Matt's Musings

  We've made it to April, and we're getting a mix of some interesting releases this month. Let's take a look at all that's in store for us in April! Friday, April 4: * A Minecraft Movie (Theaters) : This film has a decent cast but looks like it might be better for younger audiences than adults. Video game adaptations have been a mixed bag, but I'm hoping for some fun. * Freaky Tales (Theaters) : This one is an anthology of sorts, with four inter-connected tales set in 1987. They are of some varying quality, but Tom Hanks is great in a cameo and I enjoyed Pedro Pascal and some of the sequences here. * The Friend (Theaters) : This has been a bit under-the-radar. Still, a film starring Bill Murray and Naomi Watts has to pique your interest a bit. Will it be good? Who's to say. Thursday, April 10: * G20 (Prime Video): This action film focuses on a terrorist take over of the G20 Summit. Viola Davis is the lead, playing a badass American President. I'm intrigued ...

We've made it to 2025, which means that films released in 2005 are now turning 20 years old. It's hard to believe how time flies, and it's even harder to believe some of the films on the list are now 20 years old.  In 2005 we saw a lot of interesting films, including the conclusion to the prequel trilogy from George Lucas. There were many classic an varied releases that have stood the test of time.. As I look back at the year, I'm highlighting some films that have always stood out to me. I was surprised by the list, but it's five films that I couldn't move on without talking about. For each of the films that I'll highlight from the year, I'll be including a quote from the film, an image, and a bit of the reason it makes the list. It's always fun to look at these cinematic time capsules to remember the films we've gotten and to remember favorites we might not have seen for a while. So, check back each Sunday through May 11 for a film from 2005. Th...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Seven Samurai (1954) Starring: Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura Director: Akira Kurosawa About: Most director's have a signature film. That's the case with Kurosawa, and that most memorable signature film is The Seven Samurai . If you followed my list of favorite Westerns last year, you'd note that I had two versions of The Magnificent Seven on it. Those films are both just western adaptations of what Kurosawa did here. This film is an epic in scope and length, clocking in at nearly three and a half hours. It also has a strong cast, including two of his frequent collaborators in Mifume and Shimura, who are both in other films that will be on th...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. Transformers (2007) Starring : Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro Director : Michael Bay About : We come to the start of the next round and look at my next selection from Bay. Bay isn't probably high on a lot of people's director lists. But I have always appreciated the popcorn style of his films. He's a great escape director for me. I was curious to see how it was going to go as he took on bringing a popular cartoon series to life. The result was this film, which I have come to really enjoy. Bay did five Transformers films in all, and they aren't all gems. But this first film is very creative, has some funny mome...

  NFL Free Agency has hit a lull. We're seeing fewer big deals, and that will continue as we approach the NFL Draft. But below I highlight five players still on the market I think are worth a look. Aaron Rodgers, QB About: Rodgers is the best of the QBs left on the market. He's been linked to the Steelers, and doubtless they could use him. Their two QBs from last season both signed. The Steelers also appear to be the only landing spot left to Rodgers, who isn't a target for the Vikings and saw the Giants sign Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. J.K. Dobbins, RB About : Dobbins had a strong 2024 where he, for the most part, stayed on the field. It was a productive season with the Chargers. But now he's a free agent, and it seems unlikely he returns to the Chargers. Where will he land? That's the question. And what can he do when he does land? That remains to be seen. Amari Cooper, WR About : Cooper had a forgettable 2024. He didn't do much with the Buffalo Bills ...

This week we got a pair of new films built around strong female heroines who have a knack for singing. Below is my take on both the new films. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. O’Dessa (Hulu) Starring: Sadie Sink, Murray Bartlett, and Regina Hall Synopsis: The movie musical has been around as long as we’ve had films. Each year we get a fair number of musicals of different styles. For them to work, the music needs to be strong but for it to be a great film it takes more than that. Therein lies the problem for O’Dessa, a new musical that streams on Hulu beginning Thursday, March 20. The film is a dystopic futuristic tale about a young ramblin’ musician that could hold the key to providing the world a better future. It’s a rock opera of sorts, but it features a number of original songs and a unique story. While the music is often quite good, it’s in service of a film that’s uneven at best. We open with an introduction to the worl...

