2014 Ford Fiesta Movement

Hello Everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a very long time... I am wrapping up my final semester at USC School of Cinematic Arts and I am involved in a bunch of projects... Not leaving me much time to write about Ingrid Bergman too much.
I plan on attending the 2013 TCM Film Festival and hope that you will too! It's always fun and generally there's one or two Ingrid Bergman films... Let's hope it happens again!

I am writing this post because I am applying to be a part of the "Ford Fiesta Movement" again! Ford gives out 100 cars for 8 months to people who are film savvy, creative and have a web presence. I did this in 2009 and would love the chance to do it again!

Here is my video... If you like it, please "like" it on Youtube and Subscribe!



I also have a Facebook Page for it: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-Fiesta-Movement-Alexis-Page-/66806812366

You can also follow me on Twitter @alexis_morrell
And on Instagram @lex112884

Thank you for reading!
-Alexis

Twitter

If you follow me on or if you're on twitter please mark your Ingrid Bergman posts with #ingridbergman

This will make it easier for people to find information about Ingrid on twitter and maybe help build our community and communication :)

40!

We're at 40 followers! Thanks everyone.

It's fantastic to have such admiration flowing in a creative way for our Ingrid Bergman. I'm still working on getting the Adam Had Four Sons post finished. I've been trying to do some extensive research on it as well as a play by play--let's all remember that this wasn't the finest film ever distributed. Lol. Definitely a lot harder to do a play by play when it's not something like Notorious, Anastasia, Autumn Sonata or something that really has deep meaning. I think David O. Selznick just REALLY didn't want to lose Ingrid to a trip home to Sweden!

Well I have much to post soon--and I will get on it as soon as I'm finished my film noir-style video for the fiesta movement.

My Video

I'm in the midst of writing a couple blogs for you, but I have also just finished a short of my own. It's for a contest that I'm entering held by Crunch Gyms.

Hope you enjoy it! Now back to more writing.

(Oh and if you get a chance, please go vote for my Howcast.com Video!)

HelP ME WIN THIS FILMMAKING CONTEST~!

Please help me win this howcast.com video contest.

Go to MY VIDEO, join howcast and vote. It's free and it would be a huge feather in my cap. Thank you!

Persian Ingrid Site

I had mentioned that I received a message from Mike about the layout. A message that I am ecstatic to have put into motion... I then checked out Mike's blog. It turns out, Mike, has a blog about Ingrid as well! The catch-- it's in Persian! I'm freaking happy about this! This means that not only are we reading in the western part of the world, but also acting "Ingridly" in the East too!

Though you may need a translator from Google or a text encoder-- check out Mike's website Here:

Notorious

Thanks again Mike and thanks to everyone for reading and letting me know what you like/don't like! --it's always appreciated :)

Reference

Made a reference to Ingrid on my other blog "Seriously?"

Check it out! :)

Camp

Hey everyone-- just a little information--

I haven't been writing this week because I am coaching at a Lacrosse camp. I'll hopefully be back writing some time this weekend.

Talk with you soon!

<3>

PS

Ingrid RULES!

(Wanted to make this about the lovely Ms. Bergman as well!)

Notorious: A Woman's POV (Well, Mine.)

Joe Frank, a new reader, who has just complimented me by "stumbling" onto my blog and telling me that he likes what I do, wrote this about my Notorious Part 1 post.

"I just stumbled on your blog after searching for reviews on Notorious. I have often told people that Notorious is my favorite film. Usually, I get a blank look in response. Even people familiar with Hitchcock are often not familiar with the film.

I first saw Notorious a few days before Cary Grant died. I was stunned. Classic films aren't necessarily known for deep character development. My prior favorite Hitchcock films, North by Northwest and Rear Window, were driven mainly by story. Notorious is very different. The three main characters are very messed up people. You could spend hours discussing Alicia and Devlin. One question, why does Alicia fall in love with Devlin? Is it for the superficial reason that he is tall dark and handsome? After all, he treats her poorly through most of the film. As a man who has stuggled to understand women,I would like to hear a woman's persective."

Joe poses some fantastic questions, that I don't know have definite answers, but I'm willing to give my opinion based on my LOVE for this movie and my research that has followed the love trail.

I wouldn't go as far as saying "classic films aren't necessarily known for deep character development," personally I think that might be too broad. There are so many different types of classic film that they may or may not depend on character development. I would say a film like Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, A Letter to Three Wives, The Graduate, Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde, The Wizard of Oz depend a lot on the characters. Actually I'd say that Notorious is extremely character driven based on some key elements.

Their location doesn't matter.

Their object doesn't matter (in fact the "Uranium Ore" is the MacGuffin).

Whether or not they are successful really has little to do with their lives.

What the two need is each other. They are polar opposites that are driven away by politics and scandal and driven toward each other by love, lust, affection, beliefs and loyalty.

