Matt's Musings

Last weekend we saw another big blockbuster in Solo: A Star Wars Story . projections had its weekend take between $130-$140 million. It took in $103 over four days. Needless to say, that wreaked havoc in the Fantasy Movie League competition. I correctly guessed there was value in Overboard and Life of the Party , with the former being the Best Value and the latter being the second best. Pairing those with Solo Sunday x2 gave me $13 million over the Most Popular Cineplex. But the Perfect Cineplex went with Avengers: Infinity War , Book Club x5, and Overboard x2. So I was close, but Solo did me in. If last weekend was a challenge, this week is an even bigger question mark. It’s the start of the new Summer Season (a 13-week competition), and there are three new releases. But none are expected to be atop the Box Office, and it creates a big challenge to find the Best Value in order to win. Let’s consider the options. New at the Box Office: There are five new options...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Solo: A Star Wars Story Starring: Aldon  Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Paul Bettany, and Donald Glover Synopsis: "Star Wars" films are events. Or, at least they used to be. This is now the fourth new "Star Wars" film in as many years, and it's fair to wonder if we're getting some creative and audience fatigue. "Solo" had a lot of promise. Han Solo, originated by Harrison Ford, has long been among the favorite, if not THE favorite, "Star Wars" character of all time. Yet his background and backstory remained somewhat a mystery. When Disney bought Lucasfilm and first announced a "Solo" movie, it seemed like a no-brainer. But the production was troubled. There were rumors of difficulty in getting performances, and original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were removed mid-way through production. So the "Solo" we are seeing is what was cobble...

We're in a weird transitory phase of summer TV. There are big premiers coming, even starting this week, but for now, it's been a trickle. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Picnic at Hanging Rock, Now Streaming on Amazon Prime (Premiered May 25) About: The latest series on Amazon is a streaming series from Australia — a series version of the famous novel/movie "Picnic at Hanging Rock." It stars Natalie Dormer as the headmistress of a school where four women disappear while on a picnic on Valentine's Day in 1900. I never read the book or saw the movie from Peter Weir, so I came into this adaptation cold in terms of story. And it was interesting to watch the beginning, which suggests a fascinating supernatural element to the story. But the remainder of episode one and all of episode two were a bit dry to me. I could see the cliff...

"Westworld" began its second season on April 22. The series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, is based on the film from Michael Crichton, and is poised to be HBO's next big dramatic series. Each week I'll be exploring the episodes through recaps of season two. "We each deserve to choose our fate. Even if that fate is death." — Maeve, "Westworld" We are at Memorial Day Weekend. In addition to being the unofficial kick-off to summer, it's a time when we pause and reflect on all those that sacrificed so much for our freedom. The freedom for self determination is a hard fought right that's the bedrock of America. And it felt fitting, in some ways, that the fight for self determination was a major theme in last night's "Westworld." Maeve (Thandie Newton) has arguably been the best and most compelling character this season. And Newton has given the best and most engaging performance. She's really sunk into the c...

When is being on track to make $100 million opening weekend a disappointment? When your film has "Star Wars" in its title. It's Memorial Day Weekend, meaning the Box Office gets an extra day to pad its stats and still, "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is underwhelming projections. I've seen it — and will review it Wednesday — and it's fine. It's arguably the weakest of the new wave of "Star Wars" films but better than the prequels. It's entertaining and not quite the train wreck that some of the production press led you to believe. But it's not a revelation, either. And coming only about five months after "The Last Jedi," which was a masterpiece, that's not good enough. Projections prior to the weekend had the film in the range of $133-$146 million, but so far it has underwhelmed. It will be No. 1 at the Box Office, and as I said should still make it to $100 million. But the question is what does this mean for the Gold...

Earlier in March I discussed a series of 10 posts on the best winners for Best Picture since 1970. Each Saturday for the past 10 weeks I've been counting down my favorites and discussing the rationale. As always, if you have thoughts, or other favorites, please feel free to comment and share. The Godfather (1972) Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, John Cazale, and Robert Duvall Director: Francis Ford Coppola About: We've come to the end of the countdown, and we're back where we started in the 1970s. "The Godfather" didn't win the most total awards of films on this list, but it's arguably the most enduring and the most respected. It won a total of three Academy Awards — Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Coppola and Mario Puzo). It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and could have won many more. Arguably it should have won for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor at least, too. But this isn't about a...

