Matt's Musings

  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! Navin R. Johnson: Huh? I am *not* a bum. I'm a jerk. I once had wealth, power, and the love of a beautiful woman. Now I only have two things: my friends, and... uh... my thermos. Huh? My story? Okay. It was never easy for me. I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sittin' on the porch with my family, singin' and dancin' down in Mississippi... The Jerk (1979) Starring : Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, M. Emmet Walsh, Mabel King, and Richard Ward Director : Carl Reiner About: The 1970s featured some iconic and edgy comedies. The Jerk certainly qualifies. The quote above is the opening line of the film. It's become iconic and it certainly sets the tone for all that comes after. There are a lot of great ...

  We're nearing the start of Training Camp and the 2023 NFL Season. As we do, I'm revisiting my Dynasty Rankings. Today I continue with my Top 50 WRs. TEs: 1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs : He's still the benchmark at the position. 2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens: He's still the Ravens' best receiver. 3. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons : Could he be poised for a big year three jump? 4. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings : He is thriving for the Vikings 5. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers: I love Freiermuth and his talent. 6. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: Still a great talent, but with more risk. 7. Darren Waller, New York Giants: Poised for a starring role in New York. 8. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles: One of the most under-rated players at the position. 9. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: He's found a great spot with the Jaguars. 10. Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos: I love Dulcich and his potential. 11. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: A ta...

  We got a new comedy from Jennifer Lawrence and from Wes Anderson, and I look at them both in this week’s roundup. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd. Asteroid City (Theaters) Starring : Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, Steve Carrell, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, and Jake Ryan Synopsis : By this point, you should know what it means when a film comes from Wes Anderson. Though the stories vary, the style is uniquely his, and it pervades all of his efforts. That’s true of his latest, Asteroid City, which opened in wide release Friday. The film is set in a small dessert town, the site of a crater where a meteor hit long ago. The Junior Stargazers and their families are gathered for a rare event and celebration, honoring their achievements in science. Naturally, things go awry. There’s also the film within the film, plenty of quirk and a lot of heart. This ...

  We’re racing through June and turning the corner toward July. We’re in the heart of summer programming, which has produced a slower flow. Still, there are some interesting new series being released. What should you see out on these long summer nights? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Glamorous, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered June 22) About : This series was originally meant for the CW, which passed. It makes sense looking at the glossy look, the youth-centric construct of the narrative and the tight 42-minute episodes. Now, the whole 10-episode season is available to stream. Kim Cattrall plays Madolyn Addison, the queen of a makeup empire. Miss Benny plays Marcos, an obsessed fan who is soon hired as her new assistant. Marcos represents the voice of the people, bringing fresh ideas to keep Madolyn’s company relevant—if onl...

  The latest Transformers film came out earlier this month, so how do I rank the feature films now? Check it out below! No. 1: Transformers (2007) About: I’m a big Michael Bay fan and honestly, this is peak Michael Bay. I wasn’t sure this would work as a live-action film, but this actually turned out to be a lot of fun. I like the humor and the action, finding a way to make the story engaging and relatable. Not all the Transformers films are good. But this one holds up. No. 2: Bumblebee (2018) About: The spin-off, this one takes the action back to the 1980s and adds Hailee Steinfeld. It’s also the only live-action film, so far, not helmed by Bay. This was a big surprise to me. I was sort of burned out on Transformers films when it was released, and yet it is actually a lot of fun. No. 3: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) About : It wasn't incredible, but it's a solid franchise entry. I liked the human characters all right and I enjoyed the story for what it is. It stands ...

  Over the last few weeks I've been looking at the Broncos' roster now that the draft and the bulk of free agency has passed. Today, as we head toward the month of July, I'm going to give my first shot at projecting the 53-man roster. This will evolve as we go through the summer. QBs (2): * Russell Wilson * Jarrett Stidham About: The NFL changed the rules to allow for a third QB without it costing a roster spot on game day. I think the Broncos will keep a third, but on the Practice Squad. The team will need spots, so I think we get two on the main roster. RBs (4): * Javonte Williams * Samaje Perine * Tony Jones, Jr. * Michael Burton About : Williams and Perine are locks, and I think the Broncos will keep Burton, the team's fullback. The Broncos will need another back on the roster. For now, I'm going with Jones. WRs (7): * Courtland Sutton * Tim Patrick * Jerry Jeudy * Marvin Mims, Jr. * Marquez Callaway * Kendall Hinton * K.J. Hamler About: The Broncos could be pr...

