Real life sucks. So let's watch movies!

80. (1734.) Flower Drum Song (1961)
As we make our turn into Act II, we get a big song 'n' dance number from Helen, a working-class girl who pines for the protagonist. Afterwards, she disappears from the story never to be seen or mentioned again. That would be bad storytelling in any medium! Otherwise, not a bad movie.

81. (1735.) Love Story (1970)
Speaking of bad movies.... this. Like Taxi Driver earlier in the month, I watched this knowing I would hate it but also knowing that I should have seen it at least once. I did, and now I have.

82. (1736.) Paths of Glory (1957)
Thankfully, nothing makes a better palate cleanser than a truly great movie. (Does any actor in history have a better batting average than Kirk Douglas?) As darkly cynical and anti-war as a movie can get. Heartbreaking and very, very good.

83. (1737.) Marie (1985)
Apparently a true story about one women who spoke out when she saw corruption in Tennessee state government. There's plenty of suspense, and a happy ending. Thanks to Marie, there's no longer any corruption in government!

84. (1738.) Ferdinand (2017)
Sometimes you watch a movie and think "what were the people who made this thinking?" I can't answer that question here. Bad casting, inexplicable set pieces, a very confusing message and moral.... All in pursuit of a quick buck built on an established brand, I guess? Just go watch the Oscar-winning 1938 Disney short instead. Don't fuck with a classic.

85. (1739.) Song of India (1949)
It's really true that they don't make 'em like this anymore. The best part of this Tarzan-adjacent Sabu adventure is the climax with the big mountain cat hell-bent on suicide. Get 'em, tiger!

86. (1740.) Young Man with a Horn (1950)
I praised Kirk Douglas above, and while this movie isn't bad, it's also no The Bad and the Beautiful. Most of that is a result of cliched storytelling clearly imposed by a studio avoiding the darker aspects of real life gone sideways. Oh, well. They can't all be winners, even for Kirk Douglas.

87. (1741.) Once to Every Woman (1934)
The title of this melodrama set in a medical ward is a reference to the "true love" found between the head nurse and new head of surgery. It was cool to see some old medicine, but I wouldn't recommend you stay up late to watch it.

More to come.

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