Matt's Musings

  April is another month with a packed schedule, including some bigger releases as we're on the cusp of the summer movie season. Check out all the new releases headed our way in April. Friday, April 1: Morbius (Theaters) : This oft-delayed film is based on a Marvel character, adding to Sony's catalog of Marvel anti-hero films. Jared Leto takes the lead as a scientist who becomes his own experiment and gains some terrifying new abilities. We've seen the trailer for what feels like years, so I'm excited this is finally just coming out. The Contractor (Theaters): Chris Pine takes the lead as a former Special Forces soldier who joins the private sector and gets into trouble on an overseas mission. This looks like the kind of action film that provides a nice escape this time of year. You Won't Be Alone (Theaters): This horror film is set in a small Macedonian Village in the 1800s. Naomi Rapace takes a lead role. Horror films are popular throughout the year, so this sho...

  The end of March saw a slower pace for new releases, with a big theatrical offering and not much on streaming. Enjoy the calm, as things will pick up again, soon. Regardless, I saw a few interesting films this week and have my reviews below. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Antlers (HBO Max) Starring: Jesse Plemons, Keri Russell, and Jeremy T. Thomas Synopsis: This horror film was released in 2021, but I didn’t catch it in theaters. It’s now streaming on HBO Max, and I was curious to check it out. Plemons and Russell are solid leads, which is part of the draw. The film comes from director Scott Cooper, who previously helmed Crazy Heart , Black Mass and Hostiles . It’s set in a small Oregon town where a young boy (Thomas) is struggling and his teacher, Julia (Russell), takes notice. She’s just moved home after years living in California. She was abused by her father, and is struggling to re-adjust to ...

  Spring has broken and March is nearly in the rearview mirror. We got lot of fresh content in the month of March, but thanks to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and the Oscars, along with Spring Break, this past week it slowed to a trickle. Two new series bowed, but was either worth diving into? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Thursdays: Halo, Thursdays on Paramount TV+, Premiered March 24 About: Halo is one of the more anticipated new series of the Winter/Spring, based on the popular video game series. Paramount TV+ has been working on building an engaging and diverse lineup of original series, but it’s clear that Halo is one that holds a lot of hopes for the streamer. The pilot was advertised heavily and jumps right into the action. Full confession, I’ve never played Halo . In fact, I don’t even really know what it is about aside fr...

  The 94th Oscars took place last night and they were certainly memorable. While most of the world will be focusing on an incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock, I wanted to take a minute to appreciate the winners. For me, it was a beautiful end to the 2021 film season. I recorded more than 500 first time watches last year, and the film CODA was the best that I saw. Often my favorite film of the year doesn't do well at awards. Only once that I can remember, with Spotlight in 2015, has my favorite film of the year won Best Picture. So, while I was excited about CODA 's three nominations, I wasn't confident. But I had hope. Last night the film won all three categories where it was nominated, including ending the night as Best Picture. It's simply a beautiful and touching film, and I hope everyone makes a point to see it. The speeches from Supporting Actor winner Troy Kotsur, Adapted Screenplay winner Sian Heder and the closing Best Picture speech were moving. I was ...

 The Academy Awards are tonight, and in honor of the event I'm making my bold predictions! Tune in tonight to see how I do. Best Picture BELFAST CODA DON'T LOOK UP DRIVE MY CAR DUNE KING RICHARD LICORICE PIZZA NIGHTMARE ALLEY THE POWER OF THE DOG WEST SIDE STORY My Pick: This could be my heart overcoming my head, but I'm going with CODA . Actor in a Leading Role Javier Bardem in BEING THE RICARDOS Benedict Cumberbatch in THE POWER OF THE DOG Andrew Garfield in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Will Smith in KING RICHARD Denzel Washington in THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH My Pick : It should be Washington, but I'm going with Will Smith. Actor in a Supporting Role Ciarán Hinds in BELFAST Troy Kotsur in CODA Jesse Plemons in THE POWER OF THE DOG J.K. Simmons in BEING THE RICARDOS Kodi Smit-McPhee in THE POWER OF THE DOG My Pick : I'm going with Kotsur. Actress in a Leading Role Jessica Chastain in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE Olivia Colman in THE LOST DAUGHTER Penélope Cruz in PARALLEL MOTHERS Ni...

