Matt's Musings

Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week. Avengers: Endgame Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, Karan Gillan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Chadwick Boseman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Danai Gurira, Evangeline Lilly, and Tessa Thompson Synopsis : You see that paragraph up above, that doesn't even really include all the names of people in this film. Essentially, anyone who was ever in any Marvel Cinematic Universe film was in this film in some way. For the most part anyway. That's why it's over three hours long. But it's the capstone to an endeavor that began in May 2008 and spans an impressive 22 films. It's an inter-locking mythology that came to a conclusion with this highly anticipated film. The movie broke Box Office records, kicked off the summer movie season...

“Theon you’re a good man. Thank you.”  — Bran The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones kicked off on Sunday, April 14. Each week during the final season I’ll recap episodes, look at highlights and make predictions for what’s to come. We knew it was coming, and still it managed to be both devastating and surprising. Jon (Kit Harrington) has been saying the great war is here for so long it was easy to wonder when and if it would really arrive. But after last week’s beautifully sweet episode set the table, we knew the battle would arrive this Sunday. And arrive it did. Miguel Sapochnik, who previously gave us masterfully intense episodes like “Hardhome,” “Battle of the Bastards” and “Winds of Winter” was given the reigns for this third episode of the final season. At 82 minutes, it is the longest episode in the show’s history. And possibly the most anticipated as the Night King brought his forces to Winterfell to square off against pretty much every character left we care...

The NFL Draft is always a big time for teams, as they grab the players they hope will help define the team’s success for years to come. The Broncos had an interesting three days, making a handful of trades and coming aways with six picks. Let’s take a look at what we got. Pick 20: Noah Fant, TE Iowa About : After trading back from Pick 10, the Broncos landed a great tight end prospect with their first round pick. Fant put up solid numbers as a two-year starter for Iowa, going for 30 receptions, 494 yards and 11 TDs in 2017 and adding 39 receptions for 519 yards and seven TDs in 2018 . The new Broncos QB, Joe Flacco, likes using tight ends, and the Broncos had a hole there. I feel like Fant is more of a luxury pick than a need, but he could really add another dimension to the Broncos’ offense. Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt are still on the roster, but neither has really taken the role and run with it. Fant could easily be a starter Week 1, and joining young receivers Courtland Sutton a...

While "Avengers: Endgame" is kicking off the summer movie season this weekend, Summer at the movies really begins with May. We're here, time to see what awaits us! Friday, May 3: The Intruder —Well, I guess we can just watch "Avengers" again... This weird psychological thriller features Michael Ealy and Dennis Quaid. Both can and should be in better movies. Long Shot —Summer is always a sneaky good time for comedies, and this one with Charlize Theron as a high-profile politician and Seth Rogen as her new beau looks like a winner. Sign me up. Ugly Dolls —And one for the kiddos. This animated feature looks a little weird to me. It's been a great year for animated films, and this one boasts a good cast and soundtrack, but consider me skeptical. The Last Summer —Yes, this is a Netflix release. But it features teen stars like Maia Mitchell and KJ Apa, so it could be an appealing option for a certain demographic. Friday, May 10: The Hustle —This comed...

If Sunday’s second episode was one of the best in the show’s history, it’s because we saw all our favorite characters together having some beautiful moments. The shadow of war and death loomed large, but it was an hour that spent so much time giving us beautiful character beats and moments. But by the end, we knew it wasn’t meant to last. When Podrick (Daniel Portman) began singing, I was a puddle knowing we were going to see some of these characters for the final time. We have long known an epic battle was coming. At 82 minutes, Sunday’s third episode of season eight is the longest in the show’s history. The cast and crew shot the battle over 55 straight nights, and Miguel Sapochnick, who gave us “Battle of the Bastards,” “Winds of Winter” and “Hardhome” is helming the episode. So, you know it will be epic and the biggest thing the show has done. It will also likely be one of the most painful. There is a lot to unpack, so here is me diving into some of what we might see on ...

So last week was really a bummer. I thought Shazam! would be the best anchor, but I also believed in the power of nature — and cuteness — by betting on those Disney Penguins . Well, Shazam! was a solid anchor, but it was another superhero —  Captain Marvel  — that provided the best value. And my Penguins flopped, as did my Cineplex. Well this week it all about superheroes again. Summer unofficially kicks off at the movies as Avengers: Endgame opens in theaters. The film is already breaking records and should be the biggest opening of the year. As expected, that means daily scoring, which adds a new wrinkle. So you’ll want a piece of the Avengers , but what else can help lead you to victory. It’s time to dive in.  As always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encourage you to join me in a Fantasy Life App Blog league! You can join the league here . And if you’d like to play against TMR himself, Matthew Berry, you have a bit of time left to sign up HERE ...

