Matt's Musings

  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. Henri Ducard : Your compassion is a weakness your enemies will not share. Bruce Wayne : That's why it's so important. It separates us from them. Batman Begins (2005) Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Katie Holmes Director: Christopher Nolan About: I've mentioned before that Batman has always been my favorite superhero. That's in part why so many films about or featuring Batman are on this list. Nolan is one of my favorite filmmakers. When I found out he was tackling Batman, bringing the hero to life in a more grounded series of films, I was thrilled. Batman Begins , the first of those films, did not disappoint. Bale is solid in the role and the world that Nolan builds is beau...

  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! Norma Rae Webster : Forget it! I'm stayin' right where I am. It's gonna take you and the police department and the fire department and the National Guard to get me outta here! Norma Rae (1979) Starring : Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Ron Liebman, and Pat Hingle Director : Martin Ritt About: This is another film that is powerful and impactful. Field won the Academy Award for her work in the film, and it's one of her best and most iconic performances. She plays a mother who is working in a factory. When a rep comes to get it to unionize, she takes up the cause, despite the unrelenting pressure from management, co-workers and the community. It's an inspiring tale and Field is great in the role. She carries much of the fi...

  So far, the 2023 Denver Broncos training camp experience has been known for two things: coach beef between Sean Payton and Nathaniel Hackett and devastating injuries. Neither of those things are what we Broncos fans are looking for. As we cruise through camp and head to the pre-season, here's a couple things I'm hoping to see. 1. Cleaner play . Penalties, missed assignments and confusion were hallmarks of the 2022 Broncos season. A sign of progress will be a much different approach. 2. A healthy Javonte Williams . I love Williams and his potential. He's not on the PUP list, which is encouraging, so I'm hoping we see him ready to soar. 3. An improved Russell Wilson . The final two games of 2022 gave a strong impression that coaching played a major role in Wilson's implosion to start the season. I'm hoping to see the franchise player the Broncos traded a boatload to get this season. 4. An improved pass rus h. The Broncos spent a lot of money on Randy Gregory las...

  We’re through July and heading toward August. The summer blockbuster season is winding down, so now it’s all about finding some diamonds in the rough. Here’s a look at all the films I saw this week. If you want to keep up with me, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Beanie Bubble (Apple TV+) Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Geraldine Viswanathan, Sarah Snook, and Zach Galifianakis Synopsis: Back in the 1990s, Beanie Babies were everywhere. And Beanie Baby fever was alive and well. The latest film from Apple TV+ looks at the craze, but moreso three women who were integral to the Beanie Baby revolution. In the film we meet Robbie (Banks), who in the 1980s is trapped in a loveless marriage and a dead-end job when she meets Ty Warner (Galifianakis). Together, they launch a toy company—Ty—that erupts in long-term success. Next, in the 1990s, we meet a pair of women who were integral to the Beanie Babies. First is Maya (Viswanathan), who starts as a college student and a part-time...

  We’re flying into August and we’re in the midst of a writers’ and actors’ strike. As you might expect, the waves of new content have slowed. But you might have more time than ever to check out shows. So, which are worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Mondays: Son of a Crich, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered July 24) About : The CW is changing up its game plan, and not just due to the strike. A big piece of the plan is bringing in series from elsewhere. That’s the case with this comedy, which is set in Newfoundland in 1986. It features an older narrator sharing the POV of his childhood experiences in the 1980s. If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve had plenty of other shows like this. And we’ve seen this concept tackled better. The presence of Malcolm McDowell here as the wise grandpa is just puzzling. I watched the first ...

  We've made it to August, which is largely regarded as the end of summer. We will see some final summer-like features coming this month. Below is a look at what to expect! Wednesday, August 2: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (Theaters): This new take on the Turtles is an animated film from Seth Rogen, among others. The trailers look fun and this is a subject that feels ripe for a re-boot. I'm intrigued. Friday, August 4: The Meg 2: The Trench (Theaters): It wouldn't be summer without a big creature feature. Here, we get a sequel to The Meg, returning Jason Statham to a battle with some killer sharks. I'm all in. Shortcomings (Theaters): This romantic comedy from director Randall Park debuted at Sundance. It's a bittersweet watch but one that will offer a bit of late-summer counter-programming. Thursday, August 10: Love in Taipei (Paramount+): A straight to streaming feature that's something of an international romance. This will likely fill a void...

  We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, continuing today with the AFC South. Let's dive in. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2022 Record: 9-8, First in the AFC South. Lost in Divisional Round 2023 Outlook : The Jaguars came on at the end of the 2022 season as new coach Doug Pederson got Trevor Lawrence and the young Jaguars moving in the right direction. The Jaguars won't surprise anyone in 2023, but the team is certainly still strong. They welcome back Calvin Ridley this season and brought back Evan Engram and tight end. With Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby in the backfield, the team has a strong offense. The AFC South isn't a tough division but I suspect the Jaguars are the class of the division.  2023 Prediction: I think the Jaguars win the AFC South again. Tennessee Titans: 2022 Record : 7-10, Second in the AFC South 2023 Outlook : The Titans are a team in flux. The...