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. Elliott: You must be dead, because I don't know how to feel. I can't feel anything anymore. E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982) Original List Position: 25 Starring: Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, and Drew Barrymore Director: Steven Spielberg About: This film was originally No. 25 on the list. When it came out 10 years later, it moved to No. 24. I have it higher than that. In part, that's because of my age and generation. I am a child of the 1980s and I grew up on Steven Spielberg films. This is one of his early films and a classic. There is so much heart and it has such a great story. It has remained a part of the culture all this time and I think it wi...

I had a strong Week 9 and now I'm trying to keep is going strong in Week 10. NFL Picks, Week 10 : Giants Over Commanders Lions Over Patriots Chiefs Over Falcons Texans Over Browns Packers Over Vikings Jaguars Over Titans Colts Over Dolphins\ Saints Over Panthers Bills Over Jets Seahawks Over Raiders Rams Over Cardinals 49ers Over Cowboys Bengals Over Steelers Ravens Over Chargers Last Week : 13-2 Season : 87-48 NFL Picks Spread, Week 10 : Giants -1.5 Over Commanders Lions -2.5 Over Patriots Chiefs -3.5 Over Falcons Texans -4.5 Over Browns Vikings +3.5 Over Packers Jaguars -9.5 Over Titans Dolphins +2.5 Over Colts Saints -1.5 Over Panthers Bills -7.5 Over Jets Raiders +3.5 Over Seahawks Cardinals +7.5 Over Rams 49ers -4.5 Over Cowboys Steelers +3.5 Over Bengals Ravens -4.5 Over Chargers Last Week : 9-6 Season : 73-63

  It was a fun set of new releases on the first weekend in November. Below is a look at the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Fatherland (Theaters) Starring: Sandra Huller and Hanns Zischler Synopsis: No one makes as big an impact on you as family. The people you grow up with help shape your view of the world and the future. Sometimes that sends you down a positive path. Sometimes it creates an expectation or a standard that leaves you feeling behind all your life. Fatherland, a new film set in Germany in the aftermath of World War II, certainly explores those ideas. On the surface, it’s a simple tale of a father and daughter on a publicity tour. But a lot is wrapped up in the experience, subtext, and relationships. We open with Klaus (August Diehl) having a frank heart-to-heart with his sister, Erika (Sandra Huller). It’s clear that he’s struggling. He is not only struggling with his life and pu...

  As we make our way through November, the number of new shows is dropping. But the amount of time you have for new shows might also be dropping. 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 series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Bass x Machina, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered November 3) About: This new series is an adult, animated series. It is set in the old west, but it’s an alternative old west where the culture is dominated by new technology. Still, the same danger and the same rough country exists. Into all that comes Bass Reeves (Brian Tyree Henry), who is a bounty hunter. He was injured in the war, losing an arm that’s been replaced with a technologically advanced arm that he can use as a weapon. He wants to retire to care for his family, but he needs money. So, he agrees to one last job to find a scientist lost in th...

  Week 9: Denver Broncos 26, Carolina Panthers 21 Season Record: 7-2 (4-0 home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos us five points, Nik Bonitto cam around the outside and forced a fumble from Bryce Young and then recovered it, sealing the victory. Recap: The Broncos wrapped up the first half of the season with another win, remaining in first place in the AFC West going into their bye week. That's the good news. The team has gotten some offense going a little the past few weeks, which is also encouraging. The Broncos are surviving injuries and playing strong. Hopefully following the bye week the team will keep going along strong. Game Balls: * Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant . No Waddle, no problem. Each of these receivers had a handful of catches and a touchdown. * Jonah Coleman. The rookie back seems to keep going strong, adding another touchdown. * Devon Key . The safety had an amazing interception that helped turn the tide of the game.

It's hard to believe, but 1991 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1991 that are turning 35 in 2026. Today, it's a stirring drama. Furious Styles: Any fool with a dick can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children. Boyz n the Hood Starring : Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Director: John Singleton About: We're turning the page this week and looking at a stirring drama. This film, which is my favorite from Singleton, established him as a filmmaker with a vision and a knack for telling a story from a specific viewpoint and community. This is a great slice of life and culture in a specific time and place. It's also a timeless drama with themes that continue to resonate even three and a half decades after it was released. It's an emotional film that has created fans for decades and it's a great film to check out. It is one that everyone should see at least once.