Matt's Musings

  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! King Moonracer : [to Rudolph] When someday, you return to Christmas Town, would you tell Santa about our homeless toys? I'm sure he will find little boys and girls who will be happy with them. A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) Starring: Billie Mae Richards, Paul Soles, Larry D. Mann, and Burl Ives Director: Larry Roemer About: I might only be Labor Day Weekend, but we're starting to get that Christmas spirit as we think about this entry. It's a seasonal classic that turns 60 years old this year. It's got iconic characters, an iconic story, and iconic musical numbers. I love the wa...

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.  Sam Chisolm : What we lost in the fire, we found in the ashes. The Magnificent Seven (2016) Starring : Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Peter Sarsgaard Director : Antoine Fuqua About : This story has been told a few times and this probably isn't the most famous version, nor the most popular for some. And yet, it was a production I really enjoyed. Here Fuqua takes the lead as director and assembles a good cast to deliver a unique take on this material. I really enjoyed the cast and the performances. Washington is exceptional in the lead role, while Pratt, Hawke, and D'Onofrio do a nice job in their supporting roles. Sarsgaard makes for a decent villain, too. The action here is one of my favorite things. There's a great styl...

 We're wrapping up the summer and we're moving into Fall. As we hit September we also get a Friday that falls on the 13th, upping the number of spooky films. Let's dive in and access the month to come. Friday, September 6: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Theaters): This is a sequel to the Tim Burton film. Burton is back as director, with Wynona Rider and Michael Keaton back from the original. This also adds Jenna Ortega. I'm curious to see where we go here, but this could be fun. The Front Room (Theaters): This is a horror movie from A24. It looks creepy but it also doesn't look overly compelling. Brandy takes the lead as a woman tormented by her evil, racist mother-in-law. 'Tis the season for horror. Apollo 13: Survival (Netflix): This is a documentary about Apollo 13, a story that was previously covered in other films. Still, this ought to be an interesting documentary for streaming fans. Thursday, September 12: God's Not Dead 5: In God We Trust (Theaters): T...

This weekend we had an explosion of new films to check out including a handful in theaters and one streaming. This was a weekend that truly had one or two options for everyone. Below are my thoughts on new films I saw this week. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Between the Temples (Theaters) Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly De Leon, and Caroline Aaron Synopsis : We all go through tough times that have us questioning many things, sometimes even our core beliefs. Those times can lead to big revelations and big changes. That’s the idea behind the new comedy Between the Temples, which opens on Friday. The film centers on Ben (Schwartzman), a Cantor who is struggling. He can’t sing, likely because he’s enduring a crisis of faith in the wake of his wife’s death. He’s now living with his moms (Leon and Aaron), who are supportive but not totally understanding. They’re trying to fix Ben up on dates, but he’d rather see ...

We’re in the nearly dead part of summer where the flow of new series is more like a trickle. Don’t worry, the Fall flood is coming. But with school back in session and football firing back up, you might have precious little time for new shows. So, what’s worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of scripted and selected unscripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Sundays: City of God: The Fight Rages On, Sundays at 8 p.m. on Latino Max (Premiered August 25) About : This series picks up the story of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) 20 years after the events of the film, City of God, which was directed by Fernando Meirelles in 2002. That film was based on a true story and looked at crime and poverty in an area of Rio de Janeiro during the late 1960s and 1970s. This new series continues that story, focusing on Rocket and his career as a photojournalist, returning to his home 20 years l...

  Pre-Season Week 3 : Denver Broncos 38, Arizona Cardinals 12 Pre-Season Record : 3-0 (2-0 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, nursing a 12-point lead, Zach Wilson connected with Brandon Johnson on a 46-yard touchdown strike to put the game out of reach. Recap: The Broncos ended the pre-season 3-0. But far more important than the win/loss record is the way the team looked. The Broncos moved the ball on offense, made plays on defense, and looked like a hungry, young team. All that is a promising sign. The 3-0 record shouldn't get anyone carried away about the regular season. The Broncos are still a young team with roster holes that plays a tough schedule. But instead of being a 3-4 win team, I'm starting to feel better about the Broncos winning six to nine games. That would be a step in the right direction for a team that's re-building. Fans might not want to hear it, but it could be encouraging to see a young team making plays and learning through a good but not quite ...

