Matt's Musings

  Week 12: New Orleans Saints 31, Denver Broncos 3 Season Record: 4-7 (2-4 Home) Key Play: In the second half, Kendall Hinton dropped back and found Noah Fant on a 13-yard screen pass completion. It was the only completion for the Broncos in the game. Recap : Well, that was ugly. It wasn't much of a game to watch and it arguably set back the concept of passing in the NFL about 100 years. This isn't a diss to Hinton, who stepped up and stepped in with no practice at a position he hasn't played for three years. He did his best, and his completion to Fant was a highlight of an otherwise tough to watch game. It's not like the Saints were great, but the fact they had an offense and the NFL made sure Denver didn't, likely to make a point, was the bigger story. It was a shame for the league, for fans, and for the game of football. The Broncos' quarterbacks may have erred, and that should be addressed, but the NFL's uneven application of its rules and processes is

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1990: Best Picture: * Dances With Wolves * Goodfellas * The Godfather, Part III * Ghost * Awakenings About : This was the year "Dances With Wolves" won the big prize. Before I get to that, let's talk about "The Godfather, Part III." I love "The Godfather" franchise, but Part III is not good. It's hard to think of it as a Best Picture nominee. "Dances With Wolves" is a fine film, but I'm going "Goodfellas." Best Director: * Martin Scorsese * Kevin Costner * Francis Ford Coppola * Stephen Frears * Barbet

  On Saturday, the Broncos learned that all four quarterbacks on the roster have been ruled out for Sunday. Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID-19, while Drew Lock, Blake Bortles and Brett Rypien were ruled to be too close of a contact, and forced to quarantine. Most teams carry only two quarterbacks, but the Broncos seemed super prepared with four. And yet, now they have none. So the starter on Sunday, against the Saints, will be rookie wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who played for Wake Forrest. Hinton is a converted quarterback, but his last college pass came in two games as a sophomore in 2017 . He threw for 1,504 yards, eight TDs and seven INTs in parts of three seasons. He also rushed for 881 yards and 12 TDs, with seven of those TDs and 390 rushing yards coming as a freshman QB in 2015. In his senior year in college, Hinton caught more than 70 passes for more than 1,000 yards and has been a receiver for the Broncos all year.  So, yeah, Sunday ought to be an exciting adventure.

  The App That Stole Christmas (Netflix) Starring: Ray J, Elyse Neal and Jackie Long Synopsis : Netflix has delivered a lot of holiday films, and they're not all winners. This one is decidedly not a winner and, in fact, is one of the worst films I've seen this year. It's mercifully just over an hour, and is a starring vehicle for Ray J, but it can, and should, be safely skipped. Rating : N/A Verdict: Zero Stars out of four. Between the World and Me (HBO Max) Starring: Mahershala Ali, Joe Morton, Wendell Pierce, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad Synopsis: This latest production filmed in August is based on the book from Ta-Nehisi Coates, which is more of a history of Black America as written in the form of letters to a child. The filmed production takes on the same style and features some powerful moments and scenes. Coming on the heels of what's been a landmark summer and year, this is a powerful experience that's well worth checking out. Rating: N/A Verdict: Thr

  "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." --1 Thessalonians 5:18 It's Thanksgiving, a time to sit back, show our gratitude and celebrate with our families. Of course, like everything else, that's different in 2020. We can't gather freely, and our celebrations will be smaller. And in a crazy year like this, it can be harder to find the gratitude in our hearts. I get it. It's been a tough year and the world feels broken. We've been at odds with the government over regulations, at odds with each other over the elections and other disputes, and at odds with ourselves as the rates of suicide, alcohol use and domestic abuse have continued to rise. And yet, as believers, we know there is no circumstance in which God is not in control, and for that we are grateful, always. It's been a tough year, but we all have something to be grateful for. I am grateful for my job, and for my wife being employed. I'm grate

