Matt's Musings

  On Tuesday, the Broncos cut down to 53 to set a roster for the regular season. It's always a tough process and there are always surprises. This year is no different. Below are some thoughts about the initial roster. * Jaleel McLaughlin made the team . He was a star in the pre-season, so it's not a total shock. But it was still nice to see. * Only Four Receivers. The biggest surprise is that the Broncos only kept four wide receivers on the active roster: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Brandon Johnson. Of those, Jeudy is unlikely to be ready in Week 1. There are four on the Practice Squad but it was still a surprise to only have four on the active roster. *Albert O. Traded. The Broncos did keep four tight ends, but Albert wasn't one of them. Instead, he's an Eagle and Nate Adkins made the roster. *Only five defensive lineman. I suspect Mike Purcell will be back soon, but him getting the axe on cutdown day was a mild surprise. Fortunately Elijah Garcia m...

  We’re in late August, but we’re still getting some interesting new releases. Below is my take on the films I saw this week. As always, follow all my film viewing on Letterboxd @Knighthawk7734 Gran Turismo (Theaters) Starring : Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom Synopsis : When a racing movie hits, it hits hard. With Gran Turismo, which draws inspiration from the Playstation game as well as the real-life account of Jann Mardenborough. After two weeks of preview screenings, it opens wide on Friday and it’s a fantastic way to close out the summer movie season. In the film, Madekwe plays Jann, a skilled gamer who one day dreams of racing for real. When a marketing executive for Nissan (Bloom) pitches the idea of recruiting the best Gran Turismo players in the world for a shot at driving for the team, Jann is one of those selected. There, he competes with other players from around the world under the direction of Jack Salter (Harbour). After coming out on top in the scho...

  August has nearly left, and it’s almost time for Fall. The Fall will look different in the wake of the labor strikes. Still, before we get to September, we’re still seeing new shows dropping. But which of those shows are worth your time? 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. Tuesdays: Ahsoka, Streaming Tuesdays on Disney+ (Premiered August 22) About : It used to be Wednesdays, but now the Star Wars series is dropping weekly on Tuesdays. This series, from Dave Filoni and based on characters from Clone Wars, dropped its two-episode premier last week. We’ve previously seen Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, and she’s great. This series adds Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The action and the story were solid in the first two episodes as we build to the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, not yet seen in live action....

  We've made it through Summer and we're turning toward the Fall. September is a mix of throwaway films and some more prestige films. Friday, September 1: * Bottoms (Theaters): Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri star as a pair of lesbians who start a fight club of sorts at their high school in order to meet women. The trailer is hilarious and this could be a fun late summer comedy. * Equalizer 3 (Theaters): The third, and perhaps last, installment in the films series from director Antione Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington. Expect some more violence and action. Wednesday, September 6: * Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts (Netflix): Another documentary on the scandalous work of the Boy Scouts. This figures to be informative and depressing. Friday, September 8: * Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Theaters): From Eva Longoria, this film follows the friendship of two Mexican boys in the summer of 1987. It should be a fun coming of age film. * ...

  Pre-Season Week 3 : Denver Broncos 41, Los Angeles Rams 0 Pre-Season Record : 1-2 (1-0 Home) Key Play : In the first quarter, Jarrett Stidham connected with Lil Jordan Humphrey on a 47-yard strike that set up the team's first touchdown. The Broncos never looked back. Recap : After two games that had some good moments but an unfortunate ending, the Broncos were dominant from start to finish Saturday. Naturally no starters played for either team, really, but it was still nice to see. The final week of the pre-season is about securing a place on the roster and finding the right 53 people to go to battle with each week this season. It's also about the 16 that will be on the Practice Squad. This is where you find your team. And from that standpoint, the game was an incredible success. By Tuesday, we'll know who makes it and who doesn't. Below I have my game balls and my final predictions for the 53-man roster. Game Balls: * Jarrett Stidham . He went 17-for-28 for 236 yards...

  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. Steve Rogers: Attention all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, this is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about me over the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But I think it's time to tell the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what we thought it was. It's been taken over by HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The S.T.R.I.K.E. and Insight crew are HYDRA as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want. Absolute control. They shot Nick Fury. And it won't end there. If you launch those helicarriers today, HYDRA will be able to kill anyone that stands in their way. Unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot. But the...

  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! Dr. Frederick Frankenstein : You know, I'm a rather brilliant surgeon. Perhaps I can help you with that hump. Igor: What hump? Young Frankenstein (1974) Starring: Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Khan, and Cloris Leachman Director: Mel Brooks About: Brooks had a fine decade in the 1970s. In the first of two films from him left on this countdown, we get a send up of Frankenstein and the horror genre. And, naturally, he's blessed with a great lead in Wilder, who was also one of the featured faces of the 1970s. We've already seen Wilder as Willy Wonka and now we get him a Frankenstein. He's great here, as is the supporting cast. I loved Feldman as Igor and Boyle does a great job as Frankenste...

