Matt's Musings

  Happy December! Well, almost. December officially begins tomorrow and with it typically comes a bit of a ramp down in new scripted series. But we haven’t seen that ramp down yet… With some shows beginning their winter hiatus and plenty of time sitting around doing online shopping, gift wrapping and decorating, you could be wondering what to throw on the TV. Let this weekly post 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. Wednesdays: Hawkeye, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered November 24) About: Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton has been a foundational piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the beginning, but not always as a featured player. That changes with the latest MCU series, Hawkeye. In it we find Barton trying to celebrate Christmas in New York with his family. But he’s always been uneasy in the spotlight and he’s uneasy being celebrated for his efforts during a miss...

  Week 12 : Denver Broncos 28, Los Angeles Chargers 13 Season Record : 6-5 (3-3 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, with the Broncos leading 21-7, Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert threw a pass toward Austin Ekeler. He missed the ball, popped it up and it was intercepted by Patrick Surtain II, who returned it for a touchdown. Recap : The Broncos finished the first half of their season 5-5 before heading into a bye week. Coming out of the bye, the team has seven games, five of which will be against the AFC West. That began with the Chargers on Sunday. The Chargers came into the game looking for a win to move into first in the division. Instead, a smothering Denver defense and just enough offense led to a Broncos' victory. Now, the Broncos sit at 6-5, along with the Chargers and Raiders, while the Chiefs are just 7-4. That means with six weeks left, all four teams are over .500 and the division is wide open. The Broncos have four division games left, in addition to battles...

  We're past Thanksgiving in the home stretch for the year, so I thought it was a good time to look at what currently sit as my favorite performances of the year. Friday I looked at my top three at Actress and Supporting Actress. Today I'll look at my top three at Actor and Supporting Actor. Best Actor: 1. Will Smith, King Richard. Richard Williams is a controversial figure, and that will likely play into the appreciation of the film for some. But there is nothing controversial about Smith's performance, which is great. 2. Winston Duke, Nine Days. Maybe not the popular choice, but Duke is amazing in a film that is incredibly thought-provoking and beautifully crafted. I love Duke in the lead role. 3. Mads Mikkelsen, Riders of Justice. This foreign film is one I saw early in the year and it stuck with me. I loved Mikkelsen in the lead role and the passion he brings to the part. Best Supporting Actor: 1. Jason Isaacs, Mass. As a father still grieving the loss of a child, I...

  It's been quite a journey, and I think all those who took it with me. This was the year I turned 40 and I had fun looking back at 40 years of films, highlighting my favorites from each year. Below are the final selections from all 40 years! If you enjoyed this countdown, check back in January as I start a couple other regular countdowns that will appear weekly and run throughout 2022! 40 Years of Movies: 1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark 1982: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1983: Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 1984: Ghostbusters 1985: The Goonies 1986: Top Gun 1987: Planes, Trains and Automobiles 1988: Die Hard 1989: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1990: Miller's Crossing 1991: The Silence of the Lambs 1992: A Few Good Men 1993: Jurassic Park 1994: The Paper 1995: Heat 1996: A Time to Kill 1997: L.A. Confidential 1998: Simon Birch 1999: The Mummy 2000: The Way of the Gun 2001: Pearl Harbor 2002: About Schmidt 2003: Elf 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Serenit...

  We're past Thanksgiving in the home stretch for the year, so I thought it was a good time to look at what currently sit as my favorite performances of the year. Today I'm looking at my top three at Actress and Supporting Actress. Sunday I'll look at my top three at Actor and Supporting Actor. Best Actress: 1. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain gives an incredible performance, sinking into the role so completely I forgot she was in it. It's by far the best lead performance I've seen this year. 2. Emilia Jones, CODA. This is still my favorite film of the year, and Jones is a delight. Her voice is beautiful and her presence is the emotional heart of the film. The sequence during her audition scene, when she performs for her family as well, is one of my favorite scenes of the year. 3. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel . There's a number of interesting performances this year but I'm going with Comer for now. I've enjoyed her on the small screen a...

