Matt's Musings

Week 14 : Broncos 38, Houston Texans 24 Season Record : 5-8 (3-3 Home) Key Play : In the first half, trailing 24-3, the Texans faced a fourth and 1 with two minutes left deep in their own territory. Deshaun Watson dropped back, but Shelby Harris batted the pass attempt to force a turnover on downs. The Broncos went down to score just before the half, to lead 31-3, then scored on the first possession of the second half to take a 38-3 lead. Recap : Wow. That's really the best description that can be offered for what happened yesterday. Drew Lock showed no regression in his second start, in fact he exploded for more than 300 yards and three TDs. He did have a minor stumble in an interception late, but he's a rookie and he was trying to make a play. He'll learn from it. Meanwhile, the Broncos' defense was stout, and the offense looked explosive. The Broncos won a huge game and are really powering through a late season resurgence that offers plenty of excitement and hop...

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens on December 20. It is meant to be an end to the saga we've known for more than 40 years, and that includes 10 previous movies (eight in series and two stand alone tales in the world). In the run up to that release, I'll be revisiting all 10 of the released Star Wars films and sharing thoughts as we prepare for the final chapter. Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, and Ian McDiarmid Synopsis: The last of the original trilogy. Which now is the middle trilogy. Ah, how times have changed. This is a film that I've probably had the biggest swing on in my life. There was a time when I was young that this was my favorite "Star Wars" film. I loved the Ewoks. I loved the battles. And I loved the big ending. And I still love those things. I also like a lot of the other subtle things, too. But I am more able to recognize some of ...

It's Week 14 and last week I had a strong outing to pull ahead by a pick. But there are still four weeks left, so anything can happen. Lindsay's picks are in brackets. NFL Picks, Week 14: Cowboys Over Bears (Cowboys) Panthers Over Falcons (Panthers) Bills Over Ravens (Bills) Browns Over Bengals (Browns) Texans Over Broncos (Texans) Vikings Over Lions (Vikings) Packers Over Redskins (Packers) Buccaneers Over Colts (Buccaneers) Jets Over Dolphins (Jets) Saints Over 49ers (49ers) Jaguars Over Chargers (Jaguars) Titans Over Raiders (Raiders) Patriots Over Chiefs (Patriots) Steelers Over Cardinals (Steelers) Seahawks Over Rams (Seahawks) Eagles Over Giants (Eagles) Last Week : 11–5 Lindsay : 7-9 Season: 113–79 Lindsay: 112-80 NFL Picks Spread, Week 14: Cowboys -2.5 Over Bears Panthers -2.5 Over Falcons Bills +5.5 Over Ravens Bengals +8.5 Over Browns Broncos +9.5 Over Texans Lions +13.5 Over Vikings Packers -12.5 Over Reskins Buccaneers -2.5 Over Colts Miami + 5.5 Over J...

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens on December 20. It is meant to be an end to the saga we've known for more than 40 years, and that includes 10 previous movies (eight in series and two stand alone tales in the world). In the run up to that release, I'll be revisiting all 10 of the released Star Wars films and sharing thoughts as we prepare for the final chapter. Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and Frank Oz Synopsis : And in this revisiting, we finally arrive at perhaps the most universally beloved installment of them all. This follow up to the original, the second film released but now that seventh film in the timeline, is a classic. For many years, this was my favorite "Star Wars" film, and for good reason. It has a great story, some great performances and so many iconic scenes. To this day, whenever we go through a serious cold snap, I talk about living on the Ho...

Well, that didn’t go as planned. Last week marked the end of the Fall Season for Fantasy Movie League, and I hoped to reverse the fortunes that had led to a late-season swoon. For that, I looked to the hottest movie out there —  Frozen 2 . I banked on Thanksgiving weekend leaving families stir crazy, and booked Frozen 2 on two screens, adding A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and a steady dose of Last Christmas . Instead the Best Value was Queen & Slim , which was priced just right to sit on eight screens. That left me limping to the finish $30 million off the pace. But this week begins a new season, and a new shot at glory. But it doesn’t bring a lot of new options at the Box Office. While there are two new wide releases, it’s still Frozen 2 ’s world. So where is the value? Let’s hope the Winter Season starts off strong. As always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encourage you to join me in a Fantasy Life App Blog league! You can join the league he...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Dolemite is My Name Starring: Eddie Murphy, Keegan Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Titus Burgess, Wesley Snipes, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph Synopsis: Rudy Ray Moore was a comedian that fought for everything he got. He found a hook and created an act for himself. When he couldn't get any traction to star in a movie and widen his audience, he found a way to fund his own. And while that movie wasn't great, it resonated with audiences, as Rudy's comedy had, giving him a strong cult following and a career. Murphy pays tribute to Rudy Ray Moore, and his alter-ego Dolemite, with this new biopic on Netflix. It boasts a strong cast and a great performance from Murphy in the lead. Rudy Ray Moore had a unique style that was profane, wild and unexpected, and all those things come to life in this film. But it's the story of his struggle and his dedication to his friends and his craft that makes this biopic most end...

We're past Thanksgiving and into December. The networks are giving over to re-runs and holiday specials, but the streaming sites are still getting their last few hits out to close 2019. And I'm here to be your guide. In these weekly posts I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Streaming Series: Merry Happy Whatever, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered November 28) About: Once you hit Thanksgiving, it's all about Christmas. And Netflix has already been pouring through original Christmas films, but now they're adding a series. "Merry Happy Whatever" is about a couple (Bridgit Mendler and Brent Morin) head from Los Angeles, where they live and are coupled up, for a visit with her family in Philadelphia over the holidays. For Matt (Morin), it's a chance to try and take things to the next level and propose marriage. But that won't come easy with her father, a...