  The 2024 NFL Season is almost upon us. In the run up to the season I'm offering my re-draft rankings. Today it's my Top 25 TEs. Top 25 TEs: 1 Travis Kelce 2 Sam LaPorta 3 Trey McBride 4 Dalton Kincaid 5 Mark Andrews 6 Evan Engram 7 Jake Ferguson 8 Kyle Pitts 9 George Kittle 10 David Njoku 11 Dallas Goedert 12 Taysom Hill 13 Pat Freiermuth 14 Brock Bowers 15 Ben Sinnott 16 Dalton Schultz 17 Cade Otton 18 T.J. Hockenson 19 Hunter Henry 20 Noah Fant 21 Chig Okonkwo 22 Luke Musgrave 23 Cole Kmet 24 Greg Dulcich 25 Isaiah Likely

  In the run up to the 2024 NFL Season I'm offering a look at my re-draft rankings for the season. Today it's my Top 50 WRs. Top 50 WRs: 1 Tyreek Hill 2 Ja'Marr Chase 3 A.J. Brown 4 Amon-Ra St. Brown 5 CeeDee Lamb 6 Garrett Wilson 7 Justin Jefferon 8 Puka Nacua 9 Davante Adams 10 DeVonta Smith 11 D.J. Moore 12 Michael Pittman, Jr. 13 Brandon Aiyuk 14 Drake London 15 Chris Olave 16 Mike Evans 17 Nico Collins 18 Marvin Harrison, Jr. 19 Deebo Samuel 20 Rashee Rice 21 Christian Kirk 22 D.K. Metcalf 23 Amari Cooper 24 Tee Higgins 25 Terry McLaurin 26 George Pickens 27 Jaylen Waddle 28 Jaxon Smith-Njigba 29 Tank Dell 30 Chris Godwin 31 Malik Nabers 32 Zay Flowers 33 Jayden Reed 34 Diontae Johnson 35 Cooper Kupp 36 Calvin Ridley 37 Stefon Diggs 38 Romeo Doubs 39 Courtland Sutton 40 Keenan Allen 41 Xavier Worthy 42 Christian Watson 43 Rasheed Shahid 44 Curtis Samuel 45 Brandin Cooks 46 Jorda...

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! Buzz: I've set my laser from stun to kill. Woody : Oh, great. If anyone attacks we can blink em' to death. Toy Story (1995) Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, John Morris, and Laurie Metcalf Director: John Lasseter About: There are films that are good and films that are important. This is the rare combination of both when it comes to animation. There have been four Toy Story films, with more coming. This isn't the first on this list, and it won't be the last. But it's one that started it all, and it is also a standard bearer for Pixar, which has become a top brand in animation. What worked here was the style, the story, and 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.  Hedley Lamarr : Men, you are about to embark on a great crusade to stamp out runaway decency in the west. Now you men will only be risking your lives, whilst I will be risking an almost certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Blazing Saddles (1974) Starring : Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little, Slim Pickens, Harvey Corman, and Mel Brooks Director : Mel Brooks About : We've seen a lot of different kinds of westerns on this list. That is true of today's selection, which is a comedic take on the genre. It comes from Brooks, who co-wrote and co-starred in the film. This features a couple great performances from Wilder and Little, who seem to be having a lot of fun together in this film. It's also a film that has a lot to say about culture, the genre, a...

Films released in 1999 will turn 25 this year. Over the next few months, I'll be looking at some of the memorable films from that year, including some of my favorites. Today, I'm continuing with another blockbuster that changed films. Mox: Now, we go out there and we half-ass it because we're scared, all we're left with is an excuse. We're always gonna wonder. But, we go out there and we give it absolutely everything... that's heroic. Let's be heroes! Varsity Blues Starring : James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Ron Lester, Amy Smart, and Ali Larter Director : Brian Robbins About : Here we come to the end of my look at films from 1999, ideally timed to be near the start of the NFL season. Seeing this film brings up a lot of memories. I was just out of High School when this film debuted. I was also a big Dawson's Creek fan. I enjoyed seeing Van Der Beek and I liked the soundtrack. There's a lot of over-the-top elements to this fi...

