Matt's Musings

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. 86: M.A.S.H. (1970) Original List Ranking : 56 Starring : Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, and Sally Kellerman Director : Robert Altman About : The great Altman makes an appearance on the list. This film makes it on the the re-done list a decade later, too, and Altman gets another entry on the list. This is a film that is often overshadowed by the long-running television series. But this has a bit of a different style and tone. Still, it's iconic and of a piece with its time. It has an incredible cast and does an incredible job of telling this story. It's a good film with some iconic scenes. Altman's style isn't my favorite, but ...

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. 87: Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Original List Ranking : 27 Starring : Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway Director: Arthur Penn About : This is the highest ranking film on the original list so far. It naturally was a part of the list a decade later, though clocking in lower at No. 42. Still, nearly 60 years later it remains an iconic part of the American cinematic landscape. It features two big stars in Beatty and Dunaway, each of whom would only grow in stature in the years that followed. It's also a classic American story, based on the real life criminal couple, their exploits, and their downfall. And it's a larger-than-life story with some great sequences. ...

We've made it to March. That brings us some of the most anticipated films of the Spring. It's a strong mix of blockbusters and family fare as we move away from the films of 2025 and the Oscars and into a new year. Let's dive in. Friday, March 6: The Bride (Theaters): This is another take on the world of Frankenstein, this one from director Maggie Gyllenhaal. This one stars Christian Bale and Academy Award nominee Jesse Buckley. It looks pretty great. Hoppers (Theaters): This is the latest from Pixar. We've had some animated features in 2026, but this looks like the biggest yet. This should be good for the whole family. Protector (Theaters): Matthew Modine and Milla Jovovich take the lead in this action thriller. It's a lower end release for the week, but it will fill the void for action film fans. War Machine (Netflix) : Alan Ritchison takes the lead in this new action film. Netflix has had a strong slate the past few years, this could be interesting for action f...

It was a quieter week at the theaters and on streaming, but we still got a great new black comedy. I also looked at a couple releases left over from President’s Day weekend. 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. Goat (Theaters) Starring : Caleb McLaughlin and Gabrielle Union Synopsis : We all have dreams. Often, it takes a lot of work and a lot of patience to realize those dreams. But if you stay locked in, you’re ready to take advantage when the opportunity arises. That’s certainly a thought that’s at the heart of the new animated film Goat, which is now playing nationwide. The film is a sports movie of sorts. It’s set in a world populated by animals where the biggest sport is Roar Ball, a take off on basketball. The film comes from producer Stephen Curry, who voices a character in the film, and is focused on a young goat that dreams of starring on the court. But he’s deemed too s...

We’re finally through the Winter Olympics, which means we’ll start getting the flood of new shows leading to the end of the Emmy consideration window. But, until then, we only have a few that popped off last week. Still, what of those new shows is worth checking 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 p.m. on NBC (Premiered January 18) About : This is the latest sitcom for NBC, which comes from the team behind 30 Rock. It’s an interesting concept focusing on a former NFL player, Reggie (Tracy Morgan), who is trying to rehab his image after his career ended in scandal. Now, he’s hired a documentary filmmaker (Daniel Radcliffe) to tell his story, hoping to get into the Hall of Fame. The series made its debut behind the actual NFL playoffs last month, but now launches into its regular timeslot post-Olympics....

The Academy Awards are coming on March 15. We got the final list of nominees on January 22, and between now and the awards I'll be looking at the 10 Best Picture nominees and their chances of winning an award. Bugonia Starring : Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons Director : Yorgos Lanthimos Total Nominations : 4 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Actress (Stone), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score About : Bugonia was one of the most interesting films of the year. Lanthimos has become an Academy darling with his films over the past few years, especially his collaborations with Stone. She is again nominated here but sadly her co-star, Plemons, fell short in the actor field. Still, this film was recognized in a few key races, but will it gather any awards? I think this is likely to be one of the Best Picture nominees that goes home empty-handed on Oscar night. It's a middle-of-the-pack option at Best Picture, and a long-shot to win there. I think the same is true for Ston...

