Review: Bergman Island and Muppets Haunted Mansion

A Double Feature Review!

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Bergman Island

Actor Vicky Krieps

Bergman Island is a fascinating and patient movie. While using the legendary director (Ingmar Bergman) as a backdrop for the film’s premise, we see a charming and creative story transform. One that is well-acted (Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth) and gentle, it's also one of the best films of the year. Bergman Island is a movie cinephiles will gobble up — one that shows us the back-end of a creative process and also explores the history of a legendary filmmaker (Bergman). Ingmar Bergman was a famous Swedish director who made some of the best pictures out there, including The Seventh Seal (1957), Persona (1966), Cries and Whispers (1972), Fanny and Alexander (1982), Wild Strawberries (1957), and Scenes from a Marriage (1973). All of which study the human condition, Bergman's most famous trait. Bergman Island is also a movie that one does not need any knowledge of the director beforehand. Writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve's (Things to Come and The Father of my Children) film stands all on its own, only using Bergman as a backdrop in its storytelling.

Hansen-Løve's film follows a filmmaking couple, Chris (a great Vicky Krieps) and Tony (a strong Tim Roth), who retreat to the Fårö island for the summer. This island is also the same island where Bergman lived and shot most of his famous pictures. Hint why the title and island are called Bergman Island. Tony is a director, while Chris is a screenwriter who has been suffering from writer's block. The cinematography and landscapes in this movie are breathtaking, while a gentle story unfolds. There is also a second part to this film, where Chris talks to Tony about a screenplay idea she has. We then see this fictitious screenplay blossom right on the screen as Chris describes it. Actors Mia Wasikowska and Anders Danielsen Lie play Amy and Joseph in Chris' story. It's about an on-and-off-again romance that also takes place on the Island. A tender picture blending both fiction and reality that will warm you up like a hot cup of coffee. Bergman Island is a movie that takes its time and, just like the legendary director himself, it's an engaging feature that will soothe your soul.

Actors Mia Wasikowska and Anders Danielsen

Bergman Island is rated R (Restricted) Nudity | Language | Some Sexual Content.

Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve

Starring Vicky Krieps, Tim Roth, Mia Wasikowska, and Anders Danielsen Lie.

Muppets Haunted Mansion

Gonzo and Pepe

The Muppets are back! And just in time for the Halloween season. Muppets Haunted Mansion is a spooky surprise the whole family can enjoy. It's a quick 52-minute feature that will slap a smile on your face. The newest entry to this family-friendly franchise specifically follows The Great Gonzo (voiced by puppeteer Dave Goelz) and Pepe (voiced by puppeteer Bill Barretta), who are on their way to a fear challenge event; instead of attending the Muppets' annual Halloween party. The fear challenge takes place in the same haunted mansion where Gonzo's favorite magician, The Great MacGuffin, disappeared one hundred years ago. If anyone has ridden The Haunted Mansion ride at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World — then — you will notice that the film's storyline follows aspects of that ride while Gonzo and Pepe are inside. As usual Muppets films and shows go, this feature has a ton of celebrity appearances and cameos, like Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson, John Stamos, the late Ed Asner, Jeannie Mai, Chrissy Metz, Alfonso Ribeiro, Danny Trejo, and Sasheer Zamata. It's also chopped full of catchy songs (Rest In Peace, Life Hereafter, Tie The Knot Tango, Dancing in the Moonlight, and Grim Grinning Ghosts) and Muppets humor that the whole family will enjoy. So, if you are looking for something that is both spooky and family-friendly, then I advise turning on Disney+ and turning on the newest Muppets feature. You won't be disappointed. I guarantee it.

Kermit and Miss Piggy Dressing Up As Each Other (True Love)

Muppets Haunted Mansion is not rated (NR)

Stream it on Disney+

Directed by Kirk Thatcher

Starring The Whole Muppets Gang and Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson, John Stamos, the late Ed Asner, Jeannie Mai, Chrissy Metz, Alfonso Ribeiro, Danny Trejo, Sasheer Zamata.