  As will be the case each Thursday of pre-season, I'm making my projections for the Broncos initial 53-man roster. Below is where I sit after two weeks of the pre-season. QBs 2: * Russell Wilson * Jarrett Stidham About: I think Ben DiNucci will be on the Practice Squad. I know he's had a good camp. However, I think the Broncos keep two on the active roster, and I think it's Wilson and Stidham. RBs 5: * Javonte Williams * Samaje Perine * Tyler Badie * Jaleel McLaughlin * Michael Burton About: Badie is hurt and didn't play last night, but that can't take away what he's done throughout camp. Still, McLaughlin is too good for the practice squad. So, now I think the team will keep four tailbacks and Burton. WRs 6: * Courtland Sutton * Jerry Jeudy * Marvin Mims * Marquez Callaway * Brandon Johnson * Lil Jordan Humphery About: This would have been the Jalen Virgil spot for me, but now he's on IR. Johnson is still ailing, but I think he makes it. The final spot ...

  The latest from D.C. and a pair of canine-themed films all dropped this weekend and I have my take on all of them below. As always, if you want to keep up with all the films I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Blue Beetle (Theaters) Starring : Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Damián Alcázar, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez Synopsis: The latest from the world of D.C. is an introduction to the Blue Beetle. In the film, Jaime (Mariduena) is a recent college graduate who returns home to discover his family is in turmoil. While at a job with his sister (Escobedo), things go wrong. But he is offered a second chance by Jenny Kord (Marquezine), whose father used to run Kord industries before it went to her aunt (Sarandon). When Jaime goes to meet Jenny to get a job, she gives him a package to hold. Inside it is something that changes his life forever. The DC universe is in the midst of a makeover. There are projects in theaters now...

  We’re in the dog days of summer and the flow of new shows has dwindled to a trickle. Still, you might be wondering what is worth your time to check out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new shows this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered August 8) About : Aaron Rodgers is in New York, so naturally Hard Knocks has followed. He’s clearly the main attraction and through two episodes, it’s hard to really connect to any of the other players and stories. There have been practices and games. I enjoy the general idea of this anthology series, but I want to connect more to the other players and stories. That hasn’t been a big piece of it so far. Still, this is an annual rite of passage for NFL fans, and if you’re happy the season is nearly upon us, this is worth checking out. Pilot Grade: C+ Second Episode : C Fridays...

  We're almost through August, which means that the summer blockbuster season is quickly drawing to a close. But what a summer it was! Below is my pick for my six favorite films of summer. Agree? Disagree? Have other picks? Please leave them in the comments. 1. Barbie, July 21 About: Barbie isn't just my pick for the best of summer, currently it's sitting as my favorite film of the year. How do you make a movie about a toy? That was the question heading into the film. What we got was a wonderful answer in Greta Gerwig's delightful film. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are great. It's hilarious, beautifully crafted and makes you think. 2. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, May 7 About: The first big blockbuster of summer did not disappoint. This was likely the last film with the Guardians as we've known them. They've long been my favorites in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this film was a big, bold celebration. The humor and drama blended beautifully with ...

  Pre-Season Week 2 : San Francisco 49ers 21, Denver Broncos 20 Pre-Season Record : 0-2 (0-0 Home) Key Play: With time winding down in the fourth quarter, the 49ers' hit a field goal while down 20-18 to secure the one-point victory. Recap: Does winning matter in the pre-season? Not entirely. The Broncos don't need to win these games to be successful. But having two games in a row where the team held the lead late into the Fourth Quarter and allowed a team to come back and get the win is regrettable. That's what is going to bother Sean Payton. Otherwise, the top offense looked OK. The top defense made some plays. The 49ers have a good team; one of the best in the NFC. So, this was a good test. It was nice to see Javonte Williams back, too. Overall, there were some positives here to take away. The Broncos have one last pre-season game to get it right. Game Balls: * Elijah Garcia. Another great game for Garcia, who got an interception! * Jaleel McLaughlin. Another solid day ...

  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. Loki: Enough! You are, all of you are beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I will not be bullied by... [Hulk flattens Loki with repeated smashes into the floor] The Hulk: Puny god. The Avengers (2012) Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Tom Hiddleston Director: Joss Whedon About: How is this going to work? That's what I remember thinking when the MCU and The Avengers was announced. We watched for four years as individual stories were told, all building to this big team up to kick-start the summer of 2012. I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a wild and fun ride. Over the years, the MCU has delivered better films. And yet, the original Avenge...

