Matt's Musings

 The final weekend of September was full of some great movie 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. Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! (Theaters) Starring: Rinko Kikuchi Synopsis: Dance can open people up. We watch dance performances and series about those learning and performing dance because we enjoy the spectacle, but more importantly we enjoy the stories. There is something powerful about moving your body and using it to work through your grief, pain, or joy. I am a lover of Dancing With the Stars, and a few years ago I bought ballroom dance lessons for my wife. It ended up being one of our favorite activities for years, as we could forget the world and just get out there and dance. The new film, Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty is about that powerful world of dance. In the film we meet Ha-Chan (Kikuchi), who is living a happy life with her husband and dance partner Lu...

 We’re nearly through September. The network season is heating up with a lot of Fall premiers coming this week and next week. That leaves with you with plenty of options for what to watch, but you might be wondering what’s actually 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 Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: In the Line of Fire, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered September 21) About : This new series stars Peter Krause and Hope Davis, among others, as a family of law enforcement officers spread across multiple agencies. They represent the FBI, Justice Department, US Marshals, and Secret Service. And now, they’re part of a targeted campaign that just might have ties directly to their family. In the second episode, it becomes a bit more clear that the ongoing story will bubble in the background while we have some cases of the week, often pitting the family against ...

Week 3: Denver Broncos 30, Los Angeles Rams 26 Season Record: 2-1 (2-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with the Rams leading 26-23, Bo Nix took the ball in from inches out with less than a minute left to give the Broncos a lead. Recap: Will the real Denver Broncos please step up? I don't know that we've seen the real team, and we certainly haven't seen a consistent game. Though the Broncos came back to beat the Jaguars and the Rams in back-to-back weeks, it's been ugly. Still, a 30-point explosion in the second half is encouraging. Now, if the Broncos can keep it up on the road in San Francisco, that will be something to celebrate. With the Raiders and Chiefs already at 3-0, the AFC West won't be a cake walk, and neither will the rest of the league. It's a strong start, but there is work yet to be done! Game Balls: * Pat Bryant. The second-year receiver had a big touchdown and a big two-point conversion Sunday. * Talanoa Hufanga. A pair of intercept...

 October is here, bringing with it a host of interesting and seasonal releases. Below is the new films coming this October. Friday, October 2: * Verity (Theaters): This is the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, but it's not what you're thinking. This is more of a horror story with Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. Consider me intrigued. *Digger (Theaters): A big starring vehicle for Tom Cruise with a loaded cast. It's hard to get a read on the film which will either be a masterpiece or an epic disaster. Either way, it will be unique! *Beware Boiuna (Theaters): This is a big horror movie centered on a big snake. It looks sufficiently creepy. *Rolling Loud: The Movie (Theaters): Owen Wilson tries to be the cool dad and take his son to a music festival only for things to spiral out of control. Looks like it could be some funny counter-programming. *The Last First: Winter K2 (Apple TV): This new documentary debuted at Sundance. Now it's getting a streaming release for A...

It's hard to believe, but 1996 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1996 that are turning 30 in 2026. Today, it's a horror classic. Ghostface : What's your favorite scary movie? Scream Starring : Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, and Matthew Lillard Director: Wes Craven About: This is a classic. It's also an important film in cinema history. Laugh all you want, but Scream redefined the modern slasher and became the cornerstone of a movement of films that persists to this day. It's a franchise that is seven films strong and still going. That's an impressive history. This is the first of those films and still the best. It was wildly creative, and the use of Drew Barrymore changed expectations for this type of film. If you haven't seen it, this is a great one to check out for spooky season!

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. Walsh: Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown. Chinatown (1974) Original List Position: 19 Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston Director: Roman Polanski About: This is a complicated film. The story is great. The performances are great. The sequences, many of them, are iconic. But it is somewhat hard to think about the Polanski of it all. This is one of his iconic early films, and remains wildly popular. It was No. 19 on the original list and listed at No. 21 on the follow up list. It isn't much lower than that for me, and was certainly one of the films I pointed to in my look at films from the 1970s. I enjoy Nicholson here in a part that...