  I fared better in Week 12, as did Lindsay, but we’re still not where we once were. It’s a matter of calling the right upsets! Let’s see if we can nail that this Thanksgiving Week. Matt’s Picks: Bears Over Lions Cowboys Over Raiders Bills Over Saints Bengals Over Steelers Buccaneers Over Colts Dolphins Over Panthers Patriots Over Titans Eagles Over Giants Falcons Over Jaguars Texans Over Jets Chargers Over Broncos Rams Over Packers 49ers Over Vikings Ravens Over Browns Washington Over Seahawks Last Week : 9-6 Season: 100-64 Lindsay’s Picks: Bears Over Lions Raiders Over Cowboys Bills Over Saints Steelers Over Bengals Buccaneers Over Colts Dolphins Over Panthers Titans Over Patriots Eagles Over Giants Falcons Over Jaguars Jets Over Texans Chargers Over Broncos Packers Over Rams Vikings Over 49ers Ravens Over Browns Washington Over Seattle Last Week : 8-7 Season : 96-68

  Here’s a look at the new films I saw this week, including the Hallmark Christmas Movie Corner. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Theaters) Starring: Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd Synopsis: The original Ghostbusters film was released in 1984 and has been praised and enjoyed as a classic for more than 30 years. The film, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis and directed by Ivan Reitman was a fun and funny film that introduces a group of scientists who battled malevolent spirits to save the world. It’s already inspired a sequel and a re-boot in 2016, and now it gets another continuation—this time featuring a new generation of heroes picking up the mantle in Oklahoma in a story directed by Ivan’s son, Jason Reitman. I eagerly anticipated the film as a fan of the franchise and I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve long appreciated Jason Reitman’s work as a filmmake...

  Happy Thanksgiving Week! With the trappings of the holidays and time with family, you might be looking for an escape. There are plenty of new series to add to the wealth of options, but which ones are the right tonic to escape the madness of the holidays? Let this weekly column be your guide as 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! Thursdays: The Sex Lives of College Girls, Streaming on HBO Max (Premiered November 18) About: This comedy series comes from Mindy Kaling and focuses on four strangers (Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Renee Rapp and Alyah Chanelle Scott) who are paired as roommates for their first year at Essex college. The girls come from different backgrounds and have different areas of focus, but all of them seem to have sex on the brain, exploring it in different ways. And hilarity ensues. Or, at least, I assume that was the point. Instead, this felt like an awkward exerc...

  The Broncos didn't play a game this week but they've been far from quiet. The first blushes of news came as Vic Fangio confirmed the team wouldn't be making any coaching changes. Despite another week of blunders in Week 10, Tom McMahon stayed with the Special Teams. Then came the confirmation Teddy Bridgewater would remain the team's quarterback. The fervor over his replacement came this time not from his play, but rather the play he didn't make. In Week 10, in a seven-point game, Teddy saved himself and didn't try to make a tackle on a defender who returned a fumble for a touchdown. Darius Slay had a good head of steam and it's possible Teddy couldn't have missed him. But not even trying didn't win him any fans. Still, I get it to some degree. He's had serious injury issues in the past, it wasn't an ideal play for a quarterback to make and with Drew Lock on the COVID List, Teddy didn't have much behind him. Should he have tried? I supp...

  The latest addition to the Ghostbusters Cinematic Universe, Ghostbusters: Afterlife , launched on Friday. That gives the franchise four films, three directly connected, that have debuted the last 37 years. Now seemed like a good time to look at my ranking of the franchise, which is listed below! 4. Ghostbusters II (1989) About: This was the original sequel, picking up two years later. I enjoyed it all right but it remains the weakest of the offerings for me. It feels a bit too much like a re-hash of the plot points of the first film and while I still enjoy the characters and the fun, it's not quite as dynamic. I wasn't as taken with the villain in this one, either. Verdict : Two and a half stars out of five 3. Ghostbusters (2016) About: This was the re-boot from Paul Feig. It features a new group of paranormal fighters in Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon. This one has good humor and some fun effects. I LOVE Chris Hemsworth here, too. It featur...

