Matt's Musings

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...

It's hard to believe, but 1996 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1996 that are turning 30 in 2026. Today, it's the start of a franchise. Dicky Fox : Hey, I don't have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success. Jerry Maguire Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Renee Zellweger Director : Cameron Crowe About: Another of the Best Picture nominees and another film that would probably have been a better winner. Either way, it's a film that endures in the culture more 30 years later than the winner. This is a classic and iconic performance from Cruise. It's a good drama with some memorable moments. Gooding is great as Rod Tidwell, too. But it's also a romantic film that works with different kinds of audiences. There is something about a Crowe film that speaks to the nature of man, introspec...

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. McMurphy : Get out of my way son, you're usin' my oxygen. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Original List Position : 20 Starring : Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher Director : Milos Forman About: There are only three films in history that won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. This is one of them. That's rare air and this film certainly earns that. It's an iconic film in a lot of ways, even if it's not a fun watch because of the subject matter. It slid back to No. 33 in the re-done list a decade later. That's closer to my feeling on the film. I appreciate the performances and the way the s...

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. Laurie Henderson : [quoting from Curt] "It doesn't make sense to leave home to look for home, to give up a life to find a new life, to say goodbye to friends you love just to find new friends." American Graffiti (1973) Original List Position : 77 Starring : Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, and Cindy Williams Director: George Lucas About: There are certain films that fall into the arena of rite-of-passage. That's certainly the case with American Graffiti. Four years before George Lucas changed science fiction, he offered this sweet, amusing, and timeless film about youth and a certain period of life. It landed a...