  We’re making our way through August, and we got another big blockbuster franchise in theaters, but a few different streaming options this week. Below is my take on the new movies. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Alien: Romulus (Theaters) Starring : Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced Synopsis : It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott gave us a vision of terror in space with Alien. In that time, we’ve seen the titular alien, and its friends, appear in more than a half dozen films. Now, they are back again in a new franchise addition from Fede Alvarez that takes audiences back to the beginning. The film both literally touches on the original and brings back that sense of dread, suspense, and horror that made Scott’s first film so iconic. It’s a wonderful return to the world and one of the better offerings in the franchise. In the new film, we begin with a Weyland craft scooping up the remains of the Alien from...

  We’re making our way through August as we approach the end of the summer season and the kick-off to Fall. There are a few new shows still popping up and you might be wondering if they 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, and select unscripted, series this Summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HBO/Max (Premiered August 6) About: The yearly right-of-passage for NFL fans, this year’s installment of Hard Knocks features the No. 1 overall pick in Caleb Williams and a potentially loaded Bears team. These shows live or die with the stories and personalities, and so far through two episodes this feels like one of the better editions. The streaming version on Max was delayed Tuesday, causing a bit of an uproar, but the series is a lot of fun. Once the second episode dropped, it introduced us ...

  Pre-Season, Week 2 : Denver Broncos 27, Green Bay Packers 2 Pre-Season Record : 2-0 (1-0 Home) Key Play : In the first half, with the Broncos leading 10-0 and the Packers driving, safety Keidron Smith picked off a pass from Sean Clifford. The Broncos turned it into a touchdown, increasing the lead to 17-0 to end the half. Recap : This was the first start for Bo Nix, and the first home game of the season. It was a success on both accounts. The Broncos have scored 61 points in two games, which is a good sign, and seem to have found their quarterback of the future. I'd suspect Nix earns the Week 1 start sooner rather than later. That means with the eight days and one pre-season game left, the team will focus on the bubble players and finding the right 53 to start the season. It's always a tough time but I'm excited to see how this roster comes together and to see the Broncos actually hit the field for real on September 8! Game Balls: * Bo Nix . Nix went 8-for-9 for 90 yards ...

  The 2024 NFL Season is nearly upon us. In the run up to the season I'm offering my re-draft rankings. Today that continues with my Top 50 RBs. Top 50 RBs: 1 Christian McCaffrey 2 Breece Hall 3 Jonathan Taylor 4 Bijan Robinson 5 Saquon Barkley 6 Jahmyr Gibbs 7 Derrick Henry 8 Kyren Williams 9 James Cook 10 Travis Etienne 11 Josh Jacobs 12 Rachaad White 13 Joe Mixon 14 Isaih Pacheco 15 De'Von Achane 16 Rhamondre Stevenson 17 Alvin Kamara 18 Zamir White 19 Ken Walker III 20 D'Andre Swift 21 Zack Moss 22 Raheem Mostert 23 Tony Pollard 24 Najee Harris 25 Jaylen Warren 26 Devin Singletary 27 David Montgomery 28 Gus Edwards 29 Javonte Williams 30 Ezekiel Elliott 31 Nick Chubb 32 Aaron Jones 33 Austin Ekeler 34 Trey Benson 35 Tyjae Spears 36 Jerome Ford 37 Chase Brown 38 Brian Robinson, Jr. 39 James Conner 40 Jonathan Brooks 41 Chuba Hubbard 42 Zach Charbonnet 43 Antonio Gibson 44 Jaleel McLau...

 The 2024 NFL Season is upon us. In the run up, I'm going through my re-draft rankings. Today, it's my Top 25 QBs. Top 25 QBs: 1 Josh Allen 2 Patrick Mahomes 3 Dak Prescott 4 Jalen Hurts 5 C.J. Stroud 6 Lamar Jackson 7 Joe Burrow 8 Tua Tagovailoa 9 Jared Goff 10 Jordan Love 11 Brock Purdy 12 Anthony Richardson 13 Kyler Murray 14 Trevor Lawrence 15 Kirk Cousins 16 Caleb Williams 17 Matthew Stafford 18 Justin Herbert 19 Aaron Rodgers 20 Baker Mayfield 21 Bryce Young 22 Deshaun Watson 23 Jayden Daniels 24 Daniel Jones 25 Will Levis

  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! Poppy : Hey, I know it's not all cupcakes and rainbows, but I'd rather go through life thinking that it mostly is instead of being like you. You don't sing. You don't dance. So gray all the time. What happened to you? Trolls (2016) Starring : Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Jeffrey Tambor Director : Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn About : We've seen three films in this franchise, and there was already one of the sequels earlier on this list. But now we arrive at the Trolls film that started it all. I remember the lead up to this film and trying to figure out how it would work. I remembered the...

