Matt's Musings

  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! Warren Schmidt : I know we're all pretty small in the big scheme of things, and I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference, but what kind of difference have I made? What in the world is better because of me? About Schmidt (2002) Starring: Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, June Squibb, and Kathy Bates Director: Alexander Payne About: What does it mean to leave a legacy? It doesn't have to be a grand legacy, just something to let you know your life mattered; that you made a difference. When we begin this film, Warren Schmidt (Nicholson) is retiring after spending his whole career at the same company. Soon, he discovers that his li...

  Week 3 of the NFL was fascinating and fun to watch, but it wasn't great when it came to my picks. Let's hope I do better in Week 4! NFL Picks, Week 4 Dolphins Over Bengals Vikings Over Saints Browns Over Falcons Cowboys Over Commanders Lions Over Seahawks Colts Over Titans Giants Over Bears Eagles Over Jaguars Steelers Over Jets Bills Over Ravens Chargers Over Texans Cardinals Over Panthers Packers Over Patriots Broncos Over Raiders Chiefs Over Buccaneers Rams Over 49ers Last Week : 5-11 Season : 20-27 NFL Picks Spread, Week 4 Dolphins +3.5 Over Bengals Vikings -2.5 Over Saints Browns -1.5 Over Falcons Cowboys -3.5 Over Commanders Lions -5.5 Over Seahawks Colts -3.5 Over Titans Bears +3.5 Over Giants Jaguars +6.5 Over Eagles Steelers -3.5 Over Jets Ravens +3.5 Over Bills Texans +5.5 Over Chargers Cardinals +1.5 Over Panthers Packers -10.5 Over Patriots Broncos +2.5 Over Raiders Chiefs -2.5 Over Buccaneers Rams +2.5 Over 49ers Last Week : 5-11 Season : 22-2...

  October is here and things are getting good. This month features a mix of spooky titles, award contenders and some blockbusters. Let's dive in! Wednesday, October 5: Mr. Harrigan's Phone (Netflix): A boy and a reclusive millionaire bond over an iPhone, which later connects them when the old man dies and is buried with his phone. Um, this seems weird at best. Thursday, October 6: Monster High: The Movie (Paramount+): A live-action version of the popular series. This musical seems like a tough sell to me. Friday, October 7: Amsterdam (Theaters): David O. Russell is back with a star-studded cast and a film that looks like a bit of fun. This is one of those award contenders I mentioned, and I'm excited to see it. Lyle Lyle Crocodile (Theaters): A hybrid of live-action and animation featuring Shawn Mendes in the titular role. This boasts a good cast and looks like some family-friendly fun. Hellraiser (Hulu): Jamie Clayton takes over the titular role in this horror franchis...

  It was a busy week of new releases with most coming via streaming. I give my take on this week’s streaming films, plus the anticipated release Don’t Worry Darling below. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Don’t Worry Darling (Theaters) Starring: Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, and Chris Pine Synopsis : You’ve probably heard a lot about this film already—well at least about the making of the film. The production troubles have been widely covered, leading many to wonder what we might see when the film finally released. We got the answer this weekend as Wilde’s feature with a stellar cast dropped in theaters on Friday. The film is set in a private community home to everyone working on the Victory Project. It’s the 1950s, and the men go off to work while the women stay in this cloistered community. But, unsurprisingly, not everything is what it seems. I enjoyed the period look and the style employ...

  We’re careening toward the end of September, and the network season is rolling out. So far, it’s been a slow roll. This week we only had a handful of new shows, and only a couple of those on networks. But don’t worry, things are about to get crazy as we roll into October. If you’re trying to figure out what to watch, let this weekly post 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. Mondays: Quantum Leap, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered September 19) About: For reasons surpassing understanding, this show is back. Even the show itself can’t seem to determine why it is all happening again, making note in the pilot about how unsuccessfully things went for Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), who never made it home. Maybe Dr. Ben Song (Raymond Lee) will fair better. The pilot was a bit of a slog, likely due to the immense amount of exposition needed to set up not only the premise...

