Matt's Musings

  As we come to the end of January, we hit a mini lull in the flood of new films. Don’t worry, February will be busy. Still, there are a couple new releases to review. Below is my take on this week’s new releases. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Miller’s Girl (Theaters) Starring : Martin Freeman, Jenna Ortega, Bashir Salahuddin, Gideon Adlon, and Dagmara Dominiczyk Synopsis : The big theatrical release this week is Miller’s Girl, an original tale set in a small Tennessee Town. There, an 18-year-old high school student, Cairo Sweet (Ortega) has been left on her own at an estate by her absentee parents. She’s smart, well-read, and struggling with finishing her essay for Yale. She’s started a new English class with Jonathan Miller (Freeman). He’s a published author, but it’s been sometimes since he really wrote something original. His best friend is Boris (Salahuddin), a fellow teacher and the baseball coach. His wife (Domi...

We’ve come to the end of January, which has produced a number of high-profile releases. But which of these new 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 Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Wild Cards, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered January 17) About: This new series for The CW focuses on a mismatched pair of partners. Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) is a veteran detective accused of something he didn’t do that caused him to lose his position. Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) is a skilled thief who got caught but has a way out plying her skills for the police. Cole and Max are partnered in the pilot, and the series is about them bringing their unique set of skills together to solve crimes. It’s a simple set up that leads to a light and breezy series. This feels like the kind of classic series that we’ve seen from The CW over the years. There’s a good...

  On January 23, the Academy Award Nominations were announced. A total of ten films will be competing for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, which take place on Sunday, March 10. From now until then, I will be looking at each of the Best Picture Nominees. Anatomy of a Fall Starring: Sandra Huller, Antoine Reinartz, and Swann Arlaud Director: Justine Triet Total Nominations : 5 Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director (Triet), Best Actress (Huller), Best Original Screenplay (Triet and Arthur Harai), Best Editing About: This film wasn't eligible for Best International Feature because France put up The Taste of Things instead. But judging by how it was received, were it eligible it would have made that field. It's got an outside shot at Best Picture, though I'd consider it a Dark Horse option at this point. Same for Huller in the Best Actress Category and Triet in the Best Director category. I think the best shot this film has to win is in the screenplay race. We've ...

  We made it through the first month of the new year. And while February is a short month, it's packed with new releases, including some highly anticipated new films. Friday, February 2: Argylle (Theaters): This film comes from Matthew Vaughn and boasts a stellar cast and fun premise. I have high hopes based on the production. The Tiger's Apprentice (Paramount+): Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh headline the cast of this fun film about a boy coming into his powers while facing a threat. The PG-rating indicates this will be a family-friendly film. Bosco (Peacock) : This new action film centers on a prison break in 2006. The cast includes Tyrese Gibson, Vivica A. Fox and Thomas Jane, among others. Could be an interesting action film. Orion and Dark (Netflix) : A new animated film, this one led by Jacob Tremblay as the voice of a young boy who is afraid of the dark. This offers another family-friendly option to kick off the month. Friday, February 9: Lisa Frankenstein (Theaters):...

  Animated Films have come a long way over the years. It's a genre and format that presents a wide range of styles and stories. This year, I'll be taking a look at my 50 favorite Animated Films, offering a new one from No. 50 to No. 1 each Saturday in 2024. Join along and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments! The Joker: You wanna play games, do you, Batman? Save the city or catch your greatest enemy! Batman : You think you're my greatest enemy? The Joker : Who else drives you to one-up them the way I do? Batman: Superman. The Lego Batman Movie (2017) Starring : Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, and Zack Galifianakis Director: Chris McKay About: Those who've followed this space for a while know I love Batman. He's my favorite superhero and I enjoy him in all his forms. This is the first, but won't be the last, Batman film that appears on this countdown. But it's fair to say we've never seen Batman like this. I was...

  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Pedro "Pete' Roca Fuerte : [dying] Hey, Bob... I just remembered what tomorrow is. Feliz Navidad. 3 Godfathers (1948) Starring : John Wayne, Harry Carey, Jr., and Pedro Armendariz Director: John Ford About: This is the second film on the list starring Wayne and the second directed by Ford. Time to get used to it, as I mentioned they are icons of the genre. This one, however, didn't come to me because it's a Western, but rather because it's a Christmas movie! I found it on a list of classic Christmas films, which got me intrigued. It lives up to the billing, though Christmas isn't a huge part of the plot here. Instead, it's the story of three outlaws on the run who are brought together by an infant in need. It's the kind of plot that sugg...

