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Billie and the Struggling Farm

 Monday: Strange Lady in Town (1955)

        In 1880 a doctor named Julia moves to Santa Fe to live with her brother and set up a practice. Her brother is in the army and is away often but she has the use of his house. At first the people of the town are unsure of a female doctor. Especially the other doctor in town who doesn't want her there. Soon it becomes clear that she is a great doctor and people start coming to her instead. Near her house is a church. The priest of the church has started his own hospital. He wants Julia's help to get it up and running. Julia does her best to succeed in Santa Fe but the other doctor and her soldier turned criminal brother make it hard. I thought this movie was ok. The acting style made it feel more like a drama and less like a western.

Tuesday: Lost in America (1985)

         David and his wife Linda are ready for bigger and better things. They bought a new house believing that David was about to get a promotion at work. Then David finds out that he didn't get it. He's so upset that he quits and convinces Linda to quit her job. They decide to pool all their money together, buy an RV, and travel the country. Their first stop is Las Vegas which turns out to be a big mistake. They lose almost all of their money. Then they are forced to find a town to live in and work terrible jobs. This is not the life for them. This movie was ok. As sad as it sounds it's a comedy. I didn't find it funny.

Wednesday: The Harlem Globetrotters (1951)

          Billy is in college on a basketball scholarship. He is one of the best players on the team. He also has a bright scientific mind. After seeing the Globetrotters play he decides that he is good enough to play with them and doesn't need school. He can make more money playing for them now. Billy convinces the coach to let him be on the team. The coach gives in. It's a struggle at first but Billy ends up being one of the best players on the team. An injury causes him to rethink his choices. This is a good movie. The Harlem Globetrotters, including Billy, were played by the actual Harlem Globetrotters. I hadn't realized how far back the team went. Or what it meant for the black community. 

Friday: Minari (2021)

        Set in the 80s, a Korean family move to Arkansas to start a farm. It is Jacob's dream to start a farm. With more Koreans immigrating to the U.S. he knows there will be a big market for Korean produce. His wife Monica in unsure about it all. They move to a small house on wheels in the middle of nowhere. They work at a chicken farm to make money. They need someone to watch their kids so they bring Monica's mom over from Korea. She in an unconventional grandma who loves card games and wrestling.  Jacob also hires an eccentric Korean war veteran to help on the farm. Jacob continues to try and make it work despite set back after set back. Monica loses hope. This is a good movie. The acting is really good. 

Saturday: The United States vs Billie Holiday (2021)

              Billie is at the height of her career when the government targets her. They want to bring her down on a drug charge. Really they don't like her song Strange Fruit. Which is about lynching. They think she will become dangerous and start riots. They send a black agent named Jimmy to follow her. She is an amazing singer but has a serious drug problem. She becomes friends with Jimmy and then he gets her arrested. After jail she struggles to get work in clubs. She goes to Hollywood and goes on tour but it doesn't last for long. She has a series of terrible relationships. All the while having an affair with Jimmy. This is a good movie. Unlike Lady Sings the Blues this movie focuses more on the government's pursuit of her over her song Strange Fruit and less on her drug use. Not to say that does play a big part too. I will say that it felt like they didn't spend enough time on each event. So at times it was a little choppy. 

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