Matt's Musings

  We've reached the final month of the year. That means we're getting some year-end blockbusters and plenty of awards bait films. It's truly the most wonderful time of the year for film fans. Let's dive in. Friday, December 1: The Shift (Theaters): A modern sci-fi story that draws inspiration from The Book of Job. This feels like a niche kind of film. Silent Night (Theaters): Joel Kinnaman stars as a grieving father who heads into the under-world to avenge his son. It's a different kind of year-end tale. Godzilla Minus One (Theaters): Another Godzilla film, this time outside of the modern monsterverse and hailing from Japan. It's a bit of seasonal counter-programming. Renaissance (Theaters): It worked for Taylor Swift, why not for Beyonce. It's another concert film. Candy Cane Lane (Prime Video): Eddie Murphy takes the lead in this holiday film as a man on a mission to win his neighborhood decorating contest. This looks like some holiday season fun. May ...

  Week 12 was a step in the right direction as I got back on track. Let's see if I can stay hot! NFL Picks, Week 13 Cowboys Over Seahawks Titans Over Colts Chargers Over Patriots Lions Over Saints Falcons Over Jets Steelers Over Falcons Dolphins Over Commanders Broncos Over Texans Buccaneers Over Panthers Rams Over Browns 49ers Over Eagles Chiefs Over Packers Jaguars Over Bengals Last Week : 10-6 Season : 113-67 NFL Picks Spread, Week 13 Cowboys -7.5 Over Seahawks Titans +2.5 Over Colts Chargers -5.5 Over Patriots Lions -3.5 Over Saints Jets +3.5 Over Falcons Steelers -5.5 Over Cardinals Dolphins -9.5 Over Commanders Broncos +3.5 Over Texans Buccaneers -5.5 Over Panthers Browns +4.5 Over Rams 49ers -2.5 Over Eagles Chiefs -6.5 Over Packers Jaguars -8.5 Over Bengals Last Week : 10-6 Season : 91-89

  We made it through Thanksgiving weekend and got a slew of new releases. But what of them were worth checking out? See my thoughts on the week’s big new films below. It’s also For Your Consideration Season, so to keep up with all the films I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Genie (Peacock) Starring : Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essideu, Alan Cumming and Marc Maron Synopsis: The latest holiday release comes from writer Richard Curtis, who gave us Love Actually 20 years ago. This isn’t the same kind of film, but if you’re feeling nostalgic you could watch Love Actually again. Instead, this is a broad comedy about a husband and father (Essideu) who is down on his luck. He stumbles on a magic box and a Genie (McCarthy) who helps him get his priorities straight and reunite with his family. All this takes place around the holidays in New York. There’s some laughs and some decent moments. I enjoyed McCarthy and Essideu in these roles. The film started streaming on Wednes...

  We’re past Thanksgiving and we’re getting near to the end of meaningful new content in 2023. But still, there are a few marquee series making their way to TVs. So, what of those new shows are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Fargo, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FX (Premiered November 21) About : This is the fifth installment of the crime anthology based on the style of the Coen Brothers films. Noah Hawley is back writing the episodes and we’re back with another frosty crime in Minnesota that spills into North Dakota. This installment features Juno Temple as a housewife with a secret past, Jennifer Jason Leigh as her wealthy and suspicious mother-in-law and Jon Hamm as a right-leaning Sheriff behind some shady dealings, among others. We also get Lamorne Morris and Joe Keery in supporting roles. The first two episodes dropped as...

  Week 12 : Denver Broncos 29, Cleveland Browns 12 Season Record: 6-5 (4-3 Home) Key Play: In the Third Quarter of a 17-12 game, Pierre Strong fumbled. The ball was recovered by D.J. Jones, leading to a Broncos' touchdown to make it a 24-12 game. The Broncos won by 17. Recap: Winning helps a lot of things. The Broncos have won five straight games, moving to 6-5 on the season and right back into the playoff race. The Broncos are second in the AFC West, two games behind the Chiefs, and chasing a group of teams for the final Wild Card spot. This is a huge reversal from where the team was in October. November has been a great month and it's time to see if the Broncos can keep it going in December and January. A 4-2 finish would have the team at 10 wins and give them a chance to make the playoffs. For the first time in years, I'm starting to believe. Let's hope the Broncos can show out on this next three-game road trip and make a run to close the season. Go Broncos! Game B...