  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! Sonny: You'd like to kill me? Bet you would. Sheldon: I wouldn't like to kill you. I will if I have to. Sonny: It's your job, right? The guy who kills me... I hope he does it because he hates my guts, not because it's his job. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Carol Kane, and Charles Durning Director: Sidney Lumet About: I mentioned last week that in the Top 20 there are a number of directors who have multiple films in left in the countdown. That's true today of Lumet. He's actually already had a film in the list with Serpico. He had a very strong decade of the 1970s, with this one again pairing him with Pacino in the lead role. Pacino also had a very strong decade in the 1970s, he...

  One week of pre-season is in the books, it's time to see where the roster projections sit. Fair warning, I changed some things up again. QB 2: * Russell Wilson * Jarrett Stidham About : I have no doubt the Broncos will keep Ben DiNucci or someone on the Practice Squad. And they will use the new rule to have three QBs on game days. But I think two stay on the active roster when we go to 53. Stidham wasn't great in Week 1, but I'm still giving him the edge. Running Backs 4: * Javonte Williams * Samaje Perine * Tyler Badie * Michael Burton About: I think Williams, Perine and Burton, a fullback, are locks. The question is the team's RB3. Badie is the leader in the clubhouse, and he did nothing to change that in Week 1. Jaleel McLaughlin is the one to watch. Wide Receivers 7: * Jerry Jeudy * Courtland Sutton * Marvin Mims * Marquez Callaway * Kendall Hinton * Brandon Johnson * Montrell Washington About: Based on Week 1, you might have questions. But no one really made a ...

  We’re in mid-August and the tide of big summer movies has slowed. However, this week treated us to a trio of new streaming films. I have my take on all three below! As always, if you want to keep up with what I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Heart of Stone (Netflix) Starring : Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Sophie Okonedo, Alia Bhatt, and Matthias Schweighofer Synopsis : At this point, after years of seeing her in Fast & Furious and as Wonder Woman, among others, we know Gadot is an action star. And yet, it sometimes feels like the entire point of Heart of Stone is to show that she can be an action-star leading lady. In the film, she plays Rachel Stone, an operative who is in the thick of things. In fact, much of the film, which runs about two hours, is a series of big action set pieces. The plot is fairly ordinary, as is the heel turn. The action sequences are fine. Netflix was clearly hoping to make a big splash in the summer, but this movie is just OK. In f...

  The month of August is nearly half over, and yet new shows keep flowing. We’ll quickly turn from summer to fall, but with the ongoing strike we aren’t seeing the flood as in year’s past. Still, if you’re a discerning viewer, you want to know what’s worth your time to check out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted—and select unscripted—series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Run the Burbs, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered July 31) About : The CW is continuing to import international shows to supplement its programming options. It’s also pulling up different kind of shows than what the typical brand had been. That includes a lot of sitcoms, like Run the Burbs, cut from a traditional network sitcom cloth. This was originally produced and aired in Canada. It comes from Andrew Phung, an improve comedian who created the series and stars as the patriarch of the family. The storyli...

  We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, concluding today with the NFC East. Let's dive in. Philadelphia Eagles: 2022 Record : 14-3, First in the NFC East, Lost in Super Bowl 2023 Outlook : The Eagles were the best team in the NFC in 2022 and heading into a new season, things haven't changed much. There are a handful of great teams in the NFC, and that includes the Eagles. The team has some new weapons in the backfield with D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny joining Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. But it's all about Jalen Hurts, one of the best young quarterbacks, along with a great trio of passing options in receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. I expect the Eagles to have another good season. 2023 Outlook : I think the Eagles will win the NFC East and make another deep playoff run. Dallas Cowboys: 2022 Record : 12-5, Second ...

  Pre-Season Week 1 : Arizona Cardinals 18, Denver Broncos 17 Pre-Season Record : 0-1 (0-0 at Home) Key Play :  Recap : Pre-season wins and losses aren't as important as what you can learn. The Sean Payton era began for the Broncos with some good things and some areas that need work. The defense was mostly solid in the first half with a bend but don't break mentality. In the second half, it wasn't as impressive, which suggests there's something of a fall off from the First Team. Offensively, it took some time for the Broncos to put points on the board. However, the First Team could have led three scoring drives if not for the kickers, which we'll get to in a minute. It was encouraging to see Russell Wilson connect with Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton a few times. Samaje Perine looked solid. And the Broncos' first-team offense looks further along that during Week 1 last year. The kicking game is a mess. The competition between Brett Maher and Elliott Fry left me...

  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. Diana Prince: I will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Wonder Woman (2017) Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston, and David Thewlis Director: Patty Jenkins About: It's fair to say the DCEU is uneven. However, there were some diamonds in the lot. One of those is the first Wonder Woman film, directed by Jenkins. It takes the action back to World War I, creating something of an origin story. Wright and Nielsen are solid as Diana's family, but it's her back-and-forth with Pine that really helps the film hum. The final battle sequence is OK but the memorable sacrifice really caps off the film. I was taken with the cinematic style and the story when I first saw it and it remains one of...

