EXAMINER REVIEWS

NEW RELEASE REVIEWS AND MORE FOR THE EXAMINER!!!

Examiner Review Schedule

On this page, you will see the reviews that I work on for the Examiner and the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock for the current new releases, film festival selections and/or special movie events that will also appear in the Wyoming County Press Examiner!!! I will keep this schedule of upcoming reviews as updated as possible!!! I typically post my reviews on here a few days prior to when they appear in the Examiner!!

* Starting after the New Year, besides the new releases, film festival selections and any special movie events that I can get to at the Dietrich Theater, I will also be focusing on recent releases that I have either missed or may RE-VISIT! These films will also consist of some selections from 2016 to current - with some sporadic throwbacks here and there (for example some planned series, such as my award season series, holidays)*

* Each of the lists of films will be updated as the reviews are published and posted!*

*** Line-ups are subject to change ***

The list below will be updated as I go through the titles! More to come soon! With the Winter Film Festival coming up, these might slow down until after the festival!

I will be starting up my award season series in January! This will consist of various award winners and nominees, along with a few Razzie-nominated films sprinkled in-between! The list below will be updated as I go thru the films!

2026 Best Picture Oscar nominee RE-VISIT
2026 Best Picture Oscar nominee

EXAMINER 2/11

My Examiner reviews for the 2/11 edition will consist of the following:

Pretty in Pink (40th anniversary) (special movie event - Dietrich)
Iron Lung (new)
Send Help (new)
Shelter (New)
It Could Happen To You (Valentine's)

EXAMINER 2/18

My Examiner reviews for the 2/18 edition will consist of the following:

A Man Called Otto (special movie event - Dietrich)
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (Winter Fest)
Get Out (award season)
Titanic (award season)
Solo Mio (new release)

EXAMINER 2/25

My Examiner reviews for the 2/25 edition will consist of the following:

Goat (new)
Wuthering Heights (new)
Bugonia (recent release 2025) (Oscar Best Picture nominee)
Brave the Dark (special movie event)
Scream 1-2 (series RE-VISIT)

EXAMINER 3/4

My Examiner reviews for the 3/4 edition will consist of the following:

Blue Moon (Winter Film Festival)
Nuremberg (Winter Film Festival)
Rental Family (Winter Film Festival)
Scream 3-4 (series RE-VISIT)
5th review TBA

EXAMINER 3/11

My Examiner reviews for the 3/11 edition will consist of the following:

Fackham Hall (Winter Film Festival)
Hamnet (Winter Film Festival)
Sinners (award season - 2026 Oscar Best Picture nominee)
Scream 5-6 (series RE-VISIT)
Scream 7 (new release)

“Solo Mio” An Enjoyable, Feel-Good Romantic Getaway

In the latest film from Angel Studios, a wedding disaster leaves the groom stranded in Rome, heartbroken in the world’s happiest city. But with one determined local - and a few meddling vacation couples - in his corner, his ruined honeymoon becomes an adventure he never expected. Because sometimes heartbreak is just the first chapter of a better story. If you are looking for a sweet and surprising romantic comedy, then I highly suggest you check out “Solo Mio.” The latest fil

Matt Palmer

1 day ago2 min read

A Blast from the Past: “Pretty in Pink” Turns 40 This Year

Initial release date: February 28, 1986 Streaming services: Paramount Plus/MGM+/various PVOD services “Pretty in Pink” is a popular movie released in 1986 that was written and produced by John Hughes. And, to celebrate the movie’s upcoming 40th anniversary, the Dietrich Theater will be showing the popular 80s flick on the big screen! Andie is an outcast at her Chicago high school, hanging out either with her older boss, who owns the record store where she works, or her quirky

Matt Palmer

4 days ago3 min read

Valentine’s: A Look at “It Could Happen To You”

Initial release date: June 29, 1994 Streaming service: Hulu/various PVOD services Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I wanted to check out a film for this day. After scrolling around streaming services, I found one on Hulu that I haven’t seen before and is actually inspired by true events - the 1994 movie “It Could Happen To You.” Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted NYC cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the w

Matt Palmer

5 days ago3 min read

“Shelter” A Formulaic, Yet Intense Action-Thriller

In the latest action movie starring Jason Statham, “Shelter” is about a reclusive man who rescues a young girl from a deadly storm, drawing them both into danger. Forced out of isolation, he must confront his turbulent past while protecting her, sending them on a tense journey of survival and redemption. “Shelter” is another action movie featuring Statham doing what he does best lately - portraying a guy who’s hiding from his secretive past that ultimately comes back to haunt