  We’ve made it to the Conference Championship Games. There’s only one big game left in the season after this weekend, and the games Sunday will decide who plays for the right to call themselves NFL Champions in 2023. Last week I did better with picks, going 2-2. I’m 4-6 for the playoffs. If I can nail these two picks I can get back to .500 for the post-season. Let’s see if I can nail these picks. AFC Championship Game Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) at Baltimore Ravens (13-4) About: It seems fitting these two teams would clash for the AFC Championship Game. It’s the sixth straight for the Chiefs, while the Ravens are looking to get there for the first time with Lamar Jackson. Jackson and the Ravens have been the best team in the AFC this season with Jackson looking like the regular season MVP. To get to the Super Bowl, they have to go through Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It wasn’t the best season for the Chiefs, but they’ve put it together when it counted most, beating the Dolphins ...

  We’re in the middle of January and getting a few new releases, including a big theatrical release and an interesting streaming debut. I give my thoughts on both below. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. I.S.S. (Theaters) Starring: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher, Jr., Pilou Asbaek, Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova Synopsis: Space can be lonely and isolating. It’s also full of dangers. It makes sense that the crew of the International Space Station (I.S.S.), both Russian and American, would need to rely upon one another. They become something of a family. But when they see something horrible happen on Earth, combined with brief instructions to take the station, it sets friends at odds, raising the tension in a place where the smallest mistake can kill you. That setup provides the action and tension here. We begin with a new member (DeBose) arriving and taking in the wonder of the place. Her other two American c...

  We’re in the middle of January and the flow of new content is heating up. That doesn’t even consider that over the course of the next month new network series will fire up as well. But what of the new shows is 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. Tuesdays: Death and Other Details, Streaming Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered January 16) About : Since 2019, when we got Knives Out, we’ve seen a rise in these murder mystery stories both on the big screen and the small screen. And that includes a new run of Agatha Christie stories being told on the big screen. Here, we get an original murder mystery story told on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. Here we find Imogene (Violet Beane), who is still struggling with the death of her mother. But she’s been invited to cruise by her best friend, Anna (Lauren Patten), with the famil...

  There were a handful of TV series that kicked off in November and December of 2023 that didn't finish their seasons. Since the criteria for my Best of 2023 was a complete season, these shows didn't make the cut despite a promising start. But most have wrapped up here in January, so it's time for a quick catch up. Let's dive in. Shows appear in alphabetical order. The Curse (Showtime) About : The series comes from Nathan Fielder and Bennie Safdie, who star in the show along with Emma Stone. It had a 10-episode season, with the final two dropping in January. It had a cringe-worthy comedy style that was meant to make you uncomfortable. Despite that, Stone and Fielder, in particular, were quite good with their performances. But this definitely sought to push the envelope. That was true of the finale, which was unlike anything I'd seen on TV. That wasn't actually a good thing. The finale was absurd in the worst ways for me, ultimately providing something of an unsa...

  The Academy Award nominees will be announced on Tuesday. There's always a lot of worthy films and performances that don't make the cut. Below are a few options in different categories that might be long-shots that I'd love to hear called on Tuesday. Best Picture: * American Fiction . I loved the film, and I'd love to see it make the final field. I know it's not a lock, but it was a sharply written and constructed film. * Poor Things . Same thing here, I would love to see this film make the final field for Best Picture nominees. Best Actor: * Michael Fassbender . He was incredible in The Killer , a film I feel is under-rated. I'd love to see him make the final field. Best Actress: * Greta Lee . She carries a lot of Past Lives , a beautiful and under-rated film. I would love to see her make the final field. Best Supporting Actor: * Chris Messina . He was incredible in Air . This is probably the longest of long-shots, but he's been on my short list all year. ...

  Animated Films have come a long way over the years. It's a genre and format that presents a wide range of styles and stories. This year, I'll be taking a look at my 50 favorite Animated Films, offering a new one from No. 50 to No. 1 each Saturday in 2024. Join along and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments! Rapunzel : I've been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be? Tangled (2010) Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy Director: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard About: Continuing the countdown, we come to a more traditional type story, a Disney fairy tale princess in Rapunzel. But it's fair to say you haven't seen the story told like this. The musical version has plenty of comedy and a unique twist on the tale. I've long enjoyed the way the story unfolds here and the music. Moore and Levi are great in ...

