Wednesday, 28 January 2026

One of three

 

Ambulance Call (1897)


Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. An Ambulance drives out from a building.


Not the greatest in terms of action or drama. Three vehicles leave the same place, one of which is an ambulance. I suppose fine for a short clip.


2/5

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Monkey monkey

 

An Unwelcome Visitor (1898)


Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. A man trying to sleep is disturbed by a monkey.


A precursor to the slap stick films of silent cinema which was to come. Pretty funny for what it is. Image quality is not the greatest but you can get by with it.


3/5

Monday, 26 January 2026

Get the sledders

 

Snowballing the Coasters (1898)


Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. Children throw snowballs at other children on sleds.


You can make out what is going on in the foreground better than the background, the image is a bit milky in the version I saw. Pretty fun and does have some charm to it. Captures a classic winter time scene.


3/5

Sunday, 25 January 2026

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

Saturday, 24 January 2026

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

Friday, 23 January 2026

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

Thursday, 22 January 2026

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