1107. Summer with Monika

Summer with Monika
1953
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

So I guess a later addition of this Book traded Winter Light for this Bergman film. If readers were hoping I grew out of my hating Bergman phase, I regret to report very little growth in that area. I still found this to be a rather dull affair.

Harry and Monika are in love and we get to watch them spend a rather sickening summer frolicking around and being insufferably happy. Once summer is over, Monika finds it difficult to adjust to her new life as mother and homemaker.

Apparently this caused quite a stir upon its release, as it features a naked woman. It's not even a particularly sexy scene, but I guess this was back in the Doris Days when people were desperate for anything edgy.

What was special about Harry and Monika? I still don't know. Maybe that was the point, that they were just two ordinary people that thought their love made them extraordinary, and they were wrong. Monika was only interesting in her misery and Harry was such a blank slate I found most scenes with him rather boring.

Still, because it is Bergman, it is a technically beautiful movie, even if Monika and Harry light each other's cigarettes in the most obnoxious way imaginable.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Most widely viewed Bergman film in the U.S.

692. Fanny och Alexander

Fanny och Alexander
Fanny and Alexander
1982
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

For some reason I deluded myself into thinking we were done with Bergman.  I really thought he was out of my life.  Well, today he came crashing back into it, bringing with him a three hour long Christmas movie.  Fortunately, it wasn't quite as dull as I was expecting.

After the death of their father, Fanny and Alexander are forced to move in with their mother's new husband, a tyrannical bishop.  He is only slightly less creepy than Robert Mitchum.  It is obvious that Bergman was heavily influenced by Charles Dickens; the spanking scene seemed like it was right out of David Twist.

Was this supposed to be insanely creepy?  I feel like I keep saying this, so maybe I am getting soft in my old age.  But man, how fucked up was that ending?  And when the statue beckoned to Alexander?  If these directors are trying to get me to pee my pants they are getting dangerously close.  I did enjoy this more than previous Bergman entries, but why did it have to be so long?  Apparently the tv miniseries was even longer.  By the end of hour two I was just ready to say goodbye to these characters, especially the spineless wife.

Still, at least now I can finally point to a Bergman I kind of, sort of enjoyed.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The first draft of the script contained 1,000 handwritten pages.

Bergman shot 24 hours of footage.

551. Cries and Whispers

Cries and Whispers
1972
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman delivers another exercise in tediousness. Honestly, he creates some moments of beauty but I have devoted way too much time for such little reward.

Two sisters and the maid tend to their third dying sister.  Everyone is pretty much terrible, there is the standard search for faith, blah blah blah, typical Bergman film.

Bergman said that he felt as though this film had brought him as far as he could go and touched on wordless secrets that only cinema could discover.  Well, at least he is modest.  I could certainly see finding this film interesting, but for me it is just too much.  Do we have to watch every film in the Bergman canon?  And does everyone of them have to be so depressing?

Yell at me in the comments if you must, but I found this film exhausting.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Bergman stated that the walls were painted red because this film is an exploration of the soul, which he always imagined as red.

489. Vargtimmen

Vargtimmen
Hour of the Wolf
1968
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Well, here we are again.  We all have the drill down by now?  I hate this filmmaker and his style?  So let's get in and get out people!

Confusing things start to happen but we don't know if they are actually happening or if they are imaginary.  This movie probably has the most intriguing premise, but the delivery is just the same as his other films; which I always hate.

Is the slew of Bergman over yet?  Can I please open my eyes again??

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

The Hour of the Wolf is said to be around 4 am.

Trailer:

487. Skammen

Skammen
Shame
1968
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

My frequent readers (and even my non frequent readers since he is constantly appearing) know that I am not a fan of Bergman.  I simply don't like his style and I find his movies to be a power sleeping aid.  Unfortunately, I have to keep repeating this and you have to keep reading it because he WON'T GO AWAY!  Attention Listmakers: if a set of films are all the same, one is enough!!!  I know the plots can be drastically different, but somehow or another we always end up in the same place: watching a sad man having some sort of weird dream.

Okay so Through the Wild Hour of Persona Shame follows a couple whose lives are completely destroyed by the war as each are forced to look at the other in a new, harsher light.  I know that is an incredibly broad summary but I can't really think of another way to write it without spoiling anything.

I am sure both Larry and Ray will be able to explain this film better in the comments section, so perhaps I shall leave it to them.  I will say that this movie certainly succeeds in being disturbing.  The casting was quite brilliantly effective. Every time Liv Ullman was on the screen I felt vaguely upset; she is so innocent and beautiful!  So in that very tiny, tiny way I will give Bergman credit; I really felt connected to the characters.  There, I was nice.  Gentlemen, take it away.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Bergman was unhappy with this film and felt like it came across as poor and uneven.  I could kiss this man.  Yes, I agree, Ingmar!

Trailer:

455. Persona

Persona
1966
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Ugh, another Bergman film, another wasted 83 minutes.  I am going to keep this really short since my "Bergman is always boring" defense is probably getting quite old.

An actress refuses to talk so is put in the care of a pretty crazy nurse.  Nonsensical imagery and northern European gloom ensue.

This is another dull film that makes about zero sense.  Unfortunately, I don't care enough to try to dissect it.  What's with the film crew at the end?  Oh, who gives a damn.

I do, however, encourage you to leave comments that tell me some truths this film reveals and why it is worth anyone's time.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Bergman fell in love with Ullman during the course of filming.

Available on YouTube:

404. Nattvardsgasterna

Nattvardsgasterna
Winter Light
1963
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

The entire northern United States (which unfortunately includes me) is suffering from a cold that possesses an unrelenting determination that could rival the Terminator's.  And now that it is Monday I get the added guilt that comes with staying home on a weekday.  Well, at least I get to watch a good movie, albeit one with a complete nightmare of a name.  Wait, it's a Bergman film? Oh crap.

