Matt's Musings

We’re making our way through January and the flood of new shows continues. With winter gripping most of the country, you might have some extra time on your hands. But what of these new shows is worth the effort? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Memory of a Killer, Mondays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 25) About : This new network drama got a two-night premier. It stars Patrick Dempsey as a hitman who is suffering memory loss. That impacts his work and his life as he tries to evade capture. It’s a high-profile swing that got a premier behind the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Then it settled into its regular Monday timeslot with episode No. 2. It’s a big swing for FOX, looking for a meaty new hit show. The cast is solid, including Michael Imperioli as the boss who directs Dempsey’s Angelo Doyle. He also is leading a double life, trying to keep h...

AFC Championship Game : New England Patriots 10, Denver Broncos 7 Season Record : 15-4 (8-2 Home) Key Play : In the fourth quarter, trailing 10-7, the Broncos were driving when Jarrett Stidham threw an interception to end the drive. Recap : Football is often a game of a few plays and a few decisions. Sometimes it's also a game of what ifs. That's all in play for the Broncos. It was a magical season, finishing 13-4 and earning the No. 1 overall seed. But a playoff win over Buffalo was also a loss. Bo Nix was lost for the year and though Stidham was solid Sunday, it wasn't enough. The Broncos went for it on Fourth Down and missed a scoring chance. The Broncos had a couple bad turnovers that turned the tide of the game, and a few calls that simply didn't go their way. In the biggest of games, that's enough. This team will compete again next year, but it's hard not to wonder what might have been. This one will sting for a while. But a salute to a Broncos' team t...

It's hard to believe, but 2016 was 10 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2016 that are turning 10 in 2026. Today, it's a shark tale. Nancy : [timing the shark's swimming] I've got you. The Shallows Starring : Blake Lively Director : Jaume Collet-Serra About : When it comes to shark movies, I'm both a fan and a skeptic. I love shark movies, but I am always a bit skeptical they'll be good. This one blew me away. It's a simple premise and I honestly didn't expect much. A decade ago, Lively was best known for being on Gossip Girl . Yet, she showed some toughness in this. The story holds up, the action is well-crafted, and it became an instant classic for me. In fact, it's probably my second favorite shark film behind JAWS . If you haven't seen it, you should definitely check it out.

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 96: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Original List Ranking : 54 Starring: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, and William Bakewell Director: Lewis Milestone About: We start a string here of films that didn't make the anniversary list. Though this film clocked in at No. 54 on the original list, it was removed in 2007. This film won two Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It is part of the early wave of Hollywood. It is based on a classic novel and while it's not the best version that exists today, it still captures that deeply hopeless sentiment of the story. The book is a staple in the education system, and it makes sense the film w...

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 97: Dr. Strangelove (1964) Original List Ranking : 26 Starring : Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden Director: Stanley Kubrick About: This is another of Kubrick's films, and another that lands a lot higher on these lists than it does for me. I respect Kubrick as an artist, and his films certainly feel unique and daring. But not all of them make a connection with me. This is a satire that I find amusing and wild at times. It's certainly making a statement about military might, the government, and more. And Sellers is great in this film, as are the rest of the cast. It's wild and unexpected, which is a big part of why it's becom...

We’ve reached the Conference Championship Games. We’re down to four teams in two games to decide who makes the Super Bowl. We have both top seeds, a No. 2 seed, and arguably the best of the Wild Cards in the Los Angeles Rams. But who wins this weekend? Let’s dive in! AFC Championship Game New England Patriots (14-3) at Denver Broncos (14-3) Line : Patriots -5.5 About : When does a win feel like a loss? Probably when you lose your quarterback despite advancing. That’s what happened to the Denver Broncos on Saturday. They outlasted the Buffalo Bills to make the Championship game, at home. But Bo Nix broke his ankle on one of the final plays, meaning he’s out for the rest of the season. The Patriots, meanwhile, outlasted the Texans and roll into Denver as favorites. That makes sense given the Nix injury, but history isn’t on the Patriots’ side. Denver has been a house of horrors for the Patriots in the post-season, even when they had Tom Brady. In fact, they haven’t won there. Could it be...

The long holiday weekend brought plenty of new film options both in theaters and on streaming. Below is my take on the big new releases of the weekend. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. All You Need is Kill (Theaters) Starring : Ai Mikami and Natsuki Hanae Synopsis: We’ve seen a rise in anime films getting wide releases the past few years. In addition to more of these films, we’ve seen them be a hit with domestic Box Office audiences. Many of them draw from rich source material which helps give them an added boost at the Box Office. That’s the case for All You Need is Kill, a new anime-style film that is releasing Friday in theaters. It is based on the popular Manga title of the same name, which gives it a built-in audience. It also settles on a story in a genre that will appeal to a wide audience, making it a fun addition to the January cinematic landscape. The film is set in a near future where Rita (Mikami) is part of a defe...

