Christmas, we present John Carpenter's underrated science fiction horror masterpiece The Thing (1982)—not to be confused with its inferior prequel of the same name released last month in movie theaters. Although not explicitly set during the holidays, the film beautifully establishes an Antarctic environment that powerfully captures the essence of winter. Like Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) before it, The Thing pits a group of humans against a frightening extraterrestrial invader. But in a Lynchian twist paralleling aspects of Lost Highway (1997), The Thing can transform itself into different creatures and people to survive among the humans incognito.

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997)

A Love Story in the City of Dreams... After a Violent Massacre

On the third Lynchian day of Christmas, we present Curtis Hanson's taut 50's crime mystery L.A. Confidential (1997). The film has one of the most impressive ensemble casts ever assembled, making superstars out of Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, and Kevin Spacey. Balancing out the cast are such veterans as the ever alluring Kim Basinger, the patronly James Cromwell, and the wry Danny DeVito. Although more straightforward than most of Lynch's films, the young and politically savvy Lt. Huxley's journey into the abyss in the middle of an idyllic American setting has many parallels with Jeffrey Beaumont's odyssey in Blue Velvet (1986).

BETTER OFF DEAD (1985)

Where Your Nightmares End... And True Love Begins

On the second Lynchian day of Christmas, we present "Savage" Steve Holland's pre-winter break High School film Better Off Dead (1985). If David Lynch ever made a romantic teen comedy, we like to think it would have turned out like this bizarre and entertaining cult classic. Holland's absurd style of humor feels kindred to Lynch's, even featuring a less sinister version of Eraserhead's claymation dream sequences, this time centering on a memorable guitar-jamming hamburger also in search of true love.

PIECES OF APRIL (2003)

A Woman in Trouble... Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner

On the first Lynchian day of Christmas, we present Pieces of April (2003). Writer/Director Peter Hedges creates a brilliant comedic ode to a holiday that at its best can help unite people despite their differences or at its worst can reopen wounds and divide them permanently. Hedges seamlessly blends comedy and drama here in ways that would make David Lynch proud.

31 LYNCHIAN DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Santa Claus on Right Painted by Mark Pursey

For your viewing entertainment, 35 Years of David Lynch presents a Lynchian film suggestion daily from now until Christmas day. Each film selection is set during the holiday season, at least in part, or otherwise feels at home when viewed during this special time of the year. And each selection will have a plot, style, or tone that reflects an important aspect of director David Lynch's movie-making sensibilities. Like a Christmas advent calendar, check back each day for another cinematic treat.

DUNE (1984) - NEW 2011 TRAILER

This trailer more closely reflects our vision of how Dune (1984) originally should have been marketed to movie audiences. We published a more complete article on Dune last year, where we suggest it is time for a reevaluation of David Lynch's underrated science fiction epic. You can join the Dune (Definitive Cut) Facebook Petition to show Universal Studios your interest in viewing an improved cut of the film that better reflects Lynch's original intentions, which similar in nature to Ridley Scott's recently released final cut of Blade Runner (1982). You can compare our new trailer with the film's original theatrical trailer below.

TWIN PEAKS: ONE AND THE SAME

Question: What is that shadow that passes across the curtains in Agent Cooper's Red Room dream sequence in Twin Peaks Episode 2?

35 YEARS OF DAVID LYNCH TRAILER

DEADLY PREMONITION (2010)

The Score: 8.5 out of 10

Is Deadly Premonition (2010) the the closest we will get to Twin Peaks: The Video Game? Japanese video game designer Hidetaka "SWERY" Suehiro loves David Lynch's Twin Peaks, and it shows in nearly every aspect of his XBOX 360 game Deadly Premonition. He unveiled the first glimpse of the game under the title Rainy Woods at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, having originally designed it for last generation gaming systems, like XBOX and Play Station 2. Minor SPOILERS follow, but major plot developments will be withheld, including the identity and motives of the killer.

THE TWIN PEAKS PODCAST

I was recently invited as a guest on the Twin Peaks Podcast where we discussed one of my favorite episodes of the revolutionary 90's TV series. This entertaining podcast features four regular co-hosts: two first-time viewers and two Twin Peaks veterans. They discuss the show episode by episode each week until they eventually finish all 30 episodes of the series and its prequel feature film: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. The show's hosts told me they are also toying with the idea of later transitioning into the other films of David Lynch, too.