Matt's Musings

  We’re racing through January and turning the corner into February, and the torrent of new shows is picking up. This week included some anticipated new releases, but which are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter. Don’t see a new show below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: The Watchful Eye, Mondays at 9 p.m. on Freeform (Premiered January 30) About : The latest series from Freeform features a lot of things mashed into one package. You have a haunted building, a suspicious death or two, a treasure hunt, the idle lives of rich people and the idle lives of nannies, all crammed into one tight package. The question is: where is it all leading. After two episodes, I’m still not sure. I’m also not totally sure what the title is supposed to mean, though it could reference a lot of things. Is it about the building? Is it about the uber-controlling family? Is it about the woman masquerading as o...

  The 95th Academy Awards are March 12 and the nominees were announced Tuesday. As we move toward the awards, I'll be looking at all 10 Best Picture Nominees. Triangle of Sadness Starring : Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Woody Harrelson, and Dolly De Leon Director: Ruben Ostlund Total Nominations : 3 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay About: This was probably one of the biggest surprises among the Oscar nominee slate. It earned a total of three nominations, grabbing a screenplay and director nod before making the final Best Picture field. It's a wild and crazy film, one that I enjoyed in parts. I thought it was a bit long, and not all of it was an interesting as I hoped. I loved the wildly creative dining room sequence and I really enjoyed Harrelson's performance. In terms of its chances, I think the win for this film is likely in getting the nominations, which could lead to greater exposure and more people seeing the film. It feels...

  We're in the midst of Awards Season, with the Academy Award nominations coming out just Tuesday. I'm taking this opportunity to look back at my favorites of 2022, today with my favorite animated feature films. 10. Minions: The Rise of Gru About: This little summer film was fun and worked for what it is. It focused a lot on the Minions, which are fun, but also provided an origin story for Steve Carell's Gru. I enjoyed it and thought it was fun for the family. 9. Luck About: This animated feature debuted on Apple TV+. I wasn't sure what to expect but I enjoyed the story and the animated style. It ended up pulling me in and capturing my heart. 8. Turning Red About: This Pixar film got released straight to Disney+, which is a shame. I hope more people get a chance to check out this story, which had wonderful characters and a strong animated style. 7. Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers About: I wasn't sure what to expect here, but Andy Samberg and John Mulaney are great as...

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Thena: I asked Gilgamesh once why he chose to protect me. He said, "When you love something, you protect it. It is the most natural thing in the world." Eternals (2021) Starring : Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Barry Keoghan, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Ma Dong-Seok, and Kit Harrington Director : Chloe Zhao About : After a lost year due to the pandemic, Marvel released four films in 2021. One of the most ambitious and most polarizing was Eternals . The film looks at a fringe group of heroes in the MCU. It has a dense mythology that requires plenty of backstory. And it's still unclear exactly how it fits into the larger picture of the MCU. Some didn't care for the fil...

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Remy Royce-Graff: You know, if it wasn't 7:30 in the morning I would have a drink. Earthquake (1974) Starring : Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, and Lorne Greene Director : Mark Robson About : I can't lie, I'm a fan of disaster movies. If you followed my Top 50 countdown you know I love Twister . Well, I've also seen a number of disaster films from over the years. This one, released in 1974, was part of a string of high-profile disaster films from the decade. It boasts an All-Star cast and a script that was co-written by Mario Puzo, which was part of the reason I looked it up in the first place. I won't lie, there's some issues with the film. They also weren't that great at casting correct age ...

  The Conference Championships are Sunday, meaning we have only three more meaningful football games left in the 2022 NFL Season. I was 3-1 last week, snapping my streak, but I’m 9-1 for the playoffs. Can I keep it going? NFC Championship San Francisco 49ers (13-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) About : These were the two best teams in the NFC heading into the playoffs, so it makes some sense that they’d meet in the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers haven’t missed a beat with rookie Brock Purdy—the team’s third string quarterback—in the starting role. He went 5-0 to close the regular season and is now 2-0 in the playoffs. They haven’t lost with him in there, but that’s more a credit to a great supporting cast and stout defense. The Eagles have also been near flawless with their starting quarterback—Jalen Hurts. He figures to be a front-runner for the NFL MVP, with his team going 14-1 in his starts during the regular season and easily winning their first playoff game by 31 points...

  Nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday morning and, as always, there were plenty of surprises. Below I have three nominations that excited me and three misses that bummed me out. What were you happy about with the Academy Award nominations? What misses had you bummed? Give a shout in the comments. Three Nominations That Excited Me ·        Women Talking for Best Picture . It seemed like the film was sliding out of contention, which had me concerned. It is poignant and one of my favorite films of the year and I was concerned it would end up overlooked. Instead, the film garnered two nominations—for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture—which is something at least. It was a great year for films but many I enjoyed missed the cut. ·        Brian Tyree Henry for Best Supporting Actor. I loved the Apple TV+ film Causeway, but it didn’t seem like many had seen it or were talking about it. An...

