Matt's Musings

  We've made it to the end of 2020, with mere hours remaining. So I'm wrapping up my Best of TV and Film series. Tuesday I looked at TV episodes, yesterday I looked at series, now it's on to films!  The lack of theaters didn’t prevent me from watching more than 200 new movies in 2020. There were some interesting ones, some poor ones and some great ones. Below are the 10 movies I loved the most and the five that, well, I could have gone without seeing. Share your own favorites in the comments! 10. Clouds (Disney+) About : This one is a biopic about Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus), a high schooler battling cancer while launching a music career. The film is about love, friendship and, surprisingly, about hope. Disney+ has been criticized a bit for not producing a ton of original content, but the films they’ve released have been strong. Clouds was a movie that hit me hard emotionally in a way I didn’t expect. Argus is great in the lead role, with supporting performances from Neve Ca...

  We've reached the end of 2020...almost. Before we go, I'm counting down my favorites of the year in the world of TV and movies. Yesterday, I kicked off with my 10 favorite episodes. Today, I continue with my 10 favorite series. Enjoy! 10. Hellstrom, Season 1, Hulu About: This is based on a Marvel comic, but came in a little under the radar. It's darker than your typical Marvel stuff, so it went to Hulu rather than appearing on Disney+. Hulu had a low-key great year, and is on this list a few times. Tom Austen and Sydney Lemmon really sold this as the brother-sister team at the heart of the series, while Elizabeth Marvel had some great supporting scenes. It was dark, violent, and weird at time, but it captured my attention. 9. Mrs. America, Hulu About: Hulu hits again, this time for a very different series. This docuseries follows several famous women during the turbulent rise of the Women's Rights Movement in the 1970s. Cate Blanchett, as Phyllis Schlafly is at the h...

  We're at the end of 2020... well, almost. And so, as has been my tradition, I'll be counting down my favorites of the year the next three days. Today begins with TV Episodes. There were a lot of shows in more than 500 scripted shows aired in 2020, giving us plenty of episodes to chew through. Some were great, some were good, some were forgettable. But the 10 below stood out most to me. 10. "Tom Brady," Peyton's Places episode 1.26, first aired January 4, 2020 About: One of the true joys of 2020 was discovering "Peyton's Places," the ESPN+ show hosted by Peyton Manning. He explored the history and stories of the NFL, and the first season covered a lot. Near the end, we finally got an episode one-on-one with Tom Brady, the peer who helped define Manning's career. From the opening jokes at the expense of Jim Nantz to the back-and-forth between Manning and Brady, this was a delightful exchange that should thrill all sports fans. Their easy rapport...

  This is the final TV Roundup of 2020, and what a year it's been. We've seen some good shows, some great shows and some lousy shows. And with most of us trapped in our homes for long stretches, the shows we've gotten have been more valuable than ever. The flow of new show options has dwindled as we hit the holidays, but there is still some stuff out there. And, never fear, I'll be back to start the Winter TV Roundup next week! But for now, as always, let these posts be your guide to new scripted content. I review the pilot and the second episode of new scripted series. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Thursday Nights: The Stand, Now Streaming on CBS All Access (Premiered December 17) About: This one is technically a streaming series, but it's airing weekly on CBS All Access. I was pumped for it to arrive, having waited on it for more than a year. I am a fan of Stephen King and this iconic novel, and I loved the 1994 TV movie on ABC. Thi...

  Week 16: Los Angeles Chargers 19, Denver Broncos 16 Season Record: 5-10 (2-5 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, tied at 16, Austin Ekeler rushed for 18 yards to the Broncos' 23-yard-line to set up the game-winning field goal from Michael Badgley. Recap: The Broncos came up short again. This time it wasn't so much about Drew Lock as his shiny new weapon, Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy saw 15 targets in the game, but only came down with six of them. He dropped a touchdown and dropped a long pass with time expiring that would have given Denver a chance to kick a field goal to tie and force overtime. It was a bad game from the rookie who has had an unimpressive season. Hopefully he'll bounce back. But it's yet another loss, as the Broncos now slump to dead last in the AFC West, and yet another week of questions about the future. The defense is banged up, but played as well as they could. Lock wasn't great, but he did enough to put Denver in position to win. So it's back...

