Matt's Musings

  Happy Halloween! We’ve made it to the end of October. We’re still getting some new offerings, but with the actors’ strike ongoing, that tide of new shows is more of a trickle. That combined with the approaching holiday makes the choices few. Still, your time is precious, so you might be wondering what is worth checking out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted shows this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Thursdays: Everyone Else Burns, Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 26) About: The CW has been importing programs all season, so them getting a show from Canada or England isn’t a surprise. Everyone Else Burns is set in England and features a family that are part of a fundamentalist religious community. It’s an interesting set up, and one that adds another sitcom to a night of sitcoms on The CW. It’s an interesting idea but the pilot and the characters didn’t really pop. Still, if the

  Week 8 : Denver Broncos 24, Kansas City Chiefs 9 Season Record : 3-5 (2-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos leading 21-9, the Chiefs faced a fourth and two. Patrick Mahomes launched the ball to the end zone but Skyy Moore couldn't come up with the pass. The Broncos held on for the win. Recap: Sixteen straight games. That's how many times the Chiefs had beaten the Broncos, going back to Peyton Manning. The Broncos played the Chiefs tough earlier this year and on Sunday they turned the corner. Could this be the turn of the corner for the season, too? We can only hope. The defense has been better the past few weeks, culminating in a five-turnover effort today. Russell Wilson and the offense have been more consistent, too. The Broncos are 3-5, but they're not out of it. If the team doesn't move a bunch of players before Tuesday, they can use the bye week to prepare for a possible second half run. I'm feeling more hopeful at least! Game Balls: *

  There are no byes in Week 8, so we get all 32 teams back in action for one week. That means a full Sunday slate with 14 games, most of which take place during the early window. Which of those games should you be checking out? Below are the five games on the Sunday slate I’m most interested in seeing. Early Window Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-4) About: Believe it or not, this is a battle for second place in the NFC North. While the Lions have a comfortable lead for now, the Vikings have won two straight and with a third could move back to .500. That seemed like a long shot after a 1-4 start that saw them lose Justin Jefferson. The Packers, meanwhile, started OK but have slumped of late. They lost last week in Denver and are desperate for a win to get back on track. This should be a great divisional battle. Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (4-2) About: This is a battle of teams that are fighting to be in that second tier in the NFC. The Cowboys are 4-2 with

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Tony Stark : Everybody wants a happy ending. Right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored, if there ever was such a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised, but come on. The epic forces of dark and light that have come in to play. And for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in. So I thought I better record a little greeting, in the case of an untimely death, on

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Loomis: I met him, 15 years ago; I was told there was nothing left; no reason, no conscience, no understanding in even the most rudimentary sense of life or death, of good or evil, right or wrong. I met this... six-year-old child with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and... the blackest eyes - the Devil's eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up, because I realized that what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply... evil. Halloween (1978) Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance Director : John Carpenter About : It's fitting that it's Halloween weekend and we come to this film in my countdown. I know horror films aren't for every

  In Week 7 I was over .500, but just barely in both disciplines. Let's see if I can repeat the feat in Week 8. NFL Picks, Week 8 Bills Over Buccaneers Cowboys Over Rams Vikings Over Packers Falcons Over Titans Saints Over Colts Dolphins Over Patriots Jets Over Giants Jaguars Over Steelers Eagles Over Commanders Texans Over Panthers Seahawks Over Browns Broncos Over Chiefs Ravens Over Cardinals 49ers Over Bengals Chargers Over Bears Lions Over Raiders Last Week : 7-6 Season : 65-41 NFL Picks Spread, Week 8 Buccaneers +8.5 Over Bills Cowboys -6.5 Over Rams Vikings +.5 Over Packers Falcons -2.5 Over Titans Saints +1.5 Over Colts Patriots +9.5 Over Dolphins Jets -3.5 Over Giants Jaguars -2.5 Over Steelers Eagles -6.5 Over Commanders Texans -3.5 Over Panthers Seahawks -3.5 Over Browns Broncos +7.5 Over Chiefs Ravens -5.5 Over Cardinals Bengals +5.5 Over 49ers Bears +8.5 Over Chargers Raiders +8.5 Over Lions Last Week : 7-6 Season : 55-51

