Matt's Musings

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve seen on the big and small screen. Over the next few days, I’ll be giving some of my picks in a wide variety of categories. Up today, it’s the best films I saw in 2025. Before I dive into the top 10, I thought I’d give a couple honorable mentions. These were episodes I liked that just didn’t quite make the cut. • The Perfect Neighbor: My favorite documentary of the year. • Downton Abbey : The Grand Finale: A great send-off for this world. • The Voice of Hind Rajab : A haunting tale. • Sorry, Baby : A great debut from Eva Victor. • The Long Walk : This one got to me. Great Stephen King adaptation. • Frankenstein : I liked the take on this tale. • Wicked For Good : Doesn’t reach the highs of the first, but a solid finale. • A House of Dynamite : I thought this was really powerful. • Warfare: This was a searing portrait of combat. • Black Bag: Steven Soderberg delivers a great spy thriller. No. 10: Jay Ke...

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve seen on the big and small screen. Over the next few days, I’ll be giving some of my picks in a wide variety of categories. Up today, it’s the best TV series I saw in 2025. Before I dive into the top 10, I thought I’d give a couple honorable mentions. These were episodes I liked that just didn’t quite make the cut. • The Beast in Me: A fantastic final few episodes. • Murder in a Small Town, Season 2: I really enjoy the stories and cast. • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Season 3 : Remains one of my favorite series. • Nobody Wants This, Season 2 : A fun follow-up season. • Peacemaker, Season 2 : Really stepped up for me in season two. • Platonic, Season 2 : Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are magic together. • The Studio, Season 1 : I love what Rogen and his team did here. • Smoke : This was a wild and really engaging mini-series. • Bosch: Legacy, Season 3: I love Bosch and this was a great final season. • Ba...

Week 17 : Denver Broncos 20, Kansas City Chiefs 13 Season Record : 13-3 (7-1 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, with the Broncos leading by seven and time winding down, Chris Oladokun's fourth down pass fell short, ending the comeback attempt. Recap : The Broncos have had a magical season. With just one week left, the team controls its own destiny to not only win the AFC West but to finish as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Christmas Day win over the Chiefs moved the team to 13 wins, the best in the league at the time. That leaves them tied for the best record in the NFL, and keeps them in the driver's seat. It wasn't a great game, but the Broncos did enough and came through when it mattered most. The Broncos need to stand up to the Chargers then get a week off before their playoff run begins, at home. It's where we want to be, and we need to stand tall for just one more game. Game Balls: * R.J. Harvey . The rookie continues to hold it down, making big plays includi...

It's hard to believe, but 1990 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1990 that are turning 35 in 2025. Today, it's about a Tim Burton classic. Officer Allen : Will he be OK, Doc? Psychologist: The years spent in isolation have not equipped him with the tools necessary to judge right from wrong. He's had no context. He's been completely without guidance. Furthermore, his work - the garden sculptures, hairstyles and so forth - indicate that he's a highly imaginative... uh... character. It seems clear that his awareness of what we call reality is radically underdeveloped. Officer Allen : But will he be all right out there? Psychologist : Oh yeah, he'll be fine. Edward Scissorhands Starring : Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Diane Wiest, and Alan Arkin Director : Tim Burton About : Burton is a unique filmmaker, and one I deeply appreciate. He nearly made the Director's Series, and was in fact one of the tou...

It's been quite a year and quite an exploration. I love film, which is probably clear to anyone who follows this space regularly. I hope you've enjoyed the countdown and maybe found some films you didn't expect. I would also love to know if there are other films from these filmmakers, or other filmmakers that speak to you. Feel free to reply! Below is a quick recap of the Director's Series. Female Filmmakers : Kathryn Bigelow: Zero Dark Thirty Patty Jenkins: Wonder Woman Gina Prince-Bythewood: The Woman King Celine Song: Past Lives Sarah Polley: Women Talking Chloe Zhao: Nomadland Emerald Fennell: Promising Young Woman Greta Gerwig: Barbie Sian Heder: Coda Maria Schrader: She Said Director's Series : Steven Spielberg Christopher Nolan The Coen Brothers Damien Chazelle Jason Reitman Michael Mann David Fincher Alfred Hitchcock Clint Eastwood Martin Scorsese Quentin Tarantino Ron Howard Denis Villenueve Paul Thomas Anderson Alexander Payne Akira Kurosawa Michael Bay

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 . Jurassic Park (1993) Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum Director: Steven Spielberg About: Picking my favorite Spielberg film was hard. He's an incredible director with a diverse and amazing body of work. So many of his films have become personal favorites I've seen time and again. But, ultimately, one rose to the top. I remember seeing Jurassic Park for the first time. I was 12 years old and seeing those dinosaurs pop up on the screen, I was enraptured. I still have that sense of awe and wonder when I watch the film. And I still love and appreciate the craft and performances. It's a great piece of art and one that remains a classic fi...

