Matt's Musings

The off-season is in full swing. We've seen free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, it's time to take stock of the roster and begin figuring out who will be the final 53 players to suit up for the Broncos during the 2026 NFL Season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each unit for the Broncos. Today, that continues with the offensive line. On the Roster : Garrett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Luke Wattenberg, Ben Powers, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Alex Forsyth, Nick Gargulio, Nash Jones, Calvin Throckmorton, Kage Casey, Marques Cox, Frank Crum, and Tyler Miller About : The Broncos have a rare luxury in having all five of their opening day starters from 2025 still on the roster and projected to remain there in 2026. The team has all its depth options, too. And it was a strong offensive line that helped the Broncos get to three regular season wins. This feels like an area of stability and potentially strength. The Broncos added a few pieces in undrafted...

 The third weekend in May brought a number of different releases, including horror, action, drama, and more. 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. In the Grey (Theaters) Starring : Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza Gonzales Synopsis : Since the late 1990s, Guy Ritchie films have been a fixture in theaters. He started with these indie crime dramas noted for fast dialogue, fun characters, and great action. Nearly 30 years later, he’s still delivering those kind of fun rides in theaters. That’s the case with In The Grey, which opened May 15. It arrived without a lot of hype and fanfare, and just provides a bit of fun, escapist fantasy for 98 minutes. In short, it’s what summer is all about. The film focuses on Rachel (Gonzalez), who is a lawyer and something of a fixer. She is a gun for hire for asset management companies, helping to recover funds that are due from unwilling...

As we make our way through May, we’re closing in on the Emmy consideration deadline. That means a few new, high-profile series making their way to our screens. But what of these new shows is worth our 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. Fridays: Amadeus, Streaming Fridays on Starz (Premiered May 8) About : This five-part limited series focuses on the relationship and rivalry between Mozart (Will Sharpe) and Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany). Much of this relationship and rivalry was covered in the Academy-Award-winning film of the same name from the 1980s. But this seeks to dive a bit deeper, with each episode running between 50 minutes and an hour. And it begins with a confession from an aging Salieri about the role he played in Mozart’s death. The rest of the series, for the most part, goes back in time to show how they met, how they worked, and ...

This year Star Trek turns 60. For decades, it has enthralled and entertained audiences. Part of that legacy is 13 feature films. Over the next few weeks, I'll be looking back on each of the feature films in the franchise, including where I place them in my personal rankings! McCoy : [to an unconscious Spock] I'm gonna tell you something that I... never thought I'd ever hear myself say. But it seems I've... missed you. And I don't know if I could stand to lose you again. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Franchise Ranking : 10 Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Merritt Butrick, Robin Curtis, Mark Lenard, and Christopher Lloyd Director : Leonard Nimoy About : Anything following Khan was going to be a let down. This sees Nimoy ascend to the director's chair, which makes sense since he doesn't appear much. After all, we begin with Spock dead. He is reborn thanks to Gen...

 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 2001. Films from 2001 are turning 25 years old in 2026, and when you look at the list it feels hard to believe some of these titles are 25 years old. In this set I'll be looking at six films, an interesting mix of smaller films and blockbusters, that stand out now 25 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. Sugar : [ on marrying well] I don't care how rich he is, as long as he has a yacht, his own private railroad car, and his own toothpaste. Some Like It Hot (1959) Original List Position: 14 Starring: Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe Director: Billy Wilder About: There is no one like Jack Lemon. He's a personal favorite actor for a lot of his classic and diverse roles. This one is certainly unique, and all of it, especially the final sequence of the film, makes me smile. Curtis is great here, and this is one of Monroe's better roles and films. This is a fun film, too. It's got legions of devoted fans over the years. I thought about havi...

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. Benjamin: It's like I've been playing some kind of game, but the rules don't make any sense to me. They're being made up by all the wrong people. No. I mean, no one makes them up. They seem to have made themselves up. The Graduate (1967) Original List Position : 7 Starring : Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, and Katherine Ross Director: Mike Nichols About: This is an iconic film. For many it's a perfect film. I get the appeal and I get why it stood out at the time and continues to inspire people. There's something fascinating about the characters and the story. There is something fascinating about the perfo...