We’re up to the long holiday weekend, and we’re getting a flood of new series to kick of 2026. With winter weather and maybe some holidays, you might be ready to dive into a new series. But which 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 series this winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC (Premiered January 18) About : This new comedy comes from the creators of 30 Rock and featured Tracy Morgan as a disgraced football player looking to rehab his image. This series, which will join the Monday night airwaves in February, got a premier jumpstart behind the playoff football game. This one features Daniel Radcliffe—yes Harry Potter himself—as a documentary filmmaker trying to make a movie. His vision is at odds with Reggie (Morgan), who is trying to rehab his image after a scandal saw him banned from ...

Divisional Round : Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 Season Record : 15-3 (9-1 Home) Key Play : In Overtime, with the game tied and the Bills driving, Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted a pass meant for Brandin Cooks to hand the ball back to the Broncos. Denver drove down for the game-winning field goal. Recap : When is a big win also a loss? Well that's the question Broncos fans are asking since beating the Bills in the Divisional Round to advance to the AFC Championship Game next Sunday at home. But they'll be in that game without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who broke his ankle at the end of Overtime. That leaves the team starting backup Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't taken a meaningful snap since Pre-Season. Still, the Broncos won and advanced. They'll have a chance in the game thanks to a stout defense and playing at home. But it's a blow. Either way, it's been a heck of a season for the Broncos, who forced five turnovers Saturday (including four from Josh Al...

It's hard to believe, but 2016 was 10 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2016 that are turning 10 in 2026. Today, it's a the Merc with the Mouth. Colossus: You will come talk with Professor Xavier. Deadpool : McAvoy or Stewart? These timelines can get so confusing. Deadpool Starring : Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, and Karan Soni Director : Tim Miller About : I remember when Deadpool came out. It was such a big swing for Marvel through FOX, which gave the green light. It wasn't the first time we'd seen the character, or even seen Reynolds as the character, but it's become the definitive version. Deadpool has even gone on to become a big piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But it all started with this film, which at the time was something wildly different in the Superhero space. Reynolds is so good in this role, and this film is a lot of fun. It's well worth celebrating as it turns 10 yea...

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 98: Ben-Hur (1959) Original List Ranking : 72 Starring: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, and Haya Harareet Director: William Wyler About: This is the first of Wyler's entries on the list. It made the original list and just barely made it on the second list, landing in the No. 100 spot. Given that, I don't feel too bad about having it down on my list. It's a big epic from a time when people made big, overly long epics that have become audience classics. It's also one adapted from a Biblical narrative. In fact, the title calls it a story of Jesus, and opens with the birth of the Savior. However, most of our story is focused on another Jewish man...

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 99: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Original List Ranking : 22 Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, and Harold Rain Director : Stanley Kubrick About : This is the first of a number of entries from Kubrick, who if nothing else was a filmmaker that made films people continue to talk about. This was his only film to win an Academy Award. It took home one award for Best Special Effects, which feels fitting. It wasn't an incredibly celebrated film at the Academy Awards when it came out, but for many it's become an iconic classic. And I get it. The score here, especially the triumphal opening number, is iconic. You can't hear it without thinking of the fi...

The Wild Card weekend games were, indeed, wild. The first four were some incredible back-and-forth battles with a few unexpected outcomes. The final two, by comparison, were a little slower and went somewhat as expected. Now, we have the final eight teams vying for a shot at the Super Bowl. Will we get more wild endings? Let’s dive in. Saturday Games: Buffalo Bills (12-5) at Denver Broncos (14-3) Line: Broncos -1.5 About : Though the Bills were favored by Las Vegas, many thought the Jaguars would win at home. That makes sense as the Jaguars were a top team in the AFC, finishing 13-4 and earning the No. 3 seed. The Jaguars also dismantled the top-seeded Broncos in Denver (the team’s only home loss) in December. But the Bills managed to find a way. Fittingly, the opening line for this Divisional matchup saw the Bills favored despite the Broncos being at home and being the No. 1 seed. Since that time, the line has shifted, and it’s now the Broncos who hold a slim favored status. The Bron...

We’re into the first full weekend of the new year, bringing some new wide releases in theaters and on streaming. Below is a look at the new films I saw this week! You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix) Starring : Emily Bader and Tom Blyth Synopsis : Based on the novel from Emily Henry, this new romantic comedy follows a pair of long-term friends who, reunited after a couple years away, wonder if they might be meant for more. We’ve seen this setup before. Whether this kind of story works comes down to the characters and execution. That’s what works well here for me. Blyth and Bader are fun together. I enjoyed a series called My Lady Jane that featured Bader and aired on Prime Video before being cancelled too soon. She brings the same fun can charismatic energy to this, and Blyth plays off her well. I liked the humor and the situations, with a strong supporting cast. It ends up being a fun and satis...

We’re launching hard into January, and many networks and streamers are launching hard into the first original series of the new year. While snow storms and cold conditions might have you feeling more indoorsy than normal, which of these new shows is worth the time investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Harlan Coben’s Final Twist, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on CBS (Premiered January 7) About : Coben is one of the most famous mystery authors in the world. He’s written a number of popular stories, many of which have been adapted into limited series on various networks. So, seeing his name in the title, you might rightly believe this to be an adaptation of one of his novels. That would make some sense, too, for CBS. Instead, this is an unscripted series where he’s the host. He guides viewers through what amounts to a fairly standard true crime news ser...