  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! 2020: Promising Young Woman About: Last year was a weird year. Due to the pandemic, theaters were largely closed. As a result, many films had delayed releases, and those that were released often found smaller audiences. We began enjoying many films at home, which is where I saw Promising Young Woman . It was a screener that came to me in December and as soon as I watched it, I was taken with it. Carey Mulligan gave the performance of the year in a film that was well written, funny at times and surprising. It stuck with me and was my favorite of the films I saw in 2020. Other Considerations: Nomadland About: The Best Picture winner was an...

  The Broncos have a bye this week but that hasn't stopped them from making some news. On Friday, the Broncos agreed to an extension with receiver Tim Patrick for three years and $34.5 million. That answers one of the questions moving forward for Denver, which faced the prospect of seeing both Patrick and Courtland Sutton as free agents this off-season. With Patrick under contract, the Broncos are assured that he, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler will be back in 2022 at receiver, with Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam under contract at tight end. That combined with running back Javonte Williams and the core of a young and improving offensive line gives the Broncos plenty of guaranteed pieces returning in 2022. It also leaves them with a few questions on both sides of the ball, but let's consider the offense for now. Two big questions at the skill position are Sutton at wide receiver and Melvin Gordon at running back. Both are veterans that have contributed. I suspect Gordon is not go...

  Week 10 was full of surprises, like Week 9. I’m in a bit of a slump, as is Lindsay. Time to turn it around. Matt’s Picks: Patriots Over Falcons Bills Over Colts Ravens Over Bears Browns Over Lions Titans Over Texans Packers Over Vikings Dolphins Over Jets Eagles Over Saints Panthers Over Washington 49ers Over Jaguars Raiders Over Bengals Cowboys Over Chiefs Cardinals Over Seahawks Chargers Over Steelers Buccaneers Over Giants Last Week : 5-8 Season : 91-58 Lindsay’s Picks: Patriots Over Falcons Bills Over Colts Ravens Over Bears Browns Over Lions Titans Over Texans Packers Over Vikings Jets Over Dolphins Eagles Over Saints Panthers Over Washington 49ers Over Jaguars Raiders Over Bengals Chiefs Over Cowboys Cardinals Over Seahawks Steelers Over Chargers Buccaneers Over Giants Last Week : 6-7 Season: 88-61

  Here’s a look at the new films I saw this week, including the Hallmark Christmas Movie Corner. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Belfast (Theaters) Starring: Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds, Judi Dench, Caitriona Balfe, and Jude Hill Synopsis : Belfast is a drama that figures to be a major player this awards season. Coming from director Kenneth Branagh, this is a personal tale of a family struggling to find a way forward amidst financial hardship and violence in Belfast in 1969. Buddy (Hill) is a young boy living with his family in the only home he’s ever known. He soon finds himself in the middle of a violent clash between Catholics and protestants. His parents (Balfe and Dornan) have lived in Belfast all their lives, too, but they worry about the future. His father (Dornan) works a trade, spending his weeks and every other weekend in England to earn a living wage. His mother (Balfe) tries to keep the househ...

  We’re less that two weeks from Thanksgiving. There are some big stunts appearing on Network television while the cable and streaming outlets are launching new series that have been highly anticipated. Between that, the trappings of the holidays and the convergence of a lot of different sports seasons, all that can leave your free time stretched thin. What to watch then? Let this weekly column 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. Thursdays: The Game, Streaming on Paramount+ (Premiered November 11) About: Back in the day, The Game was a series on the UPN (when it was a thing) and the CW, where it finished its run. It focused on the lives of football players and their families, first beginning life as a spin-off of the sitcom Girlfriends . The series ran nine seasons, wrapping in 2015. But, in the era where everything old is new again, it has been revived by the origina...

  Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles 30, Denver Broncos 13 Season Record: 5-5 (2-3 home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter with the Eagles leading 20-13, the Broncos attempted to convert a fourth down play. Melvin Gordon carried and fumbled, which was scooped up by Darius Slay, who returned it 82-yards for a touchdown. That made the game 27-13 and ended the Broncos' comeback hopes. Recap: This team is like Jekyll and Hyde. In Week 9, the Broncos routed the Dallas Cowboys, taking a 30-0 lead at one point. This week, the team let the Eagles jump out to a lead and through sloppy play were never able to truly close the gap. The Broncos tied the game at 10-10 at one point, but it was 20-10 at the half and the Broncos never got closer than seven points down in the frame. The team heads into its bye week at 5-5, in the midst of a competitive AFC West race but also in the lower end of a crowded field of AFC Teams looking to make the playoffs. The Broncos are in one of two AFC Divisions with ev...