In these films, what matters is the way the characters interact. In order to have the contrast between characters or the depth that we need to believe they're worth investing time and emotions we need some sort of development of character.

In order to know that Ingrid's Character, Alicia Hubermann is not just a Nazi-whore, we have to know several things:

She didn't like her father.

She didn't have the same beliefs as other Germans.

She wasn't actually a German but a German-American (which at this point in history would have been a HUGE deal).

How she feels about patriotism (My FAVORITE LINE: "waving the flag with one hand and picking pockets with the other").

She is actually quite loyal to her lovers (though she has had many we see that she is reformed by Dev).

All of these elements are almost the opposite of the straight, dark, rule-following T.R. Devlin.

His character isn't nearly as developed. I mean, we don't know what T.R. stands for (I like to think Teddy Roosevelt--it would just be great to have an environmentalist who's name became the "teddy bear" to be Dev's name).

I agree the Hitchcock films you have mentioned earlier were definitely story driven. I mean do we really care who Jimmy Stewart's character is? No. We want to know what the hell is going to happen when Grace Kelly goes into that apartment...EEK!

Though from an Ingrid Bergman fan point of view-- I care who those characters are because they are rumored to have been based on Ingrid and Robert Cappa... But that's a whole different can of worms. Lol.)

NOW I want to get to the juicy stuff-- why does Alicia looooovvveee Deviln?

I like to think Devlin is not as stiff and dark as his first impression lets on. He does little things, "actions not words" as he puts it, that show he loves Alicia. For example:

On the plane, he listens to Alicia talking about her father and though he interrupts her story

with, "we're coming into Rio," he then checks her out BIG TIME when she looks out the window. He is obviously intrigued by her and who she is or might be. I find that incredibly attractive, I think Alicia unknowingly does too.

They romp around, they have a great dinner. Though he later forgets it, he does pick up the (liquid themed) champaign.

I think he is the post to her waving flag like personality. If we had two characters like Alicia, they'd bounce off of each other. They'd never fall in love, they'd be too busy competing for attention and fighting for their space. Devlin gives Alicia space. He dangles the steak from a stick, and she wants to know what else there is. It's a perfect match.

I think we should all re-watch the film. I mean I'm always game for that, but this time, pay attention to Devlin. Let it be his story for once. I don't know if you'll be convinced, but I have a good feeling, that you might see more this time to his softer side.

Thank you for sharing your comment, Joe. I hope this wasn't too harsh. I really love talking about Notorious and thouroughly enjoy picking it apart and discussing.

Everyone should feel free to do the same. I'd love to read your opinions about Devlin and Alicia's relationship and what you love about them.

OH WAIT! I forgot to tell you-- What I love about these two-- I totally relate to Ingrid's character in this film. I think more than any other film. I think Alicia is a tough cookie, she's a hard sell and wants things her way. She has extremely high standards and requires someone to love her despite her fallen attributes and lives up to her expectations. We all love Cary Grant (if you don't, you can leave now) so when he plays a hard-ass like Devlin, he challenges her persona. I love this. I hope someday to find that. Maybe he'll look like Cary Grant--maybe not.

He better not forget the champaign!

Thanks Millie!!

Thanks Millie from Classic Forever. She awarded me the

This is what she posted (HUGE compliments to a lot of us!)

"The beyond cool and amazing Lolita of Lolita's Classics gave me a blog award...um...almost two weeks ago....

Anyways, I now wanted to officially accept this lovely honor, and pass it on!

And, I wanted to profusely thank Lolita for the award. Because getting an award from someone so knowledgeable and amazing is really such a lovely thing...and so good for the blog esteem! And, if I could I really would give the award right back at you...in fact I think I will! It yours again Lolita ;-D!

The people I give the award to are all lovely (with lovely blogs) for different reasons:

Sarah of Cinema Splendor because: she's a dear old friend and I love to visit her blog so much. She's quite funny and clever...but also more than that. I know that when I visit her blog it can cheer me up when I'm sad or make me even more happy when I'm already happy! Going to her blog is like going to a party...the best party ever!

Harley of Dreaming in Black and White because: Harley is Harley. She's funny, sarcastic, and very intelligent. Her blog is like a second home. She loves so many of the same people/things I do (although not for the same reasons...which can cause much arguing! ;-D). Only problem is, she has this really weird crush on Shia Labeouf.......;-D

DKoren of Sidewalk Crossings because: DKoren get's the award for most encouraging blogger. DKoren always leaves a comment on my posts...especially the posts that no one else in their right mind would comment on (example: Michael Callen looking exactly like American Idol Kris Allen). And, when I do a review of Cat Ballou and give Lee Marvin a smashing critique DKoren pops into comment and say that my review was very funny. And slightly mentions that Lee Marvin is a favorite performance of their's...but that I still did an amazing review! That's just DKoren for you! Also, Sidewalk Crossings is an amazing, well-written blog!

