Matt's Musings

  We’re in the midst of the big launch for the new Fall season on network, which dominates many of the series on the list below. In addition, we’re getting some streaming series—including some seasonal fare. All that can leave you wondering what’s worth your time. Let this weekly series be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: The Rookie: Feds, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC (Premiered September 27) About : The second entry in The Rookie franchise takes the action to the FBI, where Simone Clark (Niecy Nash) is a guidance counselor turned agent, joining at the same time as a former actor turned agent, Brendon (Kevin Zegers). The pilot was about Simone and Brendon joining the unit and setting up the characters. The second episode dove into the formula for the show, going through the case of the week and continuing to build out the characters. I thought The Rookie was f...

  Week 5 : Indianapolis Colts 12, Denver Broncos 9 Season Record : 2-3 (2-1 Home) Key Play : In overtime, facing Fourth and 1 inside the five yard line and trailing 12-9, the Broncos elected to go for it. Russell Wilson's pass to Courtland Sutton was broken up, ending the game. Recap : Thursday's game wasn't good. The Broncos' defense, as has been its practice, continued to shine. The team recorded six sacks and forced two turnovers. They held the Colts to nine points in regulation and 12 points total. And yet, the Broncos lost, again. This was the first home loss and it's a game the team should have won. The Broncos led 9-6 late in the game and were driving. But Wilson threw a second interception of his own, opening the door. A game that saw a number of injuries hurt the Broncos' defense, which surrendered the tying field goal, then gave up a field goal on the first drive of overtime. The team was gassed and missing players. The offense answered and could have ...

  Week 5 of the NFL Season is here, bringing with it some interesting matchups. Below are the ones I'm most excited for on the Sunday slate. Sunday Early Games: Detroit Lions (1-3) at New England Patriots (1-3) About: The Lions have the best offense in the NFL through four weeks but the defense has been one of the worst. That explains the Lions’ 1-3 start. On the flip side, the Patriots have struggled to keep a quarterback on the field. They’ve used three, and there’s a chance we see Bailey Zappe yet again. Can Bill Belichick keep the Lions’ offense in check? Can the Patriots score enough points to keep up? I’m actually curious to see what happens in this one. Sunday Late Games: Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2) About: This is two teams that want and need a win. After an opening week loss, the Cowboys are 3-0 with Cooper Rush under center. It’s possible Dak Prescott is back this week, but either way the Cowboys want to make it four-in-a-row to keep pace with the Ea...

  Welcome to this year's exploration of TV, the Best of the Small Screen. Throughout the year I'll be looking at my favorite shows in four categories: Network Sitcoms, Network Dramas, Cable Series and Streaming Series. We'll cap the exploration with my Top 10 shows of all time regardless of format. Check back each Saturday for another installment in the countdown! Freamon : All the pieces matter. The Wire (2002-2008) Starring: Dominic West, Clarke Peters, Andre Royo, Michael K. Williams, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Lance Reddick, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, and Jamie Hector Favorite Episodes : "The Wire," Episode 1.06; "The Cost," Episode 1.10; "The Hunt," Episode 1.11; "Sentencing," Episode 1.13; "Bad Dreams," Episode 2.11; "Port in a Storm," Episode 2.12; "Amsterdam," Episode 3.04; "Middle Ground," Episode 3.11; "Mission Accomplished," Episode 3.12; "Home Rooms," Episode 4.03;...

  In 2022 I'm revisiting my favorite films of all time, doing a countdown of the Top 50 throughout the year. Check back each Friday for the latest installment in the countdown of films, which include releases through 2019. Agree? Disagree? Have a thought on the choice? Be sure to share in the comments below! Neil McCauley : Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. Heat (1995) Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Judd, and Ted Levine Director : Michael Mann About : I have long been a fan of Michael Mann as a director. He's crafted some incredible and compelling films, from Manhunter and Last of the Mohicans to The Insider and Miami Vice . But his best film and my favorite is the 1995 crime epic Heat . The film is nearly three hours and chronicles the cat-and-mouse game between LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Pacino) and crew lea...

  Week 5 is here and it begins with the Broncos. Let's hope it also begins with a win for me. I went 9-7 in Week 4, which is better, but there's still work to be done. NFL Picks, Week 5 Broncos Over Colts Packers Over Giants Bills Over Steelers Chargers Over Browns Vikings Over Bears Lions Over Patriots Seahawks Over Saints Jets Over Dolphins Buccaneers Over Falcons Commanders Over Titans Jaguars Over Texans 49ers Over Panthers Cowboys Over Rams Eagles Over Cardinals Ravens Over Bengals Chiefs Over Raiders Last Week: 9-7 Season: 29-34 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5 Broncos -3.5 Over Colts Giants +7.5 Over Packers Bills -14.5 Over Steelers Chargers -3.5 Over Browns Bears +6.5 Over Vikings Lions +3.5 Over Patriots Seahawks +5.5 Over Saints Jets +3.5 Over Dolphins Falcons +7.5 Over Buccaneers Commanders +2.5 Over Titans Jaguars -7.5 Over Texans 49ers -4.5 Over Panthers Cowboys +4.5 Over Rams Eagles -5.5 Over Cardinals Bengals +3.5 Over Ravens Raiders +7.5 Over Chie...

  We’ve crossed from September to October and, unsurprisingly, the number of spooky season releases has increased. But the biggest horror I saw this week was a biopic about Marilyn Monroe. Check out all my reviews for the week below! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here . Blonde (Netflix) Starring: Ana de Armas, Bobby Canavale, Adrien Brody, and Julianne Nicholson Synopsis: Based on the novel from Joyce Carol Oates, director Andrew Dominik brings the story of Marilyn Monroe to life. In this instance, the star is played by de Armas and much of the film seeks to focus on the horrific physical, mental and sexual abuses heaped on Marilyn/Norma Jean throughout her life that contributed to her decision to take her own life. It’s a nearly three-hour biopic, one that got slapped with an NC-17 rating due to the graphic portrayals of sex and sexual violence. It’s hard to say what the ultimate point of the film is, but ...