  We're halfway through the 2021 NFL Season, time to look at what we've seen in the first half. Earlier this week I looked at my Power Rankings. Today, it's my mid-season Award Predictions. NFL MVP: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams. This was my pre-season prediction and I’m sticking with it. Stafford has brought an edge to the Rams they didn’t have in 2020 and I think he gets rewarded for his play. Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans. Vrabel has done a great job with the Titans, who’ve overcome injuries and beaten all comers. They look like the best contenders in the AFC through nine weeks and that’s courtesy of Vrabel. Rookie of the Year: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. There are a handful of rookies who’ve had a good season but I’ve been impressed by the consistency of Harris and what he’s done for the Steelers’ offense.

  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! 2019: Knives Out About: This film from Rian Johnson was his follow up from a chapter of Star Wars, my favorite film of 2017. He scored again with this whodunnit featuring an incredible cast led by Daniel Craig. I enjoyed this ride a lot. I saw it a few times when it was in theaters and have seen it a few more times since acquiring it in my VuDu collection. I love the performances and story, so it ascended to the top of the list for this penultimate year in my countdown. Other Considerations: Jojo Rabbit About: This indie film was a Best Picture contender. It has an edgy story that features Hitler and Nazis but it also tells a rich story ...

  We're halfway through the biggest NFL season ever, so it seems the right time to see what we've learned. In this post, I'll be offering my Top 3 for each conference. Sunday, I'll be looking at my mid-season award picks. AFC Power Rankings: 1. Tennessee Titans (7-2). The Titans are the biggest surprise in the NFL. I thought they'd be a playoff team and would win the AFC South, but I had them as a 10 or 11 win team. They are 7-2, atop the conference and the only AFC Contender that seems to be handling all comers. Every time you count them out, they roar back with a win, beating the Chiefs, Bills and Rams, and sweeping their division rivals the Colts along the way. 2. Buffalo Bills (5-3). The Bills were my Super Bowl pick from the AFC and I would hope to see them continue to win and make a run at that, but it hasn't been pretty. The Bills have a couple signature wins, but more troubling is the big losses, including a 9-6 loss to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars l...

  Week 9 was a surprising week all around. While that made it exciting watching the games play out, it was less exciting when considering my picks. I wasn’t great, and Lindsay struggled, too. Let’s see if Week 10 treats us a bit more kindly. Matt’s Picks: Ravens Over Dolphins Cowboys Over Falcons Titans Over Saints Colts Over Jaguars Browns Over Patriots Bills Over Jets Steelers Over Lions Buccaneers Over Washington Cardinals Over Panthers Chargers Over Vikings Broncos Over Eagles Packers Over Seahawks Raiders Over Chiefs Rams Over 49ers Last Week : 7-7 Season: 86-50 Lindsay’s Picks: Ravens Over Dolphins Cowboys Over Falcons Titans Over Saints Colts Over Jaguars Patriots Over Browns Bills Over Jets Steelers Over Lions Buccaneers Over Washington Cardinals Over Panthers Chargers Over Vikings Broncos Over Eagles Packers Over Seahawks Raiders Over Chiefs Rams Over 49ers Last Week : 4-10 Season : 82-54

  Welcome to this weekly column where I drop reviews of all the new films I’ve seen this week. It includes both theatrical and streaming releases. I note in the title where you can find it. In addition, I have my recurring feature during the Holiday Season where I look at the new Hallmark Christmas films I’ve seen that week. You’re welcome! Films appear in alphabetical order, with the Hallmark section at the end. Brace yourself, I saw a lot this week. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Additionally, as of today I'm revising my scoring standards to align with one I use for other reviews. I will be out of five stars, including half stars! This will give you a better idea of the ranges of films and the way I grade. Five Stars: Incredible, pretty much perfect Four Stars: Great Film Three Stars: Good Film Two Stars: OK Film One Star: Poor Film Zero Stars: Dreadful Diana: The Musical (Netflix) Starring: Jeanna ...