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. Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle : All right, Popeye's here! Get your hands on your heads, get off the bar, and get on the wall! The French Connection (1971) Original List Position : 70 Starring : Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider Director: William Friedkin About : There is no one like Popeye Doyle. Hackman brings the character to life in an iconic way, and Friedkin brings the story to life with flair. There are some great action sequences here. The story is gritty and might not be for everyone, but if you followed my look at 1970s films, you'll know this is one that speaks to me. Does the film hold up? I still enjoy it quite a bit. It did slip to No. 93 on the u...

It's Week 3 of the NFL Season and so far I've been steady with my picks. Let's see if that remains the case this week. NFL Picks, Week 3: Packers Over Falcons Bills Over Chargers Panthers Over Browns Lions Over Jets Texans Over Colts Chiefs Over Dolphins Giants Over Titans Bengals Over Steelers Seahawks Over Commanders Jaguars Over Patriots 49ers Over Cardinals Buccaneers Over Vikings Cowboys Over Ravens Saints Over Raiders Broncos Over Rams Eagles Over Bears Last Week : 11-5 Season : 22-5 NFL Picks Spread, Week 3 : Falcons +6.5 Over Packers Bills -7.5 Over Chargers Panthers -2.5 Over Browns Lions -6.5 Over Jets Texans -2.5 Over Colts Chiefs -11.5 Over Dolphins Titans +3.5 Over Giants Bengals -3.5 Over Steelers Seahawks -6.5 Over Commanders Jaguars -2.5 Over Patriots 49ers -8.5 Over Cardinals Buccaneers +1.5 Over Vikings Cowboys +2.5 Over Ravens Raiders +3.5 Over Saints Broncos +2.5 Over Rams Eagles -2.5 Over Bears Last Week : 9-7 Season : 18-14

 It was a busy weekend for new movies, with a couple rising above the crowd. Below is my take on this week’s new movies. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Resident Evil (Theaters) Starring: Austin Abrams Synopsis: For decades, people have been drawn to Raccoon City and the antics of the Umbrella Corporation. The world of Resident Evil has been the basis for countless games and at least seven films in the past. It’s been a popular and bankable brand. And now it’s getting another iteration. It’s fair to say this new take—from director Zach Cregger—is unlike anything that’s come before. And it turns out that’s a very good thing. The new film follows Bryan (Abrams), a medical courier who is having a rough night. He’s in a fight, of sorts, with his girlfriend. She presented him with some big news, and he didn’t respond well. But he’s trying to focus on work. After making a delivery he’s offered a chance to make another to Racco...

 It’s mid-September, and we’re getting a flood of new shows. The Network season is beginning and we’re starting to get all kinds of options on a weekly schedule and in streaming drops. But 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 series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Line of Fire, Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered September 21) About: This new series is about a family of law enforcement professionals embroiled in a big case. It’s the latest Monday night drama for NBC, coming behind The Voice , which is a swell lead-in. The series follows a family of law enforcement agents stretching across the US Marshals Service, FBI, Secret Service, and Department of Justice. The series features Peter Krause and Hope Davis, among others. It's clear all of them, despite being in different agencies, are going to be pulled together on the same case. Th...

Week 2 : Denver Broncos 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 13 Season Record : 1-1 (1-0 Home) Key Play : As the Third Quarter was ending, and the Jaguars led 13-6, Trevor Lawrence fired deep for Parker Washington and was intercepted by Riley Moss. It got the Broncos going and led to their first win. Recap : It makes sense that, on Tim Tebow day, the Broncos would need some Fourth Quarter magic to get a win. The offense looked terrible early, but it found its way. And the defense made the big plays that they needed to get things back on track. It wasn't a complete victory, but it was a win. And with a tough schedule coming it is important to get a win. The defense looked solid and it was great to get Jaylen Waddle going, finally. It's a positive step and I can't wait to see what happens next. Game Balls: * Jaylen Waddle . After a rough Week 1, he had eight receptions for 138 yards. * Jonah Coleman . The rookie had a solid rushing day, the go-ahead touchdown, and some receptions. * Rile...

It's hard to believe, but 1996 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1996 that are turning 30 in 2026. Today, it's a Robert Rodriguez joint. Seth: Peachy, Kate. The world's my oyster, except for the fact that I just rammed a wooden stake in my brother's heart because he turned into a vampire, even though I don't believe in vampires. Aside from that unfortunate business, everything's hunky-dory. From Dusk Till Dawn Starring : George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Selma Hayek, and Harvey Keitel Director: Robert Rodriguez About: We're closing in on October and smack in the middle of spooky season. That makes it a great time to talk about this one, which plays as more of an action film but is definitely a lot of fun. It's hard to believe this one is 30 years old. It's a great cast, led by Clooney. Tarantino gives a fun supporting performance. There is good action and this is rea...