 Week 16 saw plenty of upsets that I didn't predict. Let's see if I'm better in Week 17. NFL Picks, Week 17: Cowboys Over Commanders Lions Over Vikings Broncos Over Chiefs Texans Over Chargers Packers Over Ravens Bengals Over Cardinals Panthers Over Seahawks Steelers Over Browns Saints Over Titans Colts Over Jaguars Buccaneers Over Dolphins Patriots Over Jets Giants Over Raiders Bills Over Eagles 49ers Over Bears Rams Over Falcons Last Week : 9-7 Season : 153-86 NFL Picks Spread, Week 17 : Cowboys -6.5 Over Commanders Lions -5.5 Over Vikings Broncos -12.5 Over Chiefs Texans +2.5 Over Chargers Packers -2.5 Over Ravens Bengals -7.5 Over Cardinals Panthers +7.5 Over Seahawks Steelers -3.5 Over Browns Saints -2.5 Over Titans Colts +6.5 Over Jaguars Buccaneers -5.5 Over Dolphins Patriots -13.5 Over Jets Giants +1.5 Over Raiders Bills -1.5 Over Eagles 49ers -2.5 Over Bears Rams -7.5 Over Falcons Last Week : 7-9 Season : 110-130

It’s a busy few weeks at the theater, with a lot of new wide and limited releases. Below is a look at all the films coming to end the year that I’ve seen so far. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Choral (Limited Release) Starring: Ralph Fiennes Synopsis: During times of great difficulty, music can lift our spirits. Pouring ourselves into creative outlets can find a distraction and a sense of comfort during difficult periods. That’s an idea that is explored in the new film The Choral, which comes out in limited release this Christmas. The film focuses on a small town in England that is committed to putting on a performance from the town choral. It’s the midst of war, with many struggling or about to depart, but the music brings them together. And it provides a sense of hope. The film is set in 1916, during the midst of World War I. England is in the thick of the fight, with many young men at the front. Others living in the t...

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve seen on the big and small screen. Over the next few days, I’ll be giving some of my picks in a wide variety of categories. Up today, it’s the best episodes of TV I saw in 2025. Before I dive into the top 10, I thought I’d give a couple honorable mentions. These were episodes I liked that just didn’t quite make the cut. • “The Price,” Episode 2.06 The Last of Us : We lost Joel in episode 2, but his arc really ends with this sweet flashback that, for me, is the best of the series so far. • “The Day,” Episode 1.07 Paradise : This was another flashback, this time showing us how the world ended. It was an epic hour of television. • “Crossroads,” Episode 2.09 Nobody Wants This : This is one of the shorter episodes of the season, but it packs an emotional wallop. No. 10: “The Gap,” Episode 1.07 Pluribus About : This is one of the newer shows on this list. This episode really took things in an interesting direction as we fol...

Week 16 : Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Denver Broncos 20 Season Record: 12-3 (7-1) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, trailing by 14, with 2:02 left, Bo Nix's Fourth Down pass fell short, and the Broncos' comeback crashed down. Recap : You can't win them all. The Broncos had won 11 straight games to move to the top of the AFC. But after the best game of the year against the Packers, the Broncos played one of their worst against the Jaguars. The defense couldn't hold the Jaguars and the offense couldn't get going consistently. With two games left, the Broncos need to rally, pile up wins, and focus on the post-season. It was a tough game, but hopefully a learning process. Next up is the Chiefs on a short week. Time to get the win, move back to the front, and move closer to taking a division title. If the Broncos win out, they're still No. 1. That's what matters most now. How will this team shake it off? If they can't do it, this could be a long off-season. Gam...

