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. Stella : Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence. Rear Window (1954) Original List Position : 42 Starring : Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Wendell Corey Director : Alfred Hitchcock About: This is another entry from Hitchcock. It's not the last one on this list, but it's pretty good. This is a classic that has been re-made a few times, but none quite capture what is done here with Stewart and Kelly. I really enjoy the look and the feel, and the way Hitchcock builds the tension here. This is the best of Stewart's roles in a Hitchcock film, too. It was No. 42 on the original list and slipped to No. 48 a decade lat...

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. Sam Spade: When a man's partner is killed, he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner and you're supposed to do something about it. And it happens we're in the detective business. Well, when one of your organization gets killed, it's-it's bad business to let the killer get away with it, bad all around, bad for every detective everywhere. The Maltese Falcon (1941) Original List Position : 23 Starring : Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Gladys George Director : John Huston About: This is a classic in the noir detective space. It landed at No. 23 on the original list...

 Week 8 of the NFL Season is here. I picked up my record in Week 7, let's stay hot in Week 8! NFL Picks, Week 8: Packers Over Panthers Bills Over Ravens Bengals Over Titans Cowboys Over Cardinals Lions Over Vikings Raiders Over Jets Steelers Over Browns Buccaneers Over Falcons Jaguars Over Colts Rams Over Chargers Broncos Over Chiefs Patriots Over Dolphins Commanders Over Eagles Seahawks Over Bears Last Week : 9-5 Season : 62-44 NFL Picks Spread, Week 8: Packers -3.5 Over Panthers Bills -3.5 Over Ravens Bengals -10.5 Over Titans Cowboys -6.5 Over Cardinals Lions -2.5 Over Vikings Raiders -1.5 Over Jets Browns +3.5 Over Steelers Buccaneers -2.5 Over Falcons Jaguars -7.5 Over Colts Chargers +6.5 Over Rams Broncos +1.5 Over Chiefs Patriots -6.5 Over Dolphins Eagles +3.5 Over Commanders Bears +3.5 Over Seahawks Last Week: 7-7 Season: 56-51

 It was another solid week at theaters with a diverse set of new releases. 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. Whalefall (Theaters) Starring: Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin Synopsis: There are things in our life that stick with us. Sometimes it’s for the good, and sometimes it’s events and relationships that haunt us. It can often take something big to break through and move on, to make peace with the past. Whalefall, which is based on the novel of the same name, is an extreme example of that. While its hook is a man trying to survive the unsurvivable, its core is about a meditation on grief, loss, and acceptance. That’s what makes it a powerful journey. Jay (Austin Abrams) is lost in his life. His father, Mitt (Josh Brolin), was a great diver but a hard man. He imparted both his knowledge and his hardness on his son. Now a year on from his death, Jay is still stuck with pai...

 We’re near the end of October and the rate of new shows is slowing as we hit the home stretch for the Fall. But you might be wondering 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: Phony, Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered October 20) About: This new show is an interesting high-concept series. It focuses on Sonny (Sam Nivola), who is a high school student living a happy life with his mother (Connie Britton), the high school principal. After a fight, Sonny is driving when he gets into an accident. When he wakes up from the accident, he sees his mother. Except she looks different and acts a little different. He begins to suspect she’s been replaced. But he’s practically the only one who sees or believes it. So, he sets out to find the truth. This series comes from Nick Paley and runs about 30 minutes an episode. T...

  Week 7 : Denver Broncos 30, Arizona Cardinals 16 Season Record: 5-2 (3-0 Home) Key Play:  In the first half, with the game tied at 6-6, Bo Nix broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run which gave the Broncos the lead. They never gave it up. Recap : This is probably the Broncos' best game of the season. That's an interesting thing to say, but it was nice to have the Broncos play well on defense, offense, and special teams. It's been a rough season for Nix, but he stepped up this week. He was back to running, which is encouraging, and his passing was better. The Broncos have a big game with the Kansas City Chiefs next week, and Jaylen Waddle and Zach Allen got injured late in this game. I hope that they are able to recover before next week, otherwise the Broncos could be seriously short-handed in a crucial game with Kansas City. The Broncos have had a tough schedule and haven't looked great despite a solid record. But it's nice to see this team maybe getting it togeth...

It's hard to believe, but 1991 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1991 that are turning 35 in 2026. Today, it's another classic comedy. George : Who presents this woman? This woman? But she's not a woman. She's just a kid. And she's leaving us. I realized at that moment that I was never going to come home again and see Annie at the top of the stairs. Never going to see her again at our breakfast table in her nightgown and socks. I suddenly realized what was happening. Annie was all grown up and was leaving us, and something inside began to hurt. Father of the Bride Starring : Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Director: Charles Shyer About: This is the third film from 1991 and it's the third straight comedy. As you can tell, we had some titans of the form at their best in 1991. We started with Billy Crystal and moved to Bill Murray last week. Now, it's on t...

