Matt's Musings

  Thanksgiving weekend is a time to relax and be with family. But it was also a wild weekend for me getting back to the theater! Below are some of the movies I caught this weekend. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Bones and All (Theaters) Starring : Taylor Russell, Timothee Chalamet, and Mark Rylance Synopsis : Based on the novel from Camille DeAngelis, this film explores a coming-of-age story and romance between two lost souls. Maren (Russell) has been abandoned by her father and never really knew her mother. Lee (Chalamet) had an icy relationship with his father and has spent years roaming. Together, they find a kindred spirit—and someone who shares the other’s strange proclivity toward cannibalism. Yes, you read that correctly. Maren’s condition is why her father left, finally unable to do what was needed to protect her violent and strange secret. In addition to Lee, Maren meets others who share her af...

  We’re past Thanksgiving and about to hit the slow period in mid-to-late December. But until then, we’re continuing to get some new series. But what 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 Fall. Tuesdays: Welcome to Chippendales, Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered November 22) About : This new docudrama looks at the story behind the creation of the famous Chippendales dancers, the club and the people who created drama behind the scenes. It stars Kumail Nanjiani as Somen “Steve” Banerjee, who begins the series as a gas station attendant with a dream. He finally saves up enough to open Destiny II, a backgammon club. When that doesn’t hit, he cycles through a number of options until he strikes gold with a strip club for women. Partnering with choreographer Nick De Noia (Murray Bartlett), the Chippendales dancers are born. The first episode lays out the players and the world, while the second deepens the...

  Week 12 : Carolina Panthers 23, Denver Broncos 10 Season Record : 3-7 (2-3 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, trailing 20-3, the Broncos' Jalen Virgil received a kickoff and fumbled. The Panthers recovered and scored another field goal to stretch it to a 20-point lead. Recap : What's left to say. I entered this season thinking the Broncos could win 11 or 12 games. At this point, I'd be surprised to see them win five games. They still have two with the Chiefs and one with the Chargers. The Broncos are 3-7 and just lost by double digits to a Panthers' team that was so poor it fired its coach after five games. That's a grim sign. The Broncos are cruising toward a Top 5 draft pick, which is really too bad since the Seahawks own the Broncos' pick. The team needs to rebuild or start over. How is that going to happen? It's unclear but as the team is cruising toward another losing season, it's time to start wondering what or if George Paton can right the ...

  We're to Week 12, Thanksgiving week. The pressure to get to the playoffs is growing. Many of the matchups this Sunday seem straightforward, but there's still some intriguing battles. Below are my highlights. Sunday Early Games: Atlanta Falcons (5-6) at Washington Commanders (6-5) About: Who knew this battle in Week 12 would be so crucial to the NFC Playoff race. The Falcons have been better than expected, at or near the top of the AFC South all season. At 5-6, they need a win to stay in the race. The Commanders, meanwhile, are in last place in the NFC East, but that’s a testament to how good the division is and not a commentary on the Commanders. They’re on the outside looking in at the playoffs right now, but they’re ever so close, beginning the week a mere half game out. The Commanders are the only team to take down the Eagles so far this season and look like contenders with Taylor Heinicke, who is now the starter for the balance of the season. Can the Commanders get a win...

  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! Dr. Doug Ross : I'm a doctor and nothing gets in the way of that. Nothing . ER (1994-2009) Starring: Noah Wyle, Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Juliana Margulies, Sherry Stringfield, Eriq La Salle, Laura Innes, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic Original Position : Network Dramas, No. 2 About: I was a teen when I started watching ER. I remember watching the pilot and being completely captivated. I was already a Michael Crichton fan, so I was excited to see the series. It didn't disappoint. I watched it throughout its run, even the seasons that weren't as great. It remained one of my favorite shows and...

  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! John Hammond: I don't think you're giving us our due credit. Our scientists have done things which nobody's ever done before... Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. Jurassic Park (1993) Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Richard Attenborough, and Samuel L. Jackson Director: Steven Spielberg About: There is a way people of a certain age talk about seeing the original Star Wars on the big screen. It was a film that opened their eyes to wonder and the power of cinema. I was born in 1981. I was 12 when I saw Jurassic Park on the big scree...