Matt Palmer

7 days ago2 min read

“Send Help” An Unhinged Survival Horror-Thriller That Will Keep You Guessing

Sam Raimi’s films have been well known for their dynamic visual style, dark humor and just straight out being really entertaining. Some of these well known films that he has either produced or directed include the “Spider-Man” trilogy, “Drag Me To Hell,” “Darkman,” “The Grudge” movies (producer), “Don’t Breathe” (producer) and, of course, the “Evil Dead” trilogy. Now, for the first time in quite awhile, Raimi shows us that he still has what it takes to make a really entertain

Matt Palmer

Feb 84 min read

“Iron Lung” A Slow Burn, Suspenseful Adaptation That Fans of the Video Game Will Enjoy

“Iron Lung” is a 2022 submarine simulation horror game developed and published by David Szymanski. In the game, the player controls an unnamed convict who explores an ocean of blood on a desolate moon in a small, rusty submarine nicknamed the “Iron Lung.” The game was released for Windows on March 10, 2022, with a Nintendo Switch port released on December 19, 2022. The game was later released for the PS5 on October 15, 2025 and Android on December 12, 2025. Now, a film adapta

Matt Palmer

Feb 73 min read

Award Season Series: “The Perfect Storm” (2000)

Initial release date: June 30, 2000 Streaming services: various PVOD services Based on a true story, this film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea in October of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts which unexpectedly collide to produce one of the greatest, fiercest storms in modern hist

Matt Palmer

Feb 54 min read

Award Season Series: “Crazy Heart” (2009)

Initial release date: December 19, 2009 Streaming service: various PVOD services “Crazy Heart” is a 2009 film based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Thomas Cobb, which the novel’s story was inspired by country singer Hank Thompson. With too many years of hazy days and boozy nights, former country music legend Bad Blake is reduced to playing at dive bars and bowling alleys. In town for his latest gig, Blake meets Jean Craddock, a sympathetic reporter who has come to do a

Matt Palmer

Feb 44 min read

Award Season Series: The Scorsese Gangster Masterpiece “Goodfellas”

Initial release date: September 19, 1990 Streaming services: The Roku Channel/various PVOD services Widely considered one of the greatest films in the history of the gangster genre, the 1990 Martin Scorsese film “Goodfellas” (which is also one of my personal favorites) swept critical awards despite famously losing several major categories at the Oscars (which is a complete shock). Henry Hill knows only too well that he must put the Mob’s interests before everything, even his

Matt Palmer

Feb 35 min read

Award Season Series: “Godzilla “ (1998) A Golden Raspberry Nominated Movie

Initial release date: May 20, 1998 Streaming service: Netflix and Tubi Over the past few weeks I have been working on my award season review series, where I take a look at films that have received some prestigious accolades. For this next selection of the series, I wanted to check out (or in this case revisit) a movie released in 1998 that has received quite a few Golden Raspberry nominations (or the Razzies for short - opposite of the Oscars). And this movie that I’m talking

Matt Palmer

Jan 276 min read

A24’s “Y2K” A Campy Fun Blast to 90s Past

Initial release date: December 6, 2024 Streaming service: HBO Max The A24 movie “Y2K” was released in December 2024 and was met with mixed critical reception, as well as a poor box office theatrical run. Despite the mixed initial reception of the movie, I still kept it on my radar and, honestly, I’m glad I did. In the 2024 recent release “Y2K,” two high school juniors crash a New Year’s Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives when the terror of Y2K becomes

Matt Palmer

Jan 262 min read

“War of the Worlds” A Sloppy, Disjointed Re-imagining of the Classic Story

Initial streaming release date: July 30, 2025 Streaming service: Amazon Prime Video So, last year, a re-imagining of H.G. Wells' book “War of the Worlds” ended up being released quietly on Amazon Prime Video (which is usually a major red flag when a movie is quietly released). After a while, I saw online the terrible reactions from viewers who have streamed the movie. After being curious to see how bad the new adaptation could be, I finally checked it out and I can see why th

Matt Palmer

Jan 254 min read

“Marty Supreme” A Gripping, Unpredictable Journey of Greatness

The film “Marty Supreme” has been one of the most buzzed-about films that came out towards the end of last year. After gaining a lot of momentum at the box office and the awards season, the film was named one of the top ten films of 2025 by the National Board of Reviews and the American Film Institute. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, the film was nominated for three awards: Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, Best Screenplay and Best Actor - Musical or Comedy (for which

Matt Palmer

Jan 244 min read

“The Bone Temple” A Bizarre and Surprisingly Emotional Follow Up To Last Year’s “28 Years Later”

Last summer, the long-awaited follow up to “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later” came in the form of “28 Years Later.” I thoroughly enjoyed this long-awaited return of the franchise, except for the very end where it got a bit weird. After seeing that ending, I was almost afraid to see how this sequel would eventually turn out. My worries began to ease a bit once I started seeing the really great trailers for the film. And, now that I finally saw this sequel, all I can say is t