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1994: Best Picture: * Forrest Gump * The Shawshank Redemption * Pulp Fiction * Quiz Show * Four Weddings and a Funeral About : This was the year "Forrest Gump" won the top prize. I'll be honest, I enjoy "Forrest Gump." It's a good movie, but this was a loaded field. I think "Pulp Fiction" is a bit under-rated, but the winner here, for me, has to be "The Shawshank Redemption," one of the best and most enduring films from that year. Best Director: * Robert Zemeckis * Woody Allen * Quentin Tarantino * Robert Redford * K...

  Lindsay and I each picked 12 correctly, so I’m holding strong to my lead with two weeks left in the regular season. Let’s see how we finish! Matt’s Week 16 Picks: Saints Over Vikings Buccaneers Over Lions Cardinals Over 49ers Raiders Over Dolphins Chiefs Over Falcons Bears Over Jaguars Texans Over Bengals Browns Over Jets Colts Over Steelers Ravens Over Giants Broncos Over Chargers Washington Over Carolina Cowboys Over Eagles Seahawks Over Rams Packers Over Titans Bills Over Patriots Last Week : 12-4 Season : 143-81 Lindsay’s Week 16 Picks: Saints Over Vikings Buccaneers Over Lions Cardinals Over 49ers Raiders Over Dolphins Chiefs Over Falcons Bears Over Jaguars Texans Over Bengals Browns Over Jets Colts Over Steelers Ravens Over Giants Chargers Over Broncos Washington Over Panthers Eagles Over Cowboys Seahawks Over Rams Packers Over Titans Bills Over Patriots Last Week : 12-4 Season: 135-89 Matt’s Week 16 Picks Against the Spread: Vi...

  It's Christmas Eve! As we prepare to wrap up one of the toughest and strangest years that any of us can remember, there is still time to find the joy and wonder that this celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ brings us. Things haven't gone as planned. This year has been hard. We've dealt with illness, isolation, death, loss of incomes and more. And yet, God is in control. I pray that each of you finds the joy and wonder of this season at some point the next few days. It's Christmas, and no matter who is around the table or under the tree, this celebration is about something bigger. Something Linus helped share with us in my favorite Christmas film, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Now, as has been my tradition, I'll share that passage below. Charlie Brown : Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? Linus Van Pelt : Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. [moves toward the center of the stage] Linus Van Pelt: L...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Netflix) Starring : Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Jeremy Shamos, and Michael Potts Synopsis: This adaptation of the August Wilson play is one of the most anticipated films of the year, and also features Boseman's last performance. It's set in 1927, and covers a recording session for powerhouse singer Ma Rainey (Davis) and her band, where tensions flare, stories are shared, and the day ends in tragedy. Davis gives an incredible performance in the lead, but this will be a film remembered for Boseman's work. And he's great. He and Davis both get plenty of chances to chew scenery with some powerful dialogue, and both command the screen. The supporting cast, particularly Domingo and Turman, are good as well. Director George C. Wolfe does a nice job bringing the story to life and this is one of the best films of the year. Rating : R for language, some sexual co...

  We're at Christmas week, and even with the late start Networks and Cable channels are taking a holiday pause. But streaming services still have a few more offerings to chuck out before the year ends. In these weekly posts, I guide you through new scripted series, reviewing the pilot and second episode. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Adult Material, Now Streaming on HBO Max (Premiered December 10) About: This import from England centers on Hayley Squires as a wife and mother trying to make it through her life as an Adult Film star. It focuses on her work, her challenges and everything she faces in her life. There is A LOT of adult content here, as the show doesn't shy away from the industry and all that entails. I thought, at first, it was meant to have something of a comedic tone, but the two episodes I sampled, each around an hour, had a much darker and more somber tone than that. This is a slog of a watch, and even at four epi...

