Matt's Musings

 We've made it to May, which is the official kickoff to the Summer Movie season. While there are some interesting releases, May is lighter on blockbusters than in year's past. Let's dive in. Friday, May 1: * The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theaters) : The big film to kickoff summer is this highly anticipated sequel. This should be a fun romantic comedy to begin the season. * Animal Farm (Theaters): This is an animated film based on the George Orwell novel of the same name. Yes, you read that correctly. But, this seems aimed at kids? * Deep Water (Theaters): We have a plane that crashes in shark infested waters. So, a shark movie and a disaster movie. I'm already seated. * Hokum (Theaters): This is a horror release. It's more of a haunted house type set up with Adam Scott in the lead role. It looks creepy. * Swapped (Netflix): This is an original animated feature with a voice cast that includes Michael B. Jordan. This offers some family-friendly entertainment at home. F...

 It was a packed weekend at theaters with three big theatrical releases as well as a new action film on Netflix. Below is my take on the new releases I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Apex (Netflix) Starring : Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton Synopsis: This new action film from director Baltasar Kormakur focuses on a woman (Theron) who suffered a terrible mountain climbing accident. That accident forms the opening sequence of the film. Now, sometime later, she’s trying to recover and rediscover her love for exploration rafting in Australia. The natives aren’t exactly friendly, but she comes across one man, Ben (Egerton) who seems to be trying to help. When it turns out he might be the biggest threat of them all, it pits the two against each other in a battle for survival. This one has some big action sequences and is mostly a two-hander pitting Theron against Egerton in a battle of wills and a battle for s...

 We’re making our way through April, with some interesting new series making their debut. But 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 series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Thursdays: Half Man, Thursdays at 9 p.m. on HBO Max (Premiered April 23) About : This is the new series from creator/star Richard Gadd, who was the force behind the phenomenon Baby Reindeer. That show didn’t click for me the way it did for others, and I feel like that might end up being the case here. In the early going we’re introduced to Ruben (Gadd) and Niall (Jamie Bell). They have a past and a connection, and their meeting in a secluded place as Niall is about to get married doesn’t seem to be going well. It ends in a physical confrontation, and then we’re quickly thrown into the past. We see Ruben and Niall as teenagers, and spend the bulk of the premier episode getting...

 The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. While the Broncos didn't have any picks in the first two rounds, they still found a way to grab value with the seven picks they made over the course of the draft. Below is a look at the selections. Tyler Onyedim, DT, Third Round : This was the Broncos' first pick, taken at the top of the Third Round. It certainly fills a critical need. The Broncos lost depth on the defensive line and could use an influx of young playmakers to make a difference. That seems to be what they're getting with Onyedim, who could compete for a starting spot opposite Zach Allen. Jonah Coleman, RB, Fourth Round : The Broncos used the first of two Fourth Round picks on Coleman, the running back out of Washington. He might not have a huge impact in 2026, but the comparison Sean Payton drew to J.K. Dobbins indicates he could be a long-term answer along with R.J. Harvey to lead the Broncos' rushing attack. Kage Casey, OT, Fourth Round: The second of the Fourth Ro...

It's hard to believe, but 2006 was 20 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2006 that are turning 20 in 2026. Today, it's a Christopher Nolan film. Cutter : Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick h...

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. Peter Warne : I want to see what love looks like when it's triumphant. I haven't had a good laugh in a week. It Happened One Night (1934) Original List Position : 35 Starring : Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert Director : Frank Capra About : Are you a fan of movie history? I am, which you could probably tell from this exercise alone. Well, this film is a piece of movie history. Only three films in history have won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. This is one of those films. It comes from Capra, a legendary storyteller, and features a fun back-and-forth between Gable and Colbert. It's a bit of a screwball comed...

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. Gen. Yevgraf Zhivago : I told myself it was beneath my dignity to arrest a man for pilfering firewood. But nothing ordered by the party is beneath the dignity of any man, and the party was right: One man desperate for a bit of fuel is pathetic. Five million people desperate for fuel will destroy a city. That was the first time I ever saw my brother. But I knew him. And I knew that I would disobey the party. Perhaps it was the tie of blood between us, but I doubt it. We were only half tied anyway, and brothers will betray a brother. Indeed, as a policeman, I would say, get hold of a man's brother and you're halfway home. Nor was it admiration for a better ...

 The NFL Draft kicks off today. Over the next three days, hundreds of prospects will land in their NFL home. This will be closely followed by rookie drafts in Dynasty. The landing spot will shift the final rankings, but below is my Top 25 in Superflex ahead of the draft. Prospects appear in order, along with their positional ranking. We’ll see how it adjusts post-draft. No. 1: Jeremiah Love, RB1 No. 2: Fernando Mendoza, QB1 No. 3: Carnell Tate, WR1 No. 4: Makai Lemon, WR2 No. 5: Jordan Tyson, WR3 No. 6: Kenyon Sadiq, TE1 No. 7: Jadarian Price, RB2 No. 8: Denzel Boston, WR4 No. 9: Omar Cooper, Jr., WR5 No. 10: K.C. Conception, WR6 No. 11: Eli Stowers, TE2 No. 12: Mike Washington, Jr., RB3 No. 13: Emmett Johnson, RB4 No. 14: Chris Brazzell, WR7 No. 15: Germie Bernard, WR8 No. 16: Zachariah Branch, WR9 No. 17: Jonah Coleman, RB5 No. 18: Nicholas Singleton, RB6 No. 19: Ty Simpson, QB2 No. 20: Elijah Sarratt, WR10 No. 21: Max Klare, TE3 No. 22: Chris Bell, WR11 No. 23: Ted Hurst, WR12 N...

