Matt's Musings

  We’re into October and while we got some new shows this week, it’s the mini-lull before the next wave of premiers mid-month. Still, there’s a lot on the air right now, which can make it difficult to know what is worth the investment of your time. That’s where this series comes in, as I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series and select unscripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: Murder in a Small Town, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered September 24) About : This new crime series features Rossif Sutherland as a former big city detective now Chief of Police in a small town. But murders have followed him to his new home. We get a case-of-the-week format, with some big guest stars, such as James Cromwell in the pilot. But the main focus is on Sutherland and his new paramour, played by Kristen Kreuk. I like Sutherland in the lead role and the premise. Your interest in each week will largely depend on the crime ...

Week 5: Denver Broncos 34, Las Vegas Raiders 18 Season Record: 3-2 (1-1 Home) Key Play: In the Second Quarter, with the Raiders leading 10-3, Patrick Surtain intercepted Gardner Minshew in the end zone and returned the ball for a touchdown, tying the game 10-10. Recap: Vance Joseph has had quite a year. In September of 2023, the Broncos' defense gave up 70 points in a loss to Miami. A lot of people, myself included, wanted him fired. He wasn't. Thank God he wasn't. Joseph has turned around the Broncos' defense to the point that it's easily the best part of the team this season. The Broncos are 3-2, and that is largely thanks to a suffocating defense that is doing a lot of its work in relative quiet. Sure, the offense was a little better Sunday, but this record is a credit to that defense. The Broncos have another home game with the Chargers next week and could have a chance to move into a very favorable position in the AFC. As Bo Nix continues to get more experi...

  Films released in 1994 will turn 30 this year. Over the next few months, I'll be looking at some of the memorable films from that year, including some of my favorites. Today, it's a Star Trek film. Kirk : [after being saved from Soran] I thought you were headed for the launcher. Picard: I changed my mind; Captain's prerogative! Star Trek: Generations Starring: Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Malcolm McDowell, and Whoopi Goldberg Director : David Carson About: The handoff from one generation to the next in a long-running franchise can be tricky. But with this seventh feature film for Star Trek, the team found a unique way to solve the riddle. They brought Captain Kirk (Shatner) together with Captain Picard (Stewart), joining two generations of the series and making the handoff in the cinematic universe. Stewart and Shatner are good in this film, and McDowell makes for a great foil. This is an interesting film that works better than I thought it would and holds up wel...

Animated Films have come a long way over the years. It's a genre and format that presents a wide range of styles and stories. This year, I'll be taking a look at my 50 favorite Animated Films, offering a new one from No. 50 to No. 1 each Saturday in 2024. Join along and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments! Charlie Brown: Who are you writing to, Linus? Linus : This is the time of year to write to the Great Pumpkin. On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises out of his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys for all the children! Charlie Brown : You must be crazy. When are you going to stop believing in something that isn't true? Linus: When *you* stop believing in that fellow with a red suit and the white beard who goes, "Ho, ho, ho!" Charlie Brown : We're obviously separated by denominational differences. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) Starring : Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, and Sally Dryer Director:...

  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1.  Trudy Smith : How long you been alive in this country? A rock and a hard place is what we call Monday. The Harder They Fall (2021) Starring : Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, RJ Cyler, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield Director: Jeymes Samuel About: There are some films that are just about swagger. That's certainly the case with The Harder They Fall , a slick Western released a few years ago on Netflix. It has a great cast, a great look and feel, and some great action sequences. It was one of my favorite releases in 2021, and a Western that really captured my attention. I loved the performances, and I loved the creativity in Samuel's script. The film is a heck of a fun ride and well worth seeking out if you've never seen it.

  We're in October and Week 5 is upon us. I did better in picking winners last week, but still need to step up my picks against the Spread Game. Let's see how it goes. NFL Picks, Week 5 Falcons Over Buccaneers Vikings Over Jets Bears Over Panthers Bengals Over Ravens Dolphins Over Patriots Commanders Over Browns Jaguars Over Colts Texans Over Bills Broncos Over Raiders 49ers Over Cardinals Packers Over Rams Seahawks Over Giants Steelers Over Cowboys Chiefs Over Saints Last Week : 10-7 Season : 37-27 NFL Picks Spread, Week 5 Falcons -1.5 Over Buccaneers Vikings -2.5 Over Jets Bears -3.5 Over Panthers Bengals +2.5 Over Ravens Dolphins +1.5 Over Patriots Commanders -3.5 Over Browns Jaguars -2.5 Over Colts Texans -1.5 Over Bills Broncos -2.5 Over Raiders 49ers -7.5 Over Cardinals Packers -3.5 Over Rams Seahawks -6.5 Over Giants Steelers -2.5 Over Cowboys Saints +5.5 Over Chiefs Last Week : 7-9 Season : 28-36

  The last week in September brought so many films. We had four theatrical releases and a handful of streaming options. Below is my take on this week’s new releases. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Apartment 7A (Paramount+) Starring: Julia Garner, Diane Wiest, Kevin McNally, and Jim Sturgess Synopsis : This new film is timed to coincide with the season, this film is a prequel to the classic Rosemary’s Baby. In fact, the film takes you right up to a key sequence in that original film. It’s set in 1965 and focuses on dancer Terry Gionoffrio. She’s having a rough go of it after an injury caused her infamy and cost her jobs. Down-on-her-luck, Terry comes across a seemingly sweet older couple, Minnie (Wiest) and Roman (McNally), who offer her a place to stay in a beautiful New York building that happens to be home to a major producer (Sturgess). She takes up the offer, but it indeed turns out to be too good to be true. It’s be...