Matt's Musings

  Throughout 2023 I'm looking at my favorite films from the decade of the 1970s. I'll be counting down from 50 to 1 throughout the year, posting a new installment each Friday. Agree? Disagree? Want to share a story? Post it in the comments below! Kilgore : Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Apocalypse Now (1979) Starring: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Harrison Ford, and Laurence Fishburne Director: Francis Ford Coppola About: The 1970s was a huge decade for Francis Ford Coppola. We'll see plenty more of his films in the coming weeks, but here we start with a classic film that is somewhat polarizing for audiences. This film is set during Vietnam, but is also an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's famous novel The Heart of Darkness . It's got a stellar cast, reuniting Coppola with Brando, who won an Oscar for their collaboration seven years earlier. I am moved by the performances here, and the...

  “Yes, you’re a mess.” — Coach Beard When last we left Richmond, the team was on a big win streak. Most of that was thanks to the arrival of Zava (Maximilian Osinski). In addition, many of our heroes were facing big life decisions. But both the win streak and the pressing personal matters are on hold this week because Richmond is facing West Ham. It’s the first battle between the teams on the season, meaning Richmond will have to face both Rupert (Anthony Head) and Nate (Nick Mohammed). And everyone is on edge. Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) wants to win. So do Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), though they are panicked about strategy. Even Nate seems to be fretting about the game. We haven’t seen him since the pilot. He’s still doing well as coach but he’s nervous to see Ted (Jason Sudeikis) after the way he left. Rupert expresses his confidence, but Nate seems to wonder what will happen. Nate is a big deal at West Ham, and as he returns to the restaurant where he...

  We’ve made it through March and into April, and there are a few films I saw this weekend. Some was playing catchup, and some was a look ahead, including a film opening this week. My thoughts on these new films are below!  John Wick, Chapter 4 (Theaters) Starring: Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgard, Ian McShane, Clancy Brown, Lance Reddick, and Laurence Fishburne Synopsis: This is the fourth and rumored final installment. Though, with the success of the film, there’s already talk of how the franchise can continue. It’s also the longest of the films, running nearly three hours with rumors the original cut was nearly four hours. By now, we’re familiar with this world. What started as a simple premise in the first film has morphed into something different, a film with lavish and long action sequences connected by the thinnest of plot tissue. Chad Stahelski has directed all four films in the franchise, which find Reeves’ titular hitman battling a bevy of assassins. This one is no dif...

  March is in the rearview mirror, but the new shows are still coming. When you’re trying to decide what to dive into and devote your time to, it can be tricky to navigate the wave of new content. Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Digman!, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central (Premiered March 22) About : This adult animated series stars Andy Samberg as Rip Digman, a washed up archeologist trying to re-boot his career. It starts as something of a spoof of Indiana Jones, a character that’s even name-checked in the pilot, but now it’s about developing these characters and this world. Your interest in that journey will largely depend on how you feel about the format and the type of stories the series is trying to tell. I thought the pilot was a little droll and the second episode was more of the same. The style of humor is for a specific...

  The NFL Draft is just over a month away, and when it arrives it will change the fortunes for many teams and fantasy players. In the run up to the draft, I'm looking at my current dynasty rankings. Below is my Top 25 at tight end as of now. 1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs . Kelce remains the best right now, and one of the best of all time. 2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens . Still a very talented player in a good position, though it's fair to wonder what's happening at quarterback. 3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers. He has competition for targets and injury concerns, but his ceiling has him here for me. 4. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings . Hockenson is a talented player in a great situation in Minnesota. 5. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers . Friermuth has been a great producer the past two seasons, and that figures to continue as he's a lynchpin of the Steelers young offensive core. 6. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons . I love the talent and potential but he h...

  The NFL Draft is just over a month away, and when it arrives it will change the fortunes for many teams and fantasy players. In the run up to the draft, I'm looking at my current dynasty rankings. Below is my Top 25 at Wide Receiver as of now. 1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings . Jefferson has put up elite numbers and should continue in the Vikings' offense. 2. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals . Chase is an incredible talent. Little separates him and Jefferson for me. 3. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins . Hill is an explosive performer and a great fit with the Dolphins. 4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys . I love Lamb and his potential to explode with the Cowboys this season. 5. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles . Brown turned out to be a great fit for the Eagles' high-powered offense. 6. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams . Kupp is a great talent who has been prolific for the Rams. He's aging as is the offense around him, so I dropped him a bit. 7. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolp...

  Throughout 2023 I'll be sharing my favorite Superhero Films each Saturday, counting down from 50 to 1. Check back each week throughout the year for the next installment. Agree? Disagree? What to share a favorite? Post it in the comments. The Beast: [beckoning from the darkness] We are glorious! We will no longer be afraid. Only through pain can you achieve your greatness! The impure are the untouched, the unburned, the unslain. Those who have not been torn have no value in themselves and no place in this world! Split (2016) Starring : James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy Director : M. Night Shymalan About : This is probably a controversial pick on this list. Not everyone would see it as a superhero film and not everyone appreciates it. I'm aware that some feel it's unkind to those suffering from the type of mental illness it tries to portray here. I won't speak to that. All I'll say is this movie was a surprise for me. By the time it released, I wasn't as hyped f...