Matt's Musings

This weekend brought a couple interesting new releases, as well as a fascinating documentary feature. Below is my take on all the new movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Everyone is Lying to You for Money (Limited) Synopsis: I remember when I first saw Ben McKenzie. I watched the pilot for The O.C., and subsequently followed the run of the series. Turns out I’m not the only one who remembers McKenzie fondly from that series. In fact, it’s one of the charming jokes that kicks off his new documentary, Everyone is Lying to You for Money, which opens in limited release Friday. Before starring as Ryan Atwood, McKenzie earned a college degree in economics. So, when a friend suggested crypto currency, he decided to give it a look. What he found alarmed him, so McKenzie decided to dig deeper and raise the alarm. That led to hiring a crew and filming this documentary. That documentary dives deep into the world of c...

 We’re making our way through April and closing in on the Emmy consideration window. That means some high-profile new series are dropping just in time, but which of them are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Margot’s Got Money Troubles, Wednesdays on Apple TV (Premiered April 15) About: This new series comes from David E. Kelley based on the novel of the same name from Rufi Thorpe. It features Elle Fanning as Margot Millet. At the outset, she’s a talented writer at a small college in Fullerton. She receives special guidance from her professor, Mark (Michael Angarano). Soon, an affair blooms despite the fact Mark is married and has a family. When Margot ends up pregnant, it throws her life into turmoil. Mark cuts her off, so she leans on her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her father (Nick Offerman), a former wrestler and recov...

We're rapidly approaching Summer at the Box Office. The Summer Movie Season typically kicks off with the first Friday in May and runs through August. The next two weeks, I'll be previewing the Summer of 2026. Last week, I look at five films I'm anticipating from May and June. Today, it will be five from July and August. July Releases: * Moana (July 10): We've seen two different animated takes on Moana, but now we get a live-action version. Can they capture the same wonder? I loved the trailer, so it's possible. * The Odyssey (July 17): This is the movie event of the summer, perhaps of the year. Christopher Nolan doesn't miss, and I'm incredibly hyped to see this story play out on the big screen. * Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31): All three Tom Holland films have been great. We got left in a dim place for Peter Parker after the last one, and I'm excited to see how this picks up. July is full of bangers. Other July Releases: Minions & Monsters (...

It's hard to believe, but 2006 was 20 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2006 that are turning 20 in 2026. Today, it's a classic Superhero film. Superman : I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one. Superman Returns Starring : Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey Director : Bryan Singer About: I get it, this probably isn't a memorable film for many. It hasn't aged well in part to the work of Spacey and Singer, who are problematic creators. And yet, it remains my favorite Superman film. I love Routh in the role. I love the story. I love how it weaves in actual audio from the original and takes the story into a new place. I think Spacey is great as Lex Luthor, even if I don't want to spend any personal time with him. This is a superhero film that, for me, is vastly under-rated. I would have liked to see where it would have gone fr...

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. Margo : Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night! All About Eve (1950) Original List Position : 16 Starring : Bette Davis, Anne Cunningham, and George Sanders Director : Joseph L. Mankiewicz About : This is a classic film that won six Oscars, including Best Picture. Ironically, Davis was nominated by didn't win an Oscar. And yet, if you were to ask people what they most remember about this film decades later, the first thing to come to mind would likely be Davis and her performance. She plays an aging star and it's a bit of an over-the-top performance. I thought this was an interesting and engaging film when I saw it, but I don't love ...

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. Tom Joad : Then it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready, and when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build - I'll be there, too. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Original List Position : 21 Starring : Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, and John Carradine Director: John Ford About...