HIM (2025)

September 18, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Here is my PSA (Public Service Announcement): This is not a “Football” movie. If you are expecting FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, you will be disappointed. This is a Psychological Horror film (think BLACK SWAN) featuring a couple of football players, and it’s produced by Jordan Peele, he of NOPE and GET OUT fame. Writer-director Justin Tipping (KICKS, 2016) and co-writers (co-creators of “Limetown”) Zack Aker and Skip Bronkie serve up few X’s and O’s, and plenty of commentary on fame and the quest for greatness.

Marlon Wayans is best known for his comedy work, and here he delivers his best dramatic performance since REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000). He plays Isaiah White, the ultra-successful quarterback of the fictional San Antonio Saviors. Many consider White the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time). His issue is that he’s aging and is likely at the end of his career. On the other end of the spectrum, we have rising star Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), the young hotshot who many predict will replace White as the GOAT. Cameron’s problem is that a surprise causes possible brain damage, knocking him out of the combine and leaving him undrafted.

Cameron’s off-kilter agent (Tim Heidecker) arranges for him to train with White for a week. Having worshipped Isaiah White for most of his life, Cameron jumps at the chance. Upon arriving at White’s isolated desert compound, he quickly discovers dreams don’t always match reality. White greets him warmly, but we all notice (well, Cameron’s a bit slow) that things are a bit off. From a sadist trainer (MMA fighter Maurice Greene) to a sardonic doctor (a funny Jim Jeffries), to a creatively made-up and creepy Mrs. White (Julia Fox), the setting for a horrific week is in place.

White pushes Cameron past the point of decency in training, and the doctor delivers some curious blood transfusions. White preaches to Cameron that this unorthodox approach is what’s required for peak performance and greatness. The commitment must be to excellence, not some mushy family-first mentality. Some of the drills are violent, while others turn a bit nuts. This is psychological warfare mixed with physical extremes.

There are some cool x-ray effects, and the music from Bobby Krlic (The Haxan Cloak) adds a nice touch; however, this is about envy and power. The first two acts have some eye-opening moments, but things really fly off the rails in the finale. Brutal violence seems too mild as a description, and the commentary on team ownership expectations seems a bit heavy-handed. We all know billionaires are accustomed to getting what they want. This one is worth seeing for Marlon Wayans’ performance, but we find ourselves thinking “what if” through much of the film.

Opens in theaters on September 19, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

AIR (2023)

April 10, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. “Where’s the Beef?” That iconic Wendy’s TV commercial featuring Clara Peller is but one of the many references flashed during the opening montage designed to ensure every viewer understands we are headed back to 1984. Yes, it’s been nearly 40 years since Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls. An important point to make is that this is only tangentially a basketball movie, and it’s certainly not a Michael Jordan profile. SPACE JAM (1996) had more basketball and more Jordan than this one. Instead, this is a rare business movie … specifically the story of how one decision by Nike not only saved their basketball shoe division, but also revolutionized the entire sports shoe market and the relationship between shoe manufacturers and athletes (at all levels, though the focus here is the NBA).

Chicago native Alex Convery’s script (his first feature film) had long been on Hollywood’s blacklist of screenplays, and it wasn’t until lifelong friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got involved that the project gained legs. The two buddies previously won an Oscar for their GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997) screenplay, and Affleck won a Best Picture Oscar for producing ARGO (2012). This time, in addition to their script tweaks, Affleck appears as Nike CEO Phil Knight (he of the grape Porsche), while Damon stars as Nike recruiting expert, Sonny Vaccaro.

At this point in 1984, Nike has recently gone public, having built their reputation on running shoes. However, the basketball division has never really succeeded due to the dominance of industry leaders Converse and Adidas. In fact, Vaccaro has been warned by Knight that the division could be shut down by the board of directors if this year’s budget isn’t turned into a pot of gold. Vaccaro, a recognized guru in scouting basketball talent, seems to be working from a point of desperation … or perhaps it’s excitement … when he becomes obsessed with signing Michael Jordan. Hilarious and profane exchanges with Jordan’s powerhouse agent, David Falk (Chris Messina) offer little hope, so Vaccaro sees only one chance at success – a personal visit to the Jordan home in North Carolina. This is typically a taboo move, and one that causes grief for Vaccaro from all sides.

