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. Henry Hill : [Narrating] As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. Goodfellas (1990) Original List Position : 94 Starring : Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci Director : Martin Scorsese About : Scorsese has been a fixture on this list. We've seen him deliver masterpieces in different decades and genres. That's the case with Goodfellas, which is another of his signature films. It was No. 94 on the original list, moving to No. 92 just 10 years later. I have it significantly higher, and I have it as my highest of his films on this list. It's a very different kind of mafia movie than The Godfather , and yet it feels like the c...

 We've made it to Week 5 of the NFL Season. It was another mediocre week for me. Let's see if I can do better this week. NFL Picks, Week 5: Cowboys Over Buccaneers Jaguars Over Eagles Texans Over Titans Bengals Over Dolphins Patriots Over Raiders Vikings Over Saints Browns Over Jets Steelers Over Colts Giants Over Commanders Bears Over Packers Broncos Over Chargers Lions Over Cardinals Seahawks Over 49ers Falcons Over Ravens Rams Over Bills Last Week : 8-8 Season : 37-27 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5: Cowboys -9.5 Over Buccaneers Jaguars -6.5 Over Eagles Texans -6.5 Over Titans Bengals -6.5 Over Dolphins Raiders +3.5 Over Patriots Vikings -1.5 Over Saints Browns +2.5 Over Jets Steelers -2.5 Over Colts Giants +2.5 Over Commanders Bears -2.5 Over Packers Broncos -3.5 Over Chargers Lions -4.5 Over Cardinals Seahawks -2.5 Over 49ers Falcons +2.5 Over Ravens Rams -2.5 Over Bills Last Week : 10-6 Season : 35-29

 It’s another loaded week at the movies including two hotly anticipated releases. Below is my take on this week’s new movies. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Digger (Theaters) Starring: Tom Cruise, John Goodman, and Riz Ahmed Synopsis: There have been plenty of films where the performance of the star overshadowed the film itself. That almost seems to be the plan with Digger, which built all of its first marketing campaigns around star Cruise, and his history on the silver screen. And it turns out that is for good reason. The film comes from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who has delivered some challenging and unique films in the past. This film fits that mold well and may well be the starring vehicle needed to propel its star into the Oscar conversation. The film defies description in some ways. It focuses on Digger Rockwell (Cruise), an oil tycoon whose empire is built on mining in the far reaches of the globe. But that...

 We’re into October and the thrust of the Network Fall premiers are upon us. That combined with everything else leaves a flood of new viewing options. So, which new series are worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series 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 : In recent years, The CW has shifted the bulk of its original programming to international series, most often from Canada. That’s the case with this new detective series, part of a Canadian-themed Monday night. And this one is itself a spin-off. The Original series was set in Toronto and kicked off in 2016, running five seasons. Now, a few years later, the stars Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson are back, dealing with being new parents and trying to get back in the game now on the West Coast of Canada in Vancouver. All of it is a little harmless fu...

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers 24, Denver Broncos 14 Season Record: 2-2 (2-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the 49ers leading 17-14, Brock Purdy connected with George Kittle on a 56-yard touchdown strike to put the game away. Recap: This one was tough. The Broncos' offense is just not consistent and, often, not good. We have endured unbelievably slow starts. The running game is non-existent. And Bo Nix is all over the place. Still, if not for a Special Teams turnover in the second half and some of the injuries (including Pat Surtain and Riley Moss), the Broncos could have pulled it off. The team is 2-2, having played a brutal early schedule. The two teams that have beaten the Broncos are both unbeaten. Their wins are over the 3-1 Jaguars and 2-2 Rams. So, it's not a terrible start. But the team is in third place in the AFC West, and things won't get any easier. Missing Pat Bryant, Surtain, and others will be a challenge. But this offense needs to find some legs...

It's a new year, but the rewind continues. In these weekly posts, we will be looking at films that are celebrating an anniversary in 2026. I will be going back throughout the year, looking at a few films from different milestone years that stand out to me now a decade, two decades, or three decades on. It's a fun journey, and I hope you'll join me in looking back! For our next set of films, we're jumping back to 1991. Films from 1991 are turning 35 years old in 2026, and when you look at the list it feels hard to believe some of these titles are 35 years old. In this set I'll be looking at 12 films, an interesting mix of smaller films and blockbusters, that stand out now 35 years after their release. Check back each Sunday through the end of the year as we explore another title in the rewind and celebrate the films that are marking a milestone anniversary in 2026!