  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. Thor: These hands were once used for battle. Now they're but humble tools for peace. I need to figure out exactly who I am. I want to choose my own path, live in the moment. My superhero-ing days are over. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi, and Christian Bale Director: Taika Waititi About : This was the fourth Thor film, the second directed by Waititi. It's a wild and fun journey, one that feels like a fitting conclusion for Hemsworth's Thor. I thought Bale was decent enough as a villain, but mostly I enjoyed the trio of Hemsworth, Portman and Thompson. This has decent action films some great fun sequences and comedy, too. Not everyone appreciated this follow up ...

  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! Rocky : Ah come on, Adrian, it's true. I was nobody. But that don't matter either, you know? 'Cause I was thinkin', it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood. Rocky (1976) Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Talia Shire, Carl Weather and Burgess Meredith Director: John G. Avildsen About: The film that kick-started a franchise. I don't know if tha...

We're nearing the start of Training Camp and the 2023 NFL Season. As we do, I'm revisiting my Dynasty Rankings. Today I continue with my Top 75 WRs. WRs: 1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: He's never had less than 88 receptions and 1,400 yards. He's simply a machine. 2. Ja' Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: Chase is incredible and just about as good as Jefferson. 3. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: Brown found a better outlet for his skills in Philadelphia. 4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: I love Lamb and I think he's just going to keep getting better. 5. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: Wilson had an amazing rookie year and is poised to explode in 2023. 6. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins: It wasn't just Patrick Mahomes that made him great. 7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: Brown has been a rock for the Lions and is an ascending talent. 8. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: I love Kupp and his production but he's getting older and coming off an injury...

  After a week away, the beginning of June has been a busy time for new films. Below are my thoughts on a slew of releases, both in theaters and on digital, the past two weeks. If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd.  Elemental (Theaters) Starring : Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Catherine O’Hara, Ronnie Del Carmine, and Shila Ommi Synopsis : The latest from Pixar is one of the animated events of the summer. It’s a tale of family and love set among elements. To be specific, Fire, Water, Earth and Sky, who all come together to live in Element City. But mostly, the elements don’t mix. That’s particularly true of Ember (Lewis) and her fire family. They keep to themselves in their part of town, where she’s working to one day take over her father’s (Del Carmine) store. When an accident brings her face-to-face with a water inspector named Wade (Athie) it begins an adventure, and an unexpected connection, that changes their wo...

  We’re into June and now well into a writer’s strike. Predictably, we’re seeing a bit less original content. Still, this week sees a couple highly anticipated new series. So, which ones are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Secret Invasion, Wednesdays on Disney+ (Premiers June 21) About : This one actually premiers on Wednesday, but I got an advanced sneak peek. The latest Marvel live-action series focuses on Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Skrulls, led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). It’s a six-episode series, which will tie into future films. It also adds new characters played by Emilia Clarke and Kingsley Ben-Adir, along with returning characters played by Don Cheadle, Martin Freeman and Colbie Smulders, among others. It’s an interesting story but the first two episodes play out somewhat slowly. This is more of a...

  The NFL Draft is in the books and the Broncos' roster sits at 90, the maximum for the off-season. Over the next couple months, I'll be looking at each position group on the roster and make predictions for the Training Camp cuts. Today I conclude with the Wide Receivers. Wide Receivers: On the Roster : Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, Marvin Mims, Jr., K.J. Hamler, Dontrell Washington, Marquez Callaway, Lil Jordan Humphrey, Kendall Hinton, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Nick Williams, and Taylor Grimes About: This might be the deepest unit on the Broncos and likely will be the one with the most competition. So, you could say I saved the best for last. It comes down to health and who balls out. It also comes down to how many roster spots the Broncos can afford to keep here. Sutton, Patrick and Jeudy are the veterans. Hamler was a top pick that just has never been able to stay healthy. Mims is the rookie who is new to the team. Then we have former Saints in Callaway a...