  It’s the year for sitcom reboots, at least so far. We got two shows that call back to originals from the 1980s and 1990s this week, but is either worth checking out? Let’s dive in! Each week I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter. Don’t see a new show below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Night Court, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC (Premiered January 17) About : The original series—starring Harry Anderson as judge Harry Stone—ran for nine seasons. It was about the loveable folks who worked in the overnight arraignment court in Manhattan. It’s run began in the 1980s and it signed off in 1992. Now, more than 30 years later, it's back. This time Melissa Rauch takes the lead as Harry Stone’s daughter. She’s stepping into the court where her late father once presided. (Anderson, himself, passed away a few years ago). But it’s more than just the familial connection for this series, which sees former erasable prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette) ...

  We're cruising toward the Academy Award nominations, which are out tomorrow! As we move through award season, I'm looking back at films from 2022 that I enjoyed. Today, it's my Top 10 Documentary Features! 10. Halftime About: This Netflix documentary took at look at Jennifer Lopez, her career, and the big year where she starred in Hustlers and did the halftime show for the Super Bowl. It was more interesting and engaging than I expected and was a great portrait of an artist that is somewhat misunderstood. 9. All That Breathes About: This one is on a lot of short lists and nomination lists, figuring to be a strong consideration for the Academy Awards. It focuses on two brothers in Dehli who work to protect small birds known as Kites. It was a winner at Sundance and Cannes, and is a powerful and engaging story. 8. We Need to Talk About Cosby About: This documentary from W. Kamau Bell looks at the life, career and legacy of Bill Cosby, and what it means for so many who grew...

  As we roll through Awards Season, I wanted to have a look back at some of my favorite films of 2022 in various categories. Today, I'm sharing my 10 favorite International Features. 10. Argentina, 1985 About: This film came to domestic audiences via Prime Video. It centers on the true story of brave lawyers who took on a dictatorship. I liked the performances and the story, helping it land in my Top 10 and on the Academy Award shortlist. 9. All Quiet on the Western Front About: This one debuted on Netflix, a German-language feature of the classic book. I was impressed by the way the film was put together and the craft used. I loved the opening sequence, which I thought was one of the most clever things about the production. This is another film that could make the Academy Award list. 8. Joyland About: I discovered this one through the Independent Spirits, where it was nominated for Best International Feature. It comes from Pakistan and features some heart-breaking performances a...

 Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Wonder Woman : You cannot escape my Lasso of Truth. Lulu: You want the truth? The boots are a little much. DC League of Super-Pets (2022) Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Natasha Lyonne, Marc Maron, Diego Luna, and Keanu Reeves Director: Jared Stern and Sam J. Levine About: This is one of a few films from 2022 that made the list. But for me, it's probably the most surprising. Animated films aren't my favorite, and when I saw the trailer for this one I wasn't sure what to think. In fact, it was a busy time and I didn't even catch this film in the theater. I saw it months later, on a plane. But what I saw hooked me. It was engaging, fun and ended up having a really great story. When it comes to s...

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Max: I'm scared, Fif. You know why? It's that rat circus out there. I'm beginning to enjoy it. Fifi: What is this, funny week? Max: Look. Any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, you know? A terminal crazy... only I got a bronze badge to say I'm one of the good guys. Mad Max (1979) Starring : Mel Gibson Director : George Miller About : This film kicked off a franchise that is continuing to go, with a new installment due out in 2024. But back in 1979, he was a young director establishing himself. Miller has had a long and varied career, including films like Babe: Pig in the City and Happy Feet , but it's the Mad Max universe that first established him. And all that kicked off with this film! It's...

  I got off to a hot start for the playoffs, going a perfect 6-0 with my picks for Super Wild Card Weekend. This week, we get four more intriguing matchups—two each on Saturday and Sunday. Can I keep up my hot streak and move to 10-0? Let’s find out. Saturday Games: Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) About: The Jaguars had one of the more tense victories last weekend. The team fell behind 27-0 before battling back. Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions in the first half but finished with four touchdown passes as his team came back for the 31-30 victory. The Jaguars have had a habit of falling far behind and fighting their way back. That helped the team finish hot and make the playoffs, and it served the team well in the Wild Card round. But it’s likely to be different going against the Chiefs. Kansas City has plenty of experience and plenty of playoff experience on the roster with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Sc...

