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. Opening Title Card : "Modern Times." A story of industry, of individual enterprise - humanity crusading in the pursuit of happiness. Modern Times (1936) Original List Position : 81 Starring: Charlie Chaplin Director: Charlie Chaplin About: For the second time this month, we get a Chaplin film on the countdown. This one puts the focus on the industrial revolution and the changing scope of work in America, specifically factories and a changing economy. This one was a few places below City Lights on the original list, but while City Lights jumped way up a decade later, this rose just three spots to No. 78. And yet, I have it higher on my personal list. It...

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. Rhett Butler : Take a good look my dear. It's an historic moment you can tell your grandchildren about - how you watched the Old South fall one night. Gone With the Wind (1939) Original List Position : 4 Starring : Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh Director : Victor Fleming About : The year 1939 was an epic year for films. There are a number of iconic films from that year, and many of them ended up on this list. When you think of iconic American films, for many Gone With the Wind would be on the short list. It was No. 4 on the original list and fell only to No. 6 a decade later. It tells a sweeping story of people in the South before, during, and after the Civil W...

The off-season is in full swing. We've seen free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, it's time to take stock of the roster and begin figuring out who will be the final 53 players to suit up for the Broncos during the 2026 NFL Season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each unit for the Broncos. Today, that continues with the wide receivers. On the Roster : Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, Jr., Lil Jordan Humphrey, Dane Key, Hakeem Butler, Michael Bandy, Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, and Joseph Manjack IV About: This is an area where the Broncos made a splash this off-season. The team made a big swing by acquiring Waddle, giving them a good weapon for the pass offense. That's in addition to a solid group of receivers. The Broncos now have one of the deepest, most talented units in the NFL. That's a luxury that could pay big dividends for the team during the season. It also means this will be a tough group to crack when it ...

This week's big release was Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. I share my thoughts below. You can keep up with everything I'm watching by following me @knighthawk7734 on Letterboxd. The Odyssey (Theaters) Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway Synopsis : For centuries, people have been fascinated by The Odyssey. It’s an epic adventure story, following brave warrior Odysseus as he’s on a journey to get home. It’s a fraught and perilous journey, and it’s a fraught and perilous homecoming. But it’s an epic story that has inspired countless generations and inspired countless other epic stories. It makes sense that we’d return to that world and story, presenting the epic journey on the big screen. And there’s no filmmaker more daring in crafting epic big-screen adventures that Christopher Nolan. In his follow up to his Academy Award-winning biopic Oppenheimer, he’s adapting an even more ambitious project in The Odyssey, which has become one of the most anticipated f...

 We’re halfway through July and have officially entered the slow season. While things will pick up in the Fall, we’re seeking only a handful of new shows each week at this point. But you might be wondering which of those 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 summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC (Premiered July 13) About: It’s fair to say if you’ve followed this site for a while, my partner Ricky is more of the go-to guy for reality shows. The exception, for me, has long been Dancing With the Stars, which is my kind of reality. That’s true of this spin-off, too. Reigning champion Robert Irwin serves as host, with judges Mark Ballas, a pro for the main show, and his mother Shirley. Each week, a new guest arrives to help teach the 12 prospective dancers a new routine to perform and serves...

This year Star Trek turns 60. For decades, it has enthralled and entertained audiences. Part of that legacy is 13 feature films. Over the next few weeks, I'll be looking back on each of the feature films in the franchise, including where I place them in my personal rankings! Spock: Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 2258.42. We have had no word from Captain Pike. I've therefore classified him a hostage of the war criminal known as Nero. Nero, who has destroyed my home planet and most of its six billion inhabitants. While the essence of our culture has been saved in the elders who now reside upon this ship, I estimate no more than 10,000 have survived. I am now a member of an endangered species. Star Trek (2009) Franchise Ranking : 2 Starring : Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Leonard Nimoy, Bruce Greenwood, and Eric Bana Director: J.J. Abrams About : Here we get a re-boot of the whole franchise, taking things back to th...