Matt's Musings

Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Broncos 24 Season Record : 0-4 (0-2 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the team trailing 24-23, Gardner Minshew connected with Dede Westbrook on  32-yard strike to set them up at the Broncos' 27 yard line. The Jaguars ran the clock out and got a field goal from Josh Lambo as time expired to win the game. Recap: There were some good things that happened yesterday. The Broncos finally got a sack, in fact they got five of them. And the offense looked good at times, as Joe Flacco threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns. But in the end, it wasn't enough. And the Broncos lost their second home game of the year on a last-second field goal after the offense scored to give them a lead late. That's not promising. Nor is the 0-4 record. We're only in September and 2019 already feels like a lost season for the Broncos. And the road doesn't get any easier. In the remaining 12 games, the Broncos play the Chiefs and Chargers twice...

Sometimes movies just get you. "The Shawshank Redemption," first released in 1994, is one of those movies. It's a movie that's nearly universally beloved, and might easily be the best film we're going to look at during this run together. And the reason for that is simple—though it's set in a prison, it's the most hopeful film we'll look at in this class together. And hope is something we all crave. The story of how this film came to be is a fun one. A few weeks ago I noted that Darabont was a fan of Stephen King, and had originally sought to adapt The Mist as his directorial debut. Instead, he was given the opportunity to adapt this film. Darbont started his career making short films, as many do, as a way to get noticed and get a shot at directing feature films. The first film he wrote and directed was a short adaptation of Stephen King's The Woman in the Room, which made the semi-finalist list for Academy Award consideration in 1983. Although...

October is upon us, and the last three months of the year are often a time when we get some great and memorable films. This year should be no exception. Below is a look at five movies coming the next three months that I think will be must see events. The films appear in order of release! Joker—October 4 About: We've seen this character brought to life a number of times, and in some iconic ways. And I'll admit I was leery at the idea of Joker being the focal point of the entire film. Yet early reviews indicate that this Todd Phillips production, which features Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, is amazing. And in a year where we've seen some surprising gems, I'm excited to see how this all comes together. The trailers are the right kind of creepy and chilling, and I think the film could be as well. Ford v Ferrari—November 15 About: This biopic is about the development of a Ford that could win at Le Mans. It features Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby and Christian Bal...

We’ve seen, at times, a flurry of activity in September. That isn’t the case this week with just two new entries and one wide release to contend with. But that still gives us plenty to think about as we end the first month of Fall competition. And what a month it’s been. For me, last week was another where I was close, but not quite there. Ad Astra looked like the anchor value, especially across four screens. And it was — even if the film itself was a snooze to sit through. It was those other four screens that proved the difference, and it was there I was off a bit. I was better than the Most Popular Option, but not as good as the perfect option. Alas, that seems to be a trend for me this Fall. Maybe this weekend can help me change my luck. There are a couple new options in the game, but mostly the challenge as always is finding the right combination to create value. Let’s see if it happens for me in Week 4. As always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encour...

Last week was a tough one for both me and Lindsay, so we're still pretty tightly packed with a lot of season left to go. As always, her picks are in brackets. NFL Picks, Week 4: Packers Over Eagles (Packers) Falcons Over Titans (Falcons) Patriots Over Bills (Patriots) Ravens Over Browns (Ravens) Chiefs Over Lions (Lions) Colts Over Raiders (Raiders) Chargers Over Dolphins (Chargers) Giants Over Redskins (Redskins) Texans Over Panthers (Texans) Rams Over Buccaneers (Rams) Seahawks Over Cardinals (Cardinals) Bears Over Vikings (Bears) Broncos Over Jaguars (Jaguars) Cowboys Over Saints (Cowboys) Steelers Over Bengals (Steelers) Last Week : 9–7 Lindsay : 8-8 Season : 28–20 Lindsay : 27-21 NFL Picks Spread, Week 4: Eagles +4.5 Over Packers Titans +4.5 Over Falcons Bills +7.5 Over Patriots Ravens -6.5 Over Browns Chiefs -6.5 Over Lions Colts -6.5 Over Raiders Chargers -16.5 Over Dolphins Giants -3.5 Over Redskins Panthers +4.5 Over Texans Buccaneers ...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Ad Astra Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Liv Tyler Synopsis: This is a movie that was delayed and has gotten a big marketing push. It feels like the kind of movie that's aiming at awards, especially for its lead Brad Pitt. And he's incredibly good in this film. It's a difficult part, and he has to carry most of a long, dry, and often confused narrative. This was a movie that had a weird marketing campaign, but when you see it you understand it was a weird movie to try and market. Director James Gray has some nice touches, and everyone does a nice job, but this isn't exactly the kind of movie you think it's going to be, and it shows. It's got a plot that feels at times meandering, and despite a great job from Pitt it's often a slog to watch. His work is better than the odd vehicle he's provided. Rating:  PG-13 for some violence and bloody images, and for brief strong language. Verdict...