The off-season is in full swing. We've seen free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, it's time to take stock of the roster and begin figuring out who will be the final 53 players to suit up for the Broncos during the 2026 NFL Season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each unit for the Broncos. Today, that continues with the defensive line. On the Roster : Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Sai'vion Jones, Matt Henningsen, Tyler Onyedim, Eyioma Uwazurike, Jordan Jackson, Malcolm Roach, Garrett Nelson, Jordan Miller, and Kristian Williams About: The Broncos lost John Franklin-Myer, which is a blow to the team and its depth. The Broncos made a move to acquire Onyedim in the draft. I like the potential of this group. Allen is still a star, with Roach and D.J. Jones serving as good starters. The question is depth. What will Sai'vion Jones, Onyedim, and Uwazurike do in the pre-season. Can one of the others rise up? Will Henningsen hold a spot? Could it be the local guy, ...

 The second weekend in May brought a couple blockbusters to theaters and a great option to Netflix just in time for Mother’s Day. Below is my take on this week’s new films. You can keep up with everything I’m watching on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Mortal Kombat 2 (Theaters) Starring : Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Jessica McNamee Synopsis : This is the sequel to the 2021 re-boot that was, mostly, a streaming release. That film had solid action sequences and nods toward the game, but felt a bit thin on story and character. This second film, also from director Simon McQuoid, ups the ante in terms of action and also does a better job presenting an engaging story. That could be because the two primary additions to the cast—Kitana (Rudolph) and Johnny Cage (Urban)—feel more interesting that the leads of the first film. The budget looks to have been bigger, with more lavish CGI worlds and bigger fight sequences. But there is a sense of fun and humor that works much better here, too. ...

 We’re into May and the Network season is rapidly coming to a close. But before it goes, we’re still getting some new series and specials. What of these new shows is worth your time investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Fridays: Amadeus, Streaming Fridays on Starz (Premiered May 8) About: Once upon a time Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri were contemporaries at the top of the composing scene. Their life, work, and feud was the subject of an Academy-Award-Winning film in the 1980s. Now, it’s the subject of a new, five-part limited series on Starz. In it, Salieri (Paul Bettany) is the master composer whose position is threatened by the young Amadeus (Will Sharpe). Amadeus is everything Salieri isn’t, and they approach music and life in a radically different way. That quickly leads to a dispute and, as the pilot makes clear, Salieri eventual...

This year Star Trek turns 60. For decades, it has enthralled and entertained audiences. Part of that legacy is 13 feature films. Over the next few weeks, I'll be looking back on each of the feature films in the franchise, including where I place them in my personal rankings! Spock : If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny; anything else is a waste of material. Kirk : I would not presume to debate you. Spock : That is wise. Were I to invoke logic, however, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Kirk : Or the one. Spock : You are my superior officer. You are also my friend. I have been and always shall be yours. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Franchise Ranking : 1 Starring : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, Kirstie Alley, and Ricardo Monalban Director : N...

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 my favorite film of 2006. Theodore Faron : I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for? Children of Men Starring : Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Clare-Hope Ashitey Director: Alfonso Cuaron About: In 2006, The Departed was named Best Picture. It's a great movie and a classic. I didn't list it in this countdown because I talked about it last year when I was looking at Martin Scorsese films. It was a great movie year with a lot of memorable films. And yet, this was the film that stood out as my favorite. It was released near the end of the year with little fanfare at the time. But it's become a classic, not only thanks to the sto...

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. Alvy Singer : I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That's the two categories. The horrible are like, I don't know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people, crippled. I don't know how they get through life. It's amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else. So you should be thankful that you're miserable, because that's very lucky, to be miserable. Annie Hall (1977) Original List Position : 31 Starring : Woody Allen and Diane Keaton Director: Woody Allen About : There are certain films that define a director. For Allen, Annie Hall has to be his definitive work. It's probably the first that comes to mi...

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. Martin Howe : You risk your skin catching killers and the juries turn them loose so they can come back and shoot at you again. If you're honest you're poor your whole life and in the end you wind up dying all alone on some dirty street. For what? For nothing. For a tin star. High Noon (1952) Original List Position : 33 Starring : Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Lloyd Bridges, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Harry Morgan Director : Fred Zinnemann About : This is a classic western. Cooper is great in the lead role and I love the way the tension builds through the story here. This is a film that's well regarded as a classic and has been for years. It was No. 33 on the ori...