  It’s Thanksgiving week. We had three games on Thursday and another game today. That combined with a Monday game means that even with all 32 teams in action, we have less to choose from on the Sunday slate. Still, we have some intriguing options. Below are the five games on the Sunday slate I’m most excited to see. Early Games: New Orleans Saints (5-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-6) About: The race in the NFC South is going to be tight again. The Saints are currently leading the division, but the Falcons are poised to make a run. A win at home on Sunday would even the race. The Falcons are going back to Desmond Ridder for the rest of the season so we’ll see if he can make a difference and spark the Falcons’ offense. This should be an interesting battle. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) About: Don’t expect a ton of points here. The Steelers’ offense has been in a funk for more than a season and the Bengals lost Joe Burrow for the season last week. Still, these two t...

  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. T'Challa : Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We can not. We must not. We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat each other. Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe. Black Panther (2018) Starring : Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, and Angela Bassett Director : Ryan Coogler About : We're into the final five in this countdown. We've come to films that speak to me. That kick...

  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! Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Force will be with you, always. Star Wars (1977) Starring: Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Alec Guinness Director: George Lucas About: The whole of Star Wars has always had a big impact on me. My relationship with this original film has changed over the years. I wasn't old enough to experience this when it was released. I came to Star Wars as a young child and this first installment wasn't the most action-packed. As I've grown, I've come to appreciate this and properly rank it among the films in the franchise. But as we look at films of the 1970s, it's impossible to deny that this film was a great cinematic achievement. It had a profound impact on films going forward and ...

  I had a solid day in straight picks but another miserable week against the spread in Week 11. Time to see if I can rebound in Week 12. NFL Picks, Week 12: Lions Over Packers Cowboys Over Commanders 49ers Over Seahawks Dolphins Over Jets Saints Over Falcons Steelers Over Bengals Titans Over Panthers Colts Over Buccaneers Patriots Over Giants Texans Over Jaguars Broncos Over Browns Chiefs Over Raiders Rams Over Cardinals Eagles Over Bills Ravens Over Chargers Vikings Over Bears Last Week : 8-6 Season : 102-62 NFL Picks Spread, Week 12 Lions -7.5 Over Packers Cowboys -10.5 Over Commanders 49ers -6.5 Over Seahawks Dolphins -9.5 Over Jets Saints +1.5 Over Falcons Steelers -1.5 Over Bengals Titans -3.5 Over Panthers Colts -2.5 Over Buccaneers Patriots -2.5 Over Giants Texans +.5 Over Jaguars Broncos -2.5 Over Browns Rams -.5 Over Cardinals Raiders +9.5 Over Chiefs Bills +3.5 Over Eagles Ravens -4.5 Over Chargers Bears +3.5 Over Vikings Last Week : 5-9 Season : 80-84

  As we approach Thanksgiving, we have a lot of different films in theaters and on streaming. Below is a look at the movies I saw this week and my thoughts on what’s worth checking out. Best. Christmas. Ever! (Netflix) Starring : Jason Biggs, Heather Graham, and Brandy Synopsis: We’ve reached the time of the year where we’re getting holiday features. Netflix is offering this Christmas-themed film where a married couple (Biggs and Graham) in the midst of some big decisions get tricked into arriving at an old friends (Brandy) house for Christmas. The friends have lost touch but at this crucial point in their lives, a reunion might be just what they need. All you need from these type of films is a little festive setting some fun and a happy ending. This mostly tries to provide that, but the story and the characters fall short. At times, this made me yearn for the earnest storytelling of a Hallmark film. I wasn’t a big fan. Rating : TV-PG Verdict: One star out of five Dashing Through...

  We’re heading toward Thanksgiving and near the end of the season where we get consistent new series. But the good news is we’re getting some good and highly anticipated releases. Still, which should you make time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show below? Check previous weeks. Tuesday Nights: A Murder at the End of the World, Stream Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered November 14) About : Brit Marling and Zal Batmangjil team again, this time for a murder mystery set in Iceland. It is an interesting set up centering on Darby Hart (Emma Corrin), a young investigator who just published a wildly successful book about her most famous case. She’s invited to a weekend with other exceptional people organized by a tech billionaire (Clive Owen). There, she’s reunited with her former flame (Harris Dickinson) and soon a death occurs. She’s plunged headlong into an investigation to root out a ...

  Week 11: Denver Broncos 21, Minnesota Vikings 20 Season Record: 5-5 (3-3 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with just over a minute left, the Broncos faced First and 10 from the 15-yard-line. Russell Wilson connected with Courtland Sutton on a touchdown to give the team a 21-20 lead, winning the game. Recap : Four games in a row. While it's been a rough journey, the Broncos' four-game win streak has the team back at .500 and in the playoff hunt with seven games left this season. That's the best showing in years and gives us reason to hope. With three games against the Chargers and Raiders, that's more reason to hope. Good showings against the Browns, Texans and Lions would also help. If the Broncos can go 5-2, there is a reasonable shot at the playoffs. It's not what we expected or how we expected it to happen, but the team has a chance. A chance is all you can hope for. The defense is playing better and the offense has been just good enough. It's time ...