  We’ve reached the mid-point in October, and we’ve gotten some interesting releases, which includes four streaming options out this week to compete with Killers of the Flower Moon. Below are my thoughts on those movies. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me @knighthawk7734 on Letterboxd. If You Were the Last (Peacock) Starring : Anthony Mackie and Zoe Chao Synopsis : This new comedy centers on a pair of astronauts who are on a ship spiraling out-of-control in space. Adam (Mackie) and Jane (Chao) are alone. Their colleague has died, and their ship is damaged. They spend their days trying to make repairs on the chance they could get home. They spend their evenings dancing, watching movies, and debating whether they should have sex. Both are married but they also realize they’re likely to die in space. After spending all this time together in a stressful and near-hopeless situation, the pair develop a connection that goes deeper than they originally expected. When

  It’s October and we’re careening toward November. With the actors’ strike still ongoing, there isn’t a ton of new scripted content now and likely won’t be a large amount coming in the next few months. Still, you might be wondering what new shows are worth investing in. 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. Thursdays: Scavengers Reign, Streaming Thursdays on HBO Max (Premiered October 19) About : This new animated series is aimed at adults. It centers on the crew of a damaged deep-sea freighter that crash lands on a beautiful and mysterious, but dangerous planet. The survivors are spread out and trying to find a way to survive and find each other. The episodes run about 25 minutes, with the first three released Thursday and additional episodes released weekly. The animation and creativity are strong. The story is interesting, but I wasn’t totally taken with

  Week 7 : Denver Broncos 19, Green Bay Packers 17 Season Record: 2-5 (1-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, leading by two points. Jordan Love faced a third and 20 and launched the ball down field where P.J. Locke got the interception to secure the win. Recap : The Broncos got a mini-bye this last week after playing on Thursday night. They seem to have used it well. The offense did enough and the defense came up with big plays when it mattered. The Broncos got their second win of the season and their first home win of the season. The team is 2-5, so it's not time to get too excited, yet. Still, it's a positive sign. We saw some better running from Javonte Williams and another good game for Courtland Sutton. The Broncos face the Chiefs next week, which will be a true test. If the Broncos get another win, that will be a great sign heading into the official bye week. It will also be interesting to see who, if anyone, is dealt as we approach the trade deadline. Game Balls:

  We’ve hit Week 7 of the NFL Season and we have six teams on a bye this week. That leaves us with just 11 games during the Sunday slate. Below are the five games on the Sunday slate that have most caught my eye. Early Games: Cleveland Browns (3-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-3) About: This is an interesting game that has big stakes in the AFC. The Browns got a huge win over the 49ers in Week 6 and sit at 3-2. It’s possible Deshaun Watson will miss the game, but the Browns won with P.J. Walker last week. The Browns also have a tough defense that should help them get wins. The Colts, meanwhile, struggled in Week 6. They won’t have Anthony Richardson likely for the rest of the season, putting more pressure on Gardner Minshew and the run game. This should be a good one. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) About: Both are coming off tough Week 6 losses and both are competing for the NFC South title. Can Desmond Ridder get back on track after a brutal performance last week? C

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. May Parker: You have a gift. You have power. And with great power, there must also come great responsibility. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Starring: Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Zendaya, Marissa Tomei, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alfred Molina Director : Jon Watts About : We've seen a lot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but no set of films has been as consistently strong and memorable as the Tom Holland Spider-Man films. This is the third of his stand-alone films, and the third of his films on this list. In fact, it's the second of his films that's in the Top 12. This film brought together Holland's Spider-Man with the Spider-Men played by Maguire and Garfield. It was beautiful, memorable, emotiona