  Welcome to this year's exploration of TV, the Best of the Small Screen. Throughout the year I'll be looking at my favorite shows in four categories: Network Sitcoms, Network Dramas, Cable Series and Streaming Series. We'll cap the exploration with my Top 10 shows of all time regardless of format. Check back each Saturday for another installment in the countdown! Scully : You have seen this before, I can tell. You lied to them. Mulder: I would never lie. I willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation. The X-Files (1993-2018) Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and Mitch Pileggi Favorite Episodes : "Squeeze," Episode 1.03, "The Jersey Devil," Episode 1.05, "Beyond the Sea," Episode 1.13, "Darkness Falls," Episode 1.20, "Tooms," Episode 1.21, "The Host," 2.02, "Ascension," Episode 2.06, "Anasazi," Episode 2.25, "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose," Episode 3.04, "...

  In 2022 I'm revisiting my favorite films of all time, doing a countdown of the Top 50 throughout the year. Check back each Friday for the latest installment in the countdown of films, which include releases through 2019. Agree? Disagree? Have a thought on the choice? Be sure to share in the comments below! Torrance Shipman: You know, mothers have killed to get their daughters on squads. Christine Shipman : That mother didn't kill anybody. She hired a hit man. Bring It On (2000) Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union, and Lindsay Sloane Director: Peyton Reed About: I know what you're thinking, a comedy about cheerleaders? That's what I thought going into this movie, which came out just after the semester started in my second year of college. I was instantly taken with the quality of the writing, which hits you right off with an opening number that sets the tone for the film. That's a credit to Jessica Bendinger, who crafted the sc...

  On February 8 the Academy Award nominations were announced and 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. On March 27, the winners will be announced. Between now and then, I'll be looking at each of the nominees and considering their chances. The Power of the Dog Starring : Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Kirsten Dunst Director: Jane Campion Total Nominations : 12 Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actor (Plemons), Best Supporting Actor (Smit-McPhee), Best Supporting Actress (Dunst), Best Director (Campion), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Sound About: And we end this look at Best Picture nominees with the most nominated film, The Power of the Dog . It's a beautifully shot film, one that captured many audiences, but not all. It's not an easy or light story from Campion, centered on two brothers in Montana in the 1920s. It garnered ...

  As has been the case most of the month, the big action among new films is on streaming. I have a look at all the big new streaming releases for the week, including a thriller that moved at a snail’s pace. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Cheaper By the Dozen (Disney+) Starring : Gabrielle Union, Zach Braff, Erika Christensen, Timon Kyle Durrett, Brittany Daniel, and Cynthia Daniel Synopsis : We’ve seen this story a number of times, but that didn’t stop Disney from going to the well again. This time we get Paul (Braff) and Zoey (Union), who brought five kids into the marriage from previous relationships, had four of their own and adopted their nephew. They’re running a breakfast restaurant, trying to get a sauce empire going and dealing with their respective exes (Christensen and Durrett). As a chance to expand the business comes, Paul sees a chance to provide a better life for his family. But in the pro...

  For most, Spring Break is here or nearly at an end. That might give you some extra free time to check out a new show while you’re lounging by the pool. But which new show should you be checking out? Let this weekly column be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: The Thing About Pam, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered March 8) About : When Renee Zellweger does network TV, it draws interest. Here she’s pretty great as Pam Hupp, the nosy neighbor at the center of a murder in a small town. This is based on actual events and has narration that makes it feel like an extended episode of Dateline. That kitsch was enough to make the pilot interesting. The second episode felt like a bit of wheel spinning where the novelty had worn off. The limited series is six episodes, but does it need to be? It’s unclear. This isn’t terrible but it didn’t feel like a must watch ex...

  On February 8 the Academy Award nominations were announced and 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. On March 27, the winners will be announced. Between now and then, I'll be looking at each of the nominees and considering their chances. Belfast Starring : Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench, Ciaran Hinds, and Jude Hill Director : Kenneth Branagh Total Nominations : 7 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Hinds), Best Supporting Actress (Dench), Best Director (Branagh), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Sound About: This was another of my favorite movies. I think it has a strong chance in a number of categories, including acting, directing, music, screenplay and Best Picture. It's one of the strongest contenders and delivers a beautiful, personal tale. The performances are great. I was a little bummed that Dornan and Balfe didn't get acting consideration, but Hinds and Dench are great. Both should have a decent chance, though I d...