  The NFL Draft is in the books and the Broncos' roster sits at 90, the maximum for the off-season. Over the next couple months, I'll be looking at each position group on the roster and make predictions for the Training Camp cuts. Today I continue with the Cornerbacks. Cornerbacks On the Roster: Patrick Surtain II, K'Waun Williams, Tremon Smith, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, Essang Bassey, Faion Hicks, Art Green, Tyler Lancaster, and Ja'Quan McMillan About: The Broncos have one of the best corners in the game in Surtain. This unit begins with him. The question is who fills it out. Williams is a strong slot corner, while Smith is a veteran and a strong Special Teams player. Mathis showed strong as a rookie and Moss was a selection in this year's draft. Bassey has been an asset with the team as an undrafted free agent for years. So, the Broncos have some depth and options, and that doesn't even consider the younger players on the roster that could easily pop. It...

  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. Magneto: Does it ever wake you in the middle of the night? The feeling that one day they will pass that foolish law or one just like it, and come for you? And your children? Prof. Charles Francis Xavier: It does, indeed. Magneto: What do you do, when you wake up to that? Prof. Charles Francis Xavier : I feel a great swell of pity for the poor soul who comes to that school... looking for trouble. X-Men (2000) Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, James Marsden, and Rebecca Romijn Director: Bryan Singer About : We're awash with superhero films now, but there was a period when they were more of a rare commodity. I remember back in 2000, seeing this film. Singer does a good job bringing it to life...

  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! Greg Minor: [reviewing the film footage that Richard had secretly taken while at the nuclear power plant during the emergency] Whatever stuck valve it was, it's forcing them to deal with the water level. From their behavior, it looks pretty serious. As I remember the control layout, the annunciators they seem concerned with are also in the area of the core water level. I dunno... they might have come close to exposing the core. Dr. Lowell: If that's true, we came very close to the China Syndrome. Kimberly Wells: The what? Dr. Lowell: If the core is exposed for whatever reason, the fuel heats beyond core heat tolerance in a matter of minutes. Nothing can stop it. And it melts down right through the bottom of the plant, theor...

  We're nearing the start of Training Camp and the 2023 NFL Season. As we do, I'm revisiting my Dynasty Rankings. Today I continue with my Top 75 RBs. RBs: 1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers : McCaffrey is a beast. He literally scored a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown in a game last year. He remains my No. 1. 2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons : If you had the 1.01 this year, you got a good one. 3. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts : Taylor remains a three-down stud. I think he'll have a strong season. 4. Breece Hall, New York Jets: Hall was off to a hot start before injury as a rookie, he remains a Top 5 bet for me. 5. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers : Harris has been productive and a workhorse over his two years. I see that continuing. 6. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants : Saquon showed us last year he's still a beast. 7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions : I love Gibbs' potential in a good young offense. 8. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns : A gifted ...

  "If the Internet has taught us anything, it's that sometimes it's easier to speak our minds anonymously." Ted Lasso , the series as we've known it, ended on May 31. The final episode, "So Long, Farewell," saw Ted head back to Kansas. He's learned to love himself. He's learned to be at peace with himself. And we see him coach soccer with his son, having made peace with his ex-wife and found some happiness. It's the end of the story the creators wanted to tell. It's the end of the story of Ted Lasso. Will it be the end of our time with all these characters and the world of Richmond. But, for now, I'm treating it as the Series Finale. That means taking some time to consider its place. The first hurdle is the final season. How a series ends impacts its lasting legacy. Through six seasons, I thought Game of Thrones was tracking to be my favorite series of all time. The penultimate season was uneven and the finale season was, at times, u...

  We’re making our way through June and this week brought a few high-profile new releases. But which of them are 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 summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: The Rising, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered May 29) About: This new series for The CW comes from England, focusing on a young woman who turns up dead and is now trying to figure out how it happened. The pilot introduced the characters and the world. The second episode dove deeper into the mystery. I think the idea is sound, but the second episode felt a bit dry. The CW is seeking a new identity as it tries to save money and connect with viewers. I get the idea, but this doesn’t land strongly enough for me. Pilot Grade: C+ Second Episode: C Fridays: The Crowded Room, Streaming Fridays on Apple TV+ (Premiered June 9) About: The new series for Apple TV+ finds...

The NFL Draft is in the books and the Broncos' roster sits at 90, the maximum for the off-season. Over the next couple months, I'll be looking at each position group on the roster and make predictions for the Training Camp cuts. Today I continue with the Running Backs. Running Backs: On the Roster: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones, Jr., Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Michael Burton About : Running back is a crucial position and the Broncos' group has plenty of questions. Williams is the stud in the group and is locked in to the top spot. Behind him, the Broncos went and got Perine, who showed great skill in a similar position with the Bengals last season. That's a nice duo at the top. Beyond that, it's a lot of questions. Burton is a full back, something the Broncos could be interested in rostering with Andrew Beck out of the picture. Otherwise, the Broncos have a lot of young backs competing for a spot on the roster or the practice squad. And they ...