  Week 3 : Denver Broncos 11, San Francisco 49ers 10 Season Record : 2-1 (2-0 Home) Key Play : In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos leading 11-10 and less than two minutes left, Jimmy Garoppolo connected with Jeff Wilson on a dump off pass. P.J. Locke forced the fumble, which was recovered by Kareem Jackson with 1:15 left to play. The Broncos knelt on the ball to win the game. Recap : Progress can sometimes be a slow process. The Broncos came into the season with a lot of talent and plenty of optimism. A new coach, new system and a new quarterback offered the promise of better in 2022. The thing is, bringing all those pieces together also takes time. We saw that the first two weeks, as a barrage of penalties and inefficiencies made the game a slog. Week 3 was an improvement in some areas but not in all areas. Still, the Broncos were able to do enough to get a win and move to 2-1 on the season. And this win came over a quality opponent in the 49ers. The Broncos eliminated many of...

  Week 3 is here and it's time to get ready. Below are my picks from the Early Window, Late Window, a look at Sunday Night Football and my pick for upset of the week. Enjoy another week of great NFL Action! Sunday Early Games: Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (2-0) About: This is probably THE game of Week 3. You’d be hard-pressed to find two offenses, specifically pass offenses, that are hotter right now. The fact this is also a divisional game ramps up the intensity. The Bills rolled out and blew out the defending champion Rams on Opening Night, then embarrassed the Titans on Monday night. The Dolphins held on for a gritty win over the Patriots in Week 1 then saw Tua Tagovailoa go off for 199 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of an epic comeback win over the Ravens. This should be fun. Sunday Late Game: Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) About : The Packers lost Davante Adams this off-season and it was a slow start as the team was held to se...

  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! Laurie Blake: "Men Who End Up Hanging From Trees With Secret Compartments In Their Closets Tend To Think Of Themselves As The Good Guys." Watchmen (2019) Starring: Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, and James Wolk Favorite Episodes : "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice," Episode 1.01; "This Extraordinary Being," Episode 1.06; "A God Walks Into Abar," Episode 1.08; "See How They Fly," Episode 1.09 About: I love Watchmen. If you've been following my film countdown, you'll know it was on my list of my favorite films ...

   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! Father Brendan Flynn: [to Sister James] There are people who go after your humanity, Sister, that tell you that the light in your heart is a weakness. Don't believe it. It's an old tactic of cruel people to kill kindness in the name of virtue. Doubt (2008) Starring : Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis Director : John Patrick Shanley About : The church is a reflection of the world, and as such it's flawed. We're meant to be united by our love of Jesus Christ, but people are imperfect and broken, so the church is imperfect and broken. And sometimes this brokenness can hurt people and hurt the message of hope. Shanley, who attended C...

  Week 3 is here. I've been right about .500 the first two weeks, but maybe this is the week I turn it all around! NFL Picks, Week 3: Steelers Over Browns Bears Over Texans Raiders Over Titans Chiefs Over Colts Bills Over Dolphins Lions Over Vikings Ravens Over Patriots Jets Over Bengals Eagles Over Commanders Saints Over Panthers Chargers Over Jaguars Cardinals Over Rams Seahawks Over Falcons Buccaneers Over Packers Broncos Over 49ers Cowboys Over Giants Last Week : 8-8 Season : 15-16 NFL Picks, Spread, Week 3: Steelers +5.5 Over Browns Bears -2.5 Over Texans Raiders -2.5 Over Titans Chiefs -6.5 Over Colts Bills -5.5 Over Dolphins Lions +6.5 Over Vikings Patriots +4.5 Over Ravens Jets +4.5 Over Bengals Eagles -6.5 Over Commanders Saints -2.5 Over Panthers Chargers -7.5 Over Jaguars Cardinals +3.5 Over Rams Seahawks -1.5 Over Falcons Buccaneers -2.5 Over Packers Broncos +1.5 Over 49ers Cowboys +2.5 Over Giants Last Week : 9-7 Season : 17-15

  Last week I only caught a few streaming movies, this week I went wild! Enjoy a gaggle of reviews from films I saw this week below! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Barbarian (Theaters) Starring: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgard, Justin Long, and Matthew Patrick Davis Synopsis: There isn’t really a horror movie season, as we see spooky releases throughout the year. But once we hit September, it usually ramps up. No matter what the rest of the season holds, we know we’ll at least have one gripping and original horror film thanks to writer/director Zach Cregger and Barbarian. It’s best to go into the film cold, so I won’t elaborate on plot here aside from saying the initial set up is something out of Vrbo nightmares, but this one has plenty of hidden depths. Cregger’s script crackles, and his direction is on point. The acting is sharp. I enjoyed Campbell and Skarsgard, and Davis is incredible, too. But ...