In Week 11, I had a big day, opening up a three-pick lead heading into Week 12. Will is hold? Come on, we know my luck, that question answers itself. Matt’s Week 12 Picks: Lions Over Texans Cowboys Over Redskins Steelers Over Ravens Raiders Over Falcons Bills Over Chargers Giants Over Bengals Browns Over Jaguars Titans Over Colts Dolphins Over Jets Panthers Over Vikings Cardinals Over Patriots Saints Over Broncos Rams Over 49ers Chiefs Over Buccaneers Packers Over Bears Seahawks Over Eagles Last Week: 10-4 Season : 99-62 Lindsay’s Week 12 Picks: Lions Over Texans Cowboys Over Redskins Steelers Over Ravens Raiders Over Falcons Bills Over Chargers Giants Over Bengals Browns Over Jaguars Colts Over Titans Dolphins Over Jets Panthers Over Vikings Cardinals Over Patriots Saints Over Broncos Rams Over 49ers Chiefs Over Buccaneers Packers Over Bears Seahawks Over Eagles Last Week : 6-8 Season : 96-65 Matt’s Week 12 Picks Against the Spread: Lions +2.5 Over

  Thanksgiving week is here, and yet it's still a time when network premiers are rolling out. So, too, are streaming premiers and specials. So in this crowded landscape, let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Black Narcissus, Monday at 8 p.m. on F/X (Premiered November 23) About: F/X kicked off Thanksgiving week by airing this limited series, based on the 1939 novel and a re-make of the classic film, all in one night. Now it's all streaming on Hulu, which carries all original F/X programming. This one focuses on a group of nuns that try to convert an abandoned palace with a tragic history into a convent. The site is located in a remote and hostile region of the Himalaya mountains, and there the ambitious leader (Gemma Arterton) struggles to adapt, as her charges struggle in general. All of it forces her to confront her past and othe

  Week 11: Broncos 20, Miami Dolphins 13 Season Record: 4-6 (2-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Dolphins trailing by seven points and driving, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw to the end zone for DeVante Parker and Broncos' safety Justin Simmons made the interception, sealing the win. Recap: This Broncos team is surprising. After the past few weeks, I sort of wrote them off for dead, especially with the 6-3 Dolphins coming into town. Instead, the defense looked inspired and the offense played well enough to get the win. The Broncos ran the ball well, they pressured Tua Tagovailoa. The Broncos improved to 4-6 on the season, and now they will play host to the NFC-leading Saints. If the defense can stand tall again, they'll have a chance. The Broncos seem out of the playoff hunt at his point, but it will be interesting to see if they can find something here and turn around things for Drew Lock because at this point I remain firmly on the fence. Game Balls: * Philip Linds

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1989: Best Picture: * Driving Miss Daisy * Dead Poets Society * Born on the Fourth of July * Field of Dreams * My Left Foot About: This was a great field. "Driving Miss Daisy" was the winner, but this is a solid set of nominees you could make a case for. Two of them catch my eye, the first is "Field of Dreams," which is an incredible and heart-warming story. But the one that I'm going with as who I'd give Best Picture to is "Dead Poets Society." Peter Weir's direction is solid, but Robin Williams is what makes it hum. It&

  On Friday word broke that Taysom Hill, the X-Factor for the Saints, will start at quarterback with Drew Brees injured and on IR. This came as a mild shock since the team invested in Jameis Winston, who threw for more than 30 TDs and 5,000 yards for the Buccaneers in 2019, this off-season. But, to me, it feels like the right move. Hill has been on the Saints for a few years and signed a two-year extension for more than $20 million in the off-season. And Saints' coach Sean Payton has indicated he views Hill as more than a gadget player, and this decision to start him at quarterback confirms that decision. Hill played four seasons at BYU, where he threw for 6,929 yards and 43 TDs, with 31 INTS . He also ran for 2,815 yards and 32 additional TDs. Some comparisons to Tim Tebow have seemed apt, but unlike Tebow who fought to be a starting quarterback, Hill has readily welcomed the Weapon X role in New Orleans. Now in his fourth season, Hill has run for 538 yards and four touchdowns, ca