It's hard to believe, but 2011 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2011 that are turning 15 in 2026. Today, it's J.J. Abrams tribute to Spielberg. Joe Lamb : I know bad things happen. Bad things happen. But you can still live. You can still live. Super 8 Starring : Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, and Ron Eldard Director : J.J. Abrams About : Abrams has become something of a complicated figure as a director. He's worked on countless major franchises, from Mission Impossible to Star Trek to Star Wars . And he's delivered some memorable films and some memorable series, like LOST . And yet, some people don't appreciate his style. This 2011 film probably isn't thought about by many. And yet, it's one of my favorites of his work. It's a 1970s tale of kids, aliens, and recovering from loss. It's a love letter to films from Steven Spielberg and from a bygone era. As a piece of cinem...

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. 88: Easy Rider (1969) Original List Ranking : 88 Starring : Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson Director : Dennis Hopper About : Here is a case of a film having symmetry with my list and the original list. On both this road film from 1969 stands at No. 88. A decade later, it remained on the list and bumped up a couple spots. You can easily understand why. The film features some iconic characters and sequences. It's also of a piece with its time, capturing life at the end of the 1960s and seeing it through a certain lens. It's got an excellent cast and it's a solid directorial effort from Hopper. There is a reason it has endured as a clas...

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. 89: Wuthering Heights (1939) Original List Ranking : 73 Starring : Laurence Olivier, David Niven, and Merle Oberon Director: William Wyler About : On paper, this film checks a lot of boxes. It's based on a classic piece of literature. It's a very difficult but iconic and endearing story. It features a star in Olivier, and it's directed by a decorated filmmaker in Wyler. We've seen this story told many times on screen, including a new version released this Valentine's Day. And yet, this version endures. It won Olivier an Oscar and was a Best Picture nominee. I think it has some merits in the way it lays out the story. It's also fairly c...

The collision of Valentine’s Day and President’s Day Weekend yielded some big releases at the movies this week. Below is my take on the new movies I saw. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Crime 101 (Theaters) Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Barry Keoghan, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry Synopsis: I remember when I was in high school and I saw Michael Mann’s Heat. It was gripping, engaging, and unlike anything I’d ever seen. I tend to measure stories of this ilk against that one, and many audiences do, too. It also inspired a love of Los Angeles crime stories. That’s why it makes sense that we’re getting Crime 101, a slick heist drama set in Los Angeles and featuring a great cast. The film is based on the novel from Don Winslow and is adapted by writer/director Bart Layton. It also features a great trio of characters—a buttoned up master thief who’s lonely, a broken-down detective who is great at putting together the pieces, and a wom...

We’ve made it through President’s Day Weekend, but with the Winter Olympics still going full steam ahead, the flow of new shows has slowed. But if you have some extra time off, or you’re stuck inside because of the winter weather, you might be wondering which of these new shows is worth your time to check out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new shows this winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Thursdays: Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback, Streaming Thursdays on Peacock (Premiered February 5) About : This new documentary looks at the history of the NFL, specifically focusing on the role of black quarterbacks. The episodes run about an hour and drop on Thursdays. It’s ideally timed for Black History month, though it’s not always an easy story to watch. The first episode went back to the earliest roots at the position, while the second focused on Warren Moon, the lone Black quarterback in the Pro Foot...

The Academy Awards are coming on March 15. We got the final list of nominees on January 22, and between now and the awards I'll be looking at the 10 Best Picture nominees and their chances of winning an award. Frankenstein Starring: Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth Director: Guillermo del Toro Total Nominations : 9 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Elordi), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, and Best Sound About : This is the second Best Picture nominee from Netflix. It did very well, earning nine total nominations. But it didn't earn a director nod for del Toro, which was a mild surprise. That puts it more in the long-shot category for Best Picture and a number of other categories, like Best Adapted Screenplay. Elordi gives a strong performance and is in the mix in the Supporting Actor race, though he's not a clearcut favorite. That could be...