Bergman is like the blowhard at that party who just won't shut up about religion and is completely indifferent to the fact that it is not his provocativeness that is making everyone around him uncomfortable, but the dullness of his diatribe.  So just tack on my Bergman is Boring mantra to everything I say from now on.

This is the story of a priest who loses his faith, which in turn, causes others to lose their faith.  Except in the case of Marta, who is already an atheist and is portrayed as a complete loon who won't get the hint that the priest is not interested.  I am no expert on men, but I am pretty sure if you are trying to attract one, you don't keep talking about the rash you have.  But hey, that is just my two cents.

I think your interpretation of this film is going to depend heavily on your own religious beliefs.  If you are Christian, and I do believe Bergman was, you are presumably going to feel sorry for this man that he longer has a god.  I am an atheist, but I can understand that a priest losing his religion would no doubt be tragic; after all, realizing that you have dedicated your life to something you no longer believe in would no doubt be terrible.  Most of the time, the movie allows you to form your own conclusions.  However, having someone blow their brains out because they no longer believe there is a god is a bit of a push toward the more conservative side of things.

The agonizingly long takes, the sentimental religious themes, and the fact that no one cracks a smile during the entire movie: it all so very Bergman.  And I am so very tired of it.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Ingmar Bergman's wife called the film "a dreary masterpiece."

Second film in Bergman's trilogy on religion.

Trailer:

378. Sasom i en Spegel

Sasom i en Spegel
Through a Glass Darkly
1961
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

I have been sitting in front of the computer for about fifteen minutes now, trying to figure out what to write.  On the one hand, I am not a Bergman fan and always find his films dull.  On the other hand, the acting was fantastic and the cinematography was beautiful.  On a third, mutant hand, I have a lot to do today and cannot take too long with this review.

A family visits a home in Sweden.  All seems well, except for the fact that the daughter is slowly losing her mind.  Sounds like my family visits (BAZING-just kidding, Dad).

So like I said, the acting is wonderful and I actually felt as though I was watching someone lose their mind.  Still, I have never felt riveted by anything Bergman shows me.  The movies should either be shorter or have more excitement.  We are simply not a good fit.  This would be acceptable, except I have to keep writing about them and repeating the same thing over and over again.  Did I mention the camera work is beautiful?

Glad I saw it, but I will never watch it again.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Filmed on the island of Faro.  Even the trivia isn't that interesting.

318. Smultronstallet

Smultronstallet
Wild Strawberries
1957
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

So we finally reach the end of this blogging marathon, which I vowed to finish today.  It is 11:13 PM right now, so I am in good shape.  But wow, this was exhausting, especially since I have to end on such a sour note.

As stated in previous posts, Bergman and I don't mix.  Like oil and water.  Or like a pseudo intellectual windbag and a resentful viewer.

This is the story of Professor Isak Borg who is on his way to a university to receive an honorary degree.  Along the way he finds himself.  Sappy, sappy, sappy.

As you can see, my ability to articulate what I am feeling as deteriorated; I am all movie reviewed out.  Some might say "just wait until you are ready to write to post again."  I say, there will never be a time or a place that I want to talk about Bergman.  And also shut up.

We have seen better pictures about old age from the list, with Make Way for Tomorrow coming to mind off the top of my head.  Just too sentimental for me.

Hope you enjoyed my blogging marathon; that should give you some reading material for awhile.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

The dummy in the movie is made from a balloon and a stocking.

316. Det Sjunde Inseglet

Det Sjunde Inseglet
The Seventh Seal
1957
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Groan, Ingmar Bergman.  He is to elitists what Carrot Top is to douchebags.  Oddly enough, though, I had already seen this movie, despite my disliking for him.

A man plays chess with Death in order to get his life back.  This is a concept that has been done to death since; hell, even the Sims has made this a feature to save yourself from the Grim Reaper.  Not that I play Sims, I am way to old for that.  Ahem.  Moving on.

Other stuff happens, of course, but this is the iconic image that has allowed the film to endure so long.  I am boring myself by saying this about another Bergman film but really, these movies are painful to sit through.  Nothing ever really happens, which I could forgive if the dialogue was half good; unfortunately, it isn't.  I know a lot of film buffs will disagree with me, but some films I am just not going to like.  Unfortunately for me, and I guess the reader, there are around fifteen Bergman films on the list.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Bergman said he was inspired by Kursosawa.  NO!  You do not get to say that!

One of Bergman's favorite films.

298. Sommarnattens Leende

Sommarnattens Leende
Smiles of a Summer Night
1955
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

And so, we begin our Bergman journey with this film, Smiles of a Summer Night.  In my opinion, Bergman is one of the most pretentious filmmakers that has ever existed.  There are a ridiculous amount of Bergman films on the list, however, so I have plenty of opportunities to change my mind.

Unfortunately, this movie did not change my mind in the slightest.  When you think of Bergman, you think of chess and Death.  Not exactly fun or light topics.  However, this was a Bergman comedy which is about as surprising as a Spielberg romcom or Taratino musical.

This film is loosely based off of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  In the duration of one night, couples change partners and fun is supposedly had.

Would it be immature to say that I simply didn't like the movie because it wasn't funny?  I feel like I should go deeper than that.  However, call me crazy, but if I film is labelled a comedy, I expect to laugh and not be bored out of mind.

No one claims that Bergman's strength is in comedies, so I suppose he can be forgiven for this one.  Still, as dull as dull can be.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Bergman was going through such a rough time during filming of this movie that he claimed that if he hadn't made this film, he would have committed suicide.  Oh, dear.  Well then, I guess I am glad that he made it.

One Time Magazine's list of top 100 films of all time.  Oh, come on.