Matt's Musings

After six games over three days, the NFL’s post-season field has narrowed to eight teams. It will narrow again as we get four games over two days. The results of this week’s Divisional Round will set the table for the Conference Championship Games. But who makes it? Let’s dive in. Saturday Games: Houston Texans (10-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) About: The Texans outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 to advance last Saturday. Their prize is a matchup in frosty Kansas City just as an artic blast is heading to the state. It’s also a re-match of the team’s battle on the Saturday before Christmas. In that game, the Chiefs won 27-19. The Texans were battling, but a gruesome injury to receiver Tank Dell ended his season and seemed to rattle the Texans. Still, there is reason for hope on Saturday. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Kansas City Chiefs’ starters like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the field. In fact, we haven’t seen them all year! I kid, but they last played in th...

We’re making our way through January with our first big wide release of the new year along with some other films from late 2024 getting a chance to be seen by a wider audience. Below is my take on the new films out this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Better Man (Theaters) Starring : Robbie Williams, Damon Herriman, and Raechelle Banno Synopsis : This new film comes from director Michael Gracey, who previous gave us the musical The Greatest Showman. It’s a biopic on singer Williams, who serves as the narrator and voice of the film. The visuals, well that’s where it gets interesting. In place of an actor, we have a CGI ape as the physical manifestation of Williams throughout the film. The rest of the cast are played by actors. It’s a unique choice that feels odd at first, but I ended up really enjoying the film and the way they made that choice work out. It’s an engaging and emotional film with some incredible musical seq...

  We’re into January with most of the country experiencing some winter weather and cold temperatures. That might leave you wanting to spend some extra time on the couch with a new show. 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 Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Doc, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 7) About : This one finds Molly Parker as a woman who wakes up with a significant memory gap following an accident. When she wakes up, eight years are missing. She doesn’t remember her divorce, the death of her child, or her advancements in her career. She’s left trying to re-build, while those around her try to adjust to a woman who doesn’t seem quite familiar. It’s an interesting premise and Parker does a nice job in the lead role. I liked the pilot for the way it laid out this story—giving a snapshot of who she is pre-ac...

  Wild Card Weekend : Buffalo Bills 31, Denver Broncos 7 Season Record : 10-8 (6-2 Home) Key Play : With time winding down in the first half and the team trailing 10-7, the Broncos lined up a 50-yard field goal. It missed, leaving the Broncos down three at the half. They wouldn't score again. Recap : If you would have told me prior to the season that the Broncos would make the AFC playoffs, I wouldn't have believed it. But the Broncos did make the playoffs. And Bo Nix connected with Troy Franklin on that first drive to give the Broncos' fanbase hope. But beating the Bills was always going to be a tall order, and the Broncos didn't have the guns on either side of the ball to make it work. Still, it's fair to call 2024 a stepping stone. The team ended a protracted playoff drought, played well, and found a starting quarterback. That's plenty to build on heading into this off-season, where the team's cap position and draft capital is looking up. That should make...

  It's hard to believe, but 2015 was 10 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2015 that are turning 10 in 2025. Today, it's the re-boot that launched a new franchise. Owen: [to Claire] You might have made them in a test tube, but they don't know that. These animals are thinking, "I gotta eat. I gotta hunt. I gotta..." You can relate to at least one of those things. Right? Jurassic World Starring : Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Judy Greer, Jack Johnson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Irrfan Khan, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins, and BD Wong Director : Colin Trevorrow About: It's fitting we're talking about the 10th anniversary of this film as we're about to get another re-boot, this time featuring Scarlett Johansson this summer. This was the first time Jurassic Park got a re-boot. We get a new set up and new characters. I love the original film, and I love its depth of story. So, I was nervous to see it brou...

  Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Starring : Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Jennifer Ehle, Kyle Chandler, and Mark Strong Director: Kathryn Bigelow About: I begin with the first of my 10 female directors, Bigelow. Some have gravitated toward The Hurt Locker as her best film. For me, it's Zero Dark Thirty . I think this is a fascinating film that is very well put together. I think it might be her most ambitious film, too. Chastain is great here in a story that's both important but also doesn't pull any punches when it asks us to think about our methods, our results, and who we want to be. Some have called it pro torture, but I think it more sought to depict wh...