On its release Blue Velvet earned iconic director David Lynch his second Oscar nomination (after The Elephant Man). The film feels like a distillation of much of Lynch's career, with a young man's investigation into a discovered human ear uncovering the dark underbelly of the world around, leading him to a mysterious nightclub singer and the despicable individuals that surround her.

A surreal, terrifying, fascinating watch, Blue Velvet marked a turning point for the director, as his work began to focus more and more on the sickness of the American Dream (Twin Peaks, Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive all followed). There's also the presence of regular collaborators Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern, as well as career-defining turns from the likes of Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper.

There's probably no more accessible a gateway to Lynch's world than Blue Velvet, so prepare yourself for quite the journey.