SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE CELEB INTERVIEWS! Emmy-Winner Jake Hamilton talks with the stars and director of AIR -- Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Marlon Wayans
I love seeing Ben excited about movies he’s made and the love and passion he has for them. And love the people around him including his BFF trusting his vision. Ben’s a damn good director.
I gotta say it, Jake, if you see this, dude, you're phenomenal with this interviews, you're so professional at the same but really come up with really great insightful questions and I'm sure the actors and directors that you have interviewd over time can make a difference between the other press junkets journalist and you or even, your pal, Kevin. Hats off to you and shout out straight out of Romania!😊
Just came back from an unlimited early preview here in the UK, and wow, what a movie! Really well paced, all the cast killed it. Especially Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman too! Also, great questions Jakey! You asked things that I observed too!
Oh, this movie is so good. I really believe I'm going to see it again. Mrs.Jordan, your son picked one heck of an actress to portray you. Viola Davis did such a beautiful job. " ... I'm sure it was a mistake that the percentage of the sales of the shoes be paid to Michael was left out of the contract. ..."
I met MJ once in his club in Santa Barbara... got up to the bar, he was behind it and asked what do I want. I said a beer. He poured it for me and I just said Thanks. He said you're welcome!
Started following simply because you regarded your interviewees as “mister”. A gesture of respect you just don’t see anymore. Looking forward to your other work.
This story is an illustration of the way in which genius and talent inspires more genius and talent. In portraying Jordan's mother, and showing the years before his legendary fame, the story becomes more human. As we meet the personalities behind Jordan, and watch the beginnings of what would become the most famous basketball shoe in history, the audience watches an exciting process. The greatness of Jordan inspired greatness in those around him. It was a lot of work, but just look at what transpired.
*My* *Favorite* *Needle* *Drops* *From* *Air* *(2023)* (courtesy from ScreenRant and Variety) “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits - This Dire Straits song plays during Air’s opening montage highlighting the 80s as a whole - Ghostbusters, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles standing in front of cameras with their infant son, and more showcase the decade’s earliest, and most remembered, moments. “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton - Funk musician George Clinton’s song plays during the introduction of Ben Affleck’s Phil Knight, co-founder and CEO of Nike, arrives at the office. “Legs” by ZZ Top - This tune is heard when Matt Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro goes to meet with Marlon Wayans’ George Raveling, then an assistant coach on the 1984 Olympics team that Michael Jordan played on. “In a Big Country” by Big Country - The Scottish rock band’s song is heard on Sonny’s drive down to North Carolina to meet with Viola Davis’ Deloris Jordan in person. “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan - Chaka Khan’s memorable song plays when Jason Bateman’s Rob Strasser goes to find Sonny after he had a very tense meeting with Phil about the deal for Michael Jordan. “Let It Whip” by Dazz Band - This R&B/funk band’s single can be heard when Sonny goes to visit Matthew Maher’s Peter Moore to design what would eventually become the Air Jordan. “All I Need is a Miracle” by Mike + The Mechanics - “All I Need is a Miracle” plays when Michael Jordan and his family arrive to meet with Converse. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon - One of REO Speedwagon’s most famous hits plays during a scene of Phil jogging, as he’s mulling over the decision to back the Michael Jordan deal or not. “Computer Love” by Zapp - The funk band’s song is heard when Sonny sees the Air Jordan shoe design for the first time. “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project - The British rock band’s hit plays when Phil pulls up to Nike headquarters on the night before the big meeting to tell Sonny that he’d made his final decision regarding the Michael Jordan deal. "I Can Dream About You" by Dan Hartman - The Pointer Sisters‘ "Jump" (For My Love) is what was actually played at Nike’s HQ in the scene when Michael Jordan visits. It’s what’s playing on the screen. Instead, the film ended up using Dan Hartman’s ‘I Can Dream About You,’ and that was a last-minute change. That change was more about why a song like that just wouldn’t appeal to a sports figure. Dan’s song is a little mellow and it worked out better. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper - Cyndi Lauper’s timeless hit is heard during a montage of Sonny going through his daily routine as he stressfully waits for the call from Jordan’s agent about whether the basketball player will sign with Nike. “Be Like Mike (I Wanna)” by Teknoe - “Be Like Mike” plays as the credits roll, and the real Michael Jordan, in archival footage, is shown talking about his mom Deloris. "Beverly Hills Cop Theme" / "Axel F" - Harold Faltermeyer - Was played I believe twice in it including near the end when Sonny Vaccaro was ready to make a run. ScreenRant doesn't mention this but Variety does. My least favorite song is "Born in the U.S.A" by Bruce Springsteen which I didn't feel fit near the end for a movie about a Black athlete but I don't mind it after a few rewatches. My favorite Springsteen song remains "Hungry Heart" which was heard in Warm Bodies (2013) followed by "Streets of Philadelphia". My Top 10 Favorite Films Since 2018 1. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood (2019) 2. Air (2023) 3. Elvis (2022) 4. Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 5. Jojo Rabbit (2019) 6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) 7. Avengers: Endgame (2019) 8. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) 9. 8-Bit Christmas (2021) 10. Good Boys (2019) Air makes a great Mother's Day movie. The origin from Nike's slogan "Just Do It" is from the firing squad execution of Gary Gilmore. His final words: "Let's do it." George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) says this... ADIDAS: All Day I Dream About Sex PUMA: Please Use My A** All the actors were pretty great in it. David Falk's character was hilarious ala Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder (2008). Justin Bateman, Chris Tucker, and Marlon Wayans were great. I even enjoyed the Black guy from the 7-Eleven talking about how he doubted MJ for being too small to dominate only to say "I knew, we all knew" at the end. Matt Damon and Viola Davis were the real stars of the film. This was a Sonny Vaccaro/Deloris Jordan film. I thought the weakest link among the actors was actually the director for it. Not that Ben Affleck was bad in it. He was still terrific. Had some great lines. But I guess he didn't need to stand out over Matt and Viola since he's directing it. I still think Ben Affleck is the best Bruce Wayne ever. _ Sonny Vaccaro: [to Michael Jordan] Forget about the shoes, forget about the money. You're going to make enough money, it's not going to matter. Money can buy you almost anything, it can't buy you immortality. That, you have to earn. I'm going to look you in the eyes and I'm gonna tell you the future. You were cut from your high school basketball team. You willed your way to the NBA. You're gonna win championships. It's an American story, and that's why Americans are gonna love it. People are going to build you up, and God are they're going to, because when you're great and new, we love you. Man, we'll build you up into something that doesn't even exist. You're going to change the f**king world. But you know what? Once they've built you as high as they possibly can, they're gonna tear you back down - it's the most predictable pattern. We build you into something that doesn't exist, and that means you have to try to be that thing all day, every day. That's how it works. And we do it again, and again, and again. And I'm going to tell you the truth.. You're going to be attacked, betrayed, exposed, and humiliated. And you'd survive that. A lot of people can climb that mountain. It's the way down that breaks them, 'cause that's the moment when you are truly alone. And what would you do then? Can you summon the will to fight on, through all the pain, and rise again? Who are you, Michael? That will be the defining question of your life. And I think you already know the answer, and that's why we're all here. *A* *shoe* *is* *just* *a* *shoe* *until* *somebody* *steps* *into* *it.* *Then* *it* *has* *meaning.* The rest of us just want a chance to touch that greatness. We need you in these shoes not so you have meaning in your life, but so that we have meaning in ours. Everyone at this table will be forgotten as soon as our time here is up - except for you. You're gonna be remembered forever, because some things are eternal. You're Michael Jordan, and your story is gonna make us want to fly... 🐐
I've never seen this guy Jake before. He's so adorable he looks like an Avatar didn't think he was real at first. Thought AI was taking over LOL. Great interview, I appreciate how respectful he was calling everyone by their last name. Very rare. Cannot wait to see this movie :)