  Week 15 : Buffalo Bills 48, Denver Broncos 19 Season Record : 5-9 (2-5 Home) Key Play : In the third quarter, with the Broncos trailing 28-13, quarterback Drew Lock was hit, fumbling the ball. It was returned 21-yards for a touchdown by Jerry Hughes to make the score 35-13. The Broncos never recovered. Recap : The Broncos squared off against the Bills on Saturday, and after a decent first half that left them just a bit short, the team fell apart in the second half. Drew Lock played OK at times, and looked a little more careful with the ball, but this team was outmatched on offense and defense, losing by 29 points in their penultimate home game of the season. The Broncos are 5-9, eliminated from the playoffs and guaranteed another losing season. And the questions still remain as to whether Drew Lock is the answer long term and whether the team can get back to the playoffs in 2021 with a few additional pieces. This was a tough game to watch, and an embarrassing outcome. I suspect t...

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1993: Best Picture: * Schindler's List * The Fugitive * In the Name of the Father * The Piano * Remains of the Day About: This was the year where "Schindler's List" won, and I'm sticking with that one! Best Director: * Steven Spielberg * Jim Sheridan * Jane Campion * James Ivory * Robert Altman About: Spielberg got the win here, and I'm sticking with that. Best Actor: * Tom Hanks * Daniel Day Lewis * Laurence Fishburne * Anthony Hopkins * Liam Neeson About : This was the year Hanks won for "Philadelphia," a pretty incredible p...

  "He means more to me than you'll ever know." --The Mandalorian Few shows came with the weight of expectations that "The Mandalorian" faced when it debuted shortly after the Disney+ launch in late 2019. The first live action "Star Wars" show, it carried the weight of fan hopes and expectations. It dropped just before the final sequel film, a time when the fanbase was deeply divided and skeptical. That final film, which dropped at the end of the first season of "The Mandalorian" didn't help much. I liked it, many didn't. And nearly a year later, "The Mandalorian" returned for a second outing. The first season defied expectations and creating something incredible, memorable, and brought fans out in droves. Could the second season keep that up? It did, and more. We got classic characters, like Boba Fett and a special finale guest I won't name check here yet. And we got characters from the expanded universe, like Bo Katan a...

  One of my best discoveries during the pandemic in 2020 was "Peyton's Places." Season one began last Fall to celebrate the 100th season of the NFL. It wrapped up in early 2020 and is the best thing about ESPN+. Naturally, it was renewed for Season 2. That season premiered November 29, and I've decided to chronicle each delightful episode. This third episode took Peyton to meet up with Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann, who was a four-time Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers and an MVP who won one of the least desirable cars I've ever seen. Peyton brought said car to the episode and had a lot of fun with that, getting to hear some Super Bowl stories from Swann. Another interesting aspect of the episode was the walk through history, seeing how cars used to be parked on the fringes of the field as a means of advertising. That led to some close calls, including Swann having to leap over a car at one point. Swann had a background in ballet, something he was proficien...