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.   Captain Joseph J. Blocker : Don't look back, my friend. Go in a good way. A part of me dies with you. Hostiles (2017) Starring : Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Jesse Plemons, and Rory Cochrane Director : Scott Cooper About: Last week I looked at a western involving soldiers and Native Americans. This week, we get another film that touches on the same subjects. But this has a completely different tone. Bale stars as a Captain who is bitter after years of brutal war with Native Americans. For his final assignment, he's tasked with escorting an infamous war chief (Studi) back to his home. It's an assignment that doesn't sit well with him. And yet, in an unexpected journey, he finds some healing and a new purpose. This is a beautiful and layered pe...

Films released in 1999 will turn 25 this year. Over the next few months, I'll be looking at some of the memorable films from that year, including some of my favorites. Today, I'm continuing with another blockbuster that changed films. Old Paul Edgecomb : We each owe a death - there are no exceptions - but, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long. The Green Mile Starring : Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, David Morse, Barry Pepper, and Sam Rockwell Director : Frank Darabont About : This is an adaptation of a wonderful, and wonderfully dense, novel from Stephen King. We normally think of him as a horror story writer. There are some horrifying elements here, but this is a beautiful drama. The film is directed by Darabont, who adapted another of King's non-horror stories in The Shawshank Redemption . Like that film, this is a deeply emotional journey. I loved Hanks and Duncan in these roles, and I appreciated the wealth of emotional depth in the story. I...

The second weekend in August brought a packed slate of new films, including some big theatrical releases. Below, I give my thoughts on this week’s new movies. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Borderlands (Theaters) Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and Jack Black Synopsis : This film from Eli Roth—who co-wrote the script with Joe Abercrombie—is based on a video game. It’s set in a world where everyone is searching for a hidden vault with alien technology that promises to provide new, unstoppable weapons. We follow a bounty hunter, Lilith (Blanchett), who is hired by a wealthy tech mogul Atlas (Ramirez) to find his kidnapped daughter (Greenblatt). When she arrives on Pandora, she finds that said daughter Tina isn’t kidnapped, isn’t truly his daughter, and might be the key to finding the treasure. Lilith teams with the rest of Tina’s allies (Hart, Muntea...

The Summer Olympics are coming to an end, which should free up some more time. But it was another quiet week as we launched into August. Still, of the new shows released, 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 scripted, and select unscripted, series this Summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered August 6) About : This annual anthology series keeps expanding. Earlier this summer we saw an off-season version with the Giants. Now, we return to the original version that showcases a team getting ready for the season by following them through Training Camp. This year, we get the Chicago Bears and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Williams and coach Matt Eberflus. Both had a good personality and made for an interesting first episode. The pilot also followed new Bears’ safety Jonathan Owens, w...

  Pre-Season Week 1 : Denver Broncos 34, Indianapolis Colts 30 Pre-Season Record: 1-0 (0-0 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, with under six minutes left, undrafted rookie Blake Watson scampered in from six yards out to give the Broncos a 34-24 lead. They held on for the four-point win. Recap: The Broncos kick-started the pre-season in fine fashion. The team scored 34 points, got a good look at rookie Bo Nix, and won the game. I suspect Nix, who came in second Sunday and will start Week 2, will be the Opening Day starter. The rookie looked poised, going 15-for-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown. He led four scoring drives that produced 20 points. I was pleased to see a lot of things from the Broncos' offense in the game. I thought the defense was solid enough in the first half. There were some good plays on both sides as the young team showed a bit of promise. That's going to make roster decisions even more difficult, which is a nice problem to have. Overall, it was a good...