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Ripley : Final report of the commercial starship Nostromo, third officer reporting. The other members of the crew - Kane, Lambert, Parker, Brett, Ash, and Captain Dallas - are dead. Cargo and ship destroyed. I should reach the frontier in about six weeks. With a little luck, the network will pick me up. This is Ellen Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off. Alien (1979) Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skeritt, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton, and Ian Holm Director: Ridley Scott About: We've made it to the Top 10, the top of the films from the decade that I come to time and again. I made this list and then put it on a calendar for release. It was at that point that I chucked to myself. I began October with The Exorcist ,

  I had a solid week in straight picks but another rough week against the spread. Time to right the ship in Week 7. NFL Picks, Week 7 Jaguars Over Saints Raiders Over Bears Browns Over Colts Bills Over Patriots Giants Over Commanders Buccaneers Over Falcons Lions Over Ravens Rams Over Steelers Seahawks Over Cardinals Broncos Over Packers Chiefs Over Chargers Eagles Over Dolphins 49ers Over Vikings Last Week : 9-6 Season : 58-35 NFL Picks Spread, Week 7 Jaguars +3.5 Over Saints Raiders -3.5 Over Raiders Browns -2.5 Over Colts Bills -8.5 Over Patriots Giants +1.5 Over Commanders Buccaneers -2.5 Over Falcons Lions +3.5 Over Ravens Rams -3.5 Over Steelers Seahawks -7.5 Over Cardinals Broncos +1.5 Over Packers Chiefs -5.5 Over Chargers Eagles -1.5 Over Dolphins Vikings +7.5 Over 49ers Last Week : 6-9 Season : 48-45

Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju

  We’re making our way through October and owing to it being Friday the 13th last week, we got several new series with a spooky bent. But what of these series is worth your time to check out? 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. Tuesdays: Found, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered October 3) About : This new series focuses on a firm that searches for missing persons. It’s led by Gabi (Shanola Hampton), who was herself once a kidnapping victim. That’s what makes her firm different, as the people that work there ply their skills to save people for whom they know what their suffering is. That’s one piece of the puzzle, the case-of-the-week format. The other piece is the background of Gabi with her abductor, Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), who we see as her captor in flashbacks and as her captive in the present. She’s holding him, using him to help her find other m

  Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs 19, Denver Broncos 8 Season Record: 1-5 (0-3 Home) Key Play: In the Fourth Quarter, trailing 19-8, the Broncos attempted a comeback. Russell Wilson connected with Samaje Perine, who fumbled. The Chiefs recovered, locking up the win. Recap: It's been eight years since the Broncos beat the Chiefs. In fact, the team has never beaten Patrick Mahomes. And that continued on Thursday night. The Broncos' defense played nominally better, as they held the Chiefs out of the end zone for the most part. But the offense continued to sputter. Wilson tossed two killer interceptions and the team forgot that they were running the ball really well. It looks like their about to blow up the roster, and maybe that's not a bad thing. This team, as constructed, doesn't seem capable of succeeding. It's getting tiresome. Game Balls: * Courtland Sutton. He had the lone exciting play of the night, making a fantastic catch for the touchdown. * Justin Simmons.

  We’re making our way through October and bye weeks as the NFL Season is flying by. This is the time of year where teams make moves to remain in the race or run the risk of being eliminated before the first snow. Below are the five games on the Sunday slate that I have my eye on. London Game: Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Tennessee Titans (2-3) About: The Ravens have been solid but stumbled in Week 3 against the Colts and again in Week 5 against the Steelers. Now, they head to London. Lamar Jackson has had to do a lot and that doesn’t appear likely to change. The Titans have been strong against the rush, which could put more pressure on Jackson as a passer. Either way, both teams need the win here. Early Games: Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (1-4) About: This wasn’t the start either team expected, and now both are on the edge of being out of it. That might not be a total surprise for the Bears, but the Vikings already have as many regular season losses in 2023 as they did in a

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Charles Xavier : You know, Logan... this is what life looks like. A home, people who love each other. Safe place. You should take a moment and feel it. Logan (2017) Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, and Boyd Holbrook Director: James Mangold About: I've mentioned before that Batman is my favorite superhero. A close second is Wolverine. In addition to all the X-Men films, we got three stand alone Wolverine films. I don't love them, or at least the first two. This third film is a work of art. It's a darker take on Wolverine, an R-rated film that sees him and Charles Xavier near the end of their time. The violence works well as does the addition of Dafne Keen. Boyd Holbrook is a solid villain, too. But this is really