  The air is getting crisper, the Halloween decorations are out and the days are getting shorter. The Fall is here and this week begins the Network TV Season. There will be plenty of new network shows to discuss in coming weeks, but for now we’ll look at the new shows we got in the past seven days. As always, 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. Mondays: Quantum Leap, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered September 19) About: I wasn’t old enough to catch Quantum Leap during its original Prime Time run, but I remember watching re-runs, a lot. It was an interesting concept brought to life beautifully by Scott Bakula. I always enjoyed watching it but at no point did I think it should come back. But in the era of what’s old is new again, NBC’s first new Fall series is a new edition of Quantum Leap . It's a re-boot, that’s also a sequel and continuation of sorts. This one jumps to 2022, whe...

  NFL Week 2: Denver Broncos 16, Houston Texans 9 Season Record: 1-1 (1-0 Home) Key Play: In the Fourth Quarter with the Broncos trailing 9-6, Russell Wilson connected with Eric Saubert on a 22-yard touchdown pass to give the team a 13-9 lead. The Broncos never gave the lead up. Recap: After Week 1, I noted there were a lot of problems with the Broncos' performance. Those didn't get cleaned up in Week 2, but the Broncos still prevailed. We again scored 16 points. We again killed ourselves with penalties. And, again, clock management and Red Zone work was horrendous. This time, at home, the Broncos got the benefit of the home crowd. The Texans also weren't able to capitalize on the Broncos' inefficiency. It's a win, and that's great, but it shouldn't be mistaken for a good effort. There was no improvement from Nathaniel Hackett and his staff, and that's a problem. And as the Broncos deal with injuries (specifically Patrick Surtain II and Jerry Jeudy we...

  Week 2 of the NFL Season is here. I'll be offering my takes on games to watch Sundays. I'll pick one early game, one late game, look at Sunday Night Football and make an upset pick! Sunday Early Games: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-0) About: The Buccaneers looked like one of the best teams in the NFC in Week 1, dismantling Dallas in a 19-3 win. The Saints, meanwhile, had to sweat it out against the Falcons. The Saints prevailed, but it was far from easy. Now, these division foes clash in a key early season game. The Buccaneers with Tom Brady haven’t had an easy time of the Saints, going 1-4. The lone win was in the playoffs as the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, but that’s still cause for concern. Can Brady get an elusive regular season win, or will the Saints start off 2-0 in their quest to get to the playoffs with new coach Dennis Allen? Sunday Late Games: Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) About: Another game featuring two teams that ...

  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! Richard Winters :  That night, I thanked God for seeing me through that day of days and prayed I would make it through D plus 1. I also promised that if some way I could get home again, I would find a nice peaceful town and spend the rest of my life in peace. Band of Brothers (2001) Starring : Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Donnie Wahlberg, Scott Grimes, and Shane Taylor Favorite Episode : "Day of Days," Episode 1.02; "Crossroads," Episode 1.05; "Breaking Point," Episode 1.07; "Why We Fight," Episode 1.09; "Points," Episode 1.10 About : The account of Easy Company, ...

   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! Louise Banks : Despite knowing the journey... and where it leads... I embrace it... and I welcome every moment of it. Arrival (2016) Starring : Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Tzi Ma Director : Denis Villenueve About : If you knew you were going to suffer in the future, would you make a different choice? Or would the beauty of the journey be enough to keep you on your path? This film, from Villenueve appeared to be a tale of aliens. It's true, it is that. But it's also so much more. It arrived the same year as a number of great films, including another that appeared on this list. I was taken with Arrival when I first saw it, but my lo...

  Week 1 was wild and unexpected, maybe I'll do better in Week 2. Week 2 Picks Chiefs Over Chargers Browns Over Jets Lions Over Commanders Saints Over Buccaneers Giants Over Panthers Steelers Over Patriots Colts Over Jaguars Ravens Over Dolphins Rams Over Falcons Seahawks Over 49ers Bengals Over Cowboys Broncos Over Texans Raiders Over Cardinals Packers Over Bears Bills Over Titans Eagles Over Vikings Last Week : 7-8 Season : 7-8 Week 2 Picks, Spread Chiefs -3.5 Over Chargers Jets +6.5 Over Browns Lions -2.5 Over Commanders Saints +2.5 Over Buccaneers Giants -2.5 Over Panthers Steelers +1.5 Over Patriots Jaguars +4.5 Over Colts Dolphins +3.5 Over Ravens Rams -10.5 Over Falcons Seahawks +8.5 Over 49ers Bengals -7.5 Over Cowboys Texans +9.5 Over Broncos Cardinals +5.5 Over Raiders Bears +9.5 Over Packers Bills -9.5 Over Titans Eagles -1.5 Over Vikings Last Week : 8-8 Season : 8-8

