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!!

** Throughout the year I will be going through quite a few new and recent releases that I have either missed or will revisit! On the right I have a list of recent movies that I plan on checking out and below you will see the ones that I will be checking out for a particular month.**

WHAT SPECIAL REVIEWS I WILL BE WORKING ON FOR THE REST OF 2025!

I am currently in the middle of doing a small Veteran's Day slate for the Examiner (Hacksaw Ridge; Platoon; Thank You For Your Service) and a small In Memory Diane Keaton slate (Father of the Bride; Annie Hall; Hampstead).

My list of recent releases that I will be checking out for the Examiner will be listed on the right (including my Family Movie Night selections)!

After the holidays, I will be focusing a lot more on recent releases that I may have missed or would RE-VISIT from 2020 to present, except for some special reviews here and there!

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

Over here is where you will find the next slate of recent releases that I plan on checking out for future editions! The list that's featured below will be for the month of November and December! The date after the movie title is when the review will appear in the Examiner itself!

* These could change over time!*

The Amateur - DEC

M3GAN 2.0 - 12/10

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - 12/17

Swiped (Hulu) - 12/17

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (Hulu)

The Alto Knights - 12/10

*** Due to adding more holiday selections than I initially had planned for my Examiner Review holiday line up, I will likely hold off on most recent releases until January!***

The November Family Movie Night Series that I am working on for the Wyoming County Press Examiner will consist of the following!

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Doctor Dolittle (1998)

Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)

Man of the House (1995)

A Goofy Movie

Honey I Shrunk the Kids

REEL JOLLY REVIEW SERIES HOLIDAY SELECTIONS COMING SOON!!!

EXAMINER 11/19

EXAMINER 11/26

EXAMINER 12/3

My Examiner reviews for the 11/19 edition will consist of the following:

Predator: Badlands (new)
Father of the Bride/Father of the Bride Part II (In Memory Diane Keaton)
Predators (2010)/The Predator (2018)
Regretting You (new)
The Running Man (1987 classic)

My Examiner reviews for the 11/26 edition will consist of the following:

Hampstead (In Memory Diane Keaton)
Man of the House/Honey I Shrunk the Kids (Family Movie Night)
Dr. Dolittle 1 and 2 (Family Movie Night)
The Running Man (new)
Now You See Me: Now You Don't (new)

My Examiner reviews for the 12/3 edition will consist of the following:

Wicked: For Good (new)
Zootopia (revisit)
The Family Stone (Reel Jolly series)
A Goofy Movie (Family Movie Night)
5th review TBA

“Regretting You” A Romance Story That Hits All The Feels

Based on the popular 2019 Colleen Hoover novel “Regretting You,” when a devastating accident reveals a shocking betrayal, Morgan Grant and her daughter, Clara, explore what’s left behind as they confront family secrets, redefine love, and rediscover each other. When I first started seeing the mostly mixed to negative reactions from critics, I really didn’t know what to expect - especially since most audiences enjoyed this romantic drama a lot more than the critics. So, after

Matt Palmer

10 hours ago3 min read

“Better Man” A Bold Approach on Robbie Williams’ Life Story

For those who may not remember, the Robbie Williams biopic, “Better Man,” is a recent release that had an initial wide release this past January. Despite the fact that this movie received glowing reviews, it performed rather poorly in its domestic run, which was ultimately driven by a combination of the subject’s limited fame in the US market, a very high production budget and the unusual concept of using a CGI monkey. So, let’s dive into the recent release - “Better Man.” “B

Matt Palmer

3 days ago4 min read

“Nonnas’ A Must See, Feel-Good Watch

The Netflix Original Film “Nonnas” has been on my radar for quite some time now. Since I am currently checking out a few family friendly/feel good films this month, I finally decided to check this film out and I’m glad I did! In the Netflix Original Film “Nonnas,” after losing his beloved mother, a man risks everything to honor her by opening a new restaurant with actual nonnas - grandmothers - as the chefs. Netflix’s “Nonnas” is a feel good film that’s a must watch for anyon