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. Milly Stephenson : "We never had any trouble." How many times have I told you I hated you and believed it in my heart? How many times have you said you were sick and tired of me; that we were all washed up? How many times have we had to fall in love all over again? The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) Original List Position : 37 Starring: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, and Dana Andrews Director: William Wyler About: This is a tough watch at times. It's a long film made in the immediate aftermath of World War II that wants to look at the war's impact and the way the world has changed. It does that in an incredible and incredibly powerful way. It's...

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. Cosmo Brown: Lina. She can't act, she can't sing, she can't dance. A triple threat. Singin' in the Rain (1952) Original List Position : 10 Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds Director: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen About: When you think about musicals, Singin' in the Rain is the first one that comes to mind. The songs are iconic, as are the visuals and the moments. It's an incredibly popular film that has endured for generations. The film landed at No. 10 on the original list then moved up to No. 5 on the revised list. I don't have it quite as high, but I love the film and what it achieves as an iconic mus...

 I'm still going strong and remaining above .500 in both sets of picks. Let's keep it up! NFL Picks, Week 7: Bears Over Patriots Saints Over Steelers 49ers Over Falcons Browns Over Titans Vikings Over Colts Jets Over Dolphins Panthers Over Buccaneers Bengals Over Ravens Texans Over Giants Broncos Over Cardinals Lions Over Packers Rams Over Raiders Seahawks Over Chiefs Cowboys Over Eagles Last Week : 8-6 Season: 53-39 NFL Picks Spread, Week 7: Bears -2.5 Over Patriots Saints +3.5 Over Steelers 49ers -3.5 Over Falcons Browns -1.5 Over Titans Vikings -6.5 Over Colts Jets -4.5 Over Dolphins Panthers -3.5 Over Buccaneers Giants +9.5 Over Texans Bengals +2.5 Over Ravens Cardinals +4.5 Over Broncos Lions -2.5 Over Packers Raiders +4.5 Over Rams Seahawks -2.5 Over Cheifs Cowboys -4.5 Over Eagles Last Week : 7-7 Season : 49-44

 We got a fun, new documentary this week, as well as some streaming options. Below are my takes on the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Sacrifice (Netflix) Starring : Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans, and John Malkovich Synopsis: This new farse first debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival—in 2025. So, it was more than a year later it got wide distribution on Netflix. That seems odd for a film with a high-profile cast. But it’s a strange story. It centers on an environmental gathering for the wealthy some eco-terrorists break in and take hostages. It’s all part of a plan to make a sacrifice so that a volcano doesn’t erupt and kill the world. It’s a wild premise and it doesn’t turn out quite as well as I’d have hoped. There was potential here, and this is a watchable one, but it’s not as strong as it could be. Rating: Rated R for some bloody violence, and language including some sexual ref...

 We’re making our way through October, which has left us with plenty of new series to check out. But what of these new shows are worth fitting into your busy Fall schedule? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new shows this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: NCIS: New York, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS (Premiered October 6) About : This new spin on NCIS brings back Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) and pairs him with feisty New Yorker Nick Schaffer (Scott Caan) to solve crimes. It’s a simple enough set up with an expanded cast that includes Jennifer Beals, among others. If you’ve been a fan of other NCIS series, or just a good CBS crime drama, this is in your wheelhouse. It’s not anything new, but it’s pretty fun at times. The cases so far seem fairly entertaining, and it creates a solid block on Tuesdays. Pilot Grade : C+ Second Episode : C+ VisionQuest, Streaming Tuesdays on Disney+ (Premiered October 13) About: ...

  Week 6 : Denver Broncos 17,  Seattle Seahawks 14 Season Record : 4-2 (3-0 Home) Key Play : In overtime, with the score tied 14-14, Sam Darnold's pass was intercepted by Ja'Quan McMillian, ending the Seahawks' drive. That led to the game-winning field goal. Recap : It wasn't pretty but it was a win. It feels like that is what we say every week. And that's becoming a problem. Bo Nix is the best quarterback the Broncos have had since Peyton Manning. He's also become unwatchable. There are theories about the playcalling or him being injured. Whatever it is, there is a struggle. The offense looked OK in the first half, at least scoring 14 points to build an 11-point lead. But in the second half and overtime, it was painful to move the ball a single yard. The Broncos were shut out in the second half and were frankly lucky to win, again. If it was only against a good Seahawks team, you'd dismiss it. But that has been the case in all six games this season, and in ...