We've arrived at the new Fall season for networks. Last night was the beginning of the onslaught, as you'll see below. Buckle up, it's gonna be a wild ride the next couple months. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted (and sometimes unscripted) shows this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Bob Hearts Abishola, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS (Premiered September 23) About: Chuck Lorre has created a number of comedies for CBS, and this latest finds Bob (Billy Gardell), who suffers a heart attack as the series begins. And in its wake he takes stock of his life, including falling for his nurse, Nigerian immigrant Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku). This would hardly be the first show to feature an unconventional love story at its heart, but the pilot was a little dry. Gardell found success with Lorre and CBS before in "Mike and Molly," but this one feels like a bit more of a stretch. I ...

Week 3: Green Bay Packers 27, Broncos 16 Season Record: 0-3 (0-1 Home) Key Play: In the third quarter, with the Broncos trailing 17-10 and taking the first drive of the half, Joe Flacco connected with rookie TE Noah Fant, who fumbled. The ball went over to the Packers, who scored to make it 24-10. The Broncos never recovered. Recap: The Broncos are 0-3, and while there is plenty of blame to put around, it's difficult to make a case for laying it all at the feet of Flacco. He hasn't been incredible, but he's not the problem. The Broncos' vaunted defense has yet to record a sack or a turn over, and the offensive line allowed six sacks of Flacco on Sunday. The Broncos showed some sparks and flashes, but this is already a lost season and we're still in September. And there is plenty of blame to spread around. For now, it's about trying to get better and hoping this team can finally get a win when they host the Jaguars on Sunday. Game Balls: * Phillip Linds...

There is always going to be something lost in the translation of a book into a film, no matter how dedicated the team adapting in. But some lose more than others. When you take an 800-page book, one full of a lot of character introspection and back story, and try to adapt it into a two-hour film, you lose a lot of the story. And that's certainly the case with "Needful Things," which is one of King's great novels that turns into a paltry movie that leaves you scratching your head. Sure, the basic germs of the narrative are there, but the film is missing the depth and heart earned from the story, which is rich and complex, something no one would say of the film. The novel was published in 1991, and was the first King released after going through rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. It was also billed as the final novel set in Castle Rock, and for those that have read it and are familiar with his work, he makes many references throughout to people from other book...

The annual celebration of television excellence is Sunday Night. Below are my picks for who will win. More like brave dart throws. Best Comedy Series: Barry Fleabag The Good Place The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Russian Doll Schitt’s Creek Veep Prediction: There are a lot of ways this could go. "The Good Place" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" are good shows, and "Barry" could sneak in there. But I think this comes down to "VEEP," a favorite that wrapped its run and "Fleabag," which was very good in its second season. "Fleabag" should win, I think "VEEP" will win. Best Drama Series: Better Call Saul Bodyguard Game of Thrones Killing Eve Ozark Pose Succession This Is Us Prediction: There's a lot of possibilities here, but I think "Game of Thrones" will win because of it being the final season. I also thought it was better than most, so take that for what you will. Best Limi...

We’re on our third week of the Fall, and things get a little more interesting this week. Downton Abbey , the film follow up to the successful show, opens this weekend, as does the Brad Pitt film Ad Astra . And we still have Pennywise tromping around, and a pack of strippers led by Jennifer Lopez. In short, it’s getting crowded at the Box Office. But more on that in a minute. After a narrow miss on perfection in Week 1, I came hard after Week 2. Hustlers seemed to be the best anchor play, then I mixed in a number of other options, including some of Angel Has Fallen and The Lion King . Turned out Hustlers was not on the best anchor, it was the Best Value. And Angel Has Fallen and The Lion King were good values, too, I just didn’t grab enough of them. So I was close — closer than the Most Popular option — but I didn’t quite get there. Will this week be better? There are three new entries this week, plus we’ve got a double feature as Good Boys and The Lion King will share...

After two weeks, Lindsay and I are tied in picks. Time to see who takes a lead in Week 3. As always, Lindsay's picks are in brackets. NFL Picks, Week 3: Titans Over Jaguars (Titans) Falcons Over Colts (Falcons) Bills Over Bengals (Bills) Cowboys Over Dolphins (Cowboys) Packers Over Broncos (Packers) Eagles Over Lions (Lions) Chiefs Over Ravens (Chiefs) Vikings Over Raiders (Raiders) Patriots Over Jets (Patriots) Buccaneers Over Giants (Buccaneers) Cardinals Over Panthers (Cardinals) Seahawks Over Saints (Seahawks) 49ers Over Steelers (49ers) Chargers Over Texans (Chargers) Rams Over Browns (Browns) Bears Over Redskins (Bears) Last Week : 10–6 Lindsay : 9-7 Season: 19–13 Lindsay : 19-13 NFL Picks Spread, Week 3: Titans -1.5 Over Jaguars Falcons +2.5 Over Colts Bills -6.5 Over Bengals Cowboys -21.5 Over Dolphins Packers -7.5 Over Broncos Lions +6.5 Over Eagles Chiefs -6.5 Over Ravens Vikings -7.5 Over Raiders Patriots -22.5 Over Jets Buccaneers...

Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week. Hustlers Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Cardi B, and Julia Stiles Synopsis: This latest film comes from writer/director Lorene Scafaria ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"), and is based on a true story. It's about a group of women who worked at strippers at a local club that found a new way to make money of the stockbrokers who came frequently to their club. This, in the wake of the Housing Bubble bursting and sending the economy in a downward spiral. But those who had played a huge part in making it happen still had money, and still had bad habits, and these women found a way to exploit one to take the other from people unlikely to want to make an official report. It all worked well until they hit the wrong guy, let the wrong lady into their circle and soon found themselves facing chargers. While the film chronicles...

We're in the early Fall, and the flood of on-air series has yet to materialize. But the streaming sites are more than making up for it so far. This week four new series dropped on streaming, and by next Tuesday, the network barrage will be under way. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Unbelievable, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 13) About: This new limited series is based on a true story about a young woman, Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever) who is raped and reports it to police. Except they don't believe her and she is soon pressured to recant, which she does. That incident sends her life into a spiral. Meanwhile, three years later in Colorado, a pair of female detective (Merritt Wever and Toni Collette) begin investigating a serial rapist that leads them all the way back to Marie in Washington. This is a tough show to watch a...

Week 2: Chicago Bears 16, Broncos 14 Season Record: 0-2 (0-1 Home) Key Play: Trailing 14-13 with nine seconds left, Mitch Trubisky scrambled and was able to connect with Allen Robinson on a 25-yard pass and get a time out with one second left. That set up a game-winning 53-yard field goal from Eddie Pinero to give the Bears a win. Recap: Pardon me while I wipe a tear away... that was rough Broncos friends. Every time I think we've endured our hardest loss, something else comes along. And for much of yesterday, I thought the Broncos would lose. In fact, I picked the Bears. But, then, with 31-seconds left we were given hope. Joe Flacco connected with Emmanuel Sanders on a seven-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-12. Then they went for two, and Flacco hit Sanders again to give the Broncos a 14-13 lead. Then the defense held for three plays. But on that fourth play, they let a long gain and the Bears were gifted a second to be able to attempt a field goal. Of course it hit, and t...

As we continue our look at Stephen King, we take a look at another of his stories, the novel "The Green Mile." This one was also directed by Frank Darabont, who did our film last week, "The Mist." But the book began in an interesting fashion. While you can get it as a full, feature-length novel now. It was original released as a serialized story. If you’ve seen the complete novel, you know that it has six different sections with subheadings. Those were originally released as six individual stories, all meant to be read together. The Green Mile was first published in six low-priced paperback volumes. The first, subtitled The Two Dead Girls was published on March 28, 1996, with new volumes following monthly until the final volume, Coffey on the Mile, was released on August 29, 1996. The novel was republished as a single paperback volume on May 5, 1997. On October 3, 2000, the book was published in its first hardcover edition. At first Darabont was reluctant to ...

Fall is upon us, and that means the flood of new shows is near. Some will be great. Some will be less than great. And while each week I'll be reviewing the new ones on Tuesdays, today I thought I would look ahead to the five new shows this Fall that have me most excited. Below they appear in order of release date. Remember the new Fall Season begins in earnest on Monday, September 23. Evil, Thursdays at 10 p.m. on CBS (Premiered September 26) About: This is the one network show on this list. It is about a team from the Catholic Church who recruits a skeptic to help them determine what are actual miracles and possessions, and what are simply explainable evils. The series features Katja Herbers and Mike Coulter in the lead roles, and comes from Robert and Michelle King. I'm a soft touch for the subject matter, but CBS has also shown it can handle nuanced looks at faith in the real world, as it has with "God Friended Me." I have high hopes this can deliver on a comp...

For one, brief, shinning moment on Sunday, I had a Perfect Cineplex, which felt like the perfect way to kick off the new Fall Season. IT Chapter 2 on Saturday was the anchor play and The Peanut Butter Falcon was the Best Value. It was glorious. But, of course, things can change fast, and the action at the theater on Sunday certainly did that. After the final totals were recorded, Hobbs & Shaw moved up to take Best Value, leading to a big shift in the Perfect Cineplex. My instincts were good, and two screens of IT Saturday were the perfect anchor, but my bet on 111was the difference of $16 million, which is what the Perfect Cineplex finished above mine with bonuses. For this week, Pennywise is still lurking near the top of the Box Office heap, but Jennifer Lopez headlines a film about strippers that enters the fray. Can it challenge for the top spot? Let’s consider the arguments. As always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encourage you to join me in a...

