Matt's Musings

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Bad Trip (Netflix) Starring: Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, and Michaela Conlin Synopsis: This new comedy on Netflix is a bit like a Borat formula. Andre, Howery, Haddish and Conlin are characters in a story, but at the same time they're setting up a series of outlandish moments and pranks being played on real and largely unsuspecting people. That gives Bad Trip its comedy edge, and it's those pranks, and the reactions of the people involved that are the parts of the movie that work best. The buddy comedy story between Andre and Howery is just OK, but Andre is incredibly gifted at pulling off these pranks and selling what's happening. Haddish also gives a fun performance in a crazy role. This is a decent film with some fun moments but overall it's not incredible. Still, it's a somewhat different concept that works for what it is. Rating : R for crude sexual content, pervasive language, some gra...

  Spring has mostly sprung, though if you live in a place like Colorado the snow is hardly done for the year. Still, I've switched from calling this the Winter premiers to the Spring premiers, but the basic idea remains the same. Let these weekly posts be a guide to the new shows offered this Spring. In each piece I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series. Fridays: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Fridays on Disney+ (Premiered March 19) About: The second episode of Disney's second live-action Marvel series aired on Friday. And we finally got to see The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) together on screen. That was good, as were their scenes and chemistry together. We also spent a lot of time meeting the new Captain America (Wyatt Russell), which was less appealing. I don't think you're meant to like the character, and I'd wager (hope) he's gone by the end of this season, but I truly disliked that portion of the...

  The Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, April 25. The nominees were announced on Monday, March 15. Between now and the awards, I'll be previewing the different races. Today I'm looking at the Best Director and screenplay races. Best Director: * Chloe Zhao * David Fincher * Emerald Fennell * Isaac Lee Chung * Thomas Vinterberg About: This is a great field and should be an interesting race. Fincher, Chung, Vinterberg and Fennell delivered some beautiful films. In fact, Fennell's film was my favorite of 2020. But this race belongs to Zhao. Nomadland is not only a powerful and engrossing story, it's one of the most beautiful films I've seen. Zhao has dominated this awards season and should continue to dominate in the Academy Awards competition. Best Original Screenplay: * Judas and the Black Messiah * Promising Young Woman * The Trial of the Chicago 7 * Sound of Metal * Minari About: This will likely go to Aaron Sorkin for Trial of the Chicago 7 . I could als...

  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. 2007: Best Picture: * No Country For Old Men * There Will Be Blood * Juno * Atonement * Michael Clayton About: This was the year that No Country for Old Men won. This is actually an incredible field, with four of the nominees being films I thought were great. That being said, I'm sticking with the original pick. Best Director: * Joel and Ethan Coen * Paul Thomas Anderson * Jason Reitman * Tony Gilroy * Julian Schnabel About: Joel and Ethan Coen won here. This is another excellent field, but I'm sticking with the Coen Brothers. Best Actor: * Daniel Day Le...

  2021 is the year I turn 40. As part of my celebration, I'm looking back at 40 years of movies, picking my favorite film from each year I've been around! To learn more about the criteria for this process, check this introduction. Each post will feature my pick, plus three runner's up. So check back over the next 40 weeks of this journey! 1986: Top Gun Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, and Kelly McGillis About: For this year I had a few quintessential 1980s movies I like but there wasn't one that was an easy pick for the top choice. I went back and forth between a few of these, and ended up with Top Gun in this spot. I enjoy the movie, I like the action sequences, and I think Cruise is quite good here. I liked his back-and-forth with Anthony Edwards, and I was wrecked when Goose hit the canopy. I'm excited to see the sequel coming out at some point this summer, too. As we go on this journey some years will produce movies I love more than others, ...

  The Academy Awards are coming! Nominees were announced on Monday, March 15 and the awards will be held on Sunday, April 25. From now until then I'll be looking at all eight nominees for Best Picture and handicapping their chances. Mank Starring : Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tuppence Middleton, and Tom Pelphrey Director: David Fincher Total Nominations : 10 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Actor (Oldman), Best Supporting Actress (Seyfried), Best Director (Fincher), Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design About : Mank was one of the most anticipated films of the year and is now the film with the most Oscar nominations. It's a story of old Hollywood and in year's past that combined with its nomination haul would make it a front-runner. Not so this year. Mank is a fine film and I'd be shocked if it didn't win at least one award, but I doubt that happens in t...