  It's hard to believe, but 1991 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1991 that are turning 35 in 2026. Today, it's a classic comedy. Bob Wiley : [speaking to workers in a mental hospital] It reminds me of my favorite poem, which is, "Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic... and so am I!" What About Bob? Starring: Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss Director: Frank Oz About: On the rewind I always try to capture classic films that are remembered from the year of release. But I don't always love the movies that are selected. That's the case with this comedy, which has never been one of my movies. But it is a classic, and it is a film that has really landed with many long-time Bill Murray fans. And I get it. The story is wild and the performances match. I think this is a quality film comedy and it's certainly one that has endured, whether it's a personal favorite or 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. Narrator : This was the story of Howard Beale: The first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings. Network (1976) Original List Position: 66 Starring: Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, William Holden, and Peter Finch Director: Sidney Lumet About: This is a classic film that challenges our conceptions in a lot of ways. As someone who is a fan of journalism films, this has long stood out. It's a fairly wild story with a great cast and some great performances. But it certainly makes you think, too. This was among the handful of films I had at the top of the heap for the decade of the 1970s, and it makes sense that it landed on this list. T...

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. Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi : In my experience, there's no such thing as luck. Star Wars (1977) Original List Position: 15 Starring : Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guinness Director: George Lucas About: There are films that make a long-term impact on the culture. Star Wars is that movie. It changed so much about cinema and remains a classic. I love the film and I love the franchise. It's amazing what Lucas was able to do and how he opened up film. It landed as No. 15 on the original list, moving up to No. 13 a decade later. It's not quite as high on my list, but it's still a movie I love and have seen many, many times.  

  Week 5 of the NFL Season was wild, for picks and results. Let's see if Week 6 is more predictable! NFL Picks, Week 6: Seahawks Over Broncos Jaguars Over Texans Bears Over Falcons Ravens Over Browns Colts Over Titans Patriots Over Jets Giants Over Saints Panthers Over Eagles Steelers Over Buccaneers Rams Over Cardinals Chiefs Over Chargers Bills Over Raiders Packers Over Cowboys 49ers Over Commanders Last Week : 8-6 Season : 45-33 NFL Picks Spread, Week 6 : Seahawks -2.5 Over Broncos Jaguars -2.5 Over Texans Bears -2.5 Over Browns Browns +4.5 Over Ravens Titans +6.5 Over Colts Patriots -7.5 Over Jets Giants +1.5 Over Saints Panthers +1.5 Over Eagles Steelers -2.5 Over Buccaneers Rams -12.5 Over Cardinals Chiefs -8.5 Over Chargers Bills -5.5 Over Raiders Packers -1.5 Over Cowboys 49ers -7.5 Over Commanders Last Week: 7-8 Season: 42-37

 We had some high-profile projects drop this week at the movies. Below is my take on the new films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Animals (Netflix) Starring: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, and Gillian Anderson Synopsis: This is a new drama for Netflix co-written, directed by, and starring Affleck. He’s an LA Mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. Except it wasn’t his son, it was another boy who was mistaken for his son. Now that boy is being held for ransom, forcing him to make some potentially costly decisions. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s essentially the plot of High and Low, a classic Akira Kurosawa film. That film was already re-made by Spike Lee and Denzel Washington last year. That re-make was OK but lacked the pop of the original. This one makes some changes to the basic plot and especially to the ending, and it’s another in a line of diminishing returns. Affleck is fine here as ...

 We’re into October and we’re getting the full-on flood of new shows, including the heart of the Network TV season. 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. Mondays: Private Eyes: West Coast, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 5) About : This new series is a spin-off of a previous series. The show retains the same leads—Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson—but moves from Toronto to Vancouver and changes the set up a bit. It some light, enjoyable entertainment. The cases are breezy and the rapport between the leads works well enough. If you were a fan of the original, or are a fan of Canadian dramedies, this will be for you. Pilot Grade : C+ Second Episode : C+ Tuesdays: NCIS: New York, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS (Premiered October 6) About: This is the latest in the NCIS universe, but it’s relying a ...