We're turning the corner into June, meaning we've hit the meat of the summer movie season. Here's a look at what to expect as the days get longer and the temperatures get warmer. Friday, June 1: Adrift — This latest film from Sam Claflin and Shailene Woodley is about a couple who try to sail a boat across the open ocean but hit a hurricane instead. It looks harrowing, and like the kind of deeper film we occasionally see in the summer. Action Point — This action comedy starring Johnny Knoxville is about a local carnival that isn't exactly OSHA approved. This is a combination of scripted comedy and Knoxville's "Jackass" format. Upgrade — Logan Marshall Green stars as a man who gets a boost from technology in this futuristic thriller. It looks a little strange and has slid under the radar a bit. Friday, June 8: Ocean's 8 — One of the biggest comedies of the summer, this is an expansion of the "Ocean's 11" world as Sandra Bullock ...

We’ve reached Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer. School is out (for most), the days are warm (for most) and barbecues are plentiful. It’s also a time for big tent poles at the Box Office, which is true of 2018 as well with the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story . The production was fraught, and this is the first of the new Star Wars films to jump out of December into summer, so it’s fair to have some questions. But it’s still a Star Wars movie, so it’ll be huge. More on that in a minute. Last week we all knew Deadpool 2 , which was in daily scoring, would be the top of the Box Office heap, but the question was what would be the Best Value. I bet on counter-programming and went with a lady — specifically Melissa McCarthy and Life of the Party . And that one did OK. But the real stars of the show were the ladies of Book Club , which took the Best Value and led the way, alongside a screen of Deadpool 2 , to the top of the Fantasy Movie League heap. So better l...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Deadpool 2 Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz, Karan Soni, and T.J. Miller Synopsis: When Reynolds first appeared as Deadpool in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," no one could have guessed where it would end up. Even Reynolds. But that performance is a far cry from what the world got in the first solo "Deadpool" outing in 2016. It was a hard-R-rated romp that broke records at the Box Office. It wasn't long until a sequel was announced — this time a big summer movie outing. And since 2018 is the Summer of Brolin (as in Josh Brolin), he is naturally in the second blockbuster of the season. After playing Thanos in "Infinity War," Brolin stars as Cable, the super warrior from the future who comes back in time to save his family. At first, that puts him at odds with Deadpool (Reynolds), who is protecting a snotty kid (Julian Dennison) who has a chip on his shoulder and a f...

Network Upfronts are behind us, most of the finales have taken place and summer shows are just starting to roll out. In these weekly posts I take a look at the pilot and second episodes of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Saturday Nights: Patrick Melrose, Saturdays at 9 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered May 12) About: This new limited series is an expansion of Showtime programming. Last week I touched on the pilot and the idea that I thought the plot was a little rough at times. That was balanced out, to a certain degree, by the fine work of Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. He is a gifted physical actor, and the work he does in conveying drug addiction is very strong in the pilot. But, as I noted, the story wasn't that engaging for me. Ironically the second episode dips back in time to show the traumatic events in Patrick's childhood that helped fuel his issues — and his rage at his father (Hugo Weaving). There...

"Westworld" began its second season on April 22. The series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, is based on the film from Michael Crichton, and is poised to be HBO's next big dramatic series. Each week I'll be exploring the episodes through recaps of season two. "I did see you, Teddy. These past few days, I've seen you so clearly. And I've seen you're not going to make it." — Delores, "Westworld." As we've reached the half-way point of the season, pieces are falling into place in "Westworld." Sunday's episode was fascinating for a few reasons, but it did only a little to advance the overall arc of the season — or so it would seem. Much of the hour was devoted to Maeve (Thandie Newton) and her crew moving into Shogun World. There we saw that the writers frequently recycled stories (or at least key personality traits) in the other worlds. And we got to see a new society, and some new powers for Maeve, who ...