  I did better in Week 11 and it's time to see if I can keep that momentum going in Week 12. That includes a big triple header of games today! NFL Picks, Week 12 Bills Over Lions Cowboys Over Giants Vikings Over Patriots Buccaneers Over Browns Bengals Over Titans Jets Over Bears Dolphins Over Texans Commanders Over Falcons Broncos Over Panthers Ravens Over Jaguars Chargers Over Cardinals Seahawks Over Raiders Chiefs Over Rams 49ers Over Saints Eagles Over Packers Colts Over Steelers Last Week : 9-5 Season : 86-77 NFL Picks Spread, Week 12: Lions +9.5 Over Bills Giants +9.5 Over Cowboys Vikings -3.5 Over Patriots Buccaneers -3.5 Over Browns Bengals -1.5 Over Titans Dolphins -12.5 Over Texans Bears +4.5 Over Jets Commanders -4.5 Over Falcons Broncos -2.5 Over Panthers Ravens -4.5 Over Jaguars Chargers -1.5 Over Cardinals Seahawks -3.5 Over Raiders Chiefs -14.5 Over Rams 49ers -4.5 Over Saints Packers +7.5 Over Eagles Colts -2.5 Over Steelers Last Week : 6-8 Season...

  I was on the road a bit this week, so I didn’t get to see everything. Still, I saw some interesting films. My reviews for the week are below! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . A Christmas Story Christmas (HBO Max) Starring : Peter Billingsley, Erinn Hayes, and Julie Hagerty Synopsis : In 1983 we got the film A Christmas Story. It was set in the 1940s, based on the book by Jean Shepherd, an followed the exploits of young Ralphie Parker (Billingsley) and his father (Darren McGavin). It’s become such an iconic part of the season that TNT even plays the film on a look for 24-hours each Christmas. Now, nearly 40 years later, we get a sequel. Billingsley is back as a grown up Ralphie, the film set in 1973 where Ralphie is an aspiring writer with a family of his own. He’s trying to sell his first novel and is on the cusp of Christmas, ending the year and the deadline he gave himself to succeed. In the midst of ...

  Thanksgiving is here, and Christmas is right around the corner. That means much of the network season, and other seasons, are coming to a close. But that doesn’t mean we’re out of new shows premiering. And since I was traveling last week and missed some, there’s some catch up here! As you’re starring into a long weekend, some of these new offerings might be just the time filler you’re seeking! 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: The Santa Clauses, Streaming Wednesdays on Disney+ (Premiered November 16) About : Tim Allen took the lead in The Santa Clause in 1994, creating an iconic seasonal classic. It spawned two sequels and continues to have a following nearly 30 years later. That’s what led to this new limited series on Disney+, which runs six episodes and was timed just for the holiday season. Allen is back as Santa Claus, a position he’s held for 27 years at this point....

  Week 11 : Las Vegas Raiders 22, Denver Broncos 16 Season Record: 3-7 (2-3 Home) Key Play : In overtime, with the game tied at 16-16, Derek Carr found Davante Adams for a 35-yard touchdown strike to end the game. Recap: Nothing feels worse than a division loss, particularly when it comes to the Raiders. Pouring salt in the wound is that the Raiders' embattled new Head Coach is Josh McDaniels. I hate McDaniels, who was a terrible coach in Denver. And yet, the Broncos have given their former coach two of his three wins this season. The Broncos being swept by the lowly Raiders is a tough nut to swallow. The defense gave up a few big plays. Josh Jacobs went for more than 100 yards on the ground and more than 150 yards total. Adams had two huge touchdowns and more than 100 yards. Those two have exposed the Broncos twice, and it's infuriating. Klint Kubiak called plays on offense and at times the Broncos looked better. It's tough to say what impact all these injuries are havin...

  How did we get here? It’s Week 11 of the NFL Season, the weekend before Thanksgiving. This season is flying by—as is the year 2022. We have four teams on a bye again this week and an International Game on Monday Night Football . So, Sunday is fairly normal. Let’s dive in and look at the five matchups I like best on the Sunday slate. Sunday Early Games: New York Jets (6-3) at New England Patriots (5-4) About: These two teams are both in the playoff race. They’re also at the bottom of their division—the best division in the NFL right now. The Patriots have leaned on the defense while figuring it out on offense. The Jets are getting better on both sides of the ball. Both teams are fresh off a bye and both want a win to keep moving ahead in the playoff race. This is the young guns against the wily team put together by Bill Belichick. This should be a lot of fun. Sunday Late Games: Dallas Cowboys (6-3) at Minnesota Vikings (8-1) About: Both these teams had improbably finishes in...