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. Scottie: One final thing I have to do... and then I'll be free of the past. Vertigo (1958) Original List Position: 61 Starring: James Stewart and Kim Novak Director: Alfred Hitchcock About: This is one of Hitchcock's classic films, and one of a few iconic ones featuring Stewart. Hitchcock is a director that makes a number of appearances on this list. This film came in at No. 61 in the original list, jumping up to No. 9 a decade later. That speaks to the enduring power of this and a few other of Hitchcock's films. This is well worth seeking out and one I quite enjoy.

  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. Travis Bickle : You're only as healthy as you feel. Taxi Driver (1976) Original List Position : 47 Starring : Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster Director : Martin Scorsese About : Just a last week we talked about Scorsese in a classic film led by De Niro. This week, we are at it again with another iconic film. Ironically this one sits at 47 on the original list and slipped to 64 on the revised list. I actually have it a bit higher than Raging Bull . The performance is, again, spot on. It's a very difficult story and I can understand it's not as comfortable a watch. But I think that is, in part, what makes it a more iconic film. Either way, it's a cl...

  I had a solid start to the season in Week 1, finishing above .500 in both sets of picks. Let's keep it going! Here's my Week 2 selections. NFL Picks, Week 2: Bills Over Lions Panthers Over Falcons Bears Over Vikings Eagles Over Titans Patriots Over Steelers Packers Over Jets Buccaneers Over Browns Ravens Over Saints Texans Over Bengals Broncos Over Jaguars Chargers Over Raiders Cowboys Over Commanders Seahawks Over Cardinals 49ers Over Dolphins Chiefs Over Colts Rams Over Giants Last Week : 11-5 NFL Picks, Spread Week 2: Bills -4.5 Over Lions Panthers -2.5 Over Falcons Bears -5.5 Over Vikings Titans +6.5 Over Eagles Steelers +5.5 Over Patriots Jets +4.5 Over Packers Buccaneers -8.5 Over Browns Saints +8.5 Over Ravens Texans -2.5 Over Bengals Broncos -2.5 Over Jaguars Raiders +6.5 Over Chargers Commanders +3.5 Over Cowboys Cardinals +4.5 Over Seahawks 49ers -12.5 Over Dolphins Chiefs -6.5 Over Colts Rams -6.5 Over Giants Last Week : 9-7

 It’s the second weekend in September and we again have a variety of theatrical releases, but what of them are worth checking out? 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. The Fix (Theaters) Starring: Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi Synopsis: Combat leaves a scar on everyone. Sometimes the wounds are physical. Often, the wounds experienced in combat run deeper. You can’t see them, but they dig at those who’ve returned day after day. And it can drive them to make sweeping changes when returning. It’s those tough wounds that stick with people the longest. That’s at the heart of The Fix, a new drama that opens on Friday. It follows a group of CIA soldiers who, after things fell apart in Afghanistan, carry plenty of wounds back to their everyday lives. They look fit on the outside, but they carry the scars of their actions and of what might have been with them all the time. In the film...

 We’re past Labor Day, and now we’re past the Emmys. The Fall TV onslaught is coming. We’re not quite there yet, though we did get a crop of new shows to kickstart September. 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 shows this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: The Drop: A Snowfall Saga, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX (Premiered September 8) About: This new series is a spin-off of Snowfall, the successful series set in 1980s Los Angeles and focused on the drug trade. That series ran for six seasons and now has a spin-off that moves the action to the early 1990s and focuses on the burgeoning gangster rap movement. It locks on to two characters from the original series—Leon (Isaiah John) and Wanda (Gail Bean)—who are trying to navigate a changing world. Wanda, in particular, is trying to ply her hustle toward making it as a producer in the rap game....

