Matt's Musings

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 classic thriller. Max Cady : It's not necessary to lay a foul tongue on me my friend. I could get upset. Things could get out of hand. Then in self defense, I could do something to you that you would not like, right here. Cape Fear Starring : Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Juliette Lewis Director : Martin Scorsese About: The ultimate compliment to a film is not its enduring legacy, but the way it's remembered in culture and other media. When I think of this film, I can't help but think of all the times The Simpsons has ripped it off with Sideshow Bob. It's a credit to the look, feel, and tone of this film, as well as the work from Scorsese and the Max Cady created by De Niro. This wasn't the first time the story was adapted, and we even got a new take this year, but ...

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. Stella : Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence. Rear Window (1954) Original List Position : 42 Starring : Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Wendell Corey Director : Alfred Hitchcock About: This is another entry from Hitchcock. It's not the last one on this list, but it's pretty good. This is a classic that has been re-made a few times, but none quite capture what is done here with Stewart and Kelly. I really enjoy the look and the feel, and the way Hitchcock builds the tension here. This is the best of Stewart's roles in a Hitchcock film, too. It was No. 42 on the original list and slipped to No. 48 a decade lat...

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. Sam Spade: When a man's partner is killed, he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner and you're supposed to do something about it. And it happens we're in the detective business. Well, when one of your organization gets killed, it's-it's bad business to let the killer get away with it, bad all around, bad for every detective everywhere. The Maltese Falcon (1941) Original List Position : 23 Starring : Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Gladys George Director : John Huston About: This is a classic in the noir detective space. It landed at No. 23 on the original list...

 Week 8 of the NFL Season is here. I picked up my record in Week 7, let's stay hot in Week 8! NFL Picks, Week 8: Packers Over Panthers Bills Over Ravens Bengals Over Titans Cowboys Over Cardinals Lions Over Vikings Raiders Over Jets Steelers Over Browns Buccaneers Over Falcons Jaguars Over Colts Rams Over Chargers Broncos Over Chiefs Patriots Over Dolphins Commanders Over Eagles Seahawks Over Bears Last Week : 9-5 Season : 62-44 NFL Picks Spread, Week 8: Packers -3.5 Over Panthers Bills -3.5 Over Ravens Bengals -10.5 Over Titans Cowboys -6.5 Over Cardinals Lions -2.5 Over Vikings Raiders -1.5 Over Jets Browns +3.5 Over Steelers Buccaneers -2.5 Over Falcons Jaguars -7.5 Over Colts Chargers +6.5 Over Rams Broncos +1.5 Over Chiefs Patriots -6.5 Over Dolphins Eagles +3.5 Over Commanders Bears +3.5 Over Seahawks Last Week: 7-7 Season: 56-51

 It was another solid week at theaters with a diverse set of new releases. 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. Whalefall (Theaters) Starring: Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin Synopsis: There are things in our life that stick with us. Sometimes it’s for the good, and sometimes it’s events and relationships that haunt us. It can often take something big to break through and move on, to make peace with the past. Whalefall, which is based on the novel of the same name, is an extreme example of that. While its hook is a man trying to survive the unsurvivable, its core is about a meditation on grief, loss, and acceptance. That’s what makes it a powerful journey. Jay (Austin Abrams) is lost in his life. His father, Mitt (Josh Brolin), was a great diver but a hard man. He imparted both his knowledge and his hardness on his son. Now a year on from his death, Jay is still stuck with pai...

 We’re near the end of October and the rate of new shows is slowing as we hit the home stretch for the Fall. But you might be wondering 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. Tuesdays: Phony, Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered October 20) About: This new show is an interesting high-concept series. It focuses on Sonny (Sam Nivola), who is a high school student living a happy life with his mother (Connie Britton), the high school principal. After a fight, Sonny is driving when he gets into an accident. When he wakes up from the accident, he sees his mother. Except she looks different and acts a little different. He begins to suspect she’s been replaced. But he’s practically the only one who sees or believes it. So, he sets out to find the truth. This series comes from Nick Paley and runs about 30 minutes an episode. T...