Beyond Coffee and Cherry Pie

Author’s Note

In January of 2013, I wrote the first article in what has turned out to be a series of essays on my favorite directors. From the obscenely funny works of John Waters, to the obscenely horrific films of David Cronenberg, these essays took on a life of their own. I continued with Terry Gilliam (which you can find in another book), and went on to David Lynch. The response I’ve gotten to the articles and e-books thus far has been nothing short of phenomenal, and I plan to continue doing more when time allows.

The best part is really getting to watch some fantastic (and some downright bad, let’s not kid ourselves), movies. I do my best to put each movie in context for the time it as released and how it affected me on some level, as well as giving my opinion. As I’ve said elsewhere, I’m not a film critic, I’m a film fan. If you’re looking for in depth analysis, there are plenty of great books that do that. If you’re interested in reading what amounts to someone talking about movies he loves and why, then you’re in luck.

One of the reasons I chose David Lynch was the fact I related so well to his work. Not the characters or situations, but the peeling away the layers and exposing the raw belly of reality.  Whether it’s the fear of fatherhood and responsibility in Eraserhead, or the exposed façade of small town life in Twin Peaks, I resonate with his fascination of it all. On a subconscious level I suppose I try to do the same thing with my own fiction.

I’m not alone with my inspiration from Lynch. Time and again when I interview a filmmaker on my Imaginarium podcast, Lynch always seems to pop up somewhere. Hell even when there’s not a filmmaker on, he still seems to pop up.

In spite of the surreal nature of his movies, in spite of the dark tone they nearly all take, there’s something relatable, something which draws people to them. I’m still not sure what it is, but I’ve learned at this stage in life, not to question these things.

Something else I’ve learned not to question is the unwavering support and encouragement I continue to receive from family and friends. My Mom of course will always be first, in spite of her not understanding what it is I exactly do, she encourages me anyway.

My co-host, Todd the horror nerd Staruch, my partner in crime on Imaginarium who keeps everything real, and manages to keep me grounded. I can’t say how lucky I am to have him on the show, he makes me up my game every week.

Jerry Janda, my co-host on Weekday Matinee who knows more about movies than I ever will, and brings that knowledge every time we get together. He’s a kick ass writer and filmmaker in his own right, and his enthusiasm is catching.

Last, and not least, is the person who I dedicate this ebook to, my friend, my brother in arms, Wade Radford. I love this man, and not afraid to say that. The fact he’s helped me, far more than I may have ever helped him, is the biggest secret between us. I can’t imagine not having him in my life, and very glad he’s there. Wade, your friendship means the world to me, and I’m honored to call you a true friend. Even if you can be a cunt.

However, none of this would matter if it weren’t for you, my readers. You inspire me to continue doing what I do, and all of your comments, emails, and messages mean a lot. I’m always humbled when someone says they’ve read and liked something I’ve done. It makes me smile, and I’ll never get over that feeling.

Now, let’s get some pie and coffee, we have a lot to discuss.

Scott Colbert

Phoenix, AZ

11/14/15

One: Eraserhead

Thursday, March 19 marked 38 years since Eraserhead first premiered. As hard as it may be to believe that, facts don’t lie. I was 12 when it came out, and only remember the ad for it as a midnight movie. It wasn’t until a roommate rented it one night, some seven years later, that I was able to understand what the fuss was about.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw; in fact, I don’t think anyone could have been prepared for Eraserhead. Certainly not in 1983, and probably not today. By the time I’d gotten to see it, I was already familiar with Lynch due to his follow up movie, The Elephant Man (a film that remains in my top 10 best films of all-time list), and having read and heard about Eraserhead for years, I thought I knew what