Matt's Musings

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. Michael : A deer has to be taken with one shot. I try to tell people that but they don't listen. The Deer Hunter (1978) Original List Position : 79 Starring : Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Christopher Walker, and Meryl Streep Director: Michael Cimino About : This is a classic film that looks at the toll of the Vietnam War. It came in the near aftermath when all this was still fresh. But it's a story that still resonates today. It features some powerful performances from De Niro and Walken, and is the final film for Cazale. Streep is solid here, too. It's a long and thoughtful film but one that provides a lot of depth and emotion. It was only No. 79 on ...

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. Maria : When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. The Sound of Music (1965) Original List Position : 55 Starring : Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer Director: Robert Wise About : This is a classic film and a classic musical. Andrews and Plummer are great, and it's a timeless story. It was only No. 55 on the original list, but jumped up to No. 40 a decade later. I like it still a little more than that. It's a musical I watched the first time as a kid, and one I've seen many times since. Of course, we can all probably still sing the songs, too! This is a fun and iconic film!

  We’ve made it to August, which means the NFL Season is just around the corner! Over the course of the month, I’ll be previewing each of the division races, looking at the teams in order of finish from 2025. Below, we continue with the NFC East. Let’s dive in! Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) About : The Eagles had a decent season in 2025, finishing atop the NFC East and making the playoffs. But it never felt like the Eagles, the reigning champs, had the juice. They fell in the Wild Card Round, ending an uneven season. This off-season, A.J. Brown moved to the Patriots, while the Eagles re-loaded in the draft with Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers. Along with DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley, there are weapons around Jalen Hurts. Can new Offensive Coordinator Sean Manion get it done? That's the hope for the Eagles. Prediction : The Eagles will win 10 or 11 games and be in the playoff mix again. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) About : The Cowboys were second in the NFC East and, for a w...

There are a lot of options out there this weekend. Below is my take on a few of the new options, where to find them, and whether they are worth jumping into. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Insidious: Out of the Further (Theaters) Starring : Amelia Eve, Lin Shaye, and Sam Spruell Synopsis: This is the sixth installment in the franchise coming after the door quite literally closed on the original cast. But it’s still tied together by Shaye’s Elise, who though dead is there to help guide another lost soul. This time it’s Gemma (Eve), a single mother who had her own tragic childhood. Turns out there was more to the story then, as there is now when Gemma begins having dark visions. She is a passenger, who can reach out to the Further, with the twist she can bring things back. That’s a power that’s appealing to a sadistic departed soul (Spruell) who plans to use Gemma as his ride back to the land of the living, ruining her life al...

  We're at the end of August, and summer is ending. Quickly we'll be in the Fall, with all the onslaught of new shows that entails. But until then, it's time to appreciate the shows of summer. But what of those shows of summer is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Sundays: Lanterns, Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered August 16) About : This new series is part of the new D.C., but it doesn't have the same glossy feel of the past two movies. It's more of a gritty crime drama coming from Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof. The series focuses on Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), an aging Green Lantern, and his new partner and eventual successor John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), as they handle a case in Nebraska. The pilot laid out the world and the stakes, jumping across three time zones. The second episode settles more into th...

  Pre-Season Week 2 : Green Bay Packers 33, Denver Broncos 13 Pre-Season Record : 1-1 (0-1 Home) Key Play : In the first half, with just over three minutes remaining, Will Sheppard caught a touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to give the Packers a 17-10 lead. The Packers never looked back. Recap : The Broncos came into Friday's game with an eight-game pre-season winning streak. Given the new schedule, that's more than two years without losing in the pre-season. All streaks end. This one ended in spectacular fashion. The Broncos' top offense with Bo Nix looked good, scoring 10 points. The defense struggled throughout as the Packers hung 33 points and won by 20 points. It's a poor showing for a game that should have seen the starters dialing in. But it's pre-season, and it could be a learning point for the Broncos. Let's hope there is a bit more fight against the Vikings Friday, as players scramble to make the 53-man roster. Game Balls: * R.J. Harvey : Harvey started...