  It's been a big week for the Broncos and new GM George Paton, as the team made a number of moves to add teeth to its defense while seeing some key offensive contributors move on. Let's look at the big moves of the week. In the secondary, the Broncos locked up three pieces that figure to give the team the potential to have one of the best secondary units in football. The first domino was signing safety Justin Simmons to a four-year, $61 million deal. Simmons is a rock on defense, and was Franchise Tagged for the second year in a row. Locking him up long-term makes sense for the defense as a whole. Then Paton went and got his running mate, Kareem Jackson, back on a one-year, $5 million deal. Jackson was released earlier in the off-season, but signing him back ensures the team has its starting safety tandem back. Jackson has three INTs, 15 passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in two seasons with the Broncos. But locking up Simmons long-term and bringing ba...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Deadly Illusions (Netflix) Starring: Kristin Davis, Greer Grammer, and Dermot Mulroney Synopsis: This feels an awful lot like a Lifetime movie. It centers on a popular writer (Davis) who hasn't done a new book in a long time. But when she and her husband (Mulroney) need money, she can't pass up an offer to write a new story. In order to balance the demands of her life, she hires a nanny (Grammer) who seems like a perfect fit. But soon, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, and Mary (Davis) begins to worry she's been pulled into a dangerous plot from which there is no escape. There is a lot of pent up sexual energy here, and a lot of bad writing and storytelling. The score, the look and feel and the story feel like something out of a bad B-Movie, but it seems Deadly Illusions wants you to take it seriously. I couldn't. It's terrible. Rating:  R for sexual content/nudity, some bloody violence and l...

 For many, it's Spring Break. It's a time to take a breather and, perhaps, catch up on some shows. But what shows are worth catching up on or diving into? Let this weekly column be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted, and some unscripted, series debuting this Winter and Spring. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Friday Nights: Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Fridays on Disney+ (Premiered March 19) About: This is the latest Marvel series, following close on the footsteps of WandaVision, which has been the best new series to debut in 2021. WandaVision set the bar high for original Marvel content, which we should get each week. Falcon and the Winter Soldier focuses on two members of the MCU, Sam (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), both of whom were close friends with Captain America. As the series picks up, both are trying to find a way forward while grieving the loss of their friend. The pilot launches int...

  The Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, April 25. The nominees were announced on Monday, March 15. Between now and the awards, I'll be previewing the different races. Today I'm looking at the Animated, Foreign Film and Documentary Feature races. Best Animated Feature: * Soul * Onward * Over the Moon * Wolfwalkers * A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon About: This is an interesting collection of five film. Two of them come from Pixar, and both were released on Disney+. One comes from Apple TV+ and two are on Netflix. All of them were made easy to reach audiences, and several of them have compelling and emotional stories. The pick here, for me, is Soul . It was perhaps the most high-profile film on this list, and it was the best. The production is strong but the story is also a delight. I think it's the overwhelming favorite here. Best Documentary Feature: * Collective * Crip Camp * My Octopus Teacher * The Mole Agent * Time About: 2020 was an incredible year for doc...

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. 2006: Best Picture: * The Departed * Little Miss Sunshine * Babel * The Queen * Letters from Iwo Jima About: This was an interesting year. The Departed won Best Picture, and I'm sticking with that. Best Director: * Martin Scorsese * Alejandro González Iñárritu  * Clint Eastwood * Stephen Frears * Paul Greengrass About: Scorsese won this one. It's a good group of directors with some interesting films. That being said, I'm sticking with Scorsese. Best Actor: * Forest Whitaker * Leonardo DiCaprio * Ryan Gosling * Peter O'Toole * Will Smith About: Wh...

  2021 is the year I turn 40. As part of my celebration, I'm looking back at 40 years of movies, picking my favorite film from each year I've been around! To learn more about the criteria for this process, check this introduction. Each post will feature my pick, plus three runner's up. So check back over the next 40 weeks of this journey! 1985: The Goonies Starring: Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, and Ke Huy Quan About: We've reached 1985, and this was a fun slate of films for me to consider. But when picking my favorite, it was easy. This adventure, with a story from Steven Spielberg, a script from Chris Columbus and direction from Richard Donner, has become a classic. It's a lot of fun and one of my favorite movies from growing up. This is the second week that Quan makes the list, as his character Data here and Short Round in Temple of Doom are enduring though he didn't make many other films. But this is abou...