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Hedley Lamarr : Men, you are about to embark on a great crusade to stamp out runaway decency in the west. Now you men will only be risking your lives, whilst I will be risking an almost certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Blazing Saddles (1974) Starring : Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little, Slim Pickens, Madeline Khan, Mel Brooks, and Harvey Korman Director : Mel Brooks About : And now we get to the second Mel Brooks film high up in my countdown. This is a western and a comedy and a social commentary. It all works really well. Brooks has a certain style which has created fans for years. This is my favorite of his films. It's absurd and goes in wild directions, including a third act that quite literally breaks the F

  Week 5 wasn't my best effort. Time to get back on track! NFL Picks, Week 6 Chiefs Over Broncos Ravens Over Titans Falcons Over Commanders Bears Over Vikings Bengals Over Eagles 49ers Over Browns Dolphins Over Panthers Jaguars Over Colts Texans Over Saints Patriots Over Raiders Lions Over Buccaneers Rams Over Cardinals Eagles Over Jets Bills Over Giants Chargers Over Cowboys Last Week : 8-6 Season : 49-29 NFL Picks Spread, Week 6 Broncos +10.5 Over Chiefs Ravens -3.5 Over Titans Falcons -2.5 Over Commanders Bears +2.5 Over Vikings Seahawks +3.5 Over Bengals 49ers -5.5 Over Browns Dolphins -13.5 Over Panthers Jaguars -3.5 Over Colts Texans +1.5 Over Saints Patriots +3.5 Over Raiders Lions -3.5 Over Buccaneers Rams -6.5 Over Cardinals Eagles -6.5 Over Jets Bills -14.5 Over Giants Chargers +2.5 Over Cowboys Last Week: 4-10 Season : 42-36

  It was a loaded week for new releases with four films dropping on streaming in addition to the Exorcist sequel in theaters. Below are my thoughts on the new movies! If you want to keep up with all my reviews, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Caine Mutiny: Court-Martial (Showtime/Paramount+) Starring : Keifer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy, and Lance Reddick Synopsis : This film debuted on Showtime on Sunday night and started streaming Friday on Paramount+. It’s based on the stage play of the same name that has previously been adapted. This is about an alleged mutiny on a ship, but it’s a courtroom drama. It is also the final film from the late director William Friedkin, starring the late actor, Reddick. That’s a lot to consider when taking in this film, which plays out well in telling the story of a Captain (Sutherland) who was relieved by his First Officer (Lacy). The First Officer contended he was mentally unfit for duty. The trial, featuring a dogged defense counc

  We’re into October and it’s clear the tide of new shows remains steady but smaller than in previous years. But what of the new options are worth checking out? 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. Tuesdays: Found, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered October 3) Abou t: This is a traditional network series that was originally set for last Spring but was held. Turns out to be a good thing for NBC, as it gives them another option for a Fall that’s thin for most of the networks. The series focuses on Gabi (Shanola Hampton) who is the lead of a team that finds missing and kidnapped people. Gabi is uniquely suited to lead this team as she was once a kidnapping victim who escaped. Through flashbacks, we see her experience with her captor (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). The series follows a traditional formula with a case-of-the-week and offers a long-term story that, in t

  Week 5 : New York Jets 31, Denver Broncos 21 Season Record : 1-4 (0-3 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, trailing 24-21 and with the Broncos driving, Russell Wilson was flushed out of the pocket and fumbled. The ball was picked up by Bryce Hall who returned it for a touchdown to seal the win. Recap : 0-3. That's the Broncos' record at home through five weeks. The team is just 1-4 and possibly hit a new low this week as they lost to Nathaniel Hackett and the New York Jets by 10 points. The team now has a short week and then will face the Kansas City Chiefs, a team we haven't beaten in years. To say that I'm disappointed in this season is a big under-statement. At this point, I don't even know what to say. The Broncos' defense is poor and the offense isn't good enough to win. I suspect the team will be sellers approaching the trade deadline and big changes will be coming this off-season, as perhaps they should. Game Balls: * Jaleel McLaughlin . The rook

