Matt's Musings

We’re into October now, and we’re seeing an uptick of Spooky Season content as we get ready for Halloween. We’re also on the cusp of another wave of premiers as more networks kick off their seasons. That leaves plenty of viewing options, but which new shows are for you? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted and select unscripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: NCIS: Origins, Mondays at 10 p.m. on CBS (Premiered October 14) About: Have you ever wondered how Leroy Jethro Gibbs got his start with NCIS? If so, you’re in luck. This new spin-off to the franchise is a prequel. It kicks off with Gibbs (Mark Harmon) building a fire and thinking back, beginning to weave a story “he doesn’t ever tell.” Quickly we transition to Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991 in California. He’s just been hired by NIS (the forerunner to NCIS) despite failing his psychology exam. He’s in a raw state. He’s just

  Week 6 : Los Angeles Chargers 23, Denver Broncos 16 Season Record : 3-3 (1-2 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, with the score 23-13, the Broncos went for a two-point conversion. Marvin Mims, Jr., came up short. That left it a two-score game, dictating the Broncos path. Recap : This was a tough game. The Broncos really struggled in the first half on both sides of the ball. The Chargers scored on all four possessions, while the Broncos couldn't get anything going. That led to a 20-0 deficit. To the team's credit, it was a 16-3 second half that cut it down and made the game close. The Broncos' offense is still wildly uneven. The biggest loss was Patrick Surtain, who went out with a concussion on the first play of the game for the Chargers. The Broncos felt that loss in the first half. In the second half, the defense was much better. But, still, the team wasn't able to generate enough to come back. Now, the Broncos have to play on a short week, which will be somethi

Films released in 1994 will turn 30 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, it's a murder mystery set in the era of Radio. Announcer : And that's it from WBN in Chicago. If it wasn't clear before, it's certainly clear now; There'll never be anything quite like... radio. Radioland Murders Starring : Brian Benben, Mary Stuart Masterson, Ned Beatty, Scott Michael Campbell, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christopher Lloyd Director : Mel Smith About : As a writer and director, George Lucas has his challenges. But as a producer and an idea man, he's incredible. This little film is based on a story from Lucas, who served as a producer. It has a great cast and has a lot of humor and drama. This is a hidden gem that didn't have a huge audience, but it's become a cult classic. For those that love a good yarn, this one is worth seeking out and checking out. You'll be gla

  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! Moonwind: You know, lost souls are not that different from those in the zone. The zone is enjoyable, but when that joy becomes an obsession, one becomes disconnected from life. Soul (2020) Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Angela Bassett, Richard Ayoade, and Graham Norton Director: Pete Docter and Kemp Powers About: This film got the streaming role out on Christmas in the midst of a pandemic. It might not have gotten the high-profile release it deserved, but it remains one of my favorite Pixar films. I like the idea this film and the way it's been put together. Foxx and Fey are fun here, and the film is funny, emotional, and compelling. The animated sty

  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.  Mattie Ross : You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another. There is nothing free except the grace of God. True Grit (2010) Starring : Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin Director : Joel and Ethan Coen About : Yes, John Wayne made the character of Rooster Cogburn famous. His version of True Grit is considered a classic, and even inspired a sequel. And yet, the Coen brothers plied their talent to adapting the novel in a new version in 2010. Bridges steps into the role and is incredible. The original is on this list, but it's the Coen Brothers version that I have a great appreciation for. The writing is crisp and the performances are great from Bridges, Steinfeld, and Damon. It's an engaging and beautifully crafted film tha

 Week 6 of the NFL Season is here. I was on fire with straight picks but I have work to do picking against the Spread. Let's see how I fare in Week 6. NFL Picks, Week 6: NFL Picks, Week 6: 49ers Over Seahawks Bears Over Jaguars Packers Over Cardinals Colts Over Titans Texans Over Patriots Buccaneers Over Saints Eagles Over Browns Ravens Over Commanders Broncos Over Chargers Steelers Over Raiders Lions Over Cowboys Falcons Over Panthers Bengals Over Giants Bills Over Jets Last Week : 10-4 Season : 47-31 NFL Picks Spread, Week 6: 49ers -3.5 Over Seahawks Bears -2.5 Over Jaguars Packers -4.5 Over Cardinals Colts -.5 Over Titans Texans -6.5 Over Patriots Buccaneers -2.5 Over Saints Eagles -8.5 Over Browns Commanders +6.5 Over Ravens Broncos +2.5 Over Chargers Steelers -2.5 Over Raiders Lions -3.5 Over Cowboys Falcons -6.5 Over Panthers Giants +3.5 Over Bengals Bills -2.5 Over Jets Last Week : 9-5 Season : 37-41

October began much as September ended, with a flood of new releases. That includes some highly anticipated releases. Below is my take on this week’s new films. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. A Different Man (Theaters) Starring : Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, and Renate Reinsve Synopsis : We all have things about ourselves we wish were different. But what happens when those outward issues are removed? Does it mean we can live the perfect life? That’s part of the heart of this new film, which features Stan as a man with a face mutation that has led him to lead a life in the shadows. But when he undergoes a radical new procedure that fixes his face, he still doesn’t find perfection. When he encounters another man (Pearson) who never let his affliction dictate his life, Edward begins to realize it’s not the outside but the person inside that’s long been part of the problem. The ideas here are interesting, as is the way this film