  The Academy Awards are coming! Nominees were announced on Monday, March 15 and the awards will be held on Sunday, April 25. From now until then I'll be looking at all eight nominees for Best Picture and handicapping their chances. The Sound of Metal Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, and Paul Raci Director: Darius Marder Total Nominations : 6 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Actor (Ahmed), Best Supporting Actor (Raci), Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing About: This film, released on Amazon in the fall, is an interesting exploration of a drummer who loses his hearing and has to cope with his new experience of the world. Ahmed gives a great lead performance, with Raci and Cooke giving strong supporting performances. Ahmed and Raci earned nominations, and it's a shame that Cooke didn't get more consideration. The film got a total of six nominations and I think it will end up with at least one win. Ahmed feels like a longshot for Best Actor, and ...

  The new league year for the NFL began on Wednesday, but the legal tampering period began on Monday, and teams have started making moves. That includes the Broncos, who made their first foray into free agency this week. Below is a run down on an active first four days. The Broncos made official decisions on their own players, offering a second round tender on linebacker Alexander Johnson and wide receiver Tim Patrick, ensuring that both will return to the Broncos. The team also picked up the option on linebacker Von Miller, keeping him in Denver. But things didn't work out as well for Kareem Jackson, as the safety had his option declined, making him a free agent and leaving another hole to fill in the secondary. Another loss for the Broncos was running back Phillip Lindsay. The former Colorado University, Boulder product had three great seasons for the Broncos, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to start his career. Lindsay, a restricted free agent, was originally tendered ...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Another Round (Hulu) Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, and Magnus Millang Synopsis: This film, nominated as Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director for Thomas Vinterberg by the Oscars, centers on four middle age men, all teachers, who are in a rut. The men come across a theory that maintaining a constant low level of alcohol in the blood will improve one's life. They under take the experiment with varying results. This is a film that has fun and funny moments, but also some heart-rending moments. Mikkelsen is great in the lead role, and I particularly liked the freedom in his performance in the third act. Vinterberg does a nice job putting the story together and delivering something interesting and unique. This was an enjoyable film and one that should be a front-runner for the Best Foreign Film category. Rating : NA Verdict : Three stars out of four Church People (Limited) Starring: Thor Ramsey, Erin Cahill,...

  The Ides of March are upon us, and that seems to be reflected in some of our new content. Last week we got several new series on streaming, but were they any good? For those heading into Spring Break looking to see what is worth their time to try, let this weekly post be your guide. I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted, and select unscripted, series each week. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Last Chance U: Basketball, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered March 10) About: This was a big week for streaming content, particularly on Netflix, which debuted four new series. The first of those was Last Chance U: Basketball, a spin-off of its successful sports docuseries Last Chance U . The original, which debuted in 2016 and has produced five seasons so far, looked at junior college football programs, chronicling three so far. It was a look at the coaches, the athletes and what goes into helping them thrive and move on. For man...

  We're quickly approaching the new league season, and as we do I've put together my initial Dynasty Rankings. These are just current NFL players in their current positions. Rookie will come later, and these will be updated throughout the off-season. Today I continue with WRs. Top 50 WRs: 1. Davante Adams, Packers 2. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals 3. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs 4. Stefon Diggs, Bills 5. D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks 6. Calvin Ridley, Falcons 7. Justin Jefferson, Vikings 8. A.J. Brown, Titans 9. Allen Robinson, Bears 10. Michael Thomas, Saints 11. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys 12. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team 13. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers 14. Keenan Allen, Chargers 15. Mike Evans, Buccaneers 16. Kenny Golladay, Free Agent 17. Tee Higgins, Bengals 18. Amari Cooper, Cowboys 19. Courtland Sutton, Broncos 20. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers 21. Diontae Johnson, Steelers 22. D.J. Moore, Panthers 23. D.J. Chark, Jaguars 24. Juju Smith-Schuster, Free Agent 25. Robert Woods, Rams 26. Chase Claypoo...