  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Narrator : He was ashamed of his persiflage, his boasting, his pretensions of courage and ruthlessness; he was sorry about his cold-bloodedness, his dispassion, his inability to express what he now believed was the case- that he truly regretted killing Jesse, that he missed the man as much as anybody and wished his murder hadn't been necessary.  The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) Starring : Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepherd, and Mary-Louise Parker Director : Andrew Dominik About: The plot of this film is right there in the title, mostly. This probably isn't an obvious choice for the list, nor would it be on everyone's list. In fact, this is probably a film that is a bit polarizing. Dominik directed and wrote the script base...

  The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend offered six games and plenty of surprises. I was certainly off my game, going just 2-4 over the initial weekend. Let’s see if I can rebound a bit with my picks for the Divisional Round. Saturday Games: Houston Texans (10-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-4) About: These two teams actually met during the regular season. You might have forgotten because it was during kickoff weekend. It’s fair to say the Texans are a much different team now. So, there’s not a lot to glean from that early 25-9 loss. The Ravens were the best and most consistent team in the AFC throughout the season. Lamar Jackson could well be the NFL’s Regular Season MVP, and it would be deserved. The Ravens handled all challenges and got the No. 1 seed and a bye week. But they also sat starters during Week 18. That means it will have been three weeks since they last played a meaningful game. We’ve seen this go poorly before. In 2020, the Ravens finished 14-2 as the No. 1 seed. They sat starter...

  We’re into the middle of January, and we’re getting plenty of new releases. This week we had three big streaming releases along with a highly anticipated new theatrical release. Below are my thoughts on the movies I saw this week. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Lift (Netflix) Starring : Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Billy Magnusson, Sam Worthington, and Jean Reno Synopsis : This new film on Netflix was originally scheduled for August but got pushed to January. It comes from F. Gary Gray, a director who is no stranger to a good action film. This is a heist film, which tracks action all across Europe. Cyrus (Hart) leads an expert crew that Interpol has in its sights. But Abby (Mbatha-Raw) is instructed by her boss (Worthington) to offer them a deal instead. If Cyrus and his crew helps lead a takedown of an even bigger bad guy (Reno), their slate will be wiped clean. Complicating matters is the fact Abb...

We’re into the middle of January and the release slate is heating up. We have series on streaming, on cable and now on network. With all these options—plus the ongoing NFL playoffs—you can be left 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 Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Criminal Record, Streaming on Apple TV+ (Premiered January 10) About : This latest feature for Apple TV+ is a British series featuring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo. One is a decorated veteran detective, the other is a young investigator trying to make a name for herself. When an anonymous call comes in that may shed light on a previously solved case, it brings them together and sets them at odds as they pursue these potential new leads. The season is eight episodes, with the first two released Wednesday and subsequent episodes dropped weekly. The episodes run about an ...

  The Broncos finished the season at 8-9 and head into an off-season of uncertainty. The first season with Sean Payton was OK. The Broncos had some low moments and some moments where they seemed to take a step forward. But now the focus is on how the Broncos can compete in 2024. Below are some things I think the team needs. * Figure Out the Quarterback . In the end-of-the-season press conferences, the Broncos indicated Russell Wilson might be back. I can't help but wonder how that's going to work. If Wilson is back, how does this team and offense move forward. If Wilson isn't back, who handles the quarterback position? The Broncos are likely to be in a rough salary cap position, but this is the most important position for the team and one they need to nail. * Nail the Draft . The Broncos haven't had a First Round pick in a couple of years. Now they have a big one and it's going to be crucial that they get it right. * Clarify the Weapons . On paper, the Broncos have ...

  The last year was a great year for films. There were a number of films that I enjoyed that were thoughtful, well-made and highly engaging. I'm also blessed to be part of two critics groups--The Denver Film Critics Society and the North American Film Critics Association. Both announced their slate of awards this weekend. Below are my thoughts. DFCS: It was a big year for Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, which won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. All three were my choices in voting as well. In the end, Oppenheimer won four awards. I think it will do well with the Academy Awards, as it did with the Golden Globes. Among the other acting awards, Ryan Gosling won Best Supporting Actor, Da'Vine Joy Randolph won Best Supporting Actress and Emma Stone won Best Actress. I loved all the choices. I think Randolph and Stone are front-runners for the Oscars, too. Meanwhile, Gosling and Robert Downey, Jr., will be going back-and-forth the rest of Awards sea...