Nicole of Classic Hollywood Nerd because: Nicole and her blog are way too underrated! This girl should have at least a thousand followers! Each post from her is original, knowledgeable, concise, lucid (my blog and writing are not), and just plain wonderful! She also comments on my blog all the time...so sweet! Everything about her blog is creative, her ingenious themes and series are amazing...and I should know, because I recently subconsciously stole a series title from her!

Kate-(with a hyphen 'cause she's that cool)Gabrielle of Silents and Talkiesbecause: I don't really know what to say. I'm speechless when I write about Kate. Kate and her blogs are really way too amazing. I recently got to do a guest blogger post for her blog which was admittedly not too good, but Kate never said anything like that! She encouraged me, and drew a most amazing portrait of Ingrid Bergman for it, and then she mailed me the drawing. And well, she's so kind and generous (look at all those contests she does)! All of her paintings, drawings, and Flapperdoodles leave me speechless! Well, I better stop writing because this will get too long...but really Kate is that amazing!

Alexis of Ingrid Bergman Life and Films because: is there anyone who knows more about Ingrid Bergman? Is there anyone who writes better about Ingrid Bergman? Is there anyone who's funnier and also adores Ingrid Bergman? I think not. Alexis is truly amazing.

That's it for this award!

Thanks again to the inimitable Lolita!"

Thank you Millie! This is a giant feather in my hat! Fully appreciated! :)

Please Vote for my Video-- AGAIN

So howcast.com somehow LOST my video entry. I was glad that I checked back, disappointed that they lost my entry, but HAPPY because I misspelled "safety" in my original, so this gives me a much-needed second chance!

So can you please view and vote again? Even Views help!

Click on this video to go to my howcast.com page and view and vote! :)

Thank you!

<3

Do You Like the New Look?

Does everyone like the new look?

I thought since most of my posts are in black and white, that we should enjoy color too. Ingrid was too colorful in life not to have things sparkle around here!

Let me know what you think!

Sunglasses

A sequence of photos dedicated to dark eye wear.
Chic? I know.

knitting

Do you think that these were knitted for her children? It looks like pictures of her knitting were taken during Stromboli and Europa '51--I'm not saying they were knitted for bambinos but I think it would be nice if they were. :)

Where's Ingrid?

Let's play a little game called, "Where's Ingrid?"
Can you find Ingrid in the photo? (LOL)

No DVD player

Hi Everyone- I'm not forgetting the Notorious wrap-up, I just don't have a DVD player at my house in Salisbury with which to do a play-by-play. I will figure out a way to do it, just not tonight. Lol.

Splash Award!

Kate Gabrielle from the blog Silents and Talkies has awarded me with the "Splash Award"!

"The Splash award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs. When you receive this award, you must:

1. Put the logo on your blog/post.
2. Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash award."

So I am going to now reward blogs that I follow--

The first award goes to Pickled Beetnik, which is run by one of my best friends, Adi Price. She is a huge supporter of my online work and I would never be able to navigate this world wide web w/o her. Check out her blog and REALLY be sure to check out her art!!

My Visual Vocabulary-- This is my Dad's blog. He is a rockin' artist, a great Dad and a talented writer. W/o him, I would have never discovered classic film. Follow his alphabetical countdown of artists and work.

Alfred Hitchcock Geek-- This is Joel Gunz's AMAZING blog about all things Hitch. He has been a great "fellow geek" and he knows his ish. He selflessly promotes fellow bloggers and his writing is well articulated. We can all learn much from Joel.

ClassicForever-- This blog is one of the most fun blogs I go to! The "photo of the day" series is one of my favorite online ventures. Right now Millie is on "tour" but continues to drop in.

Lolita's Classics-- Lolita continues to support my efforts and the efforts of others in the classic film genre. Her entries are informative and fun and she holds lots of polls and participation type things. I love it. SPLASH!

So thank you again for the Splash Award and please continue to read and participate! :)

Casablanca-- Bunny style

Check out this 30 second rendition of Casablanca played by cartoon bunnies!

Casablanca 30 Second Bunnies

TCM Tribute to Ingrid Narrated by Patricia Clarkson

These tributes are something that TCM does and I think are the best things to fill in time between classic films. Patricia Clarkson puts what we are all feeling and thinking into a beautiful aside dedicated to Ingrid Bergman. Thank you TCM and thank you Patricia Clarkson, but most of all, thank you Ingrid.

Ingrid Bergman TCM page

Hey everyone!

Thanks to a suggestion from Kate Gabrielle, I have submitted this blog for a spot as an Ingrid Bergman fansite @ tcm.com!

Due to the type of layout on the page, you have to first travel through my webpage. They needed a www. and this blog is http:// I'm not sure why, but I just did what I could-- if anyone knows a better way, let me know!!

Anywho-- this is the little in between page, check it out and let me know what you think!
http://www.alexismorrell.webs.com/ingridbergmanfilms.htm

Be sure to let me know what you think and thanks again to Kate Gabrielle for you're awesome advice!