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs 31, Denver Broncos 10 Season Record: 0-1 (0-0 Home) Key Play: In the Third Quarter, with the Chiefs leading 14-7, Kenneth Walker broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run. It put the Chiefs up 21-7, and they never looked back. Recap: Woof. You wait for months for the NFL Season to start, and with a team like the Broncos you have some high hopes and expectations. Then the game comes and it's an absolute slog. That was the case with this opener, where the team looked flat and faltered in every phase. The defense was dreadful, allowing Walker to accumulate nearly 200 total yards by himself. That's bad. Patrick Mahomes looked good and the Broncos' pass rush could not make a dent. The offense was also poor, unable to connect with Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. I did not think we saw much of a dynamic approach from Davis Webb, the new Offensive Coordinator. So, hopefully there is no where to go but up from here. Game Balls: * Evan Engram and Pat Br...

  It's hard to believe, but 1996 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1996 that are turning 30 in 2026. Today, it's my favorite film of all time. Lucien Wilbanks : If you win this case, justice will prevail, and if you lose, justice will also prevail. Now that is a strange case. A Time to Kill Starring : Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland Director : Joel Schumacher About: No one has a stranger filmography in the 1990s than Schumacher. There are some true, all-time bombs. But then there's some solid films. This one, his second crack at a John Grisham adaptation, is my favorite film of all time. Full stop. In the 30 years since it's been released, I have probably seen it 25-30 times. It's a great legal thriller and a great moral drama. It's a courtroom film in the tradition of To Kill a Mockingbird, and I don't say that lightly. I love the per...

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. Charlie : It's a great thing to have a lady aboard with clean habits. It sets the man a good example. A man alone, he gets to living like a hog. The African Queen (1951) Original List Position : 17 Starring : Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn Director: John Huston About: Another classic film, this one a great back-and-forth between two talented actors. This comes from the great John Huston, too. This is a classic film that still resonates. Interestingly it was at No. 17 on the original list, which is a bit higher than where I have it. But it slipped all the way to No. 65 just 10 years later. I think it still holds more sway than that, if for nothing more...

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. Jake La Motta : I remember those cheers / They still ring in my ears / After years, they remain in my thoughts. / Go to one night / I took off my robe, and what'd I do? I forgot to wear shorts. / I recall every fall / Every hook, every jab / The worst way a guy can get rid of his flab. / As you know, my life wasn't drab. / Though I'd much... Though I'd rather hear you cheer / When you delve... Though I'd rather hear you cheer / When I delve into Shakespeare / "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse", I haven't had a winner in six months. Raging Bull (1980) Original List Position : 24 Starring : Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci Direc...

 The 2026 NFL Season is here, so it's time for my weekly picks. I'll make picks each week for winners and against the spread. Let's dive into Week 1. NFL Picks, Week 1: Seahawks Over Patriots Rams Over 49ers Bengals Over Buccaneers Lions Over Saints Jets Over Titans Colts Over Ravens Steelers Over Falcons Bears Over Panthers Jaguars Over Browns Bills Over Texans Raiders Over Dolphins Vikings Over Packers Eagles Over Commanders Chargers Over Cardinals Cowboys Over Giants Broncos Over Chiefs NFL Picks Spread, Week 1: Seahawks -3.5 Over Patriots Rams -2.5 Over 49ers Buccaneers +3.5 Over Bengals Saints +7.5 Over Lions Jets +3.5 Over Titans Colts +3.5 Over Ravens Steelers -3.5 Over Falcons Bears -2.5 Over Panthers Browns +7.5 Over Jaguars Bills -1.5 Over Texans Raiders -3.5 Over Dolphins Vikings +1.5 Over Packers Commanders +5.5 Over Eagles Cardinals +11.5 Over Chargers Cowboys -2.5 Over Giants Broncos +2.5 Over Chiefs

 Labor Day presented another packed weekend at the movies. If you’re looking for an option, there’s something for everyone at the theaters. Below is my take on the new release options this weekend. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. By Any Means (Theaters) Starring : Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg Synopsis : This new drama is based on a true story, taking the action back to the 1960s in Mississippi when change and progress came slowly. We focus on an FBI Agent, Wayne Strider (Abdul-Mateen), who is trying to make change. But that’s not easy in a place where he is viewed by many as lesser because of the color of his skin. When a friend is murdered, he takes it personally. When he’s offered a chance to work on a special task force, he jumps at the chance. But it turns out this special opportunity is to pair with an enforcer for the Mob (Wahlberg) who is brought to Mississippi to use extra-legal methods. Can they manage ...