  I had a 12-pick week in Week 14, while Lindsay posted nine. So I’ve opened a decent lead as we hit the home stretch in the NFL Season. Matt’s Week 15 Picks: Raiders Over Chargers Bills Over Broncos Packers Over Panthers Bears Over Vikings Buccaneers Over Falcons Cowboys Over 49ers Titans Over Lions Colts Over Texans Dolphins Over Patriots Seahawks Over Washington Ravens Over Jaguars Rams Over Jets Eagles Over Cardinals Chiefs Over Saints Browns Over Giants Steelers Over Bengals Last Week : 12-4 Season : 131-77 Lindsay’s Week 15 Picks: Raiders Over Chargers Bills Over Broncos Packers Over Panthers Buccaneers Over Falcons Vikings Over Bears Cowboys Over 49ers Titans Over Lions Colts Over Texans Dolphins Over Patriots Seahawks Over Washington Ravens Over Jaguars Rams Over Jets Cardinals Over Eagles Chiefs Over Saints Browns Over Giants Steelers Over Bengals Last Week : 9-7 Season : 123-85 Matt’s Picks Against the Spread Week 15 : Chargers...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. I'm Your Woman (Amazon Prime) Starring: Rachel Brosnahan, Arinzé Kene, Frankie Faison, and Marsha Stephanie Blake Synopsis: This new crime drama from Julia Hart is set in the 1970s and focuses on a woman (Brosnahan) whose husband mysteriously disappears, dropping her in the middle of a plot that unravels her world. Soon a man named Cal (Kene) and his wife (Blake) step in as the plot thickens. This one has some style and potential, and I think Brosnahan is a great performer who does well in this role. However, this one is a real slow burn that doesn't fill in all the gaps well enough to rise to the level of compelling. Hart has some nice cinematic scenes, and does well getting a great performance from her lead, but this film fails to rise to the level of great. It's OK, and interesting, but not as compelling as I'd hoped it would be. Rating : R for violence and language. Verdict : Two stars out of four. Never Rarel...

  Just over a week until Christmas and a little over two weeks until 2021. We're nearing the end of our journey through new content for 2020 is slowing to a trickle. There are just a couple "new" scripted series before the end of the year. But as we transition to vacation and holidays, you're probably trying to decide what new offerings to try. Let these weekly posts be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks! Monday Nights: Nurses, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered December 7) About: This new series, the second medical series imported from Canada this Fall while we await "New Amsterdam," will migrate to Tuesday nights in the new year. But for now we have been introduced to these new nurses, seen a handful of cases, and been given a chance to evaluate if we think it's worth investing. To this point, I think the series is OK, with some mildly comp...

  Week 14 : Denver Broncos 32, Carolina Panthers 27 Season Record: 5-8 (2-4 Home) Key Play : In the fourth quarter with less that two minutes left and trailing by five, Teddy Bridgewater's pass to Curtis Samuel fell short. The Broncos took over on downs and got the win. Recap: The Broncos took care of business against a middling Carolina team. The Broncos saw Drew Lock pass for four touchdowns without throwing an interception, and the team got a punt return touchdown as well. In the win, Lock developed a great connection with K.J. Hamler. That's promising, and I'm interested to see how this team continues coming together and finishes the season. No playoffs in 2020, but can the Broncos build on something? Can Lock improve and show he can be the guy? Those are the questions this final stretch will have to answer. Game Balls: * Drew Lock. The much-maligned second-year pro had one of his best days with four TD passes. * K.J. Hamler. Hamler caught just two passes, but for 8...

  As some of you know, I have been a frequent guest host on the Music City Drive In Movie podcast this summer. We've been looking at movies since 2000, re-nominating the Academy Awards. That got me thinking about the actual fields of the awards themselves. In a new weekly series, I'll be looking back at the last 40 years of Oscars and reviewing the choices at Best Picture, Best Director and the four acting categories. 1992: Best Picture: * Unforgiven * A Few Good Men * The Crying Game * Howard's End * Scent of a Woman About: This was the year "Unforgiven" won the top prize. BUT, I am a big "A Few Good Men" fan. That's what I think should have been Best Picture, so I'm going with that one. Best Director: * Clint Eastwood * Neil Jordan * James Ivory * Robert Altman * Martin Breast About : Eastwood won for "Unforgiven," and I think given the options that I would stick with that. Best Actor: * Al Pacino * Robert Downey, Jr. * Clint Eastwoo...