It's hard to believe, but 1990 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1990 that are turning 35 in 2025. Today, it's about a boy home for Christmas. Kevin McCallister: Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen. Home Alone Starring : Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern Director : Chris Columbus About : I don't know why, but I think of this movie every Thanksgiving. But it's actually a Christmas movie, and a good one. It spawned a number of sequels and a re-boot, none of which are good. But this original is a classic. It made Culkin a star, and it has a number of memes. I will never get tired of watching this Christmas classic. It's one of the best and most memorable of 1990, which is why it had to make the list.

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 Dark Knight (2008) Starring : Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman Director: Christopher Nolan About: Sometimes when you see a film, you're changed. I remember going to see this film at a midnight screening when it was released. I was enraptured the whole time. Batman has always been my favorite superhero, and Nolan's films have been the pinnacle of those stories. This is THE high point for me. I remember the rush of emotions as it ended in a near pitch-perfect manner. I still feel that when I watch this film, though I've probably seen it nearly 50 times. It is one of my all-time favorite films. It's got such beautiful ...

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. No Country For Old Men (2007) Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin Director: The Coen Brothers About: As we reach the end of this countdown, we circle back to my favorite directors of all time. That means we're also getting a few of my all-time favorite films. For the Coen Brothers, so many of their films have spoken to me. More than one has earned five-stars from me, something I don't give out easily. But this is a masterpiece, not just for them but for film in general. The craft here is incredible. The shot selection, the setting, and the performances are all riveting. But it's the story that has long stuck with me and continues...

 We've reached Week 16 of the NFL Season. My straight up picks are still going well, but I have work to do against the spread. Let's dive in. NFL Picks, Week 16 : Rams Over Seahawks Eagles Over Commanders Bears Over Packers Bills Over Browns Chargers Over Cowboys Chiefs Over Titans Saints Over Jets Vikings Over Giants Buccaneers Over Panthers Dolphins Over Bengals Broncos Over Jaguars Falcons Over Cardinals Lions Over Steelers Texans Over Raiders Ravens Over Patriots 49ers Over Colts Last Week : 10-6 Season : 144-79 NFL Picks Spread, Week 16 : Rams -1.5 Over Seahawks Commanders +6.5 Over Eagles Bears +1.5 Over Packers Bills -9.5 Over Browns Chargers +1.5 Over Cowboys Titans +3.5 Over Chiefs Jets +4.5 Over Saints Vikings -2.5 Over Giants Buccaneers -2.5 Over Panthers Dolphins -1.5 Over Bengals Jaguars +3.5 Over Broncos Falcons -2.5 Over Cardinals Lions -6.5 Over Steelers Texans -14.5 Over Raiders Ravens -2.5 Over Patriots 49ers -5.5 Over Colts Last Week : 6-10 Season : 103-121

It’s a big weekend for movies with a highly anticipated streaming release and one in theaters. Below is a look at my take on the new movies out this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Ella McCay (Theaters) Starring: Emma Mackey, Albert Brooks, and Jamie Lee Curtis Synopsis : We don’t get films from James L. Brooks often, but when we do it’s worth taking note. Whether it was 1980s classics like Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News, or the fun Jack Nicholson performance in As Good As It Gets, his films have resonated with audiences. He has a certain style and approach to the world that feels like a bit of comfort. But we haven’t had a film directed by Brooks since 2010 with How Do You Know. All that changes on Friday as Ella McCay drops in theaters. And, if you’ve long been a fan of Brooks and his cinematic style, this will be a can’t miss event. The film focuses on the titular Ella (Mackey). We first meet her as a teen, w...

We’re nearly to the end of 2025. This is the final Roundup of new shows for this year. We have a trio of new streaming shows getting in just under the wire. But, which of these shows is worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Fridays: Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour—End of an Era, Streaming Fridays on Disney+ (Premiered December 12) About: This new, six-part docuseries takes you behind the scenes on the biggest tour in the world. The Eras Tour was a massive undertaking that traveled the globe. This new docuseries follows Taylor Swift and those who helped make it happen. You get a rare glimpse at planning a preparation, including interviews with Taylor and those involved. The episodes run about 45 minutes, making it a short commitment. The first two dropped Friday, with two episodes a week dropping each Friday for the rest of December. For fans of a good...

