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. Professor Marvel : Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. The Wizard of Oz (1939) Original List Position: 6 Starring : Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, and Margaret Hamilton Director : Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Norman Taurog About: I mentioned previously that 1939 was a landmark year for films and we'd be revisiting it. Here, again, we have a film from 1939. This is a classic in every sense of the word. It's a film that nearly everyone has seen and has remained in the culture for more than 80 years. It was originally No. 6 on the AFI list and dropped to just No. 10 a few years later. I have it a little higher than that, but I have...

 I was on fire in Week 8 of the NFL Season, let's keep it going! NFL Picks, Week 9: Jaguars Over Ravens Bengals Over Falcons Cowboys Over Colts Chiefs Over Jets Lions Over Dolphins Browns Over Saints Giants Over Eagles Rams Over Commanders Broncos Over Panthers Texans Over Chargers 49ers Over Raiders Patriots Over Packers Seahawks Over Cardinals Bears Over Buccaneers Bills Over Vikings Last Week : 12-2 Season : 74-46 NFL Picks Spread, Week 9 : Jaguars -9.5 Over Ravens Bengals -2.5 Over Falcons Cowboys -5.5 Over Colts Jets +9.5 Over Chiefs Browns +2.5 Over Saints Lions -6.5 Over Dolphins Giants -3.5 Over Eagles Broncos -2.5 Over Panthers Texans -4.5 Over Chargers Rams -5.5 Over Commanders Raiders +9.5 Over 49ers Patriots -2.5 Over Packers Cardinals +10.5 Over Seahawks Bears -5.5 Over Buccaneers Bills -3.5 Over Vikings Last Week : 8-6 Season : 64-57

 This week saw a few limited releases go wider, and a few holdovers remain in contention for the top spot. Below is my take on the new movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Clayface (Theaters) Starring: Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie Synopsis: This is the latest entry from the new DCU, but this isn’t focused on a hero. Rather, it’s focused on one of the villains. Matt Hagen (Harries) is a Gotham boy who made it as a star actor. When he returns home for a weekend and picks the wrong person to hook up with, things go downhill quickly. He’s left disfigured and penniless. Then he meets a doctor (Ackie) who is working on a new substance that can regrow and repair damaged tissue. Hagen agrees to become a human test subject for the not-yet-approved substance and does get his face back—along with some other strange, special powers. That leaves him feeling powerful and looking to get even for all that he’s lost...

We’ve wrapped up October and headed into November. The tide of new series is slowing as we move to the end of the year. But your free time might also be waning. So, 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. Fridays: Nocturne, Streaming Fridays on Apple TV (Premiered October 30) About : This new series from Rowan Joffe is based on the novel series from Lars Kepler. It moves the action to rural Pennsylvania and switches up some characters while keeping the idea intact. The first two episodes dropped on Friday, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. Episodes run between 45 minutes and an hour, which makes for a quick and enjoyable watch. It’s a murder/missing person mystery. A former detective (Liev Schrieber) is called back into action working with his old Chief (Bill Camp) and his former partner’s daughter (Zazie B...

We've made it to November, which is one of the busiest and most dynamic months on the calendar. Below are the new releases coming to theaters this November. Wednesday, November 4: * A Dog's Perfect Christmas (Netflix): We're past Halloween, so it's on to Christmas! This is Netflix joining the fray with a dog-centric film. It looks fun. Friday, November 6: * Wild Horse Nine (Theaters): Here's the latest from Martin McDonagh. It features a great performance from John Malkovich and should be an awards-season player. * The Cat in the Hat (Theaters): This long gestating animated film arrives for families. It looks like fun and should draw the younger crowd. * Godzilla Minus Zero (Theaters): This is a follow up to Godzilla Minus One, which dropped a few years earlier. This should be a fun monster movie. * Jimmy (Theaters): This finds KJ Apa playing Jimmy Stewart. The trailers are unique and it could be an interesting addition to the November lineup. * Drummer Boy (Theat...

  Week 8: Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 24 Season Record: 6-2 (4-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter with second left, Patrick Mahomes dropped back on Fourth and Goal and took a sack, ending the game. Recap: There are good games and there are tense games, and this was kind of a combination of both in the second half. In the first half, it was ugly. And, for a time, I wondered if the Broncos were just going to let the Chiefs sweep them this year and end up losing a chance for the division. But the defense rallied, contained Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker, and the offense managed to find itself. It came down to the last play, but a battle for first place probably should. The Broncos are now 6-2, and in first place. With a win against the Panthers next week, the Broncos would head into a bye week on a high note. Let's hope they can keep it up and keep getting the offense going a little bit, too. Game Balls: * Jonah Coleman. The Broncos' rookie showed his skill w...