To fly

 

Air (2023)

Directed by co-star Ben Affleck this film based on real events also features Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina and Viola Davis. Sitting in third place in the trainer market in the US the basketball division of Nike needs something special to put it on the map.

I do like a bit of competence porn and this is a pretty decent underdog story, even if Nike is a juggernaut these days. Enjoyable for what it is but I do not think there is a lot beyond the surface level to this film. A fine diversion, more for basketball fans I think.

3/5

Milky

 

Mount and Dismount, Gatling Gun (1897)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. Soldiers demonstrate mounting and dismounting a gatling gun.

Unfortunately the image is a bit milky to really make out what is going on in this one. You get hints of what is happening but it is hard to make out the details. Has not survived well.

2/5

Wild with Bill

 

A Bucking Broncho (1898)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. A broncho attempts to throw its rider.

Another simple short, gets a decent amount of action in frame. Pretty good for what it is. Apparently part of Buffalo Bill's wild west show.

3/5

The power and the glory

 

Sea Waves (1898)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. Waves crash on a beach in New Jersey.

Nothing like a reminder of the power of nature. I actually really like this one for what it is, it captures the force of the wave as it hits the wooden railing. Pretty nice.

3/5

Not Beard Meets Food

 

Pie Eating Contest (1897)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. Two men have a pie eating contest.

Low image quality on this one, definitely hard to make out what is happening. Even when you can make something out it is not that great. Has potential but does not live up to it.

2/5

Smoking

 

Admiral Cigarette (1897)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. A thirty second advert for cigarettes.

Not a huge amount to this, just a blatant advert for smoking. Lacks a bit in plot or action. Image quality not the best.

2/5

The Trolly Solution

 

Ambulance at the Accident (1897)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film staring John Tierney. An ambulance picks up a man who has been hit by a trolley car.

I assume this is staged rather than documentary. Pretty decent for what it is, short is well framed to get all the action. Image quality is fine for the age of the short.

3/5