Matt Palmer

4 days ago2 min read

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” A Stellar New Re-Telling of the Iconic Story

The latest film adaptation of the beloved “Frankenstein” story has been showing in a limited number of theaters before its global streaming release on Netflix which began on November 7. Before this film became available on the streaming service, I actually had the opportunity to see this film on the big screen. Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley's classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to lif

Matt Palmer

5 days ago5 min read

A Special Veteran’s Day review: “Platoon” and “Thank You For Your Service”

For last week’s edition, I took a look at the highly acclaimed film “Hacksaw Ridge” for my small Veteran’s Day slate. So, for this review, I took a look at the Oliver Stone classic “Platoon” and the 2017 film “Thank You For Your Service.” In “Platoon,” Chris Taylor leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he’s on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades. Infighting in his unity between Staff Sergeant Barnes, who believes n

Matt Palmer

6 days ago5 min read

A Look Back at “Predator” (1987) and “Predator 2” (1990)

For awhile now the “Predator” franchise has been gaining more traction recently on Hulu with the 2022 movie “Prey” and this year’s “Predator: Killer of Killers” (both of which I have already checked out for the Examiner and are great entries to the franchise). So, with the eagerly-awaited new entry “Predator: Badlands” taking the series back to the big screen, I wanted to take a look at the other entries of the franchise (except for the “Alien vs. Predator” movies). This revi

Matt Palmer

Nov 77 min read

A Special Veteran’s Day review: “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016)

Veteran’s Day is coming up and just like last year, I wanted to work on a couple special reviews for Veteran’s Day. For this review, I will be discussing the 2016 film “Hacksaw Ridge.” “Hacksaw Ridge” tells the true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during World War II on religious grounds. Doss was drafted and ostracized by fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance but went on to earn respect and adoration for

Matt Palmer

Nov 45 min read

“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” A Compelling, Character-Driven Drama

From 20th Century Studios, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album. Recorded on a four track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works - a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe. This film is based on the 2003 book “Deliver Me from Nowhere” by Warren Zanes, as well as

Matt Palmer

Nov 33 min read

The Latest “Last Summer” Sequel Doesn’t Exactly Hook You In

This year’s legacy sequel “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is the fourth overall installment of the franchise and serves as a direct sequel to the 1997 movie and its 1998 sequel “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.” The last movie in the franchise, “I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer,” was released direct to DVD in 2006 and was practically forgotten (and wasn’t a good sequel at all). I initially tried to fit this into my Countdown to Halloween review series since i

Matt Palmer

Nov 35 min read

In Memory of Diane Keaton: “Annie Hall”

A few weeks ago, actress Diane Keaton passed away at the age of 79. Her career has spanned more than six decades, during which she rose to prominence in the New Hollywood movement. Keaton’s accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe awards, along with nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, among many other accolades. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking a look at a few of this talented actress’ films - starting with the 1977 film tha

Matt Palmer

Nov 24 min read

Family Movie Night: “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” (1993)

Last November, I worked on a small Family Movie Night series, which consisted of some reviews for movies that the whole family can sit back, relax and enjoy together. And, now I decided to work on another Family Movie Night series! So, for this edition, I took a look at one of the most beloved Disney favorites of the 90s - the 1993 film “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.” Before the Seavers leave for San Francisco, they drop off their pets - Chance, an adventurous Ameri

Matt Palmer

Nov 14 min read

Countdown to Halloween: The Beloved 1991 Movie “The Addams Family” and Its 1993 Sequel “Addams Family Values”

For this year’s spooky season, let’s pay a visit to the weird, kooky family - The Addams Family! In the 1991 movie “The Addams Family,” when a man claiming to be Fester, the missing brother of Gomez Addams, arrives at the Addams’ house, the family is thrilled, However, Morticia begins to suspect the man is a fraud, since he can’t recall most details of Fester’s life. With the help of lawyer Tully Alford, Fester manages to get the Addams clan evicted from their home. Gomez rea