Matt Palmer

Jan 234 min read

Award Season Series: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)

For this award season review, I wanted to take a look at a classic film that I have never seen before. After scrolling around my streaming services, I found a few that I haven’t seen yet, which I added on my list! So, for this review, I took a look at the Audrey Hepburn classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Based on Truman Capote’s novel, this is the story of a young woman in New York City who meets a young man when he moves into her apartment building. He is with an older woman

Matt Palmer

Jan 204 min read

“Drop” A Fun Tense Thriller That Has Many Twists and Turns

In the 2025 release “Drop,” Violet is a widowed mother who goes to an upscale restaurant to meet Henry, her charming date. However, her pleasant evening soon turns into a living nightmare when she receives phone messages from a mysterious, hooded figure who threatens to kill her young son and her sister unless she kills Henry. Over the past couple years, the movie’s production company, Blumhouse Productions, have had more misses than hits at the box office. While they recentl

Matt Palmer

Jan 193 min read

Award Season Series - “Interstellar” (2014)

The next selection of my award season review series is a science fiction film released in 2014. This film has been nominated for quite a few awards and is honestly one of the most emotional films I have ever seen. For this review, I will be revealing my thoughts on the Christopher Nolan film “Interstellar.” In Earth’s future, a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl are slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable. Professor Brand, a brilliant NASA physicist, is working on plan

Matt Palmer

Jan 184 min read

“Song Sung Blue” A Heart-warming, Moving Tribute to Neil Diamond

In 2008, a biographical documentary titled “Song Sung Blue” follows Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning and Thunder, that documents their life events. Now, a drama based on the 2008 documentary is now playing in theaters and this is most definitely going on my annual top films list for sure! Based on the true story, two down-on-their-luck musician’s form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love

Matt Palmer

Jan 163 min read

Hulu’s Reimagining of “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” Is A Forgettable Mixed Bag

The Hulu Original “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” is a psychological thriller that reimagines the 1992 film of the same name and unravels the illusion of domestic bliss with chilling precision. In this psychological thriller, an upscale suburban mom brings a new nanny into her home, only to discover she isn’t the person she claims to be. Some people may or may not remember the 1992 thriller “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” which I recently checked out while it was briefly o

Matt Palmer

Jan 132 min read

“Greenland” An Emotional and Gripping Disaster Flick

Initial release date: December 18, 2020 The disaster flick “Greenland” was initially released in 2020 and made its debut primarily on PVOD and streaming domestically due to the ongoing theater closures during the pandemic. The movie’s sequel, “Greenland 2: Migration,” is getting the usual wide release and I plan on checking the sequel out sometime down the road - likely once it’s available on streaming. John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son, embark on a perilou

Matt Palmer

Jan 124 min read

NEW RELEASE REVIEWS AND MORE FOR THE EXAMINER!!!

2026 Best Picture Oscar nominee RE-VISIT

2026 Best Picture Oscar nominee

EXAMINER 2/11

EXAMINER 2/18

EXAMINER 2/25

EXAMINER 3/4

EXAMINER 3/11

“Solo Mio” An Enjoyable, Feel-Good Romantic Getaway

A Blast from the Past: “Pretty in Pink” Turns 40 This Year

Valentine’s: A Look at “It Could Happen To You”

“Shelter” A Formulaic, Yet Intense Action-Thriller

“Send Help” An Unhinged Survival Horror-Thriller That Will Keep You Guessing

“Iron Lung” A Slow Burn, Suspenseful Adaptation That Fans of the Video Game Will Enjoy

Award Season Series: “The Perfect Storm” (2000)

Award Season Series: “Crazy Heart” (2009)

Award Season Series: The Scorsese Gangster Masterpiece “Goodfellas”

Award Season Series: “Godzilla “ (1998) A Golden Raspberry Nominated Movie

A24’s “Y2K” A Campy Fun Blast to 90s Past

“War of the Worlds” A Sloppy, Disjointed Re-imagining of the Classic Story

“Marty Supreme” A Gripping, Unpredictable Journey of Greatness

“The Bone Temple” A Bizarre and Surprisingly Emotional Follow Up To Last Year’s “28 Years Later”

Award Season Series: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)

“Drop” A Fun Tense Thriller That Has Many Twists and Turns

Award Season Series - “Interstellar” (2014)

“Song Sung Blue” A Heart-warming, Moving Tribute to Neil Diamond

Hulu’s Reimagining of “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” Is A Forgettable Mixed Bag

“Greenland” An Emotional and Gripping Disaster Flick