We’re making our way to the end of March, with some Network series wrapping up and the offerings on cable and streaming heating up. But, which of these new shows is worth the investment of 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: Good American Family, Streaming Wednesdays on Hulu (Premiered March 19) About : The latest for Hulu is a series ripped from the headlines. It involves the strange case of Natalia Grace, who was adopted by then abandoned by the Barnett family. Kristine (Ellen Pompeo) and Michael (Mark Duplass) believed her to be a liar. Over the years, there have been a lot of different theories. The series picks up in 2010, when the Barnett’s adopted Natalia, and follows her time with the family, her parting, and the investigation that followed. The first two episodes of the eight-episode series dropped Wednesday, with subsequen...

  After a strong initial wave, it's been a quiet period for the Denver Broncos when it comes to free agency. That doesn't mean the team is without holes to fill. Below are a couple positions I think the Broncos could still look to add players either through free agency or the draft. Running Back : The Broncos let Javonte Williams walk, which leaves them with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson on the roster. It's not a bad group, but it's hard to imagine the team won't add to that. Could it be in free agency? There are still some options on the table. But I think this could likely be filled somewhere in the draft. Wide Receiver : I don't know if this is an immediate need, as I like the potential of Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin as a starting three. But I think the Broncos will add to the group. This could be a space where they grab a veteran, but it's another spot that feels like a potential rookie. Tight End: ...

It's hard to believe, but 2010 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2010 that are turning 15 in 2025. Today, it's a dystopian story featuring Denzel Washington. Eli: People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now. The Book of Eli Starring: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals, and Gary Oldman Director: Allen and Albert Hughes About : I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. It's a dystopian tale featuring Denzel Washington in a dark and intriguing story. I have never totally loved it but it has long stuck with me. There's a style to the violence and storytelling that's interesting. The choice of visual tones is interesting. But, mostly, it's the way the film taps into Scripture that has been appealing. Is it perfect? Far from it. In fact, it might be too literal in some of its takes on the ...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Woman King (2022) Starring: Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, and Sheila Atim Director : Gina Prince-Bythewood About : Female action movies are tricky. It's often strange when you look at the style. None of that is the case with The Woman King , a historical epic with an exceptional cast and great direction from Prince-Bythewood. I love the way the action is choreographed, but more importantly I appreciate the depth of performance and the style here. Davis is great in the lead role and I love the back-and-forth between her and Mbedu. My wife, upon seeing the film, remarked that the loving way it's crafted showed this was directed by a woman. I ag...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, and John Rhys-Davies Director : Steven Spielberg About : We come to the end of the first cycle of Directors with the GOAT, Steven Spielberg. He's had a long and varied career. And when it comes to picking just five, that's no easy task. And yet, that's what this series is about. To kick off my look at Spielberg, I went with a film that's meant a lot to me over the years. Raiders of the Lost Ark came out the year I was born, and was actually my first selection when I did my 40 years of movies. I love the way this story is told and the iconic scenes. Ford is great here and Spielberg...

 We're continuing to move our way through Free Agency, with the new league year kicking off on March 12. Below is a look at a couple impact signings at each position that have taken place since last Thursday! Quarterbacks: * Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers : Rudolph goes back to the Steelers on a two-year deal. The Steelers don't have another option right now and are supposedly comfortable with Rudolph starting this year. This is one to watch. * Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers: Jones was, at one point, a potential pick for the 49ers in the draft. They went with Trey Lance, and that didn't work out. Now, he goes to Kyle Shanahan on a two-year deal. I like him as a backup in this system. Running Backs: * Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys : Sanders signs with the Cowboys, joining Javonte Williams in a new-look backfield. It's an interesting signing and I'm wondering what it will mean for fantasy. This is worth watching. * Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs : Hunt was the C...

We’re in the middle of the month and we’ve gotten some interesting new offerings on the big screen and on streaming. Below are the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Black Bag (Theaters) Starring: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abela, and Rege-Jean Page Synopsis: For many years we’ve seen solid productions from Steven Soderberg and great scripts from David Koepp. What if they combined forces? That’s no longer theoretical, as the two team for the new spy drama Black Bag, which opened Friday. The film focuses on George (Fassbender). He’s a great agent with a skill for sniffing out the truth. And as we meet him, he’s on the hunt for a traitor within the agency that has stolen a secret weapon and plans to sell it. He’s given five names. One of them is responsible. He has a week to figure it out. The wrinkle is, one of the five on the list is his wife, Kathryn (Blanchett). Also on the list are a...