  The NFL Draft is in the books and the Broncos' roster sits at 90, the maximum for the off-season. Over the next couple months, I'll be looking at each position group on the roster and make predictions for the Training Camp cuts. Today I continue with Safeties. Safety On the Roster: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell, J.L. Skinner, and Devon Key About: Safety is a crucial position and also a position where the Broncos have some great options. Simmons is an all-world player at safety, one of the best in the league and a key cog for the Broncos' defense. Behind him, the team retained a veteran in Jackson who continues to be a great role player. The Broncos also have a great young player in Sterns. The Broncos also have a lot of other options at the position. That gives the team depth and options heading into the season. The question is how many make the final group.  Prediction : The Broncos should keep at least four here, but co...

  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. Peter Quill: It's how eyesight works, you stupid raccoon. Rocket: *Don't call me a racoon*! Peter Quill: I'm sorry. I took it too far. I meant trash panda. [Rocket looks around in confusion] Rocket: Is that better? Drax : I don't know. Peter Quill: [snickering] It's worse. It's so much worse. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017) Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillian, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, and Kurt Russell Director: James Gunn About : There are a lot of films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As this countdown has already shown, I have a different take than others when it comes to ranking films in the MCU. The Guardians are among my favorites in that ...

  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! Alvy Singer: I remember the staff at our public school. You know, we had a saying, uh, that those who can't do teach, and those who can't teach, teach gym. And, uh, those who couldn't do anything, I think, were assigned to our school. Annie Hall (1977) Starring : Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, and Carol Kane Director: Woody Allen About: Allen is a controversial figure away from the screen but his films continue to endure because of a unique perspective and style. He's not my favorite filmmaker, but this film is quite good. It was one of the iconic films of the 1970s, featuring some snappy dialogue and a great back-and-forth from Allen and Keaton. They make for a great pair on the screen. This is easily my favorite of All...

  We're in the midst of the summer, cruising toward the regular season. It seems a good time for me to revisit my dynasty rankings, beginning today with my Top 50 QBs. QBs: 1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs : He's simply the best QB in the game. 2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills : I love Allen as a producer in fantasy and I think he's still worthy of this spot. 3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals : Burrow doesn't have Allen's rushing upside, but it was a close call for me between them. 4. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles : The first NFC QB on the list, Hurts is a talented player and a dual threat that keeps getting better. 5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers : I like Herbert and I'm hopeful Kellen Moore will help him take the next step. 6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens : Jackson has better weapons this season, can he stay healthy. 7. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars : Lawrence took a big step up in Year 2 and I expect another step forward. 8. Justin Fie...

  We’ve reached June and a couple highly anticipated releases. I have my reviews of the films I saw this week below! It Ain’t Over (Theaters, Limited) Synopsis : Yogi Berra was a talented ball player and a larger-than-life figure in the game of baseball. This new documentary, from director Sean Mullin, tells Berra’s story through interviews with family, friends and fans, stock footage and even interviews Berra gave throughout his life. The film helps paint a portrait of the player and the man, even chronicling the feud with George Steinbrenner that marked the later years of his life. I knew about Berra before watching this, but the documentary gave me a better picture of him as a player and a person. It’s an interesting slice of life timed for baseball season. It’s not an incredible documentary but it was entertaining and engaging. For fans, it’s worth seeking out. Rating : Rated PG for smoking, some drug references, language and brief war images. Verdict : Two and a half stars out...

  We’re into June and starting to see a slowing of the new content. The ongoing Writers’ Strike will doubtless impact the rest of the year and likely have impacts longer than that. But we have new content at this point, so you’re probably wondering what you should check out. Let this post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Summer. Don’t see a new show on this list? Check previous weeks. Mondays: The Rising, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered May 29) About: The CW is entering a new phase. The bulk of that phase is bringing in series from elsewhere to fill the Prime-Time hours. While that will be a part of the Fall launch, the Network isn’t waiting. We’re getting a double dose of imports on Mondays this summer. The first is from England and is the better of the two. It’s centered on a 19-year-old girl, Neve (Clara Ruggard), who wakes up in the middle of a lake. She makes her way home, trying to remember what happened the night befo...