The NFL Draft is finally upon us. The Broncos hold pick 10 in the first round, and there are a few likely options among the elite prospects in this draft. Below I break down the options and why they may or may not happen. Draft a Quarterback The Case: The Broncos need a quarterback of the future. Joe Flacco is in town now, but he’s 34 and coming off a few injuries. He’s got some time left, but the Broncos need a long-term plan. And Garrett Grayson and Kevin Hogan (the team’s only other QBs) aren’t likely it. Possible Options: Kyler Murray, the Heisman winner out of Oklahoma, is viewed by many to be the best QB option, and is likely gone by pick 10. But the Broncos could see either Dwayne Haskins, the man who went for 50 TDs and nearly 5,000 yards at Ohio State, or the senior from Missouri, Drew Lock, at pick 10. The question is whether they believe in either, or whether they think Flacco can do his best work with a high-value draft pick coming in right away and breathing down...

We're nearly to May, but we're still getting new Winter/Spring TV offerings. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series during the back half of the TV Season. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Gentleman Jack, Mondays at 10 a.m. on HBO (Premiered April 22) About: HBO has long had a strong presence on Sunday nights. Of late, they're looking to expand their original content to Monday nights, too. In this new one, Suranne Jones stars as Anne Lister, who returns to her home in West Yorkshire in 1832 and makes a splash. The pilot laid out the world and the characters, including Lister's different way of looking at the world that made her a curiosity in the male-dominated culture of the time. Jones is quite good in the role, and those who like period pieces and these kind of stories will likely be drawn to the narrative. However, the first episode was a bit dry and if this isn't your fa...

“My name—my real name—is Aegon Targaryen.”  — Jon Snow The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones kicked off on Sunday, April 14. Each week during the final season I’ll recap episodes, look at highlights and make predictions for what’s to come. Last week the producers said the truth of Jon’s true identity an parentage was the most incendiary secret in the world of the show. Last week, to end the episode we saw Sam (John Bradley) finally tell Jon (Kit Harrington) the truth of who he really is. In the second episode, Jon shared that truth with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). And yet, that was just one of at least a dozen breath-taking moments in an incredibly packed episode. Next week we know war is coming, but in the second episode, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” we got the calm before the storm. A hallmark of great war movies is the battles, but more importantly it’s the quieter moments before that show the heart of these characters and make you buy into them all the mo...

"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” — Mark 16:5-7 Today is Easter Sunday, one of the most important dates on the calendar. Today we remember and celebrate Jesus' victory over death. As I do most Easters, I like to think about the words of one of my favorite songs. I leave it for you below. Happy Easter. He is Risen! In strength You reign Forever let Your church proclaim Christ is risen from the dead Trampling over death by death Come awake, come awake Come and rise up from the grave Christ is risen from the dead We are one with Him again Come awake, come awake Come and rise up from the grave...

Miles: Because I don't want to know anymore. I don't care. Is that crazy? Arthur: No. That is faith. In the end, all their guesses were wrong. In the end they didn't find who created and runs the God Account. In the end it didn't matter—not to Miles (Brandon Michael Hall) or Cara (Violet Beane). They are doing good work, and it's work they love, and they want that to continue. I have long said I didn't care who ran the God Account. It was the faith it re-ignited in Miles that was of interest to me. And it felt special that in the final episode Miles ran across the man, Hassan, who was among the first to recognize the special call in Miles' life. "You may not believe in God, but God believes in you," he told Miles. It was beautiful and stirring to me in that moment, and it remains so now, especially give how we've seen Miles grow. Is he a devout believer? No, and that's OK. His closing podcast opposite his father—the newly ret...

Game of Thrones returned for its eighth and final season on Sunday. The first episode, “Winterfell,” provided plenty of key moments to consider. If you want more of a reaction to the specifics of that episode, check out my recap here . For the next few weeks I’ll be diving in on Fridays with a look at what we might see — and what I hope to see — in the upcoming episode. This second episode is 56 minutes, and likely won’t be THE battle. Or really any kind of major battle. At least that’s my thought. But as we ended the premier episode, we got the arrival of Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) to Winterfell. And while not much happened, beyond a silent stare from Bran ( Isaac Hempstead Wright), that all figures to change in episode two. Jamie at Winterfell If you saw the previews for the second episode, you know that Jamie will end up facing Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). The preview showcases that she brings up the fact Jamie killed her father, which seems ominous. And som...

Call it the calm before the storm — or is that the calm before The Avengers. Either way, this figures to be a slow weekend. Between Easter and a slate of uninspiring new releases, the projections aren’t that high. And yet, with five new films in the game, the pool of movies that are relevant is so huge, that splits the pie even more. But more on the newbies in a minute. Last week I thought Little offered some value as an anchor and After would be strong value candidate. Instead, Shazam! held up better than expected as a good anchor, and Unplanned was the Best Value. So my Cineplex was left out in the cold. With this big, spread out weeks, it’s all about nailing the value. It didn’t happen for me last week, but this is a new week. As always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encourage you to join me in a Fantasy Life App Blog league! You can join the league here . And if you’d like to play against TMR himself, Matthew Berry, you have a bit of time left to ...