The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts) [Paperback]

Erica Sheen (Editor), Annette Davison (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2004 | ISBN-10: 190336485X | ISBN-13: 978-1903364857

David Lynch is an anomaly. A pioneer of the American 'indie' aesthetic, he also works in Hollywood and for network TV. He has created some of the most disturbing images in contemporary cinema, and produced startlingly innovative work in sound. If the consistency of his 'vision' suggests he might be approached as an auteur, defining that vision raises many questions. The essays in this collection push toward a fuller account of the cultural and technological contexts within which his works developed during the 1980s and 1990s, and of his intense engagement with the creative and working practices of the industry. They offer an up-to-date range of theoretically divergent readings that demonstrates not only the difficulty of locating stable interpretative positions for Lynch's work, but also the pleasure of finding new ways of thinking about it. Films discussed include Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story, and Mulholland Drive.

(#14 (2005:2))

Editorial Reviews

Review

This range and intensity of theoretical approaches marks this book as a worthwhile study...The essays indicate provocative and constructive way of interpreting Lynch's films.

(Daniel Herbert Film International )

About the Author

Erica Sheen is a lecturer in literary theory and film at the University of Sheffield. She has published on Shakespeare, film theory and cinema history.

Annette Davison is a lecturer in film music at the University of Leeds. She has published on film composition and soundtrack.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wallflower Press (June 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190336485X
• ISBN-13: 978-1903364857
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books on Lynch, September 23, 2004

By 

J. Gualtieri "Joe Gualtieri" (Saugus, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts) (Paperback)

Is it possible for a good book of film criticism to be dominated by lavish photos and the like? Not in my experience. The closest to that is the BFI series, and those are hardly the sort of thing "a reader" is talking about. Of all the books on Lynch out there, this is probably my #3, behind Martha Nomchinson's amazing "Wild at Heart in Hollywood" and the essential "Lynch on Lynch."

The simataneous release of the paperback and hardcover editions should have clued "a reader" into the HC edition being a library edition... Don't let this person's stupidty put you off, this is one of the best books analyzing Lynch one can find.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read on David Lynch, July 5, 2007

By 

A. Frantz "The Arm" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts) (Paperback)

I'm reading this book a 2nd time now. I would say this book is im my top three Lynch books as well and it provides a very good outline, and possibly, a key, for the way Lynch thinks. If anything, it will help you come up with more of your own conclusions. From a devoted Lynch fan, this is a great read!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Let me tell you something about David Lynch, September 21, 2010

By 

Spring Wilde (California, USA.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts) (Paperback)

I am not always into the intricacies of the cinema, yet David Lynch provides for an explanation as to why. I loved "Blue Velvet" ( a lot), but the nightmares and dreams, well not so much. But don't use me as a gauge for assessing the cinematic value of anything. I'm not qualified and, in some cases unable to do so. The book is good if you need to delve into Lynch's cinematic style and the mind behind the lens.