  On February 8 the Academy Award nominations were announced and 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. On March 27, the winners will be announced. Between now and then, I'll be looking at each of the nominees and considering their chances. CODA Starring : Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant, and Eugenio Derbez Director: Sian Heder Total Nominations : 3 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Kotsur) and Best Adapted Screenplay About : I can't be totally objective because CODA was my favorite film of the year. From the moment I saw it, I was in love. The storytelling is beautiful and emotional. The music is inspiring and there are sequences that just captured and touched my heart. I've seen it a couple times and it never fails to touch me. It seems many voters felt the same, as it earned three Academy Awards and took home some big prizes at the SAG Awards, including Best Cast. I wish Jones had been nominated for her beautiful leading tu...

  Welcome to this year's exploration of TV, the Best of the Small Screen. Throughout the year I'll be looking at my favorite shows in four categories: Network Sitcoms, Network Dramas, Cable Series and Streaming Series. We'll cap the exploration with my Top 10 shows of all time regardless of format. Check back each Saturday for another installment in the countdown! Penny : So, what do you say Sheldon, are we your X-Men? Sheldon : No. The X-Men were named after the X in Charles Xavier. Since I am Sheldon Cooper, you will be my C-Men. Howard Wolowitz : [as Sheldon walks away] Oh, that's not a good name. The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) Starring : Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik Favorite Episodes : "The Peanut Reaction," Episode 1.16, "The Barbarian Sublimation," Episode 2.03, "The Lizard-Spock Expansion," Episode 2.08, "The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis," Episode 2.11,...

  In 2022 I'm revisiting my favorite films of all time, doing a countdown of the Top 50 throughout the year. Check back each Friday for the latest installment in the countdown of films, which include releases through 2019. Agree? Disagree? Have a thought on the choice? Be sure to share in the comments below! Cory Lambert :  You know, we tried to be very careful with Emily. Tried to plan for everything. She was such a good girl. But we let our guard down. And why would I tell you? You may have kids one day. You cannot blink. Not once, not ever. Wind River (2017) Starring:  Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Julia Jones, and Jon Bernthal Director:  Taylor Sheridan About:  There is something I love about Sheridan's writing. He's building an empire on the small screen with the success of  Yellowstone  and  1883 , two shows I enjoy. But I first grew to love his efforts from his work on feature films. He wrote the script for  Sicaro ...

  The Broncos officially have a new quarterback. Last week the team agreed to a big deal for Russell Wilson, which became official on Wednesday. Wilson brings talent and a pedigree to a real position of need for Denver, while Teddy Bridgewater signed in Miami and Drew Lock headed to Seattle as part of the deal. But that's far from the only excitement for Denver, which has continued to work on the defensive side of the ball early in free agency. The Broncos needed to work on the pass rush and defensive line, nailing both early in the process. The biggest signing was former Dallas Cowboys' defensive end Randy Gregory, who flipped from re-signing with the Cowboys to coming to Denver on a five-year, $70 million deal. Gregory has 15.5 sacks over the past three seasons and could provide some boost to the Broncos' pass rush , which still has Bradley Chubb and emerging player Jonathan Cooper. Elsewhere on the defensive line, the Broncos agreed to terms with defensive tackle D.J. Jo...

After a packed schedule on the first weekend of March, and with a packed weekend coming up, we got a bit of a lull. In fact, the biggest releases were a pair of streaming offerings. See my thoughts on those, plus a criminally under-marketed and released musical, below! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . The Adam Project (Netflix) Starring : Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Catherine Keener, and Walker Scobell Synopsis : Last year, Shawn Levy and Reynolds paired for Free Guy , which was one of the most fun summer blockbuster releases. Now, they’re back with a new action adventure on Netflix, one that includes time travel, action sequences and a dose of comedy. And it works as a fun romp, a popcorn movie that should be a nice hit for Netflix. Reynolds is solid in the lead role and I enjoyed the supporting cast, though it felt like the film struggled to make the most of Garner, Saldana and ...

  We’re rapidly approaching mid-March, which means college basketball and Spring Break. Maybe you have a little free time and you’re looking for a new show to dive into, but which one is 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. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: The Thing About Pam, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered March 8) About: Renee Zellweger makes her network TV debut, starring as Pam Hupp in this real-life story based on the 2011 murder. Pam’s friend, Betsy (Katy Mixon), turns up dead. Her husband (Glen Fleshler) is the prime suspect, but there’s something about Pam. The series, which runs six episodes, is told in a style that feels a bit like a news magazine, complete with voiceover narration that sets the stage. Zellweger does a great job inhabiting the role and the pilot sets the stage for the characters and the incident. It was different but e...

