Matt's Musings

 We’re through March and making our way into Spring. Still, the tide of new shows continues at a steady pace. You might have a lot of things vying for your time, which leaves you wondering which of these 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/Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Sundays: The Count of Monte Cristo, Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS (Premiered March 22) About : This is another take on the classic novel. This time Sam Claflin stars as Edmund Dantes, the falsely accused man who is imprisoned and, upon release, seeks to right the wrongs. I liked the pilot well enough, which was mostly set up and culminated with Dantes in prison. The second episode, which featured Jeremy Irons, was focused on his time in prison, how he learns to rebuild himself, and his key to the secret treasure that will fund things. He’s in prison for years, as his family, friends, and lo...

We're making our way into April, which offers a blend of big releases and smaller films. Below is a look at the new movies coming in April. Wednesday, April 1: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Theaters): This is a big, animated sequel to the Mario Brothers. It returns the same voice cast while expanding the world. This should be a huge release to kick off the month. Friday, April 3: The Drama (Theaters): This is a dramatic film starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as a married couple going through some issues. It's a good cast and an intriguing premise, it should be a big draw for cinephiles. The Great Awakening (Theaters): This is a docudrama focused on the historical spiritual movement of the same name. This figures to be ideally timed for Easter weekend. Pizza Movie (Hulu) : This is a new comedy headlined by Gaten Matarazzo of Stranger Things . This looks like a fun and potentially wild ride. Friday, April 10: You, Me & Tuscany (Theaters): This is a new romantic comedy ...

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 2006. Films from 2006 are turning 20 years old in 2026, and when you look at the list it feels hard to believe some of these titles are 20 years old. In this set I'll be looking at six films, mostly smaller films, that stand out now 20 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. The Gold Rush (1925) Original List Ranking : 74 Starring : Charlie Chaplin Director : Charlie Chaplin About : This is the first entry from Chaplin and the silent era on the list, but not the last. It's one of his most iconic films, looking at the era of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Chaplin serves as the director and the star, doing a nice job in this film. He's a talented and diverse performer. I went on a deep dive of most of his classic films a few years ago, and this was one of the ones I enjoyed most. It makes sense that it would be featured on this list and is definitely worth checking 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. Carl Denham: It's money and adventure and fame. It's the thrill of a lifetime and a long sea voyage that starts at six o'clock tomorrow morning. King Kong (1933) Original List Ranking : 43 Starring : Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot Director : Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack About: This is another classic monster movie. In fact, it's arguably more iconic than Frankenstein , which appeared a few films ago. This one, too, has been re-made many times. Some, including a more modern spin from Peter Jackson, tried to re-capture the story beats and sequences from this film. But it's an iconic take on the world and the characters...

We’re into the new league year and have seen major movement among veterans. We’re still a bit away from the draft, where rookies will start to shake up the standings. But this is start up season. So, if you’re looking to jump into dynasty, it’s time to take stock of the players available. Below is my Top 25 Dynasty QBs, divided into six tiers. Tier 1: No. 1: Josh Allen About: Allen has moved into a tier of one for fantasy. He’s got tremendous rushing and passing upside and has been immune to missed time. Maybe that changes, but for now he’s a rock-steady lock at quarterback. So far, he’s the only one. Tier 2: No. 2: Drake Maye No. 3: Patrick Mahomes No. 4: Joe Burrow No. 5: Lamar Jackson No. 6: Justin Herbert About: This is a good group of quarterbacks. If you have one of these, they’re locked in as your starter. If you have two, you should be dominating in Superflex. Maye is the biggest riser, but making the Super Bowl and being the runner-up for MVP in year two will do that. Mahomes...

 We’re cruising toward the end of March, and Spring and Summer are coming. Despite that, the tide of new shows is continuing. But what of these new shows are worth your time? 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. Wednesdays: Imperfect Women, Wednesdays on Apple TV (Premiered March 18) About: This new series comes from Annie Weisman and is based on the novel of the same name from Araminta Hall. It’s focused on a trio of friends—Eleanor (Kerry Washington), Mary (Elisabeth Moss), and Nancy (Kate Mara). They’ve been friends for a long time, and we open with them gathering for a birthday party. It isn’t long before Nancy turns up dead, and the friends are plunged into the investigation. During the course of time, secrets and lies involving the trio and their families bubble to the surface. This eight-part limited series is meant to be something of a murder mystery. I...