  This week Warner Brothers made a big announcement. "Wonder Woman 1984," the last big tentpole on the 2020 release schedule would release in theaters on Christmas Day as planned. But it would also release on HBO Max at the same time. Call this good news for film fans, and good news/bad news for exhibitors. Regal Cinemas has already folded. AMC and Cinemark are hanging on, having re-opened in many places during the summer with limited original content, fun promotions, and classic films returning helping to keep some kind of Box Office afloat. With news that "Wonder Woman 1984" would release, that gives them the biggest attraction for the Box Office since "Tenet" in early September. But the fact it will also stream at the same time, coupled with an explosion of COVID cases nationwide and new restrictions, means the future of theaters remains as murky as ever. Will people go to see "Wonder Woman" on the big screen when they can watch it at home? Wh

  Lindsay was one better than me in Week 10 and has again taken the lead. But it’s still close as we head toward the final seven weeks of the NFL Season. On to the Week 11 picks! Matt’s Week 11 Picks: Seahawks Over Cardinals Saints Over Falcons Washington Over Bengals Browns Over Eagles Lions Over Panthers Titans Over Ravens Patriots Over Texans Steelers Over Jaguars Dolphins Over Broncos Chargers Over Jets Cowboys Over Vikings Packers Over Colts Chiefs Over Raiders Rams Over Buccaneers Last Week : 8-6 Season : 89-58 Lindsay’s Week 11 Picks: Seahawks Over Cardinals Saints Over Falcons Bengals Over Washington Browns Over Eagles Lions Over Panthers Ravens Over Titans Patriots Over Texans Steelers Over Jaguars Dolphins Over Broncos Chargers Over Jets Vikings Over Cowboys Packers Over Colts Chiefs Over Raiders Buccaneers Over Rams Last Week : 9-5 Season: 90-57 Matt’s Week 11 Picks Against the Spread: Cardinals +3.5 Over Seahawks Saints -4.5 Over F

 Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Embattled (VOD) Starring: Stephen Dorff, Darren Mann, and Elizabeth Reaser Synopsis: This new movie that debuts this week features Dorff in an incredible, but sometimes incredibly hard to watch performance as an ultimate fighter on top of his game in the ring but struggling as a husband and father. He's married and living in a mansion with his young son while his ex-wife and two oldest sons, one who is developmentally disabled, struggle to get by. His way of helping is to pour his knowledge of the sport into his oldest son, Jett (Mann), trying to mold him into a vicious fighter in the ring. When a dispute between father-and-son makes national news, they get a huge offer than presents a no-win scenario. Dorff is great in this movie, and I thought it was pretty compelling overall, though it's a bit of a tough story that's sad at times. It features some savage action in the ring, too, but overall I thought it was worth se

  We're closing in on Thanksgiving, a time when networks typically have slowed down. In this case, it looks like things are just about to heat up. Wondering what to watch? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Industry, Mondays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered November 9) About: We've seen shows and movies set in the world of big business before. HBO even has "Succession," that's one of its most popular series. Showtime has "Billions," which has done quite well. We saw The CW jump into the genre with "Devils" earlier this Fall. Now comes "Industry," set in England and airing Monday nights on HBO. To make these kind of shows work, you need a good hook. Compelling characters, a good tone, and stories you care about. That is why people obsess about "Succession," and why I'm always

  Week 10: Las Vegas Raiders 37, Denver Broncos 12 Season Record: 3-6 (1-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, attempting to jumpstart the offense, Drew Lock completed a short pass to receiver DaeSean Hamilton, who fumbled to give the ball back to the Raiders in the Red Zone. The Broncos couldn't bounce back in the fourth quarter. Recap : Ugh, that was brutal. After a furious fourth quarter rally to win against the Chargers, then a fourth quarter of some promise against Atlanta, Drew Lock and the Broncos were completely devoid of magic on Sunday in Las Vegas. The Raiders dominated on offense and defense, forcing five turnovers, and it's fair to wonder what the long-term future is for Lock in Denver. We saw flashes of brilliance and a 4-1 record to end 2019. But the flashes have been even harder to find in 2020. Lock has been up-and-down, but mostly down and mostly reckless with the ball. And this comes despite a better set of weapons. The Broncos are beat up on both sides