  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! Sheldon: You're not done with her, are you? Leonard Hofstadter: Our babies are gonna be smart and beautiful. Sheldon: Not to mention imaginary. The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) Starring : Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik Original Position : Network Comedy, No. 1 About : I was a late adopter when it came to this series. I never saw an episode when it was actually airing. When COVID hit, I was seeking an option. I found the series streaming on HBO Max and I decided to give it a try. Now, it's a near daily part of my life as we often put ...

  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! Hooper: I'm not going to waste my time arguing with a man who's lining up to be a hot lunch. Jaws (1975) Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw Director : Steven Spielberg About : This is a film I've seen many, many times. It was one of the earliest films I watched and it has captivated me throughout my life. It was the original summer blockbuster, and it's a film that has become part of an annual tradition for me. I watch Jaws each year on the Fourth of July, the holiday that plays a major factor in the plot. I've purchased it many times on many different platforms and never been sorry I did. I remember purchasing the 25th Anniversary ...

  Week 10 was not a good week for my picks. Let's hope this week goes a little better... NFL Picks, Week 11 Packers Over Titans Bears Over Falcons Bills Over Browns Eagles Over Colts Jets Over Patriots Saints Over Rams Giants Over Lions Ravens Over Panthers Commanders Over Texans Broncos Over Raiders Cowboys Over Vikings Bengals Over Steelers Chiefs Over Chargers 49ers Over Cardinals Last Week : 4-10 Season : 77-72 NFL Picks Spread, Week 11 Packers -3.5 Over Titans Bears +3.5 Over Falcons Bills -9.5 Over Browns Eagles -7.5 Over Colts Jets +2.5 Over Patriots Saints -3.5 Over Rams Giants -3.5 Over Lions Panthers +12.5 Over Ravens Commanders -2.5 Over Texans Broncos -2.5 Over Raiders Cowboys -.5 Over Vikings Steelers +4.5 Over Bengals Chiefs -6.5 Over Chargers 49ers -7.5 Over Cardinals Last Week : 3-11 Season : 70-80

  The latest from Marvel, a timely Christmas release and more. It was a big week for movies and below I offer my take on the films I saw this week. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Theaters) Starring : Leticia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, and Winston Duke Synopsis : I loved Black Panther . Ryan Coogler delivered a cool and engaging film, one led by Chadwick Boseman, who was incredible as T’Challa. When he was lost in 2020, the world lost a great talent. So, too, did the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The question was how—and even if—the Black Panther saga would continue. Friday we got that answer in the long awaited sequel. The film begins and ends with Boseman’s T’Challa. He cast a big shadow on the film and on these characters. Rightly the film doesn’t try to replace or ignore that loss, it steers right into it. That makes this a ...

  We’re closing in on Thanksgiving and the flow of new shows is slowing. I’ve also been on the road, so this is what I’ve seen, but it isn’t the most exhaustive list. But it’s not completely dried up. If you’re trying to decide what new programs to invest in, 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. Streaming Series: Zootopia+, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered November 9) About: This new series for Disney+ is a set of shorts set in the world of the classic Zootopia . The first episode directly ties to characters from the film while the second one was more of a spoof of pop culture. There’s six in all, none longer than about 10 minutes. It’s a short commitment for those that want to take part. Pilot Grade: C+ Second Episode: C+ The Calling, Now Streaming on Peacock (Premiered November 10) About: David E. Kelley is back with a detective drama, th...

  Week 10 : Tennessee Titans 17, Denver Broncos 10 Season Record : 3-6 (2-2 Home) Key Play : Trailing 17-10 late in the Fourth Quarter, Russell Wilson faced a Fourth and 5 from the Titans' 25-yard-line. He targeted Courtland Sutton but was intercepted by the Titans to end the game. Recap : The bye week wasn't the magic tonic to cure all the Broncos' ills. I didn't really think it would be, but still I hoped the team would look better on the other side. Denver managed 10 total points, blowing another great defensive game. The running game looked stale. The passing game saw more injuries and was more than a little boom/bust. And the team committed eight penalties. That is a marked improvement, I guess, which speaks to some of the issues here. Anyway, the Broncos are 3-6. Mathematically they're still alive for the playoffs but I don't hold out much hope. I thought Week 10 would be the beginning of a second half surge. That doesn't appear to be in the cards, and...

