Matt's Musings

It was a packed end of the year, but we’re getting started on 2026. In this week’s review roundup, I look at a couple late 2025 releases I caught up with in addition to the first wide releases of 2026. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Anaconda (Theaters) Starring: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, and Thandiwe Newton Synopsis : This is a re-imaging of the classic 1997 film starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube that saw a group of filmmakers battling a giant snake on the Amazon river. In this new film, a group of friends (Rudd, Black, Zahn, and Newton) team up to try and film a new take on one of their favorite films. They head to the Amazon to film and, predictably, get more than they bargain for when a real giant snake makes them a target, among other issues. This was everything I would want from a film tackling the concept. The original film, though it has its fans and charms, is not an iconic classic. And while other horror...

The holidays are over and the grind of winter has begun. That could leave you spending more time indoors and looking for something to watch. You might want to turn to a new series, but what of the new options 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 winter. Let’s dive in. Tuesdays: Best Medicine, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 4) About: This new series, featuring Josh Charles as a big city surgeon who takes a post as a small-town doctor after difficulty in his life, got a jump start on Sunday. It aired its pilot behind football, but will air it again tonight! Charles plays Dr. Martin Best, who doesn’t really like people or social situations, but for some reason ended up in a small town that feels a bit like Stars Hollow. It’s a unique set up for a series, which also features Abigail Spencer and Annie Potts among the supporting cast. I like Charles, who is playing against his typical t...

Week 18 : Denver Broncos 19, Los Angeles Chargers 3 Season Record : 14-3 (8-1 Home) Key Play : Trailing 13-3 in the Fourth Quarter, Trey Lance was sacked by Nik Bonitto, who caused a fumble recovered by the Broncos. Denver turned it into a field goal to boost the lead to 13. Recap : The important thing about today was to get a win, secure the No. 1 seed, and get a leg up on the playoffs. The Broncos did that. As always, it wasn't as easy or as pretty as you'd like. And yet, it ended up being a solid win. As always it was powered by the defense. Now, the Broncos get to sit back and watch next week, waiting on who will come to town in two weeks. It's time to savor an excellent 14-win season and hope the offense can find a rhythm and get into a groove in the Divisional round. Game Balls: * Ja'Quan McMillian . The Broncos' corner had an interception returned for the game's only touchdown. * Nik Bonitto . He had 1.5 sacks, forcing a huge fumble!

 It's a new year, but the rewind continues. In these weekly posts, we will be looking at films that are celebrating an anniversary in 2026. I will be going back throughout the year, looking at a few films from different milestone years that stand out to me now a decade, two decades, or three decades on. It's a fun journey, and I hope you'll join me in looking back! For our first set of films, we're jumping back to 2016. Films from 2016 are turning 10 years old in 2026, and when you look at the list it feels hard to believe some of these titles are a decade old. In this first set I'll be looking at five films, mostly interesting blockbusters, that stand out now a decade after their release. Check back each Sunday as we explore another title in the rewind and celebrate the films that are marking a milestone anniversary in 2026!

 We've talked about the best of 2025 in a few posts of late. I gave my favorite TV episodes, favorite TV Series, and favorite films of 2025. Now, it's time to close with performances. Below are my Top 3 from the year in each of the four big acting categories. Let's dive in! Best Actor: No. 1: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners. It was a dual role and he was great in the lead. No. 2: Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another. I loved the film and I loved the way Leo anchored this film. No. 3: Timothee Chalamet, Marty Supreme. I didn't like Marty Supreme as a film, and I didn't like Marty Mauser as a character. But I loved Chalamet's performance. Best Actress: No. 1: Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value. Reinsve is so magical on screen. She captivated me in one of my favorite films of the year. No. 2: Amanda Seyfried, The Testament of Ann Lee. Seyfried is a force as Ann Lee in one of the best performances of the year. No. 3: Emma Stone, Bugonia. No one delivers a line q...

 We've reached a new year. That leaves us with plenty of options at theaters, including our first new releases of 2026 and some late 2025 releases getting a wider push. Let's dive in. Friday, January 2: The Plague (Theaters): This one got a limited release on Christmas Day and now is going wider. It's about a teen struggling to fit in. Some highs and lows here. We Bury the Dead (Theaters): A horror film set in Australia and featuring Daisy Ridley as a woman who travels to the area of a pandemic to look for her husband. Feels like about the right launch into 2026. Friday, January 9: Primate (Theaters): The first wide release of 2026 is another horror film, this one about a killer ape. It looks like it might not be great. Greenland 2: Migration (Theaters): Did we need a sequel to Greenland? Probably not. And yet, I'm kind of excited for this. Is This Thing On? (Theaters): This is Bradley Cooper's latest film. It got a limited release in December and is one of the ...

 I was just OK in Week 17. It's been a good season, so I'll look to finish the regular season strong! NFL Picks, Week 18: Buccaneers Over Panthers 49ers Over Seahawks Falcons Over Saints Bengals Over Browns Vikings Over Packers Cowboys Over Giants Jaguars Over Titans Texans Over Colts Bills Over Jets Bears Over Lions Broncos Over Chargers Chiefs Over Raiders Rams Over Cardinals Patriots Over Dolphins Eagles Over Commanders Ravens Over Steelers Last Week : 8-8 Season : 161-94 NFL Picks Spread, Week 18 : Buccaneers -2.5 Over Panthers 49ers +1.5 Over Seahawks Falcons -2.5 Over Saints Bengals -6.5 Over Browns Packers +6.5 Over Vikings Cowboys -5.5 Over Giants Jaguars -11.5 Over Titans Colts +10.5 Over Texans Bills -8.5 Over Jets Bears -2.5 Over Lions Broncos -7.5 Over Chargers Raiders +5.5 Over Chiefs Rams -9.5 Over Cardinals Dolphins +11.5 Over Patriots Commanders +8.5 Over Eagles Ravens -3.5 Over Steelers Last Week : 8-8 Season : 118-138