The fifth week of the NFL Season brings another London game and our first round of bye weeks. There are four teams off this week, which means we get only 14 games total, and only 12 on Sunday. Below are the five I’m most bullish on this week! London Game: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Buffalo Bills (3-1) About: The Jaguars got back on track with a big win over Atlanta in London last Sunday. This is their second straight game across the pond, a place they’ve played well. That might help them feel acclimated. The Bills, meanwhile, lost the first game of the season but have been battering opponents ever since. That includes putting up 48 points against the Dolphins in Week 4. This could have plenty of fireworks. Early Window: Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) About: This is a rivalry that always has juice, even if one or both teams are struggling. This comes at a crucial time for the Ravens, who at 3-1 are atop the AFC North. They’ve also beaten the Bengals and Browns,

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Peter Parker : Everywhere I go, I see his face. I just really miss him Happy Hogan : Yeah, I miss him too. I don't think Tony would've done what he did, if he didn't know you were gonna be here after he was gone. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Starring : Tom Holland, Zendaya, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jake Gyllenhaal Director: Jon Watts About : Some film had to be first after End Game , and it was never going to be easy. But I can't think of a better film to step into that void than Far From Home . This is the second of the Holland stand alone Spider-Man films, and it's even better than the first. I love how the story plays out. I love the back-and-forth with Peter and MJ. I love the humor and the big action sequences. And I l

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Father Merrin : Especially important is the warning to avoid conversations with the demon. We may ask what is relevant but anything beyond that is dangerous. He is a liar. The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us. The attack is psychological, Damien, and powerful. So don't listen to him. Remember that - do not listen. The Exorcist (1973) Starring : Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Linda Blair, and Jason Miller Director : William Friedkin About : A few weeks ago I looked at Friedkin's film The French Connection. Now, I look at perhaps his most iconic film not just of the 1970s but of his career. The Exorcist turns 50 years old this year, and it's fitting that my take

  I had a red-hot Week 4, let's see if I can keep things going! NFL Picks, Week 5 Commanders Over Bears Bills Over Jaguars Ravens Over Steelers Texans Over Falcons Lions Over Panthers Colts Over Titans Dolphins Over Giants Patriots Over Saints Eagles Over Rams Bengals Over Cardinals Broncos Over Jets Chiefs Over Vikings 49ers Over Cowboys Raiders Over Packers Last Week : 14-2 Season : 41-23 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5 Commanders -6.5 Over Bears Bills -5.5 Over Jaguars Texans +1.5 Over Falcons Lions -8.5 Over Panthers Colts -1.5 Over Titans Dolphins -9.5 Over Giants Patriots -1.5 Over Saints Ravens -4.5 Over Steelers Eagles -4.5 Over Rams Cardinals +3.5 Over Bengals Broncos -2.5 Over Jets Vikings +5.5 Over Chiefs Cowboys +3.5 Over 49ers Raiders +1.5 Over Packers Last Week : 10-6 Season : 38-26

  We got plenty of streaming options and a big new sci-fi film, and I have my take on all of them below. If you want to keep up with all my movie watching exploits, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Creator (Theaters) Starring : John David Washington, Allison Janney, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, and Madeline Yuna Voles Synopsis : We get an original sci-fi film here from Garreth Edwards and Chris Weitz, who previously teamed to give us Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. We loved the craft in Rogue One, but it was the characters and the story—and original story in an established world—that connected so strongly with audiences. Here, we see an alternate world where AI has risen in society. All is going well until a nuclear warhead is set off in Los Angeles. Now, the United States is waging war against AI, and their stronghold in Asia. They’ve developed a powerful new ship to help accomplish the goal, but AI and their creator—Nimata—are developing a weapon of their own. Joshua (Washingt