It's a new year, but the rewind continues. In these weekly posts, we will be looking at films that are celebrating an anniversary in 2026. I will be going back throughout the year, looking at a few films from different milestone years that stand out to me now a decade, two decades, or three decades on. It's a fun journey, and I hope you'll join me in looking back! For our next set of films, we're jumping back to 2011. Films from 2011 are turning 15 years old in 2026, and when you look at the list it feels hard to believe some of these titles are a decade old. In this set I'll be looking at five films, mostly interesting blockbusters, that stand out now 15 years after their release. Check back each Sunday as we explore another title in the rewind and celebrate the films that are marking a milestone anniversary in 2026!

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. 90: An American in Paris (1951) Original List Ranking : No. 68 Starring : Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant Director : Vincente Minnelli About : Gene Kelly had a certain set of skills that made him an iconic performer. He thrived during an era when the song and dance man held incredible sway. An American in Paris is one of those films. It's set in Paris in the aftermath of World War II, with Kelly playing a struggling artist. It is directed by Minnelli, who put together a solid body of work. The story is somewhat standard for this genre, featuring a love triangle and more. There aren't the number of iconic songs and pieces in this film that th...

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. 91: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937) Original List Ranking : 49 Starring : Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, and Roy Atwell Director : William Cottrell, David Hand, and Wilfred Jackson About : This is a classic of Disney animation. It's also the rare entry on the list so far where it actually moved up on the revised list. It moved all the way to No. 34. It's an enduring piece of the legacy of Walt Disney animation. It's one of the earliest entries, and one of the most enduring. It's the story, the music, and the way it's all put together that stands out. I enjoy this film and I think it's a timeless classic. It's a great s...

The Academy Awards are coming on March 15. We got the final list of nominees on January 22, and between now and the awards I'll be looking at the 10 Best Picture nominees and their chances of winning an award. The Secret Agent Starring : Wagner Moura and Tania Maria Director : Kleber Mendonça Filho Total Nominations : 4 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Actor (Moura), Best Casting, and Best International Feature About : This is another strong contender that got four nominations, including one in the new category of casting. It's one of two International Features that made the Best Picture field, too. I don't see this winning Best Picture, but it should be a strong contender in at least one race. Moura gives a great performance, but he's likely in third or fourth place in a competitive category. It's hard to know how Casting plays out, as it's a new award. But with some bigger Best Picture contenders in that field, I don't think The Secret Agent wins there....

The first weekend in February brought some viewing options, but not all of them were winners. 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. Dracula (Theaters) Starring : Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz Synopsis : Since Bram Stoker’s novel was released in 1897, people have been fascinated by the story of Dracula. And we’ve seen that story told countless times on the big screen since the 1920s. Some of those versions have been transcendent, while others have been regrettable. We got the former in 2024 with Robert Eggers dark vision in Nosferatu. Now, we’re getting the latter version with the latest film from Luc Besson. It’s Dracula and subtitled A Love Story. That title proves more ironic the longer you watch the film, but that’s only the beginning of my issues with the film. We begin in 1480 in Eastern Europe. We’re introduced to Vlad (Jones) and his bride, Elisabeta (Zoe Bleu). The...

We’re into February, and the Winter Olympics has begun. That will grind the tide of new series the next two weeks to a near halt. But you might have some time to check out new shows and have questions about which options are for you. 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. Thursdays: Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback, Streaming Thursdays on Peacock (Premiered February 5) About : February is Black History Month, and it’s also the Super Bowl. It makes sense that Peacock, which is broadcasting the Super Bowl this year, would launch a docuseries aimed at sports fans that honors Black History Month. This series looks at the history of Black quarterbacks in the NFL. It’s a weekly series, running Thursdays on the streamer. The pilot aired Thursday, with more to follow weekly. The pilot was around an hour and was a great deep dive into the history of the game o...