Week 15 : Denver Broncos 34, Green Bay Packers 26 Season Record : 12-2 (7-0 Home) Key Play : In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos leading by eight and the Packers facing a Fourth and 9, the Broncos came up with a big sack to squelch the drive. Recap : This was a huge game on the Broncos' schedule. The team came in having won 10 straight games, tied for the best record in football and holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They faced a Packers team that entered the year as favorites for the Super Bowl. The pressure was on. And this team delivered. It was an exceptional performance. The defense bent, but didn't break. They allowed field goals to keep the game close, and came up with big sacks and big interceptions when needed. I've been critical of the offense at times this season. Bo Nix has been uneven, and some of the play calling from Sean Payton has been curious. They set all those doubts aside today. This was the best offensive performance of the season. It was a magnifi...

It's hard to believe, but 1990 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1990 that are turning 35 in 2025. Today, it's about the idea that rubbing is racing. Harry Hogge : Cole, you're wandering all over the track! Cole Trickle : Yeah, well this son of a bitch just slammed into me. Harry Hogge : No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you. And rubbin, son, is racin'. Days of Thunder Starring : Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, and Nicole Kidman Director : Tony Scott About : There are a few films of the era of the 1990s that stay with me. Days of Thunder is one of those. I love racing and the story here. Tom Cruise is quite good, and his back-and-forth with Duvall is a lot of fun. This captures a fun spirit and action of racing. It's not got the pedigree of F1 , but it's been a fan-favorite for more than 30 years.

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. La La Land (2016) Starring : Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling Director: Damien Chazelle About: I remember the Oscars this year. For a moment, they called La La Land and I thought my favorite film of the year had won Best Picture. That's a rarity for me. Alas, it was not to be. Some people love and revere Moonlight . I think it's a fine film with a great performance, but this is the film that really spoke to me. The beautiful production, the sweeping musical numbers, and a story that cuts straight to the heart. It features two iconic performances and some really beautiful and timeless moments. This is Chazelle's masterpiece and another under-rated film.

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. Up in the Air (2009) Starring : George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick Director: Jason Reitman About: Reitman's first three films were all bangers. The first two have been on this list, but this was his third and I think his best. It's adapted from a novel by Walter Kirn, but if you've read the book you know how much Reitman breathed into this story. It perfectly captures a difficult moment in the U.S. economy with real life interviews, but at the heart it's about a man with a very specific view of the world. We see how that view is challenged and changed, and how he comes back around to a sad, solitary point-of-view. I love Kendrick and F...

 Week 14 wasn't my best week. Let's get back on track in Week 15. NFL Picks, Week 15 : Buccaneers Over Falcons Bears Over Browns Bengals Over Ravens Chiefs Over Chargers Bills Over Patriots Giants Over Commanders Eagles Over Raiders Jaguars Over Jets Texans Over Cardinals Broncos Over Packers Rams Over Lions Panthers Over Saints 49ers Over Titans Seahawks Over Colts Cowboys Over Vikings Steelers Over Dolphins Last Week : 6-8 Season : 134-73 NFL Picks Spread, Week 15 : Buccaneers -4.5 Over Falcons Browns +6.5 Over Bears Bengals +1.5 Over Ravens Chargers +5.5 Over Chiefs Bills -1.5 Over Patriots Giants -1.5 Over Commanders Raiders +13.5 Over Eagles Jets +12.5 Over Jaguars Texans -7.5 Over Cardinals Broncos +1.5 Over Packers Rams -4.5 Over Lions Panthers -2.5 Over Saints 49ers -13.5 Over Titans Colts +10.5 Over Seahawks Cowboys -6.5 Over Vikings Dolphins +3.5 Over Steelers Last Week : 6-8 Season : 97-111

It was a solid week for new films, with some interesting offerings making their way to theaters and streaming. Below is my take on the new movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. 100 Nights of Hero (Theaters) Starring : Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, and Nicholas Galitzine Synopsis : This is the time of year where we get all kinds of stories offered in theaters. Among them are creative and daring pieces with strong casts. But not all of them find their way within the big swings they take. Such is the case with 100 Nights of Hero, a new IFC film that gets a limited release this Friday. It’s got a great cast and a unique hook. It has a quality look of a fairy tale brought to life. But, in the end, it doesn’t deliver on its premise. We’re whisked to an alternate world where women’s only role is to marry and produce heirs to please the local leaders. Into this was thrust Cherry (Monroe), a beautiful young woman who has...