Stacy Wall of Imperial Woodpecker directed this spot in which L.A. Clippers’ superstar forward Blake Griffin plays a pickup game of basketball, inexplicably choosing as his teammate a youngster who calls himself D’arryl Drain, aka Dr. Drain. The lad’s specialty comes in the form of high-arching jump shots–unfortunately, those jumpers are errant and don’t even get a trace of net. Clearly, this kid’s game doesn’t match his swagger.
But there’s method to Griffin’s madness as he gives the ball to a wide-open Drain. He predictably lofts a shot headed for nowhere until Griffin plucks out of the air what unintentionally serves as an alley-oop pass and dunks the ball through the hoop. We then see one successful Drain-to-Blake slam dunk connection after another in the summer hoops game.
“Blake and Drain” was created by Wieden+Kennedy, New York, for the launch of the Jordan Brand’s shoe, the Super.Fly 2
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More