This weekend brought a couple interesting new releases, as well as a fascinating documentary feature. Below is my take on all the new movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Everyone is Lying to You for Money (Limited) Synopsis: I remember when I first saw Ben McKenzie. I watched the pilot for The O.C., and subsequently followed the run of the series. Turns out I’m not the only one who remembers McKenzie fondly from that series. In fact, it’s one of the charming jokes that kicks off his new documentary, Everyone is Lying to You for Money, which opens in limited release Friday. Before starring as Ryan Atwood, McKenzie earned a college degree in economics. So, when a friend suggested crypto currency, he decided to give it a look. What he found alarmed him, so McKenzie decided to dig deeper and raise the alarm. That led to hiring a crew and filming this documentary. That documentary dives deep into the world of c...

 We’re making our way through April and closing in on the Emmy consideration window. That means some high-profile new series are dropping just in time, but which of them are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Margot’s Got Money Troubles, Wednesdays on Apple TV (Premiered April 15) About: This new series comes from David E. Kelley based on the novel of the same name from Rufi Thorpe. It features Elle Fanning as Margot Millet. At the outset, she’s a talented writer at a small college in Fullerton. She receives special guidance from her professor, Mark (Michael Angarano). Soon, an affair blooms despite the fact Mark is married and has a family. When Margot ends up pregnant, it throws her life into turmoil. Mark cuts her off, so she leans on her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her father (Nick Offerman), a former wrestler and recov...

We're rapidly approaching Summer at the Box Office. The Summer Movie Season typically kicks off with the first Friday in May and runs through August. The next two weeks, I'll be previewing the Summer of 2026. Last week, I look at five films I'm anticipating from May and June. Today, it will be five from July and August. July Releases: * Moana (July 10): We've seen two different animated takes on Moana, but now we get a live-action version. Can they capture the same wonder? I loved the trailer, so it's possible. * The Odyssey (July 17): This is the movie event of the summer, perhaps of the year. Christopher Nolan doesn't miss, and I'm incredibly hyped to see this story play out on the big screen. * Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31): All three Tom Holland films have been great. We got left in a dim place for Peter Parker after the last one, and I'm excited to see how this picks up. July is full of bangers. Other July Releases: Minions & Monsters (...

It's hard to believe, but 2006 was 20 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2006 that are turning 20 in 2026. Today, it's a classic Superhero film. Superman : I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one. Superman Returns Starring : Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey Director : Bryan Singer About: I get it, this probably isn't a memorable film for many. It hasn't aged well in part to the work of Spacey and Singer, who are problematic creators. And yet, it remains my favorite Superman film. I love Routh in the role. I love the story. I love how it weaves in actual audio from the original and takes the story into a new place. I think Spacey is great as Lex Luthor, even if I don't want to spend any personal time with him. This is a superhero film that, for me, is vastly under-rated. I would have liked to see where it would have gone fr...

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. Margo : Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night! All About Eve (1950) Original List Position : 16 Starring : Bette Davis, Anne Cunningham, and George Sanders Director : Joseph L. Mankiewicz About : This is a classic film that won six Oscars, including Best Picture. Ironically, Davis was nominated by didn't win an Oscar. And yet, if you were to ask people what they most remember about this film decades later, the first thing to come to mind would likely be Davis and her performance. She plays an aging star and it's a bit of an over-the-top performance. I thought this was an interesting and engaging film when I saw it, but I don't love ...

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. Tom Joad : Then it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready, and when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build - I'll be there, too. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Original List Position : 21 Starring : Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, and John Carradine Director: John Ford About...

 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 TEs, divided into five tiers. Tier 1: No. 1: Brock Bowers No. 2: Trey McBride About: These top two tight ends have separated themselves. They are both not only the top at the position but the top pass-catcher for their team. They are great dynasty assets, but they could soon have some company. Tier 2: No. 3: Colston Loveland No. 4: Tyler Warren No. 5: Tucker Kraft No. 6: Harold Fannin, Jr. No. 7: Sam LaPorta No. 8: Kyle Pitts No. 9: Oronde Gadsen II About: This is a great group of young tight ends that have tremendous upside. In the case of some, we’ve seen it and recently. In the case of some, they are still ascending. For Loveland and Warren, it’s possible they coul...

