Matt's Musings

We’re making our way into August, and the flow of new shows remains strong. We have a mix of scripted offerings and some unscripted fare. But what is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Fridays: Chief of War, Streaming Fridays on Apple TV+ (Premiered August 1) About: This new series comes from Jason Momoa, who takes the lead role, and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. It’s about the civil wars in Hawaii that led to unification. It focuses on a warrior, Ka’iana (Momoa) and his family. He is torn between his ancestral tribe, and their blood-thirsty ruler, and his desire to follow a different path. By the end of the second episode, which aired in a block Friday, we also get the introduction of men from the West that shake up the order. This was billed as Shogun for the history of Hawaii and that feels apt. The first two episodes, which each run more...

 We're quickly approaching the 2025 NFL Season. As such, I'll be previewing each of the divisions over the next few weeks. We'll look at teams in order of finish, then I'll make a prediction for the new season. Houston Texans 2024 Finish: 10-7 About: The Texans again finished atop the AFC South in 2024. They survived a number of injuries to land at 10-7 and make the playoffs. The Texans won in the Wild Card Round before being stymied by the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. Can they go further in 2025? That's the challenge. The team added Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the draft at receiver and traded for Christian Kirk. They added Nick Chubb in the backfield, but Joe Mixon is already ailing. Injuries hurt the Texans in 2024 and they need better health in 2025. Indianapolis Colts 2024 Finish: 8-9 About : The Colts were second in the AFC South in 2024, but it wasn't a great season. Anthony Richardson struggled on the field, splitting time with Joe Flacco due to...

It's hard to believe, but 1995 was 30 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 1995 that are turning 30 in 2025. Today, it's an adaptation of a Michael Crichton novel. Congo Starring : Laura Linney, Tim Curry, Dylan Walsh, and Ernie Hudson Director : Frank Marshall About : I've long been a fan of the author Michael Crichton. He's crafted some great and engaging stories set to film, among them Jurassic Park and ER . This film followed two years after Jurassic Park and never had that kind of fanfare. But it's a fun and engaging film, with some good performances and a good story. It's also a faithful adaptation, more faithful than even some of his more popular stories. I love the cast here and the adventure. The real MVP is Hudson, whose delivery and lines always make me chuckle. This might not be top of the heap for many when thinking back on 1995, but I have always loved it, so it makes my rewind list!

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Starring : Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, and Marion Cotillard Director : Christopher Nolan About : Nolan is one of my favorite directors. I have a great love for his films. It has been hard to limit to just five, but when I reflect, my three favorite of his films are always clear, and come right in a row. This is the third of those films, his final outing with Batman. It is simply a brilliant film. I love the way it comes together. There are some wonderful moments and there are some deeply emotional moments, too. This is a masterpiece, one of Nolan's best and one of the best in ...

Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) Starring : Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Charles Durning Director: Joel and Ethan Coen About: There is a period in the early 1990s that is the sweet spot for me with the Coen Brothers. This is the second of three films from that run on this list. This one is a holiday film, a screwball comedy, and a very emotional tale. You know, for kids! Robbins is incredible in the lead, but I love the cast here. The Coen Brothers make great use of Newman and During, along with secret MVP Bill Cobbs. But I love Jason Leigh as a fast-talking gal who infiltrates the company and ends up falling for Norville Barnes. I don't always...

 We've made it to August, the final month of the summer movie season. As always, there is a mixed bag of offerings, some of which look quite intriguing. Let's dive in. Friday, August 1: The Naked Gun (Theaters): Liam Neeson takes over the lead in this reboot of the classic franchise. The trailer is funny, and I think this could be some late summer fun. The Bad Guys 2 (Theaters): This is a sequel to the modest animated hit. I enjoyed the first film and it has a solid voice cast. It hasn't been a great summer for animated films, so maybe this will be a modest hit. Together (Theaters): Alison Brie and Dave Franco lead this body horror film from Michael Shanks. It was a hit at Sundance and it should add some pop to August. She Rides Shotgun (Theaters ): An interesting drama about an ex-convict father (Taron Egerton) on the run with his daughter. This had some pop and was surprisingly emotional. It's worth checking out. My Oxford Year (Netflix) : This is a new romance film ...

We had an interesting and diverse week at the movies for the last weekend in July. Below is a look at my take on the new films out this week. Keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Theaters) Starring : Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, and Ralph Ineson Synopsis : Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen a few swings at bringing Marvel’s iconic Fantastic Four to the screen. It started when the rights were held by FOX, who launched a film in 2005. It received middling reviews, though it did earn a sequel. Then, in 2015, we got a new version. It had a strong cast, but it didn’t all come together. It seems every 10 years we get a new swing at bringing the heroes to life. So, it’s fitting, in 2025, the Fantastic Four have returned. This time as part of a new phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But will it be the shot in the arm needed before the Avengers return? The film is...