The Academy Awards are coming on March 15. We got the final list of nominees on January 22, and between now and the awards I'll be looking at the 10 Best Picture nominees and their chances of winning an award. Train Dreams Starring : Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and Kerry Condon Director : Clint Bentley Total Nominations : 4 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, and Best Cinematography About : This past year was a great one for Netflix. They had a number of high-profile films drop throughout the fall and into December. They were rewarded with a pair of Best Picture nominations, including Train Dreams. While this might have been a minor surprise for some, I loved this beautiful little film based on the short story from Dennis Johnson. It's beautifully shot and pensive. It has a deeply emotional story and ended as one of my favorites of last year. That being said, I think it's a long-shot for Best Picture. But can the film win somewhere?...

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 Wars story. Jyn Erso : We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope! Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Starring : Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Alan Tudyk Director : Gareth Edwards About : How will it work having a standalone story not connected to the larger Star Wars mythology? That was the question going into Rogue One , which was meant to be the first of a series of these films. In total, we got two. And this one isn't really all that standalone, as it is basically a prequel to the original film from 1977. But it's not the fault of this film the idea didn't take off. This is a really good film, and one of the better Star Wars movies. It also led to one of the more interesting Star Wars series in Andor . It's 10 years old and remains worthy of praise!

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. 92: Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Original List Ranking : 59 Starring : James Dean and Natalie Wood Director : Nicholas Ray About : James Dean had an incredible appeal. His short life and career seems to have only grown that appeal for generations of film fans. Rebel Without A Cause might not be the best of his films, but it's certainly iconic. For that reason, it's not a surprise that it ended up on the original AFI List. Like so many early entries in my personal rankings, it didn't make the list 10 years later. There's a variety of reasons that could have happened, but I think it comes down to the fact this film has some iconic moments and wi...

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. 93: Fantasia (1940) Original List Ranking : 58 Starring : Walt Disney Director : Various About : This is another entry on the original list that didn't carry forward to 2007. It's not the highest ranked film to miss the subsequent list, but it's understandable that it was a selection on the original list. It is a classic piece of entertainment, and a unique offering. It is a fusion of animation and classical music played as a soundtrack. It's not a linear film or a linear story, but an anthology set to music. The most famous of which features Mickey Mouse and an iconic piece of music. It's a work that I enjoy and appreciate. It's daring...

We’ve reached the big game. This is the final game of the season and a championship tilt between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. It wasn’t the expected matchup in September, but here we are. So, who is going to get the victory? Let’s dive in. Seattle Seahawks (14-3) at New England Patriots (14-3) About : The Seahawks had a magical season. Sam Darnold, cast aside by the Vikings after a 14-win season, pulled off the feat again in Seattle. Riding a strong defense, the Offensive Player of the Year in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a solid running game, they’ve met every challenge. The bested the Rams and 49ers to earn the No. 1 seed then did it again in the playoffs. And Darnold, who led the league in interceptions despite a strong season, saved his best for last. He went for 346 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover in beating the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. They are the favorites, and deservedly so. The Patriots, meanwhile, turned things around in a big way. Th...

We’ve reached the end of January, and it brought a group of interesting new releases. Below are my thoughts on the movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Arco (Theaters) Starring : Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and America Ferrera Synopsis: We get plenty of animated films that look at brightly colored worlds and fascinating timelines. In the world of animation, you can go anywhere and do anything. That’s part of the fun of these worlds that are bound only by the lengths of imagination. The film Arco, which gets a wide release this Friday, is a brightly colored glimpse of the future. It got a limited release in 2025, earning an Academy Award nomination as Best Animated Feature. And it’s likely this bright, colorful world will appeal to viewers of all ages. It’s another animated feature told in an anime style. But unlike All You Need is Kill, released earlier this month, this one has a more family-friendly fee...