Having a bye week and being able to watch the first weekend of the playoffs peacefully is fun. The Broncos worked hard to go 14-3, earning the No. 1 seed. They got the week off and now they'll play all their games at home. But the fun part is over, now the work begins. Below is a look at the upcoming opponent and a few questions the team needs to answer. Go Broncos! Opponent: Buffalo Bills About : I love the Bills. I love Josh Allen. Like John Elway, he is a great what might have been for me when I think of the Broncos. And that makes this tough. I was excited that the Bills beat the Jaguars, but I am less excited to host them. That being said, the Broncos have beaten Allen and the Bills before. They did it last year on a run to the playoffs. Can the defense stiffen and hold the Bills out? Can the Broncos contain Josh Allen? Those are the questions to consider this week. Key Questions: * Offense. The Broncos offense has looked great at times. It's been missing in action at tim...

It's hard to believe, but 2016 was 10 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2016 that are turning 10 in 2026. Today, it's a Star Trek film. Commander Spock : "The miserable have no other medicine but only hope. " Doctor 'Bones' McCoy : [to Kirk] Death's door and he's quoting Shakespeare. Star Trek Beyond Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, and Idris Elba Director: Justin Lin About : It's hard to believe it's been a decade since we got a new Star Trek film. This was the third with the re-boot cast led by Pine and Quinto, and is likely their last. It saw Lin, who has helmed the best of the Fast Franchise films, take over as director. He brings a fun style to the action sequences. This film also has some great needle drops. But it's the introspection of the characters, combined with some of the great interactions between Spock and Dr. McCoy, that really stuck ...

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 100: Birth of a Nation (1915) Original List Rank : 44 Starring : Lillian Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Ralph Lewis, and Mary Alden Director: D.W. Griffith About : We can't avoid or hide from our past. But we don't always have to celebrate it. I understand at some level why this film, which was something of a cinematic achievement of the silent era from a decorated director, made the list. Notably, this is one of the highest ranked films on the original list to be omitted from the anniversary list. They took another Griffith film, which has its own problems, but left this one off. There are a lot of reasons why this film doesn't hold up today, but chief...

Way back in 1998, the American Film Institute issued a list of the 100 greatest films in American history. It was the result of a poll of more than 1,500 members of the film community, choosing between 400 nominated films. The result was a televised special that I remember vividly watching. The AFI released a new list in a new category each year for a decade, culminating with an updated take on this original list in 2007. That update saw 23 films from the original list replaced, while many moved around. It's been decades since this list was released, but many who have a love of film have spent that time seeing all the films they hadn't seen. You can count me among that group. So, throughout this year, I'll be looking at that original 100 films from 1998. But I'll be presenting them in my order, from 100 to 1. Check back on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as I look at these classic films.

The NFL regular season is over, now just 14 teams remain in the hunt for the Super Bowl. This weekend the playoffs begin with six matchups over three days. It’s a feast for football fans, coming on the heels of back-to-back National Semi-Final games in College Football. Below are my picks for the playoffs, let’s see how I fare. Saturday Games: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Carolina Panthers (8-9) Line : Rams -10.5 About: On paper, this is the easiest matchup to pick. The Rams have been great this season and come in hot, perhaps the most dangerous Wild Card team. The Panthers, meanwhile, backed into the playoffs at 8-9 after two straight losses in must-win games. They got in thanks to a tie-breaker, but they are in. And yet, if we’re being honest, the Panthers have a chance. They are at home—a place where they beat the Rams 31-28 earlier this season. The Rams should be getting Davante Adams back, and plan to lean on him, Puka Nacua, and MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. That should be a win...

It was a packed end of the year, but we’re getting started on 2026. In this week’s review roundup, I look at a couple late 2025 releases I caught up with in addition to the first wide releases of 2026. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Anaconda (Theaters) Starring: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, and Thandiwe Newton Synopsis : This is a re-imaging of the classic 1997 film starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube that saw a group of filmmakers battling a giant snake on the Amazon river. In this new film, a group of friends (Rudd, Black, Zahn, and Newton) team up to try and film a new take on one of their favorite films. They head to the Amazon to film and, predictably, get more than they bargain for when a real giant snake makes them a target, among other issues. This was everything I would want from a film tackling the concept. The original film, though it has its fans and charms, is not an iconic classic. And while other horror...

The holidays are over and the grind of winter has begun. That could leave you spending more time indoors and looking for something to watch. You might want to turn to a new series, but what of the new options are worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this winter. Let’s dive in. Tuesdays: Best Medicine, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 4) About: This new series, featuring Josh Charles as a big city surgeon who takes a post as a small-town doctor after difficulty in his life, got a jump start on Sunday. It aired its pilot behind football, but will air it again tonight! Charles plays Dr. Martin Best, who doesn’t really like people or social situations, but for some reason ended up in a small town that feels a bit like Stars Hollow. It’s a unique set up for a series, which also features Abigail Spencer and Annie Potts among the supporting cast. I like Charles, who is playing against his typical t...