We’re cruising through March, and that means we’re getting some interesting new shows, including highly anticipated series. But with the avalanche of options, what’s worth your time to check out? That’s why this weekly post exists, to help guide you through the new series options and find the one that’s right for you! Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Celtics City, Mondays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered March 3) About : This docu-series focuses on, you guessed it, the Boston Celtics. The first episode went back to some of the beginnings. The second episode told the next chapter in the story. This nine-episode documentary is meant to capture the highs and lows, the glory and the failures of one of the NBA’s signature franchises. If you’re a fan of basketball, the city of Boston, and the Celtics, this is for you. Or if you just like a good sports documentary, this will work for you. Otherwise, it might be a bit of a long, awkward watch. Pilot Grade : C+ Secon...

  The 2025 NFL Season has begun, as the new league year kicked off on March 12. As part of a busy first week of the season, the Broncos have made a few splashes in free agency. Let's see how they've done below. Players Departed The Broncos lost a few players. Running back Javonte Williams signed a one-year deal with Cowboys. While I liked Williams, he didn't see a great fit with Sean Payton's system. I assumed he'd leave, so it's not a big surprise. A bigger surprise was that punter Riley Dixon signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Broncos had wanted him back, and now they'll have to find a new punter. Among others who left, Zach Wilson signed with the Dolphins as the primary backup quarterback and Special Teams standout Tremon Smith signed with the Houston Texans. The only other loss for the Broncos was linebacker Cody Barton, who signed with the Titans. New Players The Broncos were active in free agency, too. They made their first splashes on defense, ...

It's hard to believe, but 2010 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2010 that are turning 15 in 2025. Today, it's a comedy featuring Emma Stone. Olive Penderghast : Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life. Easy A Starring : Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, and Thomas Haden Church Director : Will Gluck About : High school is tough and, for many, awkward. Stone is a wildly successful actress who has become a fixture at awards the past few years. But 15 yea...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. Dunkirk (2017) Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, and Kenneth Branagh Director: Christopher Nolan About: We're coming to the end of the first round and have arrived at my top two directors. The first is Nolan, who I have loved since I was first introduced to his work. It is hard to narrow it down to five films, which resulted in some tough cuts. But, to begin, I added Dunkirk. This is one of his shortest films, but also one of his most ambitious. It tells the story of a crucial battle in World War II from the perspective of three groups. The way it bends time to see how these stories intersect is fascinating. It's deeply em...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) Starring : Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, and Tony Shaloub Director : The Coen Brothers About : I love the Coen Brothers. I love the worlds that they build and the stories they tell. I am particularly a fan of a certain era from the 1990s through the early 2000s, and that really covers the five picks I made for this exploration. That starts with The Man Who Wasn't There , which is a beautifully shot drama in black-and-white. It is a story of crime gone wrong, a common theme here, but it's beautiful the way the film unfolds. Billy Bob Thornton's work here is incredible as well. I love the way i...

The NFL's new league year is upon us. That has led to a flood of player signings, re-signings, and trades. Below are a few of the early deals that have caught my eye. I have them broken up into the four primary fantasy positions. Quarterbacks: * Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks: Darnold was always going to be the first big domino at quarterback in free agency. He signs a three-year deal with the Seahawks, where he'll be the starter after Geno Smith was traded to the Raiders. It's a decent signing, but it's still a little unclear what the Seahawks are doing on offense. * Justin Fields, New York Jets: Fields signs a two-year deal and will start for the Jets, who released Aaron Rodgers Wednesday. Fields has some skills, and he's paired with his former college teammate Garrett Wilson. I like the move for Fields for fantasy. * Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts: Jones signed a one-year deal and will compete with Anthony Richardson. It gives us a reason to roster Jones, but ...

  Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week! Mickey 17 (Theaters) Starring : Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette Synopsis : It’s been a while since we’ve seen something from director Bong Joon Ho. He won for Parasite, which was released in 2019, and hasn’t had a theatrical release since. But that’s not entirely his fault. His follow up film, Mickey 17, finally hits theaters this Friday. But it’s been a long road for the film. It was originally due in 2024 but got pushed to January. It got pushed again to April, then pulled up to March in a swap with Sinners. But delays are nothing new for its star, Robert Pattinson, who hasn’t been on screen since The Batman in 2022. That films sequel has also been delayed, time and again. So, has absence made the heart grow fonder for Joon Ho and Pattinson? Perhaps, but this latest collaboration probably isn’t the exciting return you’d hoped to see. The film is set in the near future—2054—where humanity...