As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1988: Best Picture: * Rain Man * Working Girl * The Accidental Tourist * Mississippi Burning * Dangerous Liasons About: This was the year of "Rain Man," and honestly it's a film that was good at the time and still holds up pretty well. I'm rolling with that here. Best Director: * Barry Levinson * Charles Crichton * Martin Scorsese * Alan Parker * Mike Nichols About : Levinson got the win here, and that makes some sense. I think Scorsese is an under-rated option here because his film, "The Last Temptation of Christ," was controversial. I&

  As we enter Week 10, we've hit the mid-point in the NFL Season. So below are my mid-season award winners. NFL MVP: Alvin Kamara There are a lot of ways you could go with this, with Russell Wilson, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes all looking good for contending teams. But I'm going with Kamara, who has 465 yards rushing and 60 receptions for 561 yards receiving to go with eight touchdowns. He's been a rock in carrying the Saints, who are in first in the NFC South and looking like a Super Bowl contender. He's been a great and reliable weapon on the field, so I'm going with him. NFL Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert Another field where you could make a case for a few people. Some young receivers like CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, and Justin Jefferson have made big contributions, and Joe Burrow has looked as advertised as the quarterback for the Bengals. But I'm going with Herbert, who was thrust into a starting role in Week 2 and has produced incredible numbers. He&#

  We're more than 10 months into this COVID-19 pandemic and if you're area is anything like mine, it's not going away any time soon. We're surrounded by it on a daily basis, on the news and all over our Social Media pages. And if you're like me, that leaves you seeking a refuge. That often comes in entertainment. That's what makes the return of Fall TV a welcome addition to our landscape of options. However, what was unexpected was that so many of our network shows would want to embrace and explore our current reality. Which means the shows that are supposed to provide a refuge often lead you to think more about our current reality. This has been the case with a lot of new shows. There was an initial wave of shows specifically devoted to capturing this current moment, and it mostly didn't work. And now the same issues are creeping into our regular shows as they return. While some, like "Superstore," have tried to look at the comedic side of hoardin

  In Week 9 I was one better than Lindsay, so we’ve moved back into a tie. Will it last? Knowing my luck, it most certainly won’t. On to the Week 10 picks. Matt’s Week 10 Picks: Titans Over Colts Browns Over Texans Lions Over Washington Packers Over Jaguars Eagles Over Giants Panthers Over Buccaneers Bills Over Cardinals Raiders Over Broncos Dolphins Over Chargers Steelers Over Bengals Seahawks Over Rams Saints Over 49ers Ravens Over Patriots Vikings Over Bears Last Week : 9-5 Season : 81-52 Lindsay’s Week 10 Picks: Titans Over Colts Texans Over Browns Lions Over Washington Packers Over Jaguars Eagles Over Giants Buccaneers Over Panthers Bills Over Cardinals Raiders Over Broncos Dolphins Over Chargers Steelers Over Bengals Rams Over Seahawks Saints Over 49ers Ravens Over Patriots Vikings Over Bears Last Week : 8-6 Season : 81-52 Matt’s Week 10 Picks Against the Spread: Titans -2.5 Over Colts Browns -3.5 Over Texans Washington +4.5 Over Lions

