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!!

SPECIAL REVIEWS!!!

IN REMEMBRANCE - 4/8 Examiner (Catherine O'Hara)

On the Mound (a small baseball slate for the beginning of the MLB season) - 4/8 Examiner

Book To Screen - 4/15 Examiner; 4/22 Examiner

Rewind series starts towards the end of April! Many movies are celebrating big anniversaries this year! This will be the primary series from April onward except for a few exceptions. More updates to follow!

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

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

I will start getting back on track with the recent releases that I haven't gotten a chance to check out during their initial releases! I will be keeping the list below updated as I go through these titles! Make sure to keep checking my review slates below to see when my review for these titles will be available!

4/15 Examiner	4/15 Examiner

4/8 Examiner
4/22 Examiner	4/29 Examiner

Checking out a couple baseball related flicks for the April 8th Examiner!

Since I will be checking The Super Mario Galaxy Movie over Easter Weekend for the April 15th Examiner, I will also be checking out a couple recent adaptations based on video games!

REVISIT; 4/8 Examiner	4/15 Examiner
4/15 EXAMINER

A small slate of film adaptations of books!

4/15 Examiner	4/22 Examiner
4/15 Examiner

EXAMINER 4/8

My Examiner reviews for the 4/8 edition will consist of the following:

Major League (MLB)
The Rookie (MLB)
Beetlejuice 2 (In Remembrance - Catherine O'Hara)
Mercy (recent 2026)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (recent 2025; revisit)

EXAMINER 4/15

My Examiner reviews for the 4/15 edition will consist of the following:

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (new)
The Long Walk (recent 2025)
A Great Awakening (new)
All the President's Men (book to screen)
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (video game)/Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (recent 2021; video game)

EXAMINER 4/22

My Examiner reviews for the 4/22 edition will consist of the following:

You, Me & Tuscany (new)
Primal Fear (book to screen; 30th anniversary)
Hamnet (recent release 2025)
The Silence of the Lambs (35th anniversary; special Dietrich showings) (REWIND SERIES)
5th review TBD

EXAMINER 4/29

My Examiner reviews of the 4/29 edition will consist of the following:

Is This Thing On (recent release 2025)
review No. 2 TBD
review No. 3 TBD
review No. 4 TBD
review No. 5 TBD

EXAMINER 5/6

	REWIND SERIES - 20th anniversary
REWIND SERIES - 35th anniversary (Dietrich movie event)

My Examiner reviews for the 5/6 edition will consist of the following:

Michael (new release)
The Devil Wears Prada (rewind series - 20th anniversary)
Fried Green Tomatoes (Dietrich movie event) (rewind series - 35th anniversary)
review No. 4 TBD
review No. 5 TBD

“Hop” A Fun Easter Treat for the Whole Family

Easter is just around the corner and I wanted to check out something that the whole family could enjoy. So, as I was scrolling around, I found the 2011 movie from Universal and Illumination - “Hop.” Beneath Easter Island, in a giant factory that manufactures the world’s Easter candy, the popular rabbit is preparing to pass the mantle to his son, E.B. But E.B. has no interest in the job and would rather be a drummer. He runs away to Los Angeles, where an unemployed slacker nam

Matt Palmer

3 days ago3 min read

“The Strangers: Chapter 2” A Slight Improvement of “Chapter 1”

Last week, I decided to give “The Strangers: Chapter 1” a chance and even though it did have some flaws here and there, it really wasn’t that bad. And, this week for the Examiner, I continued on with the recent “Strangers” trilogy and checked out “The Strangers: Chapter 2.” The Strangers are back - more brutal and relentless than ever. When they learn that one of their victims, Maya, is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started. With nowhere to run and no one to

Matt Palmer

4 days ago3 min read

A Look at the 2019 Modern Cult Classic “Ready or Not”

With “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” playing on the big screen, it was time to go back to 2019 and revisit the modern cult classic “Ready or Not.” Despite being a moderate box office success upon release, it quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim for its dark humor, gore, and social commentary. Grace couldn’t be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family’s luxurious estate. There’s just one catch - she must now hide from midnight until dawn

Matt Palmer

5 days ago4 min read

“Project Hail Mary” A Visually Stunning, Must See Film

“Project Hail Mary” is a science fiction novel by American writer Andy Weir “(“The Martian”) published on May 4, 2021. The novel received generally positive reviews and was a finalist for the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Novel. As of March 2026, the novel has been featured in the New York Times best-seller list for 40 weeks in a row. Now, the highly acclaimed Andy Weir novel makes its way to the big screen and is already on my favorites list of the year! Science teacher Ryland Gr

Matt Palmer

6 days ago4 min read

“Ready or Not 2” a Wild, Chaotic Sequel to the 2019 Modern Cult Classic

After the release of the 2019 movie “Ready or Not,” there have been online rumors of a potential follow-up. For a while, I really didn’t think that a direct sequel would ever materialize or actually work. Roughly seven years later, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is finally here, and even though the 2019 movie is a better movie, this sequel is worth checking out if you enjoyed the first movie. After surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace discovers she’s rea

Matt Palmer

7 days ago4 min read

The First Wives Club - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series (Diane Keaton)

The other movie that I checked out for this edition for the theater’s Lasting Legacy series is the 1996 movie “The First Wives Club” - featuring the late Diane Keaton. Disheartened over the marriage of her ex-husband to a younger woman, a middle-aged woman plunges to her death from her penthouse. At the woman’s funeral, her college friends reunite for the first time in three decades. When they discover the reason for her friend’s suicide, they realize that all of their ex-hus

Matt Palmer

Mar 243 min read

A Look at “When Harry Met Sally” - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series

Last week, the Dietrich Theater started their Lasting Legacy series with the film “The Way We Were” (Robert Redford). This week, this series will be featuring the final two films of this small series - the beloved romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally” (Rob Reiner) and “The First Wives Club” (Diane Keaton) (review also available in this edition). During its initial release, Columbia Pictures released the movie in selected cities, letting word of mouth generate interest, befor

Matt Palmer

Mar 234 min read

“The Strangers: Chapter 1” A Flawed Thriller That