Now that we’re into March, we’re getting a slowing in the tide of new series. But, still, we’re getting some of the most anticipated shows of the first part of the year. So, what of these new series 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 and Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Celtics City, Mondays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered March 3) About : Do you like a good sports documentary? If you do, then this new series is for you. It’s an HBO Sports Documentary centered on the NBA franchise the Boston Celtics, one of the most notable and winningest franchises in the history of the sport. This new, nine-part series is meant to capture the history of the franchise. The first episode dropped Monday, running about an hour and chronicling part of the Bill Russell era. Subsequent episodes drop weekly. If you’re a Celtics fan, this will be can’t miss TV. If y...

  The new league year begins on Wednesday, March 12. The legal tampering period begins today! We should be in for quite the week of Free Agent wheeling and dealing. Below are a few of the key free agents I'm watching as this season beings. Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings About : Darnold is the biggest domino in the free agent QB market. He was a bridge option for the Vikings last year that put up career numbers in leading the team to a 14-win season. His regular season finale and playoff game weren't great, but Darnold should be in line for a decent deal. I expect him to be one of the first to go today. Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers About: Fields is still young and I think he still has upside. So do other teams. The Steelers supposedly want him back, but he'll test the market. I'm interested to see where he lands and if he can pull himself back up like Baker Mayfield. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers About: The Steelers are another team that have ques...

It's hard to believe, but 2010 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2010 that are turning 15 in 2025. Today, it's an emotional animated tale. Andy : Now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what. Toy Story 3 Starring : Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, and Ned Beatty Director : Lee Unkrich About : You don't often see adults at an animated film cry, but Toy Story 3 is that kind of film. Some of us grew up with the franchise, which began in 1995. By the time this third feature dropped, it have been 15 years. Those who were kids, like Andy, had reached another stage. That was, in part, true for me. And I remember how powerfully this story connected. It's about growing up and moving on, while c...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Eddy (2020) Starring : Andre Holland, Amandla Stenberg, and Joanna Kulig Director : Damien Chazelle (Episodes 1-2) About: I love Chazelle as a director. His first four feature films are all ones I love, and that was enough that I felt strongly about him being on this list. But he doesn't have a deep filmography. So, I flexed a little bit here. That means including this Netflix mini-series as his No. 5 entry. Chazelle is a producer of the series, from Jack Thorne, and directed the first two episodes. The style is strong, and the use of Jazz and the way the story is told feels very much of a piece with Chazelle's other films. I like Holland and Stenberg h...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) Starring : Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and J.K. Simmons Director: Jason Reitman About: I have long been a fan of Reitman. In fact, that started with his first three features, all of which will be on this list later. But after that, some of his films didn't work for me as well. I was curious to see what he would do with this re-boot of Ghostbusters , a franchise led by his father, Ivan. What we got was a delightful film that is funny, emotional, and beautifully shot. It's a great adventure that brings you back into this world and drives it forward. It also bring...

 As we turn the corner into March, we're leaving the 2024 Award Season behind. That means a combination of new releases, including some anticipated tent poles to help launch the Spring. Let's dive in. Thursday, March 6: Picture This (Prime Video): This is a smaller romance film, but it stars Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. It will appeal to those looking for a light streaming film. Friday, March 7: Mickey 17 (Theaters): This film has been oft delayed, but it's the anticipated follow up from Bong Joon Ho, starring Robert Pattinson. I'm curious to see it but not sure what to expect. Rule Breakers (Theaters): This is a smaller film about your women seeking to rise above obstacles to realize their potential. This looks like a feel-good theater option. Night of the Zoopocalypse (Theaters): We haven't had much in the way of animated films this year, so far. But this one presents a big screen outing for the family set! Thursday, March 13: Parenting (Max): This ...

We’re coming to the end of February, and that’s provided us with a trio of interesting new releases. Below are my takes on the new films that hit theaters on February 28. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Last Breath (Theaters) Starring : Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole Synopsis: The ocean is a cold and vast place. It’s also a dangerous place, especially for those that need to venture deep below the surface. That’s part of the challenge facing the team in Last Breath, a new biopic that releases in theaters February 28. In 2012, Chris Lemons and his colleagues dove 300 feet deep in the North Sea. Things went wrong and Chris was cut off from his vessel and his supply of oxygen, leading to a harrowing hour as his team tried to rescue him. The event was captured by filmmaker Alex Parkinson in a 2019 documentary. This new film, which shares the same name, is a scripted recreation from Parkinson. In the film, we meet Chris (...