Earlier in March I discussed a series of 10 posts on the best winners for Best Picture since 1970. Each Saturday for the next two weeks I'll be counting down my favorites and discussing the rationale. As always, if you have thoughts, or other favorites, please feel free to comment and share. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Starring : Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, and Ted Levine Director: Jonathan Demme About: Earlier in this countdown I talked about "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest," and how it was one of only three films in American history to sweep the five big awards. "The Silence of the Lambs" is another. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris, this film is actually a sequel of sorts. In 1986 Michael Mann debuted "Manhunter," which was an adaptation of Harris' novel "Red Dragon." Though that film had similar characters, Jack Crawford and Hannibal Lecter, it had a totally different cast. "The Silence of the Lambs...

This week, as part of the annual Upfronts Presentation, networks unveiled their new fall schedules, including all the new shows. This fall there will be 17 new scripted series, two new reality series, and two re-boots ("Murphy Brown" and "Last Man Standing") hitting the air this fall. That's plenty of new stuff to consider. Now that the schedules are out, you can check out my thoughts on each individual network's offerings. But in this post, I'm going to highlight the five new shows I thought looked promising, and the three to avoid. I limited it to just the 17 new scripted series (not including the re-boots with original casts). This will likely change over the coming months, but if you want to see the full schedule and check out all the trailers for yourself, click here . Most Promising New Shows: 1. All-American, The CW Wednesdays at 9 p.m. About: This show is about a talented football player in a poor Southern California neighborhood that ...

We have reached Upfronts Week, a time when hope springs eternal and networks unveil their fall schedules, including all their new shows. Each day during Upfronts Week I'll be taking a look at the network schedules and pointing out a few things, in addition to give thoughts on some new shows. Today we continue with The CW. The CW is the little network that can. It's the "fifth" major network, but it's also often fifth in the ratings on a given night. Still, it's found a groove with some critically adored dramas and a set of superhero shows. And, for this season, The CW is expanding its network footprint, which is fascinating and exciting. But with a number of critical darlings ("Jane The Virgin," "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend") entering their final season, what can The CW do to build its network brand? Best Scheduling Move: This one is easy for me, it's expanding into Sunday nights. By and large, Sunday is a more watched night of TV (parti...

We’re deep into May, graduations are taking place, the days are warmer and we’re starting to see the big blockbusters of summer lining up. After a couple quieter weeks following the release of Avengers: Infinity War , we have our next big summer tentpole in Deadpool 2, which opens tomorrow (or tonight if we’re being technical). But first, let’s consider last week. I liked the odds of A Quiet Place being a sneaky value, and it was close. But Ready Player One earned that honor. However, that wasn’t a factor in the Perfect Cineplex, which was Breaking In x7 and A Quiet Place , seizing on the low price and strong Box Office for Breaking In . I went Avengers and A Quiet Place x7 and was more than $20 million off. It happens. This week, there are six new entries in the game. That’s because we’re seeing the return of daily scoring for Deadpool 2 , which accounts for three new options, in addition to three other new movies. Let’s consider our options. New at the Box Office...

We have reached Upfronts Week, a time when hope springs eternal and networks unveil their fall schedules, including all their new shows. Each day during Upfronts Week I'll be taking a look at the network schedules and pointing out a few things, in addition to give thoughts on some new shows. Today we continue with CBS. For a long time, CBS has been the standard for networks. And while it's still a solid bet, some cracks are showing in its armor. The CBS Monday night lineup pretty much flopped. The network lost Thursday Night Football, and hits like "The Big Bang Theory" and "Survivor" are showing their age. So, too, are dramas like "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds." In other words, CBS can use an infusion of new blood. Which is what makes their new fall schedule so interesting. Best Scheduling Move: "NCIS" is aging, and isn't the ratings juggernaut it once was, but it's still a safe platform from which to launch a new d...

Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week. Life of the Party Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Gillian Jacobs, Julie Bowen, Stephen Root, and Molly Gordon Synopsis: Imagine being a woman in her middle years who devoted the better part of her 20s and all her 30s to supporting her husband and raising her daughter only to see it all go up in smoke when her husband tells her it's over. He's found a more exciting woman and he's ready to move on. Imagine being a college senior, trying to savor your last year of freedom and being young and unencumbered, then realizing you'll be going to school and sharing a social life with your mom. Both those sound a bit like nightmare scenarios. And both those scenarios sit at the heart of "Life of the Party," a new comedy that arrived in theaters just in time for Mother's Day. In it Deanna (McCarthy) has just dropped her daughter off for senior year and is looking forward to a four-week Italian vacatio...

We have reached Upfronts Week, a time when hope springs eternal and networks unveil their fall schedules, including all their new shows. Each day during Upfronts Week I'll be taking a look at the network schedules and pointing out a few things, in addition to give thoughts on some new shows. Today we continue with ABC. Of all the networks, ABC might be the most stable coming into Upfronts. They have found success with comedy blocks on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and their re-launch of "Roseanne" this March was the most successful scripted venture of the season. While they had to clear out some old shows ("Once Upon A Time" is over, "Agents of Shield" is moving to summer), and they big farewell to an under-rated gem in "The Middle," ABC still has a strong core of shows. And their lineup for the Fall reflects some stability and a network identity, one that has never been propped up by sports. It will be interesting to see how that contin...

We're near the end of the broadcast season, but new shows are still debuting as we transition to summer. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Saturday Nights: Patrick Melrose, Saturdays at 9 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered May 12) About: Based on the novels by Patrick St. Aubyn, "Patrick Melrose" is a limited series about a wealthy Brit named Patrick (Benedict Cumberbatch) who is living a life of excess, and excessive drug use, in the 1980s. In the premier he's called to New York after his father passes, which leads to a somewhat debautched weekend in America. He gets there trying to kick heroine, but things go pear-shaped in a hurry in the first hour. This series does a couple of things. First, it's an expansion of original programming for Showtime into another night. It will be interesting to see if this limited series is the first of a mov...

We have reached Upfronts Week, a time when hope springs eternal and networks unveil their fall schedules, including all their new shows. Each day during Upfronts Week I'll be taking a look at the network schedules and pointing out a few things, in addition to give thoughts on some new shows. Today we continue with FOX. It's fair to say no network coming into Upfronts faced more challenges than FOX. They are in the midst of seeing a lot of their studio and production sold off, which leaves real questions about the future. And they lack a strong ratings presence and network identity. In fact, the most recognizable show for the network, "American Idol," is now airing on ABC. And their big hit from a couple years ago, "Empire," is showing its age. But FOX acquired Thursday Night Football, which not only should give them an overall ratings boost but limits their exposure to low-rated content during the week. Still, it's a brave new world for FOX, which s...

"Westworld" began its second season on April 22. The series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, is based on the film from Michael Crichton, and is poised to be HBO's next big dramatic series. Each week I'll be exploring the episodes through recaps of season two. "You think death favors you, that it brought you back. But death's decisions are final. It's only the living are inconstant, they waver, don't know who they are or what they want. Death is always true. You haven't known a true thing in all your life. You think you know death, but you don't." - William, "Westworld" While some of the aims of the characters and goals are more straightforward, the way "Westworld" is told remains similar to season one. There are interesting shifts on the time line, big reveals, and it's all moving, deliberately but not fast, toward a big showdown. And much like with other large ensemble shows, such as "Game of ...

We have reached Upfronts Week, a time when hope springs eternal and networks unveil their fall schedules, including all their new shows. Each day during Upfronts Week I'll be taking a look at the network schedules and pointing out a few things, in addition to give thoughts on some new shows. Today we kick-off with NBC. NBC has a couple things going for it. "The Voice" is still one of the best rated reality series, and "This Is Us" remained one of the top rated scripted series in its second year. The network has some stable veterans in "Law & Order: SVU," and its Chicago series, and it still has football. Though not as much football, since NBC (and CBS) lost out on Thursday Night Football. So let's see what they're looking at in 2018-19. Best Scheduling Move The Chicago series (Med, Fire and PD) have a solid fanbase and a large, inter-connected story network. NBC has tried moving them to different spots on the schedule, including putt...