  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. 2005: Best Picture: * Crash * Good Night and Good Luck * Brokeback Mountain * Capote * Munich About : It's time to Crash into 2005. See what I did there? Crash won Best Picture, but I don't think anyone loved it. Brokeback Mountain is a well made film, and a consideration, but I'm going with Good Night and Good Luck . Best Director: * Ang Lee * George Clooney * Paul Haggis * Steven Spielberg * Bennett Miller About: Lee got the win here and I'm sticking with him. Some of the shots in Brokeback Mountain were breathtaking. Best Actor: * Phillip Se...

  2021 is the year I turn 40. As part of my celebration, I'm looking back at 40 years of movies, picking my favorite film from each year I've been around! To learn more about the criteria for this process, check this introduction. Each post will feature my pick, plus three runner's up. So check back over the next 40 weeks of this journey! 1984: Ghostbusters Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis About : We've arrived at 1984, the fourth year on this journey, and this one provides some fun films. Picking my top film was a close call between this and the film that will top the Other Considerations list. In the end I went with Ghostbusters, a film that I come back to time and again. This is a funny and fun film, one that inspired a sequel and a pair of spin-offs, one of which should finally debut in 2021. Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis and Hudson are great as the Ghostbusting team. The comedy and story here works great a...

  The Academy Award Nominations will be announced bright and early on Monday morning. I will be reacting live as part of the Music City Drive In Podcast, which begins at 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time... the Monday after the time change... But as we prepare, here's my predictions for what we might hear on Monday morning. This is a combination of prediction and hopes, but that's what I'm going with. We'll see if I'm right on Monday! Best Picture: * Nomadland * Trial of the Chicago 7 * Minari * Mank * Ma Rainey's Black Bottom * Promising Young Woman * The Father * One Night in Miami * Judas and the Black Messiah About: This category could have anywhere from five to up to 10 nominees. I went with nine, and I think if we get this group it will be a good field. Best Director: * Chloe Zhao, Nomadland * Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman * Regina King, One Night in Miami * David Fincher, Mank * Isaac Lee Chung, Minari About: It's quite possible that Aaron Sorkin gets ...

  For the Broncos, the off-season is here. George Paton was hired to serve as GM and Vic Fangio is staying as coach, but there are plenty of other questions to answer. As we head into the off-season, I'll be considering these topics each week. This is the final pre-free agency post, and I'm looking at my last position group, wide receiver. This one is like tight end, only deeper and better. All that means the Broncos won't have to spend free agent capitol or draft capitol to make sure they're set at receiver. They already have plenty of good options. That begins with Courtland Sutton, entering his fourth year in the league. As a second-year player, Sutton had 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six TDs . He was shaping up to be one of the best receivers in the league when an injury derailed his 2020 season, limiting him to three receptions for 66 yards on six targets in one game. Now he's back, and should be back atop the depth chart for the Broncos. Right there behin...

  Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Boss Level (Hulu) Starring: Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, and Naomi Watts Synopsis: This is Hulu's take on the Groundhog Day format, this time with an R-rated action film that features plenty of violence and a few laughs along the way. Director Joe Carnahan, who touched up the script, delivers a fun and engaging twist on a familiar formula that doesn't wear out its welcome. The supporting cast, which also features Ken Jeong and a cameo from Rob Gronkowski, does a nice job. Gibson is a good heel and Watts has some nice scenes. But this is really about Grillo, who does a great job in the lead role. He's played supporting parts in a number of projects, but here he's given a chance to shine and he makes the most of it. This is a fun movie that will appeal to those that like the time loop gimmick and have an affinity for action films. Rating : TV-MA Verdict: Three stars out of four Chaos Walking (Theaters) Starring: Dais...

  We're cruising through March and many are looking toward warmer spring days, some are even enjoying them. But if you're like me in Colorado, you're bracing for a weekend storm that could measure snow in feet... so if you have some time on your hands and are thinking about trying some new shows, you might be wondering which are worth your time. Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter and Spring. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Debris, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered March 1) About: NBC frequently uses The Voice as a launch pad for new scripted dramas, which has been particularly true of its Monday night slot at 10 p.m. The latest is Debris , which is set in an alternate time line where an alien craft has been discovered in space, where it's disabled and limping toward Earth. As it does, debris is breaking off and raining down on the surface, causing...