It’s at this initial meeting with Jordan’s parents, Deloris (EGOT Viola Davis) and James (Julius Tennon, also Ms. Davis’ real life husband) where the door cracks for Vaccaro due to his sincerity and idealism. The battle at the corporate office finds Phil Knight reminding Vaccaro who’s in charge, Vaccaro reminding Knight of the risk-taking that built the company, and marketing director Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) doing what he can to inject rational thought, while hoping to keep his job. As the big presentation approaches, it’s shoe designer Peter Moore (Matthew Maher), who pulls a rabbit out of the hat with his design and name for the shoe. Maher is fabulously awkward during his scene-stealing. There has always been conflict on who came up with “Air Jordan”, Moore or Falk, and the film handles this admirably.

Damon gets a few scenes to rattle off big moments of dialogue, but none matches his peak inspirational soliloquy during the presentation. And this despite the rapid-fire musings of Chris Tucker. Tucker, in a rare big screen appearance, plays Howard White, who would become Jordan’s personal handler (and friend) for Nike over the years. As you might guess, it’s the always terrific Viola Davis who outshines everyone. Her final phone call with Vaccaro is a thing of beauty, and a moment that will likely find her in awards discussion at year end.

Three-time Oscar winning cinematographer (and 10-time nominee) Robert Richardson finds the perfect throwback look for the film, while Costume Designer Charlese Antoinette Jones captures the frumpy look of Vaccaro and the arrogance of Knight and Falk. The only real weakness here stems from director Affleck’s insistence on over-doing the “remember 1984” moments with music and cultural references … including cracks at the expense of Kurt Rambis and the late Mel Turpin. No real suspense exists since the entire world knows Jordan signed with Nike, but the risk-taking in business is reference numerous times. While many kids truly dreamed of being like Mike, many Business majors and CEOs dreamed of being like Knight. The best comparison here is probably MONEYBALL (2011), since at its core, this is the story of an underdog.

Currently showing nationwide in theaters, will stream on Prime Video later this year.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

ON THE ROCKS (2020)

October 4, 2020

 Greetings again from the darkness. Sofia Coppola cemented her place among top filmmakers with the instant classic LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003). Sure, she’s had other successes with THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (1999), MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006), and SOMEWHERE (2010), but it’s her thought-provoking and self-analytical film with Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson that struck an emotional nerve for so many. This time, she reunites with Murray in what could easily be a companion piece, as it’s both familiar and not.

Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”) stars as Laura, who is trying to find herself as a writer amidst the fatiguing responsibilities that go with being a mother and wife, and having age 40 staring her in the face. Marlon Wayans (WHITE CHICKS, 2004) plays her charming, just-started-a-new-business husband Dean, who may or may not be cheating on her. Whether it’s Laura’s concern over how “boring” she has become, or the little clues she finds … well, it’s probably nothing … but doubt grows into suspicion.

It’s at this point when Felix (Murray), Laura’s father, enters the story. Felix is a likable cad (probably an archaic word, but it fits), who has never been much of a father to Laura. Instead he chases fun and skirts, and begins convincing Laura that all men are like him. Director Coppola examines contemporary relationships, and the insecurities that come with a long-term commitment. Can one person be enough? Can men be trusted?

What follows is an offbeat father-daughter husband-spying adventure, and an ill-advised one at that. Felix pulls up in his Alpha Romeo, and the two enjoy caviar on their stakeout – with the top down on the convertible. This leads to a scene clearly written to take advantage of Bill Murray’s talents. As he zips the sports car through the city, he gets stopped by New York’s finest. Depending on your perspective, you’ll either view this as a prime example of white privilege, or as the benefits of spending one’s life being a good listener, attentive to others – a people person making connections.

There is a great line from Felix that carries a great deal of weight, although it’s easy to treat it as a ‘throw away” line. He advises Laura, “You need to start thinking like a man.” Spending time with her dad makes her wonder if he’s right – do all men think like him? This plays well against the non-stop yapping mother Laura gets regularly cornered by when dropping her daughter for school. Jenny Slate is perfectly annoying as the mother who not only still thinks the world revolves around her, but also that the world is still interested.

Of course, we know, and Laura figures it out: her father worships her. He may gallivant around the globe looking for his next notch, but he absolutely realizes what a beautiful soul his daughter is, and what a better person she is than him. Probably the best lesson Ms. Coppola offers is that communication is key … or lack of communication can cause a thought to spin out of control. Sofia Coppola and Rashida Jones are both daughters of giants in their field, and likely could relate to having a larger-than-life figure cast a shadow. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot Barbara Bain as Gran. Ms. Bain rose to fame as Cinnamon Carter in the 1960’s TV series “Mission: Impossible”. She’s now 89 years old and still working! Sofia Coppola has delivered yet another film that’s interesting and provides terrific conversation after watching.

watch the trailer

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Posted by David Ferguson