Week 5: Denver Broncos 23, Los Angeles Chargers 17 Season Record: 3-2 (2-0 Home) Key Play: In the fourth quarter, with time winding down and the Broncos leading 20-17, Justin Herbert threw and interception to Brandon Jones on fourth down. The play allowed the Broncos to milk the clock and kick a field goal to push the lead to six points. Recap: Sean Payton took over the playcalling because there was "meat left on the bone" with the offense. It didn't look like an improvement on Sunday. The team looked lost for most of the game, then used some Special Teams and defensive intensity to manage a comeback and a win. I'm not sure winning is the best thing for this team. Don't get me wrong, I like to win. But this team played badly. They look bad. And getting a win feels like a reward for bad behavior. That's not the kind of football that helps you get to and win in the playoffs. This team feels lost and the offense feels like a mess. A Thursday matchup with the Sea...

It's hard to believe, but 1991 was 35 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1991 that are turning 35 in 2026. Today, it's a classic comedy. Mitch Robbins : Value this time in your life kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have your choices, and it goes by so quickly. When you're a teenager you think you can do anything, and you do. Your twenties are a blur. Your thirties, you raise your family, you make a little money and you think to yourself, "What happened to my twenties?" Your forties, you grow a little pot belly you grow another chin. The music starts to get too loud and one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother. Your fifties you have a minor surgery. You'll call it a procedure, but it's a surgery. Your sixties you have a major surgery, the music is still loud but it doesn't matter because you can't hear it anyway. Seventies, you and the wife r...

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. Forrest Gump : My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Forrest Gump (1994) Original List Position : 71 Starring: Tom Hanks, Sally Field, and Robin Wright Director : Robert Zemeckis About: This was a big movie for me when I was in high school. I remember seeing it on the big screen. It was a sensation. It even altered the kind of projects we did in school. It will always hold a special place for me because I remember that experience. But as an adult, I appreciate the craft and storytelling. It's epic and crowd-pleasing. It was No. 71 on the original list, slipping to No. 76 a decade later....

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. Henry Hill : [Narrating] As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. Goodfellas (1990) Original List Position : 94 Starring : Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci Director : Martin Scorsese About : Scorsese has been a fixture on this list. We've seen him deliver masterpieces in different decades and genres. That's the case with Goodfellas, which is another of his signature films. It was No. 94 on the original list, moving to No. 92 just 10 years later. I have it significantly higher, and I have it as my highest of his films on this list. It's a very different kind of mafia movie than The Godfather , and yet it feels like the c...

 We've made it to Week 5 of the NFL Season. It was another mediocre week for me. Let's see if I can do better this week. NFL Picks, Week 5: Cowboys Over Buccaneers Jaguars Over Eagles Texans Over Titans Bengals Over Dolphins Patriots Over Raiders Vikings Over Saints Browns Over Jets Steelers Over Colts Giants Over Commanders Bears Over Packers Broncos Over Chargers Lions Over Cardinals Seahawks Over 49ers Falcons Over Ravens Rams Over Bills Last Week : 8-8 Season : 37-27 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5: Cowboys -9.5 Over Buccaneers Jaguars -6.5 Over Eagles Texans -6.5 Over Titans Bengals -6.5 Over Dolphins Raiders +3.5 Over Patriots Vikings -1.5 Over Saints Browns +2.5 Over Jets Steelers -2.5 Over Colts Giants +2.5 Over Commanders Bears -2.5 Over Packers Broncos -3.5 Over Chargers Lions -4.5 Over Cardinals Seahawks -2.5 Over 49ers Falcons +2.5 Over Ravens Rams -2.5 Over Bills Last Week : 10-6 Season : 35-29

 It’s another loaded week at the movies including two hotly anticipated releases. 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. Digger (Theaters) Starring: Tom Cruise, John Goodman, and Riz Ahmed Synopsis: There have been plenty of films where the performance of the star overshadowed the film itself. That almost seems to be the plan with Digger, which built all of its first marketing campaigns around star Cruise, and his history on the silver screen. And it turns out that is for good reason. The film comes from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who has delivered some challenging and unique films in the past. This film fits that mold well and may well be the starring vehicle needed to propel its star into the Oscar conversation. The film defies description in some ways. It focuses on Digger Rockwell (Cruise), an oil tycoon whose empire is built on mining in the far reaches of the globe. But that...

 We’re into October and the thrust of the Network Fall premiers are upon us. That combined with everything else leaves a flood of new viewing options. So, which new series are worth your time? 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: Private Eyes: West Coast, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 5) About : In recent years, The CW has shifted the bulk of its original programming to international series, most often from Canada. That’s the case with this new detective series, part of a Canadian-themed Monday night. And this one is itself a spin-off. The Original series was set in Toronto and kicked off in 2016, running five seasons. Now, a few years later, the stars Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson are back, dealing with being new parents and trying to get back in the game now on the West Coast of Canada in Vancouver. All of it is a little harmless fu...