Matt's Musings

We’re into December and the final wave of shows for 2024 is nearly upon us. With the trappings of the season and holidays, you might find your spare time squeezed. So, what’s worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post 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. Mondays: Get Millie Black, Mondays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered November 25) About : This new series is a five-episode drama co-produced with the BBC and set in Jamaica. It centers on a detective who spent time in England before returning home, and quickly getting drawn into an international murder mystery. I like Tamara Lawrance here in the lead role, but there’s a lot going on in this show. There’s a lot of threads being pulled around our lead character and through two episodes we’re not seeing a lot of them pull together in a clear way. The series is only five episodes, which likely means a quick resolution is coming. ...

  Week 13 : Denver Broncos 41, Cleveland Browns 32 Season Record : 8-5 (4-2 Home) Key Play : In the Fourth Quarter, with the Broncos leading 34-32, Ja'Quan McMillian picked off Jameis Winston's pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Broncos a nine-point lead with less that two minutes to play. Recap : What a wild night at Mile High. We've seen some good showings this season from the Broncos, but Monday night they showed resolve. It was a tough game and the Browns posted 32 points. But, in the end, the Broncos held strong. The offense got a drive together to take the lead, then the defense salted it away. It wasn't a great defensive performance, but they came through when they needed to with two big interceptions in the final two minutes, one returned for a touchdown. It gives the Broncos eight wins as they head into the bye week. The Broncos have a two-game lead for the final playoff spot and come out of the bye hosting the Indianapolis Colts. A win there coul...

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 Best Picture winner. Forrest Gump : You died on a Saturday morning. And I had you placed here under our tree. And I had that house of your father's bulldozed to the ground. Momma always said dyin' was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't. Little Forrest, he's doing just fine. About to start school again soon. I make his breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. I make sure he combs his hair and brushes his teeth every day. Teaching him how to play ping-pong. He's really good. We fish a lot. And every night, we read a book. He's so smart, Jenny. You'd be so proud of him. I am. He, uh, wrote a letter, and he says I can't read it. I'm not supposed to, so I'll just leave it here for you. Jenny, I don't know if Momma was right or if, if it's Lieutenant Dan. ...

  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! Héctor: [sings] Remember me, though I have to say goodbye / Remember me, don't let it make you cry / For even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart / I sing a secret song to you, each night we are apart / Remember me, though I have to travel far / Remember me, each time you hear a sad guitar / Know that I'm with you, the only way that I can be / Until you're in my arms again, remember me... Coco (2017) Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Benjamin Bratt Director : Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina About : This is my favorite Pixar film, which came as much as a surprise to me as to anyone. I remember when I went to go see this fi...

  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.   Stella: The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn't fit, you make alterations. Paden: I'll drink to that. Silverado (1985) Starring: Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, Scott Glenn, Brian Dennehy, Jeff Goldblum, and Linda Hunt Director : Lawrence Kasdan About : Some movies have a special connection to you thanks to the person who introduced it to you. For me, with this film, it was thanks to my dad. It's one of his favorite movies and favorites Westerns, and I remember seeing it with him. It didn't take much to realize why he liked it. We have an incredible cast and an incredible scope with this film. The story works well and the way it's been put together is great. Kasdan is a talented writer and director, and he applies that ta...

  I had another good week in the NFL's Week 12. This is Thanksgiving Week with a lot of games throughout the next few days. Below are my Week 13 picks. NFL Picks, Week 13: Lions Over Bears Cowboys Over Giants Packers Over Dolphins Chiefs Over Raiders Falcons Over Chargers Steelers Over Bengals Vikings Over Cardinals Colts Over Patriots Seahawks Over Jets Commanders Over Titans Texans Over Jaguars Rams Over Saints Buccaneers Over Panthers Ravens Over Eagles Bills Over 49ers Broncos Over Browns Last Week : 9-4 Season: 122-57 NFL Picks Spread, Week 13 : Lions -11.5 Over Bears Cowboys -3.5 Over Giants Dolphins +3.5 Over Packers Raiders +13.5 Over Chiefs Falcons +1.5 Over Chargers Steelers +2.5 Over Bengals Vikings -3.5 Over Cardinals Colts -2.5 Over Patriots Seahawks -2.5 Over Jets Commanders -5.5 Over Titans Texans -4.5 Over Jaguars Rams -2.5 Over Saints Panthers +5.5 Over Buccaneers Ravens -2.5 Over Eagles Bills -6.5 Over 49ers Broncos -5.5 Over Browns Last Week : 10-3 Season : 99-8...

  The weekend before Thanksgiving was a packed time at theaters and on streaming. Below is my take on the new movies I saw this week. As always, you can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Blitz (Apple TV+) Starring : Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, and Elliott Heffernan Synopsis : The latest from writer/director Steve McQueen takes place in London in 1940 as the residents of the city are enduring the German Blitz during World War II. London is bombed nightly, and the lack of shelters makes things unsafe for the residents, many of whom send their children to the country for safety. Rita (Ronan), a single mother working in the factories, sends her son George (Heffernan) away for his safety. He’s upset by the decision. As the train makes its way to the country, George jumps for it and makes a perilous journey back to his mother. When Rita learns that her son is missing, she begins a frantic search to find him. Meanwhile, the bombs keep...