  The second week in January brought our first big action release as well as a trio of Streaming Films. In addition, I look ahead to a film releasing this Friday! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Alice, Darling (Theaters) Starring : Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Wunmi Mosaku, and Charlie Carrick Synopsis : Sometimes we lose ourselves when we feel pressured to change for another person. If that person is particularly controlling, it can magnify how much of ourselves we lose. That’s the central question in Alice, Darling , a new feature film that opens wide on Friday. The film showed at TIFF and had a limited release late in 2022, but now it’s expanding to start the new year. In it, Kendrick plays Alice. She was once a strong and confident woman but her friends have noticed a change since she started a relationship with Simon (Carrick). In fact, Alice can’t even be honest with Simon when she heads out for...

  We’re trucking through January and while we didn’t get as many premiers this week, we got a couple of highly anticipated new shows from Warner Bros. and HBO. But are they worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesday Nights: Will Trent, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC (Premiered January 3) About : The latest drama from ABC is based on the book series from Karen Slaughter, focusing on a talented detective from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that is something of a prickly pear when it comes to personality. Ramon Rodriguez takes the lead as the titular Will Trent, with the first two episodes focusing on the case of a missing girl. That case—and special guest stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jennifer Morrison—is resolved by the end of the second episode, but there’s plenty to build around here. I enjoy Rodriguez in the lead ...

  I am excited to now be part of the Denver Film Critics Society. This was my first year being part of the group and taking part in the annual award presentation. The official slate of winners for DFCS was announced on Monday. Below is the complete list. This year one film, Everything Everywhere All At Once , dominated the voting. It won a total of seven awards, including Best Picture, three acting awards and Best Director. The International Feature RRR also did well, winning a pair of awards, while Colin Farrell was recognized for his acting and Sarah Polley was recognized for her work on Women Talking . The full list of winners is below. Best Picture: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" Best Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" Best Actor: Colin Farrell, "The Banshees of Inisherin" Best Supporting Actress: Stephanie Hsu, "Everything Ev...

  I am proud to be part of the leadership group for the North American Film Critics Association. We handed out our first award slate last year and on Monday, January 9 we handed out awards for our second year. Below is the slate of winners from the year along with my thoughts about each category. If you want to see our live voting show, click here . Best Picture – Tie Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio & The Fabelmans About: We were a split group. Pinocchio was the best of the animated films I saw in 2022. While some didn't care for The Fabelmans , I loved it, which is why it got my vote. Best Animal Performance Jenny the donkey, The Banshees of Inisherin About : Jenny the Donkey was an endearing part of the film. It's a great win. Best Director The Daniels, Everything Everywhere All at Once About: The Daniels created a film that was unlike anything I've ever seen visually.  Best Actress Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once About: Yeoh is a great actress whos...

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. Deadpool :  And believe it or not, Deadpool 2 is a family film. True story. And every big family film starts... with a vicious murder. Bambi, The Lion King, Saw 7. Deadpool 2 (2018) Starring : Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Zazzie Beetz, Karan Soni, Julian Dennison, and T.J. Miller Director : David Leitch About : Sequels can be tough but Deadpool has a lot of fun with it. Reynolds is great in the lead role and the script from Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Reynolds crackles with a lot of humor. It has a wild first act and then continues that throughout the film. I like the way it built a team and I enjoyed Brolin in the role as Cable. Beetz, Miller and Soni are a lot of fun, too, in supporting roles. This is also the rare film ...

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Sergeant Howie : I believe in the life eternal, as promised to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Lord Summerisle : That is good. For believing what you do, we confer upon you a rare gift, these days - a martyr's death. The Wicker Man (1973) Starring : Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee Director: Robin Hardy About : When it comes to horror films, I've always enjoyed something that feels different and grounded. I was in college when I first discovered The Wicker Man , which was re-made horribly in 2006 with Nicholas Cage in the lead role. In the original, Woodward stars as a British police officer and devout Christian. We're first introduced to buttoned up Sgt. Howie before he's dispatched to a small island to respond to th...

  The NFL Playoffs are here. After a wild regular season, we are down to 14 teams. A total of 12 of those teams will be in action for Super Wild Card Weekend, which kicks off on Saturday and runs through Monday Night. Below is my take on each game, including my pick. My goal every year is to be perfect in the playoffs. Will I get there? Let’s find out. Saturday Games Seattle Seahawks (9-8) at San Francisco 49ers (13-4) About : We have three battles of divisional rivals in this round of the playoffs. The first of those matchups is between these rivals in the NFC West. The Seahawks started the season hot, jumping out to an early lead in the division. Then the 49ers surged and ended up taking the division crown. The 49ers swept the Seahawks. The first meeting was in Week 2—a 27-7 victory—where Trey Lance was lost for the season and Jimmy Garoppolo came in and led the 49ers to victory. In Week 15 it was Brock Purdy leading the 49ers to a 21-13 win to secure the division title. The...