  We’re into October and while we got some new shows this week, it’s the mini-lull before the next wave of premiers mid-month. Still, there’s a lot on the air right now, which can make it difficult to know what is worth the investment of your time. That’s where this series comes in, as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series and select unscripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Murder in a Small Town, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered September 24) About : This new crime series features Rossif Sutherland as a former big city detective now Chief of Police in a small town. But murders have followed him to his new home. We get a case-of-the-week format, with some big guest stars, such as James Cromwell in the pilot. But the main focus is on Sutherland and his new paramour, played by Kristen Kreuk. I like Sutherland in the lead role and the premise. Your interest in each week will largely depend on the crime and

Week 5: Denver Broncos 34, Las Vegas Raiders 18 Season Record: 3-2 (1-1 Home) Key Play: In the Second Quarter, with the Raiders leading 10-3, Patrick Surtain intercepted Gardner Minshew in the end zone and returned the ball for a touchdown, tying the game 10-10. Recap: Vance Joseph has had quite a year. In September of 2023, the Broncos' defense gave up 70 points in a loss to Miami. A lot of people, myself included, wanted him fired. He wasn't. Thank God he wasn't. Joseph has turned around the Broncos' defense to the point that it's easily the best part of the team this season. The Broncos are 3-2, and that is largely thanks to a suffocating defense that is doing a lot of its work in relative quiet. Sure, the offense was a little better Sunday, but this record is a credit to that defense. The Broncos have another home game with the Chargers next week and could have a chance to move into a very favorable position in the AFC. As Bo Nix continues to get more experi

  Films released in 1994 will turn 30 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, it's a Star Trek film. Kirk : [after being saved from Soran] I thought you were headed for the launcher. Picard: I changed my mind; Captain's prerogative! Star Trek: Generations Starring: Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Malcolm McDowell, and Whoopi Goldberg Director : David Carson About: The handoff from one generation to the next in a long-running franchise can be tricky. But with this seventh feature film for Star Trek, the team found a unique way to solve the riddle. They brought Captain Kirk (Shatner) together with Captain Picard (Stewart), joining two generations of the series and making the handoff in the cinematic universe. Stewart and Shatner are good in this film, and McDowell makes for a great foil. This is an interesting film that works better than I thought it would and holds up wel

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! Charlie Brown: Who are you writing to, Linus? Linus : This is the time of year to write to the Great Pumpkin. On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises out of his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys for all the children! Charlie Brown : You must be crazy. When are you going to stop believing in something that isn't true? Linus: When *you* stop believing in that fellow with a red suit and the white beard who goes, "Ho, ho, ho!" Charlie Brown : We're obviously separated by denominational differences. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) Starring : Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, and Sally Dryer Director:

  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.  Trudy Smith : How long you been alive in this country? A rock and a hard place is what we call Monday. The Harder They Fall (2021) Starring : Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, RJ Cyler, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield Director: Jeymes Samuel About: There are some films that are just about swagger. That's certainly the case with The Harder They Fall , a slick Western released a few years ago on Netflix. It has a great cast, a great look and feel, and some great action sequences. It was one of my favorite releases in 2021, and a Western that really captured my attention. I loved the performances, and I loved the creativity in Samuel's script. The film is a heck of a fun ride and well worth seeking out if you've never seen it.

  We're in October and Week 5 is upon us. I did better in picking winners last week, but still need to step up my picks against the Spread Game. Let's see how it goes. NFL Picks, Week 5 Falcons Over Buccaneers Vikings Over Jets Bears Over Panthers Bengals Over Ravens Dolphins Over Patriots Commanders Over Browns Jaguars Over Colts Texans Over Bills Broncos Over Raiders 49ers Over Cardinals Packers Over Rams Seahawks Over Giants Steelers Over Cowboys Chiefs Over Saints Last Week : 10-7 Season : 37-27 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5 Falcons -1.5 Over Buccaneers Vikings -2.5 Over Jets Bears -3.5 Over Panthers Bengals +2.5 Over Ravens Dolphins +1.5 Over Patriots Commanders -3.5 Over Browns Jaguars -2.5 Over Colts Texans -1.5 Over Bills Broncos -2.5 Over Raiders 49ers -7.5 Over Cardinals Packers -3.5 Over Rams Seahawks -6.5 Over Giants Steelers -2.5 Over Cowboys Saints +5.5 Over Chiefs Last Week : 7-9 Season : 28-36

  The last week in September brought so many films. We had four theatrical releases and a handful of streaming options. Below is my take on this week’s new releases. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Apartment 7A (Paramount+) Starring: Julia Garner, Diane Wiest, Kevin McNally, and Jim Sturgess Synopsis : This new film is timed to coincide with the season, this film is a prequel to the classic Rosemary’s Baby. In fact, the film takes you right up to a key sequence in that original film. It’s set in 1965 and focuses on dancer Terry Gionoffrio. She’s having a rough go of it after an injury caused her infamy and cost her jobs. Down-on-her-luck, Terry comes across a seemingly sweet older couple, Minnie (Wiest) and Roman (McNally), who offer her a place to stay in a beautiful New York building that happens to be home to a major producer (Sturgess). She takes up the offer, but it indeed turns out to be too good to be true. It’s been a

  We’re coming to the end of September and hitting the peak of new premiers, with networks, streamers, and cable outlets all joining the fray. But what of these new shows is worth the investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted—and select unscripted—series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Brilliant Minds, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered September 23) About : Zachary Quinto stars as a Dr. Wolf, a brilliant doctor that has some issues and a unique approach to the work. It’s inspired by the books from Oliver Sachs and is meant to be a familiar genre done in a new way. It sort of is. My primary complaint from the pilot was that it was uneven and somewhat dull. The second episode follows the same pattern. I like Quinto, but at times this character and this series is a bit grating. Medical series are always reliable, and this has some time to grow into something, but so far, I’m not t