Matt's Musings

We're through Summer and now coming into Fall. September is a month that starts the ramp up toward award season, including some highly anticipated releases.  Friday, September 5: * The Conjuring: Last Rites (Theaters): The four film in the franchise, and ninth in the expanded universe. This figures to be a solid horror film. * Highest 2 Lowest (Apple TV+): After a short theatrical run, this new film from Spike Lee, a re-imaging of a film from Akira Kurosawa, featuring Denzel Washington. I loved the original, so I'm excited to see where this goes. Friday, September 12: * Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (Theaters): This is the third theatrical film following a long run on the small screen. It seems this is the end of the line, and I'm interested to see where this goes. * The Long Walk (Theaters): This is an adaptation from Stephen King that has some good buzz. I like the cast and the premise seems harrowing. I'm all in. * Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Theaters): A...

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 Adam Sandler classic. Principal : Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. Billy Madison Starring : Adam Sandler, Darrin McGavin, Bradley Whitford, Bridget Wilson-Sampras, and Norm MacDonald Director : Tamra Davis About : Happy Labor Day Weekend! While many schools go back in August, Labor Day weekend is usually when I think about the start of the school year. So, Billy Madison feels like a perfect movie to talk about at this point. Sandler became well known for a few early comedies in the 1990s. ...

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. Dune: Part Two (2024) Starring : Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin Director : Denis Villeneuve About : Villeneuve is an incredible visual director. With the first part of Dune, I was moved by the visuals but I didn't think it was a complete film. That changed with this second part. It was the characters, the story, and the depth of emotion that took it to new heights. Yes, the visuals and the filmmaking was still impressive. But more impressive was the way this world worked and the way these characters moved. It was truly a magnificent feat that was among the year's best films. It exemplifies the talent of the stori...

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. Network (1976) Starring : William Holden, Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway, and Peter Finch Director : Sidney Lumet About : This is a striking film. It focuses on a fictional network and an anchor undergoing a crisis. It looks at the nature of news and cultural relevance. It looks at the nature of ethics and entertainment. It may have been created nearly 50 years ago, but it still feels striking in the modern era. It features some great performances, too. I love Holden, Dunaway, and Duvall in these roles. But it's the work of Finch, who won the Academy Award, that feels iconic. Lumet was a visionary director who crafted some great films, especially in the 1970s. If y...

 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. Buffalo Bills 2024 Record: 13-4 About : The Bills had a good record, winning the AFC East. They made it to the AFC Championship Game and fell short again. It's not about the regular season for Buffalo, it's about winning it all. Have they made enough moves to surround Josh Allen with talent? That's a question that will be born out during the season and post-season. Miami Dolphins 2024 Record: 8-9 About : The Dolphins were a distant second in the AFC East, and seem to be sliding further away from the Bills. They have strife, with Tyreek Hill making comments and being at odds with the team. They also dealt away Jonnu Smith, and are counting on Darren Waller to make it work at tight end. The Dolphins are in a crucial spot, and another short fall could be...

It was a loaded week packed with new releases in theaters and on streaming. Below is my take on this week’s new movies. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Eden (Theaters) Starring: Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney, Daniel Bruhl, and Ana de Armas Synopsis : The world doesn’t always go the way people expect. When things go against expectation, people are forced to adapt, fight for change, or flee. The new film Eden, which opens Friday, is based on a true story of people that opted for the latter option only to discover it wasn’t all they’d hoped. In the aftermath of World War I, as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party began to rise in Germany, some who lived there were dissatisfied. Instead of fighting for change or adapting to new conditions, Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Law) chose to flee. He and his wife, Dore (Kirby), headed for the small island of Floreana in the Galapagos off Ecuador. There, they lived off the land and sought to ...

We’re coming to the end of August, and that leaves us getting closer to the kickoff to Fall. But before summer ends, we’re still getting some new series. Which of them are 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. Mondays: Lego Masters Jr., Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered August 18) About : This new spin-off of the FOX reality show focuses on teams of kids. Each is paired with a celebrity partner for builds that are judged by Brickmaster Amy and previous winner Boone. The series is hosted by Kelly Osbourne. It lacks some of the tension and drama of the main series, but if you’re a fan of Lego, this will be fun for you. The five teams of kids have good personality and some of the builds are really creative. Pilot Grade: C+ Wednesdays: The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, Streaming Wednesdays on Hulu (Premiered August 20) About : Unless you’...