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. Narrator : This was the story of Howard Beale: The first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings. Network (1976) Original List Position: 66 Starring: Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, William Holden, and Peter Finch Director: Sidney Lumet About: This is a classic film that challenges our conceptions in a lot of ways. As someone who is a fan of journalism films, this has long stood out. It's a fairly wild story with a great cast and some great performances. But it certainly makes you think, too. This was among the handful of films I had at the top of the heap for the decade of the 1970s, and it makes sense that it landed on this list. T...

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. Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi : In my experience, there's no such thing as luck. Star Wars (1977) Original List Position: 15 Starring : Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guinness Director: George Lucas About: There are films that make a long-term impact on the culture. Star Wars is that movie. It changed so much about cinema and remains a classic. I love the film and I love the franchise. It's amazing what Lucas was able to do and how he opened up film. It landed as No. 15 on the original list, moving up to No. 13 a decade later. It's not quite as high on my list, but it's still a movie I love and have seen many, many times.  

  Week 5 of the NFL Season was wild, for picks and results. Let's see if Week 6 is more predictable! NFL Picks, Week 6: Seahawks Over Broncos Jaguars Over Texans Bears Over Falcons Ravens Over Browns Colts Over Titans Patriots Over Jets Giants Over Saints Panthers Over Eagles Steelers Over Buccaneers Rams Over Cardinals Chiefs Over Chargers Bills Over Raiders Packers Over Cowboys 49ers Over Commanders Last Week : 8-6 Season : 45-33 NFL Picks Spread, Week 6 : Seahawks -2.5 Over Broncos Jaguars -2.5 Over Texans Bears -2.5 Over Browns Browns +4.5 Over Ravens Titans +6.5 Over Colts Patriots -7.5 Over Jets Giants +1.5 Over Saints Panthers +1.5 Over Eagles Steelers -2.5 Over Buccaneers Rams -12.5 Over Cardinals Chiefs -8.5 Over Chargers Bills -5.5 Over Raiders Packers -1.5 Over Cowboys 49ers -7.5 Over Commanders Last Week: 7-8 Season: 42-37

 We had some high-profile projects drop this week at the movies. Below is my take on the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Animals (Netflix) Starring: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, and Gillian Anderson Synopsis: This is a new drama for Netflix co-written, directed by, and starring Affleck. He’s an LA Mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. Except it wasn’t his son, it was another boy who was mistaken for his son. Now that boy is being held for ransom, forcing him to make some potentially costly decisions. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s essentially the plot of High and Low, a classic Akira Kurosawa film. That film was already re-made by Spike Lee and Denzel Washington last year. That re-make was OK but lacked the pop of the original. This one makes some changes to the basic plot and especially to the ending, and it’s another in a line of diminishing returns. Affleck is fine here as ...

 We’re into October and we’re getting the full-on flood of new shows, including the heart of the Network TV season. But what of these new shows is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new shows this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Private Eyes: West Coast, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 5) About : This new series is a spin-off of a previous series. The show retains the same leads—Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson—but moves from Toronto to Vancouver and changes the set up a bit. It some light, enjoyable entertainment. The cases are breezy and the rapport between the leads works well enough. If you were a fan of the original, or are a fan of Canadian dramedies, this will be for you. Pilot Grade : C+ Second Episode : C+ Tuesdays: NCIS: New York, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS (Premiered October 6) About: This is the latest in the NCIS universe, but it’s relying a ...

Week 5: Denver Broncos 23, Los Angeles Chargers 17 Season Record: 3-2 (2-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with time winding down and the Broncos leading 20-17, Justin Herbert threw and interception to Brandon Jones on fourth down. The play allowed the Broncos to milk the clock and kick a field goal to push the lead to six points. Recap: Sean Payton took over the playcalling because there was "meat left on the bone" with the offense. It didn't look like an improvement on Sunday. The team looked lost for most of the game, then used some Special Teams and defensive intensity to manage a comeback and a win. I'm not sure winning is the best thing for this team. Don't get me wrong, I like to win. But this team played badly. They look bad. And getting a win feels like a reward for bad behavior. That's not the kind of football that helps you get to and win in the playoffs. This team feels lost and the offense feels like a mess. A Thursday matchup with the Sea...