  On February 8 the Academy Award nominations were announced and 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. On March 27, the winners will be announced. Between now and then, I'll be looking at each of the nominees and considering their chances. Drive My Car Starring:  Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura Director: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi Total Nominations: 4 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Director Hamaguchi, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best International Feature About: It's not every year that a film in the International Feature competition makes the Best Picture field. But Drive My Car pulled off that feat. It also earned other accolades, showing its popularity with viewers and prospective voters. I think that bodes well for its chances of being an Oscar winner by the end of the night on March 27. Could it win Best Picture? It's certainly possible, especially in a post Parasite world. However, I think it's more likely the film is a strong contender in three categories and...

  On February 8 the Academy Award nominations were announced and 10 films were nominated for Best Picture. On March 27, the winners will be announced. Between now and then, I'll be looking at each of the nominees and considering their chances. West Side Story Starring : Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and Rita Moreno Director : Steven Spielberg Total Nominations : 7 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Director (Spielberg), Best Supporting Actress (DeBose), Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design About: This isn't the first time West Side Story , a modern musical version of Romeo & Juliet , has been a Best Picture nominee. How do you re-make a classic? That was the big question facing Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner, and somehow they pulled it off. DeBose is great in an under-rated cast. She's nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the same role Moreno won with, and I think there's a chance she ...

  Welcome to this year's exploration of TV, the Best of the Small Screen. Throughout the year I'll be looking at my favorite shows in four categories: Network Sitcoms, Network Dramas, Cable Series and Streaming Series. We'll cap the exploration with my Top 10 shows of all time regardless of format. Check back each Saturday for another installment in the countdown! Casey McCall : I speak four languages. Dan Rydell : You speak three languages. Casey McCall : I speak four languages. Dan Rydell : You speak German, French, and Italian. Casey McCall : I dabble in a little English. Sports Night (1998-2000) Starring: Peter Krause, Josh Charles, Felicity Huffman, Joshua Malina, and Sabrina Lloyd Favorite Episodes : "The Apology," Episode 1.02, "Mary Pat Shelby," Episode 1.05, "Dear Louise," Episode 1.07, "The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee Tech," Episode 1.11, "Eli's Coming," Episode 1.19, "What Kind of Day Has It Been...

  In 2022 I'm revisiting my favorite films of all time, doing a countdown of the Top 50 throughout the year. Check back each Friday for the latest installment in the countdown of films, which include releases through 2019. Agree? Disagree? Have a thought on the choice? Be sure to share in the comments below! Nick Naylor: [Narrating] Few people on this planet know what it is to be truly despised. Can you blame them? I earn a living fronting an organizing that kills one thousand two hundred human beings a day; twelve hundred people. We're talking two jumbo jet plane loads of men, women, and children. I mean there's Attila, Genghis, and me, Nick Naylor the face of cigarettes, the colonel sanders of nicotine. This is where I work, the Academy of Tobacco Studies. It was established by seven gentlemen you may recognize from C-Span. These guys realized quick if they were gonna claim cigarettes were not addictive they better have proof. This is the man they rely on, Erhardt Von Gru...

  With the coaching staff in place, it's time to look toward the reloading in the off-season. Free Agency begins on March 16, with the Draft following in April. In the run up, I'm going to be looking at the offense and defense, examining what the Broncos might need as the off-season period begins. Today, the focus shifts to the five biggest areas of need for the Broncos heading into Free Agency and the Draft. 1. Right Tackle About: The Broncos have been trying to solve this issue for what seems like years, but it's the most glaring need on offense, especially on the offensive line. This should be a focus in free agency, allowing the Broncos to focus elsewhere in the NFL Draft. 2. Defensive Line About: The Broncos solved the QB riddle with Russell Wilson, but a piece of that puzzle was dealing Shelby Harris. That makes a thin position even thinner, meaning the Broncos have some work to do, either in Free Agency or with the draft picks they have left. 3. Linebacker About: T...

With the first Friday in March we not only got a loaded week of new releases, we got our first blockbuster of the new year. I watched them all and have some thoughts on what’s been the best weekend of films so far in 2022. One of those release was After Yang, which I previously reviewed from Sundance. You can find my take on it here . If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Against the Ice (Netflix) Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Joe Cole Synopsis: In 1909 Ejnar Mikkelsen and Iver Iversen set out to find proof of Denmark’s claim to Greenland. In the process, their party must leave them behind, and the two men must fight for years to survive in a hostile climate, holding on to the proof that will make their expedition a success. Coster-Waldau takes the lead as Mikkelsen and does a nice job, while Cole is his equal as Iversen. This is a somewhat interesting story but the film feels overly dry as it chronicles the...