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. One Royal Holiday (Hallmark Channel) Starring : Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, and Krystal Joy Brown Synopsis: Every year the Hallmark Channel unveils a host of new Christmas movies. And every year, I watch a lot of them with my wife. This is one I watched this week, which continues a strong tradition of single crown princes from non-descript European country who finds love with a small town American girl. We get one pretty much every year on Hallmark, and has been done with many non-Hallmark movies, and it always seems to work for audiences. This one is about the same, with Osnes playing said girl and Tveit playing said non-descript European crown prince. This one's set in Connecticut, follows the prince and his mother as they're snowed in at a charming bed and breakfast where they discover the spirit of Christmas and he finds love with the Innkeeper's daughter. It's entertaining enough and hits all the typical notes. R

  Network premiers are starting to roll in, and we'll get some additional new options for viewing. But will any of them be worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I explore the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Industry, Mondays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered November 9) About: This latest series is set in London and follows a group of young people who are trying to break into the competitive world of banking. If that sounds like the set up to any number of shows and movies in the past, that would be correct. This one had a pilot directed by Lena Dunham, but the story felt by-the-numbers. There is stress, pressure to excel, and some turn to drinking, drugs and casual sex. There are difficult waters to navigate, but our heroes manage to get the sale in the end... All of it feels like something we've seen before, and there wasn't enough in the characters themselv

  Week 9: Atlanta Falcons 34, Broncos 27 Season Record: 3-5 (1-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, trailing 27-13 but driving to make a comeback, Drew Lock's pass for Jerry Jeudy was intercepted. The Falcons scored again to make it 34-13, securing a lead too large for the Broncos to come back from. Recap : After last week's furious rally, it seemed like the Broncos were picking it up. They headed to Atlanta to face a defense that was poor, and a team that was weak. But the Broncos started poorly, again, and dug themselves a hole, again, that was too deep to climb out of. That's a problem, and will be a problem moving forward. The Broncos are 3-5. This was a chance to get back to .500 and look toward the playoffs. Now, the team will have to try to climb out of a bigger hole if they want to make the post-season. That won't be easy. That next challenge begins with the 5-3 Raiders, who are in second in the AFC West right now. Can the Broncos right the ship? The long

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1987: Best Picture: * The Last Emperor * Broadcast News * Fatal Attraction * Moonstruck * Hope and Glory About: This was the year "The Last Emperor" took the top prize. It's a fine film. "Fatal Attraction" and "Moonstruck" are more remembered years later, and I think "Broadcast News" is the best of the group, so that's what I'm going with. Best Director: * Bernardo Bertolucci * Adrian Lyne * John Boorman * Norman Jewison * Lasse Hallstrom About: Bertolucci won for "The Last Emperor" here, and the film

"Never Doubt That A Small Group Of Thoughtful Individuals Can Change The World." --President Bartlet   It's been a long week. We had an election Tuesday, and finally today, Saturday, a winner was declared. In between has been plenty of stress and ugliness. It's the ending of a long and bitter political season for our country. And as we've been plowing through this as a nation, it's been an interesting dichotomy to be going through "The West Wing" with my wife. I remember when I first watched the series, which debuted in 1999. We've made it through the first two seasons in the last couple weeks, including those first introductions, the emotional first Christmas episode, the assassination attempt that closes the first season, the revelation of President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) medical condition, and perhaps the series best episode, "Two Cathedrals," which closes season two.  It's been fun revisiting these characters and stories.

  "A foundling is in your care. By creed, until it is of age or reunited with its own kind, you are as its father. This is the way." —The Armorer Last Fall, as Disney+ launched, the signature show for the platform was "The Mandalorian," a live action series set in the world of "Star Wars." The series takes place in the period between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens" and is centered on a Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), a bounty hunter by trade, doing jobs throughout the galaxy. This was a cool concept, and from the moment it launched the western style and compact episodes were great. But by the end of the first episode, the series' real star emerged—The Child. While most have come to call it Little Baby Yoda, that's not truly its name or species. But it was his little mannerisms that stole audiences hearts. And by the finale, he'd stolen the Mandalorian's heart, too. That's where we left off in mid-December a

