Matt's Musings

We’re into November, which means the tide of releases are picking up steam. We have a combination of holiday-themed releases and films that have lofty aims when it comes to year-end accolades. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Conclave (Theaters) Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow Synopsis: The latest from director Edward Berger is a drama adapted from a novel and set at a tense meeting of the leadership of the Catholic Church. We begin with the death of the Pope. That sets us to a Conclave, the duty for which falls to Dean Lawrence (Fiennes). He’s pulling for his friend (Tucci) to get the post, but there are many contenders vying for the post. It’s up to Lawrence to follow his conscience, seek God’s will, and uncover all the information needed for the process to find the next leader of the church. Berger does a fantastic job putting this film together. Though it’s mostly just men in rooms having conver

  We’re into November, and the tide of new shows is coming down to a more manageable level. But with holiday and seasonal obligations—in addition to the tide of shows and movies already out—your time might be in short supply. What’s 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. Thursdays: Mistletoe Murders, Streaming on Hallmark+ (Premiered October 31) About : Leave it to Hallmark to debut a new, Christmas-themed murder mystery series on Halloween. Despite seasonal confusion, this has an interesting premise, centering on Emily Lane (Sarah Drew) as a Christmas-store owner who serves as a sleuth to solve local murders. Her co-star is Peter Mooney as Detective Sam Wilner. This is a clever whodunnit with a twist. It’s clear Emily has a backstory that will be played out over a few episodes. I enjoyed Drew and Mooney here, and I think there’s enough int

  Week 9 : Baltimore Ravens 41, Denver Broncos 10 Season Record : 5-4 (2-2 Home) Key Play : With less than a minute left in the first half, Lamar Jackson connected with Zay Flowers on a 53-yard touchdown strike to make it 24-10. The Broncos never recovered. Recap : There's some legitimate excitement for the Broncos. The team has a winning record. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is showing improvement. And the defense has, mostly, been great. But I said last week the next few games would be a test of whether this team was ready for Prime Time. Based on what we saw Sunday, they're not. The Broncos should hover around .500 all season and remain in the Wild Card race into December. There are promising signs for the future. But the AFC is loaded, and this team isn't good enough to hang with some of the genuine contenders in the league. I still think there has been progress made this season, but the Broncos are in the midst of a re-build and games like Sunday show they aren't quite

  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 legal drama from John Grisham film. Roy: You've been awful busy, Reggie, obstruction of justice, tampering with federal evidence, [pauses as he taps his pen on the table] contributing to the delinquency of a minor, you've been REAL busy. Reggie: Oh Roy, I am so FLATTERED that you noticed! The Client Starring : Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, Brad Renfro, and Mary Louise Parker Director : Joel Schumacher About : This is an under-rated legal drama. I have long enjoyed John Grisham tales, and I've enjoyed the ones in the 1990s directed by Schumacher. He might not have been a good fit for Batman movies, but he was great here. So, too, is the back-and-forth between Sarandon and Jones. Their game of cat-and-mouse ups the stakes, while Sarandon's work with Renfro is the emotional heart

  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! Asha : The stars are there to guide us, to inspire us, to remind us to believe in possibility. Wish (2023) Starring : Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, and Alan Tudyk Director: Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn About: This is one of the newer films on the list, and one of the highest new films on this list. Albeit not the highest release from 2023. It is a Disney film that celebrates a century of Disney animation, and a musical with some great original songs. I liked the story, characters, and humor here. Pine and DeBose are great in the lead roles, and the ensemble cast does well here, too. I know it wasn't wildly popular among everyone, but I loved Wish . I

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.  Elsa Dutton : "Freedom. To most, it is an idea, an abstract thought that pertains to control. That's not freedom. That's independence. Freedom is riding wild over untamed land with no notion any moment exists beyond the one you're living." 1883 (2021-2022) Starring : Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, and Isabel May Director : Ben Richardson, Taylor Sheridan, and Christina Alexandra Voros About : This has been a different and unique list, and it will be moreso as we go through the Top 10. Western is a big, bold, and diverse genre. This list is my own, personal favorites. This isn't the first time I've included a long-form mini-series on the list and it won't be the last. This is the prequel to Yellowstone, Sheridan's TV opus. Or, at