  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! Roy Neary: I know this sounds crazy, but ever since yesterday on the road, I've been seeing this shape. Shaving cream, pillows... Dammit! I know this. I know what this is! This means something. This is important. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, and François Truffaut Director: Steven Spielberg About: We enter the Top 20 of the countdown and it's a place where a number of directors have multiple entries. That includes today's director, Steven Spielberg. This is one of his classic films, with a solid performance from Dreyfuss. It's not exactly a happy story, but it stands out for me because of the visuals, particularly in the third act. The way the "...

  We're making our way through the off-season, and we've hit the crucial time when the roster takes shape. Each Thursday throughout August I'll be making my best guess about who makes the initial Final 53. The first pre-season game is coming, we'll see how this changes before next week! Quarterback (2): * Russell Wilson * Jarrett Stidham About: Ben DiNucci has been fine but I suspect he's a Practice Squad guy. I think the Broncos keep two and go with Wilson and Stidham. Running Back (4): * Javonte Williams * Samaje Perine * Tyler Badie * Michael Burton About: Williams is healthy, which is the great news. I think his spot, that of Perine and Burton the fullback are set. It's all about finding that third running back. At this point Badie appears to have the lead. But it figures to be a battle between him, Tony Jones and Jaleel McLaughlin. Wide Receiver (6): * Jerry Jeudy * Courtland Sutton * Marvin Mims * Marquez Callaway * Brandon Johnson * Kendal Hinton About: ...

  We’re into August and we had a flurry of new releases, but which are worth your time? Check out my reviews on four new films that opened Friday. As always, you can follow all my film activity on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Dreamin’ Wild (Theaters) Starring: Casey Affleck, Walton Goggins, Zooey Deschanel, Chris Messina, and Beau Bridges Synopsis: We all have dreams. In some ways, that’s what it means to be human. Sometimes those dreams are realized and sometimes they aren’t. Often, it takes years and many different paths to realize your dreams. In the new film, Dreamin’ Wild, we see a tale of two brothers whose dreams took decades to be realized. The film appeared in festivals in 2022 but opens in theaters on August 4. In it, we meet Don (Affleck) and Joe Emerson (Goggins). As teens in the 1970s, they formed a musical group and recorded an album. That led to a solo career, of sorts, for Don, but decades later it hadn’t landed them a career in music. As we open in 2011, Don and hi...

  Into August and we’re seeing an interesting—and smaller—mix of new shows. In these dog days of summer, you might be wondering what’s 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. Monday Nights: Run the Burbs, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on The CW (Premiered July 31) About : This summer The CW has been all about imported series from elsewhere. The network has also dipped its toe into the sitcom waters. Run the Burbs, which debuted in 2022 in Canada, is both. It’s a family sitcom, set in a neighborhood in Canada. It follows the exploits of the Pham family and their attempts to gel in the neighborhood. It all feels like a familiar kind of setup for a typical network sitcom. The pilot episode was short on laughs and felt longer than its 21-minute run time. These shows will become the norm for the new CW, but it still feels like an odd fit....

  We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, continuing today with the AFC East. Let's dive in. Buffalo Bills: 2022 Record : 13-3, First in the AFC East. Lost in the Divisional Round 2023 Outlook : The Bills had a strange end to the season, then looked flat in the Divisional Round. This off-season the team added a few pieces--running back Damien Harris and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid--but mostly return the same core. The Bills have been contenders the past few seasons with Josh Allen and it seems likely they'll be a contender again. But, can they make it further? 2023 Prediction: I think the Bills will win 11 or 12 games and compete for the AFC East Title again. Miami Dolphins: 2022 Record : 9-8, Second in the AFC East. Lost in the Wild Card Round 2023 Outlook : The Dolphins season in 2022 came down to the health of Tua Tagovailoa. In 2023, it will come down to th...

  We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, continuing today with the NFC South. Let's dive in. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2022 Record : 8-9, First in the NFC South. Lost in the Wild Card 2023 Outlook : The Buccaneers won their division last year, but it wasn't pretty. Even with Tom Brady, the team finished 8-9 and limped into the playoffs. Brady is gone now and Baker Mayfield is in. The Buccaneers still have some good roster pieces but also still have plenty of issues to overcome. The NFC South figures to be a weaker division, so if things break right the Buccaneers could again make the playoffs. But that depends on which Mayfield we see. 2023 Prediction : I think the Buccaneers will be competitive, but a six-to-eight win season feels right. Carolina Panthers: 2022 Record : 7-10, Second in the NFC South 2023 Outlook : The Panthers started bad in 2022, so bad you might not...