“Air”

While most movies tackling basketball phenom Michael Jordan focus on his outstanding abilities on the court, “Air” tells the story of Jordan’s famed shoe deal with Nike. Today, he is widely regarded as the “best to ever lace up,” but when he was coming into the league, he was nothing more than another novice. “Air” follows the story of the Nike executive who took a chance on an upstart rookie and struck gold. The movie does not take the easy way out by leaning on Jordan’s celebrity influence to keep viewers hooked: In fact, Jordan is elusive, and his face does not appear even once in the film. The movie instead elevates the normally mundane reputation of the capitalist corporate world with humor and subtle social commentary. Director Ben Affleck balances the comedic and dramatic elements of the film perfectly, with little to no boring downtime. If you’re finding yourself on the edge of your seat during the NBA playoffs and are craving something a little more lighthearted, “Air” provides a breath of fresh air with a comedic spin on professional basketball.