  Lindsay and I both finished 8-6 in Week 8, so she holds on to a slim lead. Will it grow in Week 9? Here’s our weekly picks. Matt’s Week 9 Picks: Packers Over 49ers Broncos Over Falcons Seahawks Over Bills Titans Over Bears Lions Over Vikings Ravens Over Colts Chiefs Over Panthers Washington Over Giants Texans Over Jaguars Raiders Over Chargers Steelers Over Cowboys Cardinals Over Dolphins Saints Over Buccaneers Patriots Over Jets Last Week : 8-6 Season : 72-47 Lindsay’s Week 9 Picks : Packers Over 49ers Broncos Over Falcons Seahawks Over Bills Titans Over Bears Vikings Over Lions Ravens Over Colts Chiefs Over Panthers Giants Over Washington Jaguars Over Texans Raiders Over Chiefs Steelers Over Cowboys Cardinals Over Dolphins Buccaneers Over Saints Jets Over Patriots Last Week : 8-6 Season: 73-46 Matt’s Week 9 Picks Against the Spread: Packers -2.5 Over 49ers Broncos +3.5 Over Falcons Seahawks -2.5 Over Bills Titans -5.5 Over Bears Lions

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Emma (HBO Max) Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Gemma Whalen, and Bill Nighy Synopsis: There have been many adaptations of Jane Austen's classic work "Emma," and this one is just the latest. It was released in the early part of 2020, when theaters were still a thing, and has now made it on to the rotation on HBO. The film features Taylor-Joy in the lead role, and follows the familiar story. I thought the performances here were solid, and it was played a comedy as is intended. It works pretty well and is entertaining enough without being particularly memorable. It's a fine adaptation and it's a nice starring vehicle for Taylor-Joy if nothing else. Rating : PG for brief partial nudity. Verdict: Two stars out of four. Holidate (Netflix) Starring: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Frances Fisher, Jessica Capshaw, and Kristen Chenoweth Synopsis: This latest release from Netflix kicks off the Christmas movie season for the st

  We're into November, and a number of the traditional networks are about to start their Fall programming. There are also a number of cable and streaming series coming, so November is typically a time when TV slows a bit, but this year it could pick up. So you're probably trying to decide how to fill your time, so let this weekly post be your guide. I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Sunday Nights: The Undoing, Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered October 25) About: This latest mini-series is based on the novel, stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, and comes from David E. Kelley. It's about a New York therapist (Kidman) living an idyllic life that gets turned upside down by the murder of a parent at her son's school. She also soon discovers her husband (Grant) is not only involved, but has been hiding plenty from her. The first episode was mostly about introducing the charac

  Week 8: Broncos 31, Los Angeles Chargers 30 Season Record: 3-4 (1-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, trailing 30-24 with one second left, Drew Lock rolled out and found rookie receiver K.J. Hamler in the end zone for a touchdown. That score tied the game, and Brandon McManus' extra point with no time on the clock sealed the win for Denver.  Recap: This was a tale of two halves, and only one was worth watching for Broncos fans. In the first half, an enigmatic effort led to a big hole. The Broncos found themselves trailing big while looking listless on offense. That only continued as they were down 24-3 in the third quarter. Then a funny thing happened, as Philip Lindsay hit the hole, broke free, and hit the gas. His 55-yard touchdown run lit the match, and Drew Lock finished it off with three touchdown passes. It was a big win for Denver, and it was exciting to see the offense come alive. Let's hope it continues. The Broncos face the Falcons this week, a team that ha

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1986: Best Picture: * Platoon * Children of a Lesser God * The Mission * Hannah and Her Sisters * A Room With A View About : This was the year "Platoon" won the top prize. It was an interesting group of films competing. "Platoon" is a solid film. BUT I'm going with "The Mission" here. Call it my personal faith swaying me, but I thought that was a pretty amazing film. Best Director: * Oliver Stone * Roland Joffe * Woody Allen * James Ivory * David Lynch About: The shock here was probably that Martin Scorsese was overlooked for &qu