Matt's Musings

"You can’t imagine believing in something bigger than you. We are at war, I’m a soldier." — Abu Nazir "No, you're a terrorist." — Carrie Matheson, "Homeland" Sunday night I got to watch "Homeland" live. It's one of the few shows that both my wife and I like, and more often than not I watch it the next day with her. But we were both up and awake, so we watched it together live on Sunday night. As a result of not watching it on the night it airs, most of the time I don't read the recaps or check the fan buzz about "Homeland" on Mondays. This week I did. And what I read surprised me. Most people had turned on the show, complaining about plot points, holes in logic, and the like. When I watched it Sunday, I had a different reaction. Sure, in the cold light of day we can talk about some of the absurd points of the show. Why didn't the CIA just listen to the recordings of Brody's calls? Why didn't Carrie tell her team ...

Here's a look at the new movies that I saw this week. One was great, one was confounding. Killing Them Softly Starring: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, and Ray Liota Synopsis: Andrew Dominik is an interesting director. I didn't love his last feature, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," but I was fascinated by it. There were great performances, some unique visuals, and an interesting storytelling style. Those things are still present in "Killing Them Softly," which again teams Dominik with Pitt, but the story is repugnant. And the political connection layered on top of it tends toward a distraction. I've read a few different takes on what point Dominik is trying to make about America, politics, and the fractured nature of our society. I can understand some of them, but I almost feel like that gives this film too much credit. This film seems to follow a familiar formula for the genre, but does it with ...

“The Dark Passenger has been with me ever since I can remember, pulling the strings, running the show. But, has it turns out, I’m not the puppet.” – Dexter Morgan, "Dexter" This has been one of the most interesting seasons of "Dexter" yet, primarily because it's sought to explore who Dexter Morgan is. His secret being revealed to the person closest to him — Deb — as well as the introduction of someone who accepts all facets of him — Hannah — has afforded more time for introspection. What is Dexter capable of? What is he responsible for? Can he control his urges, or do they control him? These are all the issues that have been vexing TV's most unconventional protagonist through 10 episodes, with Sunday's episode "The Dark...Whatever" bring him to a new place. I have long been fascinated — even during uneven seasons like the one last year — by the ways the show has tried to expand Dexter as a character. Last season he grappled with religion and th...

Sunday nights this fall have been wildly entertaining, incredibly thought provoking, and massively complicated. It feels like all the cable networks have loaded up some of their best stuff and fired it out there to be absorbed. I think Sunday, between four cable offerings, I got the fodder for what I'll write about the rest of the week. Two of those shows offered up finales — one a season finale and the other a mid-season finale — that followed a similar strand. It was about characters grappling with their desire to hold onto what used to be while still embracing what is. Boardwalk Empire A couple weeks ago I lampooned this show for its pace, lack of direction, and lack of anything compelling. Turns out I started to jump ship too soon. The final few weeks of the third season have redeemed what came before and left me in a position of hopefulness moving forward. That's because the show itself seems to be moving forward. After what felt like weeks of posturing, it seems the chara...

"The emotions of what has taken place will probably hit home for a few guys the next few days, when they realize what's taken place." — Brady Quinn, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback. I always look forward to Sundays in the fall, thanks in large part to football. There is nothing like the NFL. Inevitably a three and a half hour game comes down to the final two minutes. And the happenings of those two minutes are the fodder of blogs, radio call in shows, and office conversations for the next week. There is something magical about football. But it's just a game. It's not life. That's something that was all too clear yesterday. The Kansas City Chiefs won a game Sunday. They beat the visiting Carolina Panthers 27-21. It was big news — but not for the reason you'd think. The Chiefs haven't won much, that's true. Winning yesterday was the first home victory in seven tries this season, and only the second game in 12 where the Chiefs have emerged victorious. ...

"Treme," the latest series from "Wire" creator David Simon, wrapped up its third season last Sunday. The show was renewed by HBO for a fourth and final season, one that will be 4-5 episodes. Some might consider the show a failure in some ways. It has failed to reach the popular heights of other HBO shows, failed to generate the kind of intense fan interest of "The Wire," and failed to gain the kind of critical acclaim the network had hoped. But the question is whether that is a product of the show itself, or the false expectations of the audience. "Treme" was never going to be "The Wire" in terms of content and flow. They are different stories, different ideas, and different worlds. We, as the audience, need to accept that. And many have. But the question is whether it is effective in what it seeks to do. After much consideration, I believe it is. "Treme" bucks the typical trend in scripted TV — that each episode is an event, ...

Today was a reminder that some things are bigger than football. It's hard to imagine how the Kansas City Chiefs are going to play a game tomorrow morning, but I applaud them for their heart. Last week I was 9-7. I hope for more of the same this week as I inch toward .500. Saints +3.5 Over Falcons Jaguars +6.5 Over Bills Bears -4.5 Over Seahawks Colts +4.5 Over Lions Vikings +9.5 Over Packers Texans -5.5 Over Titans Panthers -3.5 Over Chiefs 49ers -7.5 Over Rams Patriots -7.5 Over Dolphins Jets -4.5 Over Cardinals Broncos -6.5 Over Buccaneers Browns +.5 Over Raiders Bengals -1.5 Over Chargers Ravens -6.5 Over Steelers Eagles +9.5 Over Cowboys Giants -2.5 Over Redskins This Week: 0-1 Last Week: 9-7 Overall: 86-90