Inland Empire is my *favorite* film. It is a post-modern masterpiece and I find something new every time I watch it. There are several scenes that are strangely terrifying, and Grace Zabrieskie's brief scene near the beginning was an incredible hook. The experience as a whole was penetrating and haunting, although it took several viewings before I could even begin to try to figure out what was going on. I love David Lynch's interest in insanity and the unfathomable depths as well as the fragility of the human mind, and he is hands down my favorite director.
Mulholland Dr. is a close second. It was my first David Lynch experience and once I got over the initial "What the fuck is going on" and realized what a simple and heartbreaking story was at the center of the film, I fell in love. David Lynch has a knack for making anything terrifying (like ceiling fans), and he has a way of depicting visceral emotions in such a way that the depth of the emotion is not lost through the medium. Also, Naomi Watts was outstanding.
Blue Velvet is third for all the reasons why everyone else loved it.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is fourth (I'll note here that I fell asleep during Eraserhead. I'll get on it soon, promise). I didn't like it right away, and I watched it when I was close to finishing the series. After some time had passed after I finished the show, I watched the movie again and it was quite a different experience. I LOVE Laura Palmer and it was simply amazing to get to see her alive. Beautiful ending, powerful display of emotions. My favorite scene is the morning after when Laura is walking to school with her newly gained knowledge. The camera work is disorienting and she somehow looks like a little girl. David Lynch, I will totally be your bitch.