Week 11 of the NFL Season, how did we get here so fast? We have four teams on a bye but some interesting matchups in the week before Thanksgiving. Below are the five matchups on the Sunday slate I’m most interested to see. Early Games: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Cleveland Browns (6-3) About: These two teams are squarely in the playoff race. While the Bengals and Ravens battle on Thursday night, the other two in the AFC North will clash to begin Sunday’s slate. Both teams are relying on stout defense and just enough offense. The Browns are fresh off a huge win against the Ravens and want a win here to keep a march going toward the post-season. The Steelers also beat the Ravens and would love a shot to do the same to the Browns here. Expect some hard hitting here. Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) at Miami Dolphins (6-3) About: The Raiders have won two straight since letting go of Josh McDaniels and are cruising back into the playoff conversation. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have had a week to thi...

  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: How did you end up here? Korg: Well, I tried to start a revolution, but didn't print enough pamphlets so hardly anyone turned up. Except for my mum and her boyfriend, who I hate. As punishment, I was forced to be in here and become a gladiator. Bit of a promotional disaster that one, but I'm actually organizing another revolution. I don't know if you'd be interested in something like that? Do you reckon you'd be interested? Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, and Tessa Thompson Director : Taika Waititi About : As you know from earlier on this list, I like what Waititi did with this franchise. His second collaboration with Hemsworth's Thor is fun. This 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! Walsh: Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown. Chinatown (1974) Starring : Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston Director: Roman Polanski About : Another great 1970s film that has some iconic moments. This film features a great lead performance from Nicholson and a memorable story, based on the Oscar-nominated script from Robert Towne. It won Best Picture and easily could have won more. It's also the second straight week with a film from Dunaway, who had a strong decade herself. This is a great noir mystery that has a story that holds you tight and takes you in unexpected directions. It's a compelling and memorable drama and one of my favorite films of the decade.

  I rebounded a bit in Week 10 but I'm hoping to get back to form for Week 11. NFL Picks, Week 11 Bengals Over Ravens Steelers Over Browns Lions Over Bears Chargers Over Packers Dolphins Over Raiders Commanders Over Giants Cowboys Over Panthers Jaguars Over Titans Texans Over Cardinals 49ers Over Buccaneers Bills Over Jets Seahawks Over Rams Broncos Over Vikings Chiefs Over Eagles Last Week: 8-6 Season: 94-56 NFL Picks Spread, Week 11 Bengals +3.5 Over Ravens Steelers +3.5 Over Browns Lions -9.5 Over Bears Chargers -2.5 Over Packers Dolphins -11.5 Over Raiders Commanders -10.5 Over Giants Cowboys -10.5 Over Panthers Jaguars -6.5 Over Titans Texans -5.5 Over Cardinals 49ers -10.5 Over Buccaneers Bills -6.5 Over Jets Seahawks -2.5 Over Rams Broncos -2.5 Over Vikings Chiefs -2.5 Over Eagles Last Week: 7-7 Season: 75-75

  We’re into November and we’re seeing a mixture of blockbusters and award season contenders. Below is my take on the biggest releases of the week. You can follow all my movie watching exploits on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Holdovers (Theaters) Starring : Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa Synopsis : I’ve long enjoyed a good Alexander Payne film. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a feature from him, but now we get The Holdovers, a period piece with humor, heart and plenty of pathos. In short, just what you’d expect from Payne. Here we take the action to 1970 to the Barton boarding school over Christmas break. A curmudgeon of a teacher, Paul Hunham (Giamati) is roped into staying behind with the five students that won’t be with their families. Among them is Angus Tully (Sessa), whose mother and her new husband abandoned him. Tully is bright but struggling, due in part to issues with his father. When the other boys are able to find a way off campus, Tull...

  Week 11 : Denver Broncos 24, Buffalo Bills 22 Season Record : 4-5 (2-3 Home) Key Play : In the fourth quarter, with time running out, Will Lutz lined up a field goal. He missed wide right but a penalty gave the Broncos five yards. On the 36-yard attempt, Lutz hit it to win the game, 24-22. Recap: A win is all that matters, but this wasn't easy. It also wasn't pretty. Lutz missed an extra point and nearly missed the game-winning field goal. The team also missed another extra point thanks to the hold. The Broncos also got four turnovers and managed just six points off the turnovers. But, in the end, it was enough to get the 24-22 win in Buffalo, the team's third straight. The Broncos were once 1-5 and now have a shot to get back in the playoff discussion. That feels like a miracle, and a welcome one at that. There is work to be done and the team doesn't look spectacular, but this turnaround has provided hope. Let's hope that path continues on Sunday night against t...