 It was a busy week for new films, including the biggest new release of the year so far. Below is a look at the new movies I saw this week and my take on them. You can follow everything I’m watching on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. André is an Idiot (Theaters) Synopsis: It can be hard to get a bad health diagnosis. When it’s Stage 4 Cancer, a death sentence, it can hit like a ton of bricks. There are a lot of different responses to news like that, but it’s fair to say we’ve never seen a response like that of André Ricciardi. In the new documentary André is an Idiot, he shares his story. And it begins with a simple, painful, and embarrassing truth. But what follows is something deeply personal and deeply emotional. It’s a profound story worth seeking out when it opens in theaters on Friday. André never thought getting a colonoscopy was important. His friend asked him to go, but André blew him off. When he finally did go a year later, they discovered he had Stage 4 colon cancer that h...

 The new league year has begun. While the Broncos got off to a bit of a slow start, they made a splash next week. Below is a look at some of the moves that have been made so far this off-season. Adding Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos pulled off a big trade with the Dolphins, acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in exchange for a few draft picks. He provides a new weapon alongside Courtland Sutton, giving the Broncos a deep and talented receiver group. My suspicion is that hurts Troy Franklin's ceiling the most, but the Broncos go five or six deep at receiver, and all could contribute. The Running Back Room. The Broncos figured to be players in the running back market, but it turned out they liked the group they had in 2025. The team re-signed J.K. Dobbins and Jaleel McLaughlin to return along with R.J. Harvey. That means the top three backs are all back for 2026. Are the Broncos done? That's hard to say, but at a minimum they have the top group back. Linebacker room. The Broncos br...

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 the best of the X-Men. Professor Charles Xavier : Listen to me very carefully, my friend: killing Shaw will not bring you peace. Erik Lehnsherr : Peace was never an option. X-Men: First Class Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kevin Bacon Director: Matthew Vaughn About: I have been a fan of the X-Men since I was a boy. It started with the animated series, but I was there opening day in 2000 when the first live-action film debuted. Eleven years later, we got a prequel. It's also the best of the X-Men films, and one of my favorite films of all time. It is an origin story, yes, but it's squarely focused on Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, and their unlikely and powerful friendship. It's those ideas and the back-and-forth between McAvoy and Fassbende...

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. Blanche : Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) Original List Ranking : 45 Starring : Marlon Brando, Vivan Leigh, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden Director : Elia Kazan About : This adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play is a famous rendition of the material. It also won four Academy Awards. It didn't win Best Picture, nor did Brando and Kazan win, but the other three principal performers (Leigh, Hunter and Malden) all won Academy Awards. It also retained its spot fairly close on the 2007 update, slipping only to No. 47. It's a famous performance from Brando, one of his more iconic. It's not...

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. Edward Van Sloan : How do you do? Mr. Carl Laemmle feels it would be a little unkind to present this picture without just a word of friendly warning. We're about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation: life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now is your chance to, uh... well, we've warned you! Frankenstein (1931) Original List Position : 87 Star...

The new league year is under way. This past week we’ve seen high-profile trades, critical signings, and depth additions across the NFL. It’s a big time as teams work to improve their rosters for a title run in 2026. Below are the 10 biggest moves of the new league year so far. No. 10: Wan’Dale Robinson signs four-year, $78 million deal with the Tennessee Titans About: Robinson has been an integral, and under-rated, piece of the Giants’ offense the past few seasons. In four years with the team, he has 268 receptions for 2,465 yards. That includes 90-plus receptions each of the past two seasons. He even recorded his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2025. In Tennessee, he’s reunited with his former Head Coach, Brian Daboll, who is the Titans’ Offensive Coordinator. Daboll believes in Robinson and helped him reach his potential. The Titans are in desperate need of weapons. This could give him a nice fantasy floor as a WR3, with some WR2 upside. No. 9: Kyler Murray agrees to a one-year deal wi...

 It was a slower week at the movies, with the big release being the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation. Below is my thoughts. You can keep up with everything I'm watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Reminders of Him (Theaters) Starring : Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, and Bradley Whitford Synopsis: This is the third adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, following It Ends With Us and Regretting You. This one finds Kenna (Monroe) recently released from prison, where she served a seven-year sentence after her boyfriend (Rudy Pankow) was killed in an accident where she was the driver. She's returned to the town where they met and fell in love because she gave birth while in prison, and her daughter was taken to be raised by her boyfriend's parents (Graham and Whitford). There are still hard feelings, but Kenna is hopeful to reunite and get to know her daughter. Meanwhile, she meets Ledger (Withers) at a local bar. She realizes soon he is her boyfr...

We’re making our way toward Spring, and that means the tide of new shows is rising. Networks and streamers are getting those new shows in to flood the market before the dog days of summer. But what 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 series this winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks! Tuesdays: R.J. Decker, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC (Premiered March 3) About: This new detective series is based on a Carl Hiaasen novel. It centers on R.J. Decker (Scott Speedman), a former photojournalist who went to prison on a trumped-up assault charge. Now, he’s working as a private investigator. The pilot introduced the world and a key case that helped shape and define our protagonist. The second episode slipped more into the case-of-the-week mold. I like Speedman, and I like the idea here. But the second episode was dry and seemed to expound on the things I struggled with in t...