The off-season is in full swing. We've seen free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, it's time to take stock of the roster and begin figuring out who will be the final 53 players to suit up for the Broncos during the 2026 NFL Season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at each unit for the Broncos. Today, that begins with quarterbacks. On the Roster : Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Sam Ehlinger About : The Broncos have the same three quarterbacks they did in 2025 and I don't see that changing. It's obviously a solid group. While Stidham didn't prevail in the AFC Championship Game, he put up a solid fight. He's a strong backup quarterback with experience in Sean Payton's system. Ehlinger is a decent development option and a solid No. 3. Nix is Payton's pick to be franchise quarterback, and he's made the playoffs in each of his two seasons. The only question about him right now is his health, as he's had a second surgery following a broken ...

 As we turn the page to May, we get summer movie season. That means a busy time 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. Blue Heron (Limited) Starring: Eylul Guven, Edik Beddoes and Amy Zimmer Synopsis: Sometimes things go wrong. Despite our best intentions. Despite the best efforts. Despite trying to put things right, it just doesn’t turn out as we’d hoped. And, often, those memories and incidents can define us long after they’ve passed. That’s the case with Blue Heron, the new film from writer/director Sophy Romvari. It’s a personal tale that stretches from the present to the past, interrogating memories and what could have been done differently. As we begin, a family is moving into a new home on Vancouver Island. For Mother (Iringo Reti), Father (Adam Tompa) and the four children, it’s a fresh start. And it’s one the family needs, especially the ol...

 We’ve made it to May, which means we’re rapidly closing in on the Emmy window, the end of the broadcast season, and the start of summer. That might leave you with some time to check out a new show, but what of these new offerings is worth your time? 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: Widow’s Bay, Streaming Wednesdays on Apple TV (Premiered April 29) About : Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the Mayor in Jaws in 2026? Trying to market a small island despite some challenging circumstances? Well, that’s kind of the set up for the new Apple TV series Widow’s Bay, starring Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, mayor of a small island that needs to increase revenue to help bring things into the modern era. There’s a twist and a challenge, though, as the island is purported to be haunted, which prevents those born there from ever being able to le...

This year Star Trek turns 60. For decades, it has enthralled and entertained audiences. Part of that legacy is 13 feature films. Over the next few weeks, I'll be looking back on each of the feature films in the franchise, including where I place them in my personal rankings! Commander Spock : Each of us... at some time in our lives, turns to someone - a father, a brother, a God... and asks..."Why am I here? What was I meant to be?" Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Franchise Ranking : 11 Starring : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and Stephen Collins Director : Robert Wise About : The original series kicked off in 1966 and went off the air at the end of season 3 in June of 1969. A decade later, the cast returned on the big screen. By this point, we'd seen other science fiction adventures at the movies, including Star Wars. That made the environment rip for a return of Star Trek. This film ...

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 the re-birth of James Bond. James Bond : [to Vesper] Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it? Casino Royale Starring : Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen, and Eva Green Director : Martin Campbell About : The Bond franchise began in 1962. By the time Craig took over as Bond in 2006, the franchise had been going for 44 years and six other actors had played the role. This was something of a re-boot, coming four years after Brosnan's time ended. It captures Bond as he's just attaining 007 status, and it tells a very tense and engaging story. It dives into Casino Royale , which in the 1960s had been used as a parody with David Niven in the role. This is a different kind of film, setting up a different kind of James Bond universe. Craig kills it and I loved this film. It is ...

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. Bennett Marco : Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) Original List Position : 67 Starring : Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury, and Laurence Harvey Director: John Frankenheimer About : This is a political thriller with a solid cast and based on the famous book. It's been re-made and referenced a few times since. But it's the original that has most often sat with people. It was No. 67 on the original list, and falls in nearly the same spot for me, here. Ironically it didn't end up on the list when it was re-issued a decade later. It's hard ...

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. Ethan Edwards : Livin' with Comanches ain't bein' alive. The Searchers (1956) Original List Position : 96 Starring : John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, and Natalie Wood Director: John Ford About : This is a fascinating film. It's one of the signature entries from Wayne, and one of his classical Westerns. It also comes from the director Ford, who is revered. And yet, in the original listing, it nearly didn't make it. This is a film that is higher for me than where it landed on this original list. But when it came to re-doing the list a decade later, this film was ranked No. 12. That is an incredible jump up for the film, and probably refle...