 As we hit the second weekend of April we have one bigger wide release, and plenty of limited releases and streaming options. Below is a look at 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. Hamlet (Limited) Starring: Riz Ahmed Synopsis: It’s been centuries since William Shakespeare authored his classic Hamlet, and yet the story continues to thrill and entertain audiences. We’ve seen many actors and directors try their hand at bringing the story to life, each finding a unique way to impart the story to a new generation of viewers. That’s true of this latest adaptation of Hamlet, which opened in theaters on Friday, April 10. The new adaptation brings a modern twist to the story. The action is set in contemporary London as a family grieves a death and celebrates a wedding. But while the setting and trappings of the world are modern, the dialogue is pulled straight off the page of Shakespeare’s ...

We’re making our way through April and closer to the Emmy consideration window. That means some high-profile new releases making their way on screen before the window slams shut. 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 Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: The Testaments, streaming Wednesdays on Hulu (Premiered April 8) About : This new series is based on the novel from Colleen Atwood, and is a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s again set in Gilead, this time following young women who are preparing to serve as wives or leaders in the community. We meet Agnes (Chase Infiniti), the daughter of a commanders, and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a new recruit. But not all is as it seems. This series, which again comes from Bruce Miller, features Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia and Elisabeth Moss as June. While June appears to be more of a cameo or support...

We're rapidly approaching Summer at the Box Office. The Summer Movie Season typically kicks off with the first Friday in May and runs through August. The next two weeks, I'll be previewing the Summer of 2026. This week, I'm looking at five films I'm anticipating from May and June. Next week, it will be five from July and August. May Releases: * The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1): This is the highly anticipated sequel. It's not the typical blockbuster to kick off summer, but it has a great cast and should be a lot of fun. * Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22): This is the first big blockbuster of the Summer season, dropping right before Memorial Day Weekend. It is a continuation of the television series and the first big screen Star Wars film in a while. I'm excited to see what they do! Other May Releases: Animal Farm (May 1) Hokum (May 1) Deep Water (May 1) Mortal Kombat II (May 8) The Sheep Detectives (May 8) Obsession (May 15) Is God Is (May 15) I Love...

It's hard to believe, but 2006 was 20 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2006 that are turning 20 in 2026. Today, it's a dark Todd Field drama. May McGorvey : You're a miracle, Ronnie. We're all miracles. Know why? Because as humans, every day we go about our business, and all that time we know... we all know... that the things we love... the people we love, at any time now can all be taken away. We live knowing that and we keep going anyway. Animals don't do that. Little Children Starring : Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, and Jackie Earle Haley Director : Todd Field About : This film was based on the novel from Tom Perrotta, adapted by Field. He's directed three feature films and this is the middle of those features, and the only one not nominated for Best Picture. It did earn three Academy Award nominations, but it didn't win any awards. Still, Winslet and Haley earned acting nominations for their work...

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. George Eastman : I love you. I've loved you since the first moment I saw you. I guess maybe I've even loved you before I saw you. A Place in the Sun (1951) Original List Position : 92 Starring : Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters Director : George Stevens About : This isn't an easy watch. This is the second film in a row from Stevens, and another one that earned a number of Oscar nominations. It is based on a novel which itself was based on a true story. It's about a man who falls in love with two women and makes a terrible decision, leading to terrible consequences. This was Taylor at the height of her power in films and certa...

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. Jordan 'Bick' Benedict : You want to know something, Leslie? If I live to be ninety, I will never figure you out. Giant (1956) Original List Position : 82 Starring : James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson Director : George Stevens About: Even decades after his death, Dean remains a larger-than-life figure in films. He only had the lead in three films. One, Rebel Without a Cause, we already saw on this list. This film earned him a second Academy Award nomination, though he died before it was released. This film is based on a novel and it's an epic, sweeping film. It earned nine nominations, including for Best Picture, earning a win for Stevens a...

 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 50 Dynasty WRs, divided into seven tiers. Tier 1: No. 1: Ja’Marr Chase No. 2: Jaxon Smith-Njigba No. 3: Justin Jefferson About: Chase is a rare talent and JSN has taken a huge step up. Jefferson had a bit of a down year in 2025, but you have to figure his quarterback play has nowhere to go but up. I think these three are the top with a bit of separation from the next group. Tier 2: No. 4: CeeDee Lamb No. 5: Malik Nabers No. 6: Amon-Ra St. Brown No. 7: Puka Nacua About: The question you probably have is about Nacua. You could make a case he belongs in the top tier, and I would agree if this was just about talent and play on the field. But Nacua has had some increasingly concernin...

 It’s been a big week for releases, including one of the most anticipated animated films of the year. But was it worth your time to check the films out? I give my take on the week’s new movies below. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Drama (Theaters) Starring: Robert Pattinson and Zendaya Synopsis: For most, their wedding day is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. It’s the happiest day of your life. You’ve found love and are ready to make a commitment and build a life with someone you know deeply. But what happens when all those feelings and plans get derailed? In the new film The Drama, we have a couple that are faced with that exact question. The film from writer/director Kristoffer Borgli is about a couple embarking on their wedding week when a simple question and game among friends throws everything out of balance. We meet Charlie (Pattinson) as he’s writing his wedding speech and toast. He’s about to mar...