  Animated Films have come a long way over the years. It's a genre and format that presents a wide range of styles and stories. This year, I'll be taking a look at my 50 favorite Animated Films, offering a new one from No. 50 to No. 1 each Saturday in 2024. Join along and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments! Donkey : We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning, I'm making waffles! Shrek (2001) Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow Director : Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jensen About: We begin our countdown of my favorite animated films with a classic that spawned a number of sequels. I remember seeing this film when I was in college. I had always thought of animated films as something for kids, and many were. This one works for kids, but many of the jokes and bits are decidedly aimed at adults. I've never loved Shrek as much as others have, but I appreciated the story and the work here. This is a fun and at t...

  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Ringo Kid : Well, I guess you can't break out of prison and into society in the same week. Stagecoach (1939) Starring: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, and John Carradine Director: John Ford About: It makes sense that we're kicking off here. Not only is this a classic film, but it was one of the early films that put Wayne and director Ford on the map. Both have become icons, not just in film but in the Western genre. This film, from before World War II, was one of Wayne's first big starring roles. The film is viewed as something of a classic, and was one I sought out when I explored the genre last year. I appreciated the work that went into the film and the craft. I also appreciated Wayne in the film, and can see how it helped propel him to being a big star. This...

  The NFL’s Regular Season is over and now it’s time for the playoffs. That kicks off with the Super Wild Card Weekend—six games over three fun-filled days. Below are my previews of the games and my picks. It’s my quest to have a perfect post-season. Will I get it? Let’s find out. First, a primer on my regular season picks. In straight up picks, I finished 9-7 in Week 18, going 173-99 for the season. In picks against the spread, I finished 9-7 in Week 18 as well. It was my third straight week going 9-7, helping me end above .500 at 139-133. Now, on to the playoff picks. Saturday Games: Cleveland Browns (11-5) at Houston Texans (10-7) About: This is a fascinating matchup and the battle of the two AFC teams that were the biggest surprises. If you read my Award Picks column, you know that the Browns’ Kevin Stefanski and the Texans’ DeMeco Ryans were the two top picks for me for Coach of the Year. The Browns overcame the loss of Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson to make the playoffs as th...

  Welcome to 2024. January is always an interesting time with a few new releases sprinkled with some 2023 films getting a wider release. This week is no exception. Below are a trio of films, two streams and one in theaters, I saw this week. You can keep up with all my film watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. And join us live on Saturday, January 13 as me and members of the North American Film Critics Association make our picks for the films of 2023. Foe (Prime Video) Starring : Paul Mescal, Saoirse Ronan, and Aaron Pierce Synopsis: This film was released late in 2023 and is getting its wide release on Prime now. It’s set in the near future where the environment is melting down, we’re considering moving to space, and A.I. can take a comforting, realistic human form. We center on a couple, Junior (Mescal) and Hen (Ronan), who are living in isolation on a farm in the middle of a nearly ruined plain. Soon, a visitor from the government (Pierce) arrives to tell Juni...

  Welcome to January. This winter will be unlike the past in that, post the resolution of strikes, we’re going to see some explosions on the small screen, including the return of the network season. But all that is to come. For now, let’s consider the early cable and streaming series we’ve gotten! What of these new 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 Winter. Sundays: Grimsburg, Sundays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 7) About : An animated detective series from Jon Hamm, who voices the lead—count me in. This had the typical Animation Domination visual style, but the story was a bit of fun. There were a lot of pop culture references and clever jokes. I enjoyed Hamm in the lead role, and I like the potential set up of this town and this role. The rest of the voice cast—including Rachel Dratch, Christina Hendricks, and Alan Tudyk, among others—does a nice job as well. The pilot moved at ...

  Week 18: Las Vegas Raiders 27, Denver Broncos 14 Season Record : 8-9 (5-4 Home) Key Play: In the early part of the Fourth Quarter, with the Raiders leading 17-7, Aidan O'Connell found Jakobi Myers for a 33-yard touchdown strike to push the score to 24 to 7, putting the game out of reach. Recap : It's fitting that the Broncos' season would end as it began, with a loss to the Raiders. The Broncos have now lost eight straight to the Raiders, having not beaten the team since they moved to Las Vegas. That's a period when the team has had four different coaches and often been viewed as a franchise that's a bit of a mess. What does that say about the Broncos? Nothing good. The team made some strides under Sean Payton. But they started poorly, rallied in the middle, and ended poorly, playing themselves out of the playoffs and even a winning season. Russell Wilson will be gone and it's unclear what all this off-season holds for the Broncos. But it's been eight ye...