  We’re making our way toward Thanksgiving. The labor strikes have been settled and production will resume, but we’ll still see impacts on the schedule. This is typically moving into a slow period, and while we have some new options emerging, it’s still manageable. Still, you don’t want to waste your time, so you might be wondering what series are worth checking out. Let this weekly post be your guide as 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 Buccaneers, Streaming Wednesdays on Apple TV+ (Premiered November 8) About: This series is based on the novel from Edith Wharton. It’s set in the 1870s, focused on a group of American girls who infiltrate society in England. It’s a period piece but focused on young adults. It feels like Apple’s answer to Bridgerton, but it’s less salacious than that, at least in the first two episodes. The first two episodes dropped Wednesday with the res...

We are in the 10th week of the NFL season, and the race for the post-season is heating up. We’re starting to see contending teams pull away while those who don’t have enough are fading. This week presents many interesting matchups on Sunday. Below are the five I’m most interested in seeing. Early Games: Houston Texans (4-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) About: The Texans have been one of the biggest surprises of the NFL Season. Behind the Rookie of the Year candidate in C.J. Stroud, they’re 4-4 and in the race for a Wild Card spot. The Bengals, meanwhile, came in as Super Bowl contenders but struggled early thanks to an injury to Joe Burrow. Burrow is healthy now, and the Bengals have won four straight. They are chasing the Ravens and want another win at home to keep marching toward a return to the post-season. New Orleans Saints (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-4) About: The Saints are 5-4 and leading the NFC South. They’ve had an uneven offensive season but have started to put it togethe...

  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. Alfred: [to Bruce] Remember when you left Gotham? Before all this, before Batman? You were gone seven years. Seven years I waited, hoping that you wouldn't come back. Every year, I took a holiday. I went to Florence, there's this cafe, on the banks of the Arno. Every fine evening, I'd sit there and order a Fernet Branca. I had this fantasy, that I would look across the tables and I'd see you there, with a wife and maybe a couple of kids. You wouldn't say anything to me, nor me to you. But we'd both know that you'd made it, that you were happy. I never wanted you to come back to Gotham. I always knew there was nothing here for you, except pain and tragedy. And I wanted something more for you than that. I still do. 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! Howard Beale: I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick y...

  Last week I struggled, particularly against the spread. Let's see if I improve this week. NFL Picks, Week 10 Bears Over Panthers Colts Over Patriots Bengals Over Texans Saints Over Vikings Steelers Over Packers Buccaneers Over Titans Jaguars Over 49ers Ravens Over Browns Falcons Over Cardinals Lions Over Chargers Cowboys Over Giants Seahawks Over Commanders Jets Over Raiders Broncos Over Bills Last Week : 8-6 Season : 86-50 NFL Picks Spread, Week 10 Bears -3.5 Over Panthers Colts -2.5 Over Patriots Texans +6.5 Over Bengals Saints -2.5 Over Vikings Steelers -3.5 Over Packers Buccaneers +1.5 Over Titans Jaguars +2.5 Over 49ers Ravens -5.5 Over Browns Falcons -1.5 Over Cardinals Lions -1.5 Over Chargers Cowboys -16.5 Over Giants Seahawks -6.5 Over Commanders Jets -1.5 Over Raiders Broncos +7.5 Bills Last Week : 4-10 Season : 68-68

  The first weekend in November brought a number of new and interesting films. We got a theatrical release and a few on streaming, including some contenders in this year’s Oscar race. Below are my thoughts on the week’s new releases. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Fingernails (Apple TV+) Starring : Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, and Jeremy Allen White Synopsis: The latest from Apple TV+ is a romance of sorts. It’s set in an alternate world where a test has been developed to determine if you’ve found true love. All it costs you is a fingernail. It’s left the world in turmoil as many relationships have crumbled under the weight of the test results. But Anna (Buckley) and Ryan (White) have passed the test. Anna is looking for a job and lands a job as a coach at the company that administers the test. There, she’s paired with Amir (Ahmed). They become close and soon Anna begins questioning the test results. Will this new job thro...

  We’re into November and the strike still isn’t settled. I’d expect there to be impacts into 2024. For now, that means some but not a ton of new shows. Still, what of these new shows is worth your time? Let this week post be your guide as 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: Black Cake, Now streaming on Hulu (Premiered November 1) About : This new series is produced by Oprah and adapted by Marissa Jo Cerar. It’s based on the novel of the same name from Charmaine Wilkerson and follows a family in the midst of grief. Siblings Byron (Ashley Thomas) and Benny (Adrienne Warren) have lost their mother. As they go to the reading of her will, they learn that she has made them a series of tapes. These tapes tell the story long buried of her secret past; one she’s determined to share with her children. The series follows Byron and Benny as they experience these tapes and listen to the sto...