I'm not gonna lie, Week 1 was rough... for me. Lindsay did better. But it's a long season, and it's time to focus on being better. As always, Lindsay's picks are in brackets. NFL Picks, Week 2: Panthers Over Buccaneers (Buccaneers) Bills Over Giants (Bills) 49ers Over Bengals (49ers) Cowboys Over Redskins (Cowboys) Chargers Over Lions (Lions) Packers Over Vikings (Packers) Titans Over Colts (Colts) Patriots Over Dolphins (Patriots) Ravens Over Cardinals (Cardinals) Steelers Over Seahawks (Steelers) Texans Over Jaguars (Jaguars) Chiefs Over Raiders (Raiders) Bears Over Broncos (Broncos) Saints Over Rams (Saints) Falcons Over Eagles (Eagles) Jets Over Browns (Browns) Last Week : 9-7 Lindsay: 10-6 Season: 9-7 Lindsay : 10-6 NFL Picks Spread, Week 2: Panthers -6.5 Over Buccaneers Bills -2.5 Over Giants 49ers +1.5 Over engals Cowboys -5.5 Over Redskins Chargers -2.5 Over Lions Packers -2.5 Over Vikings Colts +3.5 Over Titans Patriots -18.5 Over Dolphins Cardinal...

Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week. IT Chapter 2 Starring: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Bill Skarsgård, James Ransome, Jay Ryan, and Isaiah Mustafa Synopsis: The dancing clown with the teeth of needles is back. In 2017, we got "IT," based on Stephen King's novel and featuring the world's least appealing birthday clown. It was a massive Box Office hit and was a hit with critics and fans. But it only told half the story laid out in King's massive novel. The second half debuted on Friday in "IT Chapter 2." And this one saw the adult versions of the Losers, and sees them returning to Derry 27 years later to battle Pennywise again. It's a long film, clocking in at 169 minutes (or nearly three hours) and there are times where it feels a little slow. However, if you're a fan of the story and a fan of the original, then this is a film you'll want to check out. Skarsgard is still borderline terrifying as Pennywise, ...

Week 1: Oakland Raiders 24, Broncos 16 Season Record: 0-1 (0-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Raiders leading 14-6, Josh Jacobs capped a five-play, 60-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run, his second of the game, to give the Raiders a 21-6 lead. The Broncos couldn't recover. Recap: The picture above is emblematic of the Broncos' Week 1 performance, which featured plenty of missed opportunities. In it, DaeSean Hamilton was wide open in the end zone, and Joe Flacco delivered a ball on time and on target, and it simply bounced off his chest and slipped through his fingers. So, too, did an opportunity to start the season right on Monday night. The Broncos were out of it from the first drive, when the defense looked lost and confused as the Raiders marched down the field and scored on a touchdown pass to Tyrell Williams. It continued the whole game. We rarely heard the name Von Miller and Bradley Chubb mentioned, the offense looked mostly out of rhythm a...

The Summer Season is over, and the real flood of Fall content is shortly headed out way. But for now, we're just getting a few early tastes. In these weekly posts I'll look at the new scripted (and occasional unscripted) shows this Fall, previewing the pilot and second episode of new series. Streaming Series: Wu-Tang: An American Saga, now streaming on Hulu (Premiered September 4) About: This latest drama from Hulu is a docudrama about the origins of the musical group Wu-Tan Clan. It comes from a couple founding members and tells the story of their background and the rough conditions that spurred them to want to find an escape through their music. There have been a number of projects regarding the Clan lately, but it's interesting to see them trying to take their story into the scripted arena. And for Hulu, a streaming outlet that needs diverse content to make a splash with viewers, this seems like a worthy big swing. But I wasn't taken with the first two episodes...

After a couple of lighter weeks looking at the work of Stephen King, we're getting into a more meaty and scary story with "The Mist." This film, based on a Novella of the same name, is set in Maine during a sweltering summer broken up by a major thunderstorm that then turns into a Mist. But this is no ordinary Mist or Fog, but rather one holding supernatural monsters. But as is so often the case, while the creatures are a threat, the biggest threat might be the other people hole up in a Supermarket waiting for the Mist, and the Fear, to pass. And that's what is really the crux of this story. This was a fascinating film, but not one that was highly praised by audiences. It came from director Frank Darabont, who had previously adapted King stories "The Green Mile" and "The Shawshank Redemption." Therein might lie the problem, something that critics correctly noted. Film critic Roger Ebert said of The Mist, “If you have seen ads or trailers s...