The Making of a Legend

In Air, Ben A eck and Matt Damon reunite to tell the story of how Nike landed Michael Jordan.

It’s newsworthy that Ben A eck and Matt Damon are once again making movies together in 2023. e duo rst burst onto the scene in 1998, when their script for Good Will Hunting won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and also saw Robin Williams earn a Best Supporting Actor trophy. Fast-forward 25 years, and the duo is back with their new lm, Air. Unlike Good Will Hunting’s coming-of-age plot, Air is a true story: the history of Nike footwear.

Air begins in 1984 when shoe companies Adidas, Nike, and Converse are battling for market share. e three rms are ghting, with varying levels of success, to catch famous athletes’ attention — especially in the NBA, where Michael Jordan is a rising star. Jordan has a clear interest in Adidas and a sponsorship from Converse; Nike, with its 17 percent market share, is an a erthought.

Basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) sets out to make Nike a force to be reckoned with. Vaccaro goes way beyond his jurisdiction to create the Air Jordan, the now-legendary sneaker that catapulted

Nike to the top table. Although Vaccaro’s risks lead to eventual success, many of the hurdles he encounters threaten the company’s stability and reputation. But in the end, Vaccaro created a new paradigm for celebrity endorsement.

Damon is only one of many familiar faces in Air, along with Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, and Viola Davis. As a director, A eck uses each actor’s individual styles to evoke the very real people they’re portraying. One example is Viola Davis’ portrayal of Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan’s mom. Making most of the decisions for him during that time, Michael Jordan’s parents were pivotal gures who negotiated contracts and dealt with the media. Davis’ rm motherly hand and emotional balance makes you believe Michael Jordan is her actual son. Similarly, Chris Tucker’s portrayal of Nike executive Howard White leverages Tucker’s comedic chops during tense scenarios, while also sincerely conveying the loyalty White had for Vaccaro and Nike.

From the start of the lm, A eck takes the viewer back to the ’80s, with clips of ere’s one thing about the cast list that stands out: Michael Jordan, the man himself, is not in the lm. Really? You had a $60-$70 million dollar budget, and you don’t even have a cameo of Michael Jordan? But Air is all the better without him. We get to know Vaccaro as a risk-taking go-getter, although he makes everyone around him anxious. Other minor characters like Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) are given opportunities to shine, especially through Strasser’s arc about his daughter and the risks he wasn’t able to take. Add in e messages of this movie can be encompassed in one quote which keeps getting repeated: “A shoe is just a shoe until someone puts their foot in it.” is story was just an idea until A eck and Damon got their hands on it — and made it something special.

Mr. T and popular infomercials; ’80s hits like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time A er Time” soundtrack long drives. Even Afeck’s camera shots look like they came from ’80s lms, like the repeated extreme closeups of Sonny’s face. e bright wardrobe colors worn by Damon made this Gen-Zer run to my grandfather’s closet to nd his Members Only jacket.

Michael Jordan and Air becomes all about him. e movie’s message about taking risks and the qualities that made it special would be overshadowed by the presence of the superstar.

Air

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Our critic picks the best films in theaters. Renfield

Dracula’s faithful thrall has been with him since the beginning. But this relationship is starting to show its age, as Renfield slowly realizes he doesn’t have to live like this. This horror comedy features the casting coup of the decade with the great Nicolas Cage as freakin’ Dracula. Shut up and take my money!

The Pope’s Exorcist

Russell Crowe stars as Father Gabriele Amorth, the real-life priest and founder of the International Association of Exorcists, who claimed to have vanquished infernal hordes during his 24-year exorcism career.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Speaking of Italians, this humble plumber-turned-video-game-hero just launched a blue shell at the box office. $204 million domestic in three days means we’re going to be seeing a lot more Nintendo characters in IMAX. Get in on the ground floor of the critical backlash today!

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

It’s official: More people play Mario Kart than D&D. And that’s okay because this movie adaptation is actually good! Chris Pine, the superior of the Chrises, brings movie-star charisma to this inventive and fun fantasy heist romp that feels like a true campaign.

Notice To All Property Owners

As required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-508, the property assessment records of Shelby County will be available for public inspection at 1075 Mullins Station Road. These records may be inspected Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any person desiring to inspect these records may do so at the above times and places. Property assessment records may also be reviewed through the Assessor’s website at www.assessormelvinburgess.com

THE SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION WILL BEGIN ITS ANNUAL SESSION TO EXAMINE AND EQUALIZE COUNTY ASSESSMENTS ON MAY 1, 2023. THE COUNTY BOARD WILL ACCEPT APPEALS FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR UNTIL 4:30 P.M., JUNE 30, 2023, THE LAST DAY OF ITS REGULAR SESSION.

The Shelby County Board of Equalization (SCBoE) is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite C-142. Any property owner who wishes to appeal to the County Board of Equalization may file in person, online or by mail. Appeals may be filed online by 11:59 p.m. on June 30th . Mailed in appeals must be postmarked on or before June 30th . Failure to appeal may result in the assessment becoming final without further right of appeal. Please contact the SCBoE at 901-222-7300 for additional information or you may visit their website at boe.shelbycountytn.gov.

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Melvin Burgess Shelby County Assessor of Property