  We’re still in a slow period at the theaters—though I hear Barbarian was great. I didn’t get a chance to hit the theaters because I was traveling, but I saw a few streaming offerings. Below are my thoughts! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . End of the Road (Netflix) Starring: Queen Latifah, Ludacris, and Beau Bridges Synopsis: Brenda (Latifah) is a nurse and single mother forced to move her kids from California to Houston. She’s traveling with her teenage daughter and young son, also making the trip is her brother Reggie (Ludacris). It’s a tense trip to begin with but when they are in the next hotel room from a drug deal gone bad in Arizona, things go from bad to worse. Brenda just wants to get on the road, but soon she finds herself pulled into this world of crime and fighting to safeguard her children. This is a pretty standard plot and it plays out like you’d expect. Latifah does a decent job in the...

  Week 1: Seattle Seahawks 17, Denver Broncos 16 Season Record : 0-1 (0-0 Home) Key Play: In the third quarter, with the Broncos trailing 17-13, on Third and Goal from the 1 yard line, running back Javonte Williams fumbled, recovered by the Seahawks. Recap: The Broncos moved on from Vic Fangio, in large part, because of the lack of offense, the poor clock management and poor discipline. If Nathaniel Hackett is going to be a departure from that, he's going to have to be better than he was in game one. The Broncos looked stiff and sloppy, wasting opportunities and losing to what most believe is a lesser Seattle Seahawks team. Russell Wilson alone isn't the answer, it will take more for the Broncos. That was abundantly clear in the first game. The Broncos had 12 penalties, two turnovers in the Red Zone, sluggish pass plays and some more than curious game management. It turns out a team with a new coach, new quarterback and new offense probably could benefit from some pre-season...

  We’re past Labor Day, the NFL Season is under way and that can only mean one thing—the Fall TV Season is here. With the flood of content coming your way, it can be hard to know what’s worth your time. Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall! Tuesdays: Monarch, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered September 11) About : The first salvo of the new Fall season on Network came Sunday night as Monarch debuted following the first Sunday slate of football. It’s a big Prime Time soap set in the world of country music, following the first family of country music. The Roman family are stars, well at least Matriarch Dottie (Susan Sarandon) and her husband Albie (Trace Adkins) are royalty. They’re getting a lifetime achievement award and, with Dottie sick and terminal, she’s looking to hand off to the next generation—including her three children (Anna Friel, Joshua Sasse and Beth Ditto). But scandal and in-fighting lur...

  Week 1 of the NFL Season is here. I've been previewing the season for the past few weeks, and now it's time for the last piece, playoff predictions. Below are my fearless predictions for the NFC and AFC Playoff slate. We'll see how I do come January. NFC Playoffs: 1. Los Angeles Rams 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3. Dallas Cowboys 4. Green Bay Packers 5. Philadelphia Eagles 6. Minnesota Vikings 7. New Orleans Saints Wild Card Round: Buccaneers Over Saints; Cowboys Over Vikings; Eagles Over Packers Divisional Round : Buccaneers Over Cowboys; Eagles Over Rams NFC Championship Game : Buccaneers Over Eagles AFC Playoffs: 1. Buffalo Bills 2. Los Angeles Chargers 3. Cincinnati Bengals 4. Indianapolis Colts 5. Denver Broncos 6. Kansas City Chiefs 7. Baltimore Ravens Wild Card Round : Chargers Over Ravens; Broncos Over Colts; Chiefs Over Bengals Divisional Round : Broncos Over Chargers; Bills Over Chiefs AFC Championship Game : Bills Over Broncos Super Bowl : Bills Over Buccaneers Enj...

  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! Philip: Colonel ... I can't even remember his name. When they first asked me. They said it would be a hard life. They didn't want me to think it would be some big adventure. I said I wasn't afraid of that. Elizabeth: Who knows what would have happened here? I might have worked at a factory. Managed a factory. You might've. Mmm. Maybe we would have met ... on a bus. They'll be OK. Philip : They'll remember us ... when... They're not kids anymore. We raised them. Elizabeth : Yes. Philip: It feels strange. Elizabeth: [in Russian] We'll get used to it. The Americans (2013-2018) Sta...