Week 10 is here, featuring some fun games. Below are my top games from the Sunday slate. Sunday Early Games: Minnesota Vikings (7-1) at Buffalo Bills (6-2) About : Josh Allen’s elbow injury casts a shadow over this game, but it’s still a matchup of two contending teams. On paper, it should be one of the week’s best. The Vikings have the second best record in football and appear to be pushing all in on 2022 and making a title run, finally, with Kirk Cousins at the helm. The Bills, meanwhile, are pushing toward the playoffs but have stumbled, twice, against fellow AFC East teams. The Bills face a stout challenge in their own division, in addition to the AFC. Both teams need a win to solidify their position as a title contender. Who will get it? Sunday Late Games: Dallas Cowboys (6-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-6) About : Fresh off a bye, the Cowboys head to Green Bay. Dallas sits at 6-2 and continues to chase the Eagles in the NFC East and NFC in general. The East is tough with three teams ...

  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! Harry Bosch: "Places are safe until they aren't. It takes only one moment, one bad actor, one chance crossing of predator and prey to change things." Bosch (2014-2021) Starring: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, and Madison Lintz Original Position: Streaming Series, No. 1 About: I remember the first time I saw Bosch . It was during a pilot season presentation from Amazon when such a thing was a part of their process. I watched the pilot knowing nothing about the show, the character and the world created in the books from Michael Connelly. And yet, I was quickly hooked. I rem...

  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! Michael: [to the Don, quietly] Just lie here, Pop. I'll take care of you now. I'm with you now. I'm with you. [he takes the Don's hand and kisses it, the Don begins to cry] The Godfather (1972) Starring : Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, John Cazale, Talia Shire, and Diane Keaton Director : Francis Ford Coppola About : This film is the oldest film on my list, having celebrated 50 years in release this year. I remember the first time I saw it. I was in high school. I've seen it more than a dozen times, and seen its sequels as well. But I remember that first time, how captivated I was with the story and the characters. It's beautifully...

  I managed a 9-4 record in Week 10, that has me sitting 13 picks over .500 now! Can I keep it going? Can I transfer that success to picks against the spread? Let's hope so. NFL Picks, Week 10 Falcons Over Panthers Seahawks Over Buccaneers Bills Over Vikings Bears Over Lions Broncos Over Titans Chiefs Over Jaguars Dolphins Over Browns Giants Over Texans Saints Over Steelers Raiders Over Colts Cowboys Over Packers Rams Over Cardinals Chargers Over 49ers Eagles Over Commanders Last Week : 9-4 Season : 74-61 NFL Picks Spread, Week 10: Falcons -2.5 Over Panthers Seahawks +2.5 Over Buccaneers Vikings +7.5 Over Bills Bears -3.5 Over Lions Broncos +3.5 Over Titans Chiefs -9.5 Over Jaguars Dolphins -3.5 Over Browns Texans +6.5 Over Giants Saints -2.5 Over Steelers Raiders -5.5 Over Colts Cowboys -5.5 Over Packers Rams -3.5 Over Cardinals Chargers +6.5 Over 49ers Eagles -10.5 Over Commanders Last Week : 5-8 Season : 66-70

  It was a big week for streaming films and documentaries. I look at four films that I saw this week, including a couple that made my current Top 10 from Apple. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Causeway (Apple TV+) Starring : Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, and Linda Emond Synopsis : In this new drama, Lawrence plays Lynsey, a soldier who is trying to recover. She worked for the Army Corps of engineers and was involved in an explosion that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Her sole focus is to recover so she can go back. First, she has to return home to stay with her estranged mother (Edmond). While there, a problem with her truck leads to a chance encounter with a mechanic (Henry) who is recovering from a trauma of his own. They strike up a friendship and soon these two wounded souls find in each other someone that might help them find a way forward. Perhaps it’s just a matter of taste, but t...