 Another year of Oscars is in the books, with the 2025 movie season officially, finally, in the books. It was a successful and interesting telecast. Below is a couple takeaways from the year in movies. * Horror had a day . Not only did Amy Madigan win for Weapons, Sinners was one of the biggest, most awarded films of the night. Frankenstein also brought home three awards. In total, that meant eight of the 24 awards handed out went to horror films. That's quite a showing. *Paul Thomas Anderson had a day. He won for his script, his direction, and his film. It was a big night on the biggest stage for one of the most celebrated creators. * We had a tie and a no-show. Usually these award programs follow a pattern and script. But that got flipped when we had a tie in the Best Live Action Short, then had Best Supporting Actor winner Sean Penn not show up. Both felt like unusual twists on the night. * The Opening was perfect. Conan O'Brien was solid as a host, but his best bits came ...

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 a classic comedy. Lillian : This is such a stone-cold pack of weirdos, and I am so proud! Bridesmaids Starring : Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, and Melissa McCarthy Director : Paul Feig About : There was a time when the summer season offered up a banger comedy every year. In 2011, that banger comedy was Bridesmaids . Two years earlier we got The Hangover , an iconic comedy that was very much focused on the wild antics of a group of men. In Bridesmaids , we saw the same formula repeated with a group of fun women. Or, as Lillian puts it above, a stone-cold pack of weirdos. Wiig has long been a personal favorite, and she's awesome here. But this is a film where the whole is stronger than the sum of its parts. Rudolph, McCarthy, and especially Byrne all give iconic performances. The cast is stron...

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. Ratso Rizzo : I'm walking here! I'm walking here! Midnight Cowboy (1969) Original List Ranking : 36 Starring : Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight Director : John Schlesinger About : This is another Best Picture winner. It also earned an Academy Award for the director, Schlesinger, and for the Adapted Screenplay. It factored much higher on the original list, and remained fairly high (43) on the 2007 update. And it's not hard to see why. It's a film that's oft remembered and oft quoted. While Hoffman didn't win for his performance, it's a memorable part of the film. Even those who haven't seen it in full have seen clips, including the one ...

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. Alex : Well, put it this way, I feel very low in myself. I can't see much in the future, and I feel that any second something terrible is going to happen to me. A Clockwork Orange (1971) Original List Ranking : 46 Starring : Malcolm McDowell Director : Stanley Kubrick About : This is a film that is controversial in its subject matter. It was considered quite edgy in its time, though by some modern content standards it's not quite as out there. The subject is dark, but this film from the legendary director Kubrick does a nice job of trying to tell this story. On the original list it was quite high up, but by the time the new list was issued in 2007, it had ...

The 98th Academy Awards will—finally—take place on Sunday, March 15. That will put an end, officially, to the 2025 Movie Year. It’s a fascinating slate of films. Below are my fearless predictions for Sunday’s ceremony. I also wanted to add a twist of what would win if I alone, based on personal taste and preference, were voting. So, the “Will Win” is my official selection. Whereas “Matt’s Winner” is me voting with my heart. Enjoy the picks below and we’ll see what happens on Sunday night! Best Picture Bugonia Frankenstein F1 Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another  The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sinners  Train Dreams Will Win : Sinners. I think the tide has turned. Matt’s Winner: Sentimental Value. I’ve thought about it a lot. I just loved this film. Best Actor Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon Michael B Jordan – Sinners  Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent Will Win/Matt’s Winner: Michael B. Jord...

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. Sinners Starring : Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosakau, Haliee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, and Miles Caton Director : Ryan Coogler Total Nominations : 16 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Director (Coogler), Best Actor (Jordan), Best Supporting Actress (Mosaku), Best Supporting Actor (Lindo), Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Original Song About : This is the film that set the record with 16 nominations. It's one of the best motion pictures of the year and figures to be a big contender on Sunday night. It's not a question of if it will win, but rather how many it will win. I think it's a lock in Original Score and Casting. When it ...

The first weekend in March brought us a few big, new releases. But what of them were worth checking out? Below is my thoughts on the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Bride! (Theaters) Starring: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Annette Bening, and Peter Sarsgaard Synopsis: Since Mary Shelley released Frankenstein in 1818, the story has continued to fascinate audiences. We’ve seen it adapted time and again, in many interesting ways. That included the 1935 sequel that put the focus on Frankenstein’s bride. But was that sequel told the way Shelley would have wanted? That’s a central question at the heart of this new take on the story of The Bride, crafted by writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal. It supposes that Shelley had more to say about her creation, the world, and the role of women. The film picks up in the 1930s in Chicago. Frankenstein (Bale) has adopted the name of his long-dead creator. He’s b...