Matt Palmer

Oct 285 min read

Countdown to Halloween: “The Amityville Horror” 1979 and 2005 remake

For my final Countdown to Halloween review slate, I wanted to check out a scary haunted house flick. So, I ultimately decided to check out the 1979 chilling film “The Amityville Horror” and its 2005 remake. The 1979 chilling story is about a family who are terrorized by supernatural forces when they move into a new house in New York which was the scene of a recent mass killing and the home of an 18th century satanist. When swarms of flies appear from nowhere and the pipes and

Matt Palmer

Oct 276 min read

A Special Countdown to Halloween review: The Cult Classics “Tremors” and “Shaun of the Dead”

For this special review, I also took a look at a couple more Spooky Fest selections for the very first time - the cult classics “Tremors” and “Shaun of the Dead.” In the 1990 movie “Tremors,” repairmen Val McKee and Earl Bassett are tired of their dull lives in the small desert town of Perfection, Nevada. But just as the two try to skip town, they happen upon a series of mysterious deaths and a concerned seismologist studying unnatural readings below the ground. With the help

Matt Palmer

Oct 266 min read

Countdown to Halloween: “Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)

In the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” Matthew Bennell assumes that when a friend complains of her husband’s strange mood, it’s a marital issue. However, he begins to worry as more people report similar observations. His concern is confirmed when writer Jeff Bellicec and his wife discover a mutated corpse. Besieged by an invisible enemy, Bennell must work quickly before the city is consumed. When I noticed that the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatche

Matt Palmer

Oct 254 min read

Countdown to Halloween: “Halloween H20” and “Halloween: Resurrection”

A couple of editions back, I checked out the 1981 sequel “Halloween II,” which even though it’s not as suspenseful as the 1978 classic, it’s still a worthy sequel. So, for this edition and Halloween is on Friday, I wanted to take another look at a couple other sequels in the franchise - “Halloween H20” and “Resurrection.” In the 1998 sequel “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later,” two decades after surviving a massacre on Halloween night 1978, former babysitter Laurie Strode finds he

Matt Palmer

Oct 257 min read

“Black Phone 2” a Bold Chilling Sequel to the 2022 Surprise Hit

In this solid sequel to the 2022 surprise hit, “Black Phone 2”, bad dreams haunt fifteen year old Gwen as she receives calls from the black phone and sees disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp. Accompanied by her brother, Finn, they head to the camp to solve the mystery, only to confront the Grabber - a killer who’s grown even more powerful in death. When I first checked out the 2022 movie “The Black Phone,” I thought it was a great movie that would’

Matt Palmer

Oct 243 min read

Countdown to Halloween: “Evil Dead II” and “Good Boy”

For this review, I checked out the 1987 “Evil Dead” sequel, “Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn” (which is also showing during the Dietrich Theater Spooky Fest) and the recent horror indie “Good Boy.” In “Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn,” the second of three movies in the original trilogy is part humor, part comedy, with Ash Williams once again battling horrifying demons at a secluded cabin in the woods. After discovering an audiotape left by a college professor that contains voices readi

Matt Palmer

Oct 215 min read

Countdown to Halloween: The Alfred Hitchcock Classics “Psycho” and “The Birds”

Since the Dietrich Theater is featuring the Alfred Hitchcock classic “Psycho” during their Spooky Fest movie festival, I thought to myself “you can’t really have a Countdown to Halloween review series without a couple films from the master of suspense himself.” So, I decided to add not only the 1960 classic “Psycho” but also a Hitchcock classic that I have never seen before - “The Birds.” In the classic “Psycho,” Phoenix secretary Marion Crane, on the lam after stealing $40,0

Matt Palmer

Oct 208 min read

Countdown to Halloween: Beloved 1995 Movie “Casper” Turned 30 This Year

Time to feel a little old once again. The beloved 1995 adaptation of “Casper” turned 30 this year! And everyone’s favorite friendly ghost will be making a couple appearances on the big screen during the Dietrich Theater’s Spooky Fest. So, let’s start talking about the 1995 movie “Casper”! “Casper” is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey arrives to communicate with Casper and his uncles, he brings along his teenage daughter,

Matt Palmer

Oct 205 min read