  One of my best discoveries during the pandemic in 2020 was "Peyton's Places." Season one began last Fall to celebrate the 100th season of the NFL. It wrapped up in early 2020 and is the best thing about ESPN+. Naturally, it was renewed for Season 2. That season premiered November 29, and I've decided to chronicle each delightful episode. The second week of Season 2 went to Denver, where Peyton spent the episode reminiscing with John Elway. This was something I had wanted to see since the series began, and I was very excited to hit this episode so early in the season. Peyton was a great quarterback for Denver for four seasons, making the Super Bowl twice and winning once. But before Peyton came John Elway. Elway spent his whole career with the Broncos, making the Super Bowl five times and winning two in his final two seasons. The episode spent a lot of time looking at Elway's greatest hits, specifically The Drive. It was awesome to talk a walk down memory lane an...

  One of my best discoveries during the pandemic in 2020 was "Peyton's Places." Season one began last Fall to celebrate the 100th season of the NFL. It wrapped up in early 2020 and is the best thing about ESPN+. Naturally, it was renewed for Season 2. That season premiered November 29, and I've decided to chronicle each delightful episode. The Season 2 premier of "Peyton's Places" took him to Oakland for a meeting with Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was one of the most powerful runners in football, and one of the most fascinating personalities. He also has a connection to Manning as a player, having suited up for the Seahawks as they beat Peyton and the Broncos in the Super Bowl following the 2013 season. That, naturally, was referenced. Lynch is a somewhat mercurial player, and I think this episode helped give me new insight and appreciation for Lynch the person, Lynch the player, and Lynch the community supporter. There was plenty of talk about his charity, the...

  Lindsay got nine right last week while I nailed 10, so I increased the lead to five with four weeks of the regular season left. Will it hold? Let’s find out. Matt’s Week 14 Picks: Rams Over Patriots Bears Over Texans Cowboys Over Bengals Broncos Over Panthers Titans Over Jaguars Chiefs Over Dolphins Buccaneers Over Vikings Giants Over Cardinals Raiders Over Colts Seahawks Over Jets Chargers Over Falcons Packers Over Lions Saints Over Eagles Washington Over 49ers Bills Over Steelers Browns Over Ravens Last Week : 10–5 Season : 119–73 Lindsay’s Week 14 Picks: Rams Over Patriots Texans Over Bears Cowboys Over Bengals Panthers Over Broncos Titans Over Jaguars Chiefs Over Dolphins Buccaneers Over Vikings Giants Over Cardinals Raiders Over Colts Seahawks Over Jets Falcons Over Chargers Packers Over Lions Saints Over Eagles Washington Over 49ers Bills Over Steelers Browns Over Ravens Last Week : 9-6 Season: 114-78 Matt’s Picks Against the Spr...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. The 2nd (Netflix) Starring: Ryan Phillippe and Casper Van Dien Synopsis: This one is about a decorated Delta soldier (Phillippe) who arrives to pick up his son for Winter Break at college. The girl his son likes, who happens to be the daughter of a Supreme Court Justice, is about to be kidnapped by a CIA team led by a smooth operator (Van Dien), so he has to intercede. This action film leaves a lot to be desired, like acting, plot and a reason to care. This is a complete misfire that's not even really entertaining despite a decent premise and some decent actors. Rating : N/A Verdict: Zero stars out of four. All Together Now (Netflix) Starring : Auli'i Cravalho, Justina Machado, and Judy Reyes About : Cravalho stars as a talented teen who has musical aspirations. But she comes from a tough home life as her alcoholic mother (Machado) is in an abusive relationship, can't keep a job, and can't find them a house. She o...

  We're into December and winding down on 2020's new offerings, but we're not done yet. So let these weekly posts be your guide. In these posts I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Nurses, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered December 7) About: This is the second series that NBC has brought in from Canada that's a medical series. This one is about nurses in Toronto, and the pilot is a lot. We get a terrorist act, an unexpected pregnancy, a nurse asked to convince a parent to donate a brain dead child's organs, and a secret affair. And that's just the pilot. I didn't mind the cast or the idea, but it did feel like a lot for the pilot and I'm not sure the show was quite good enough to carry that, so we'll see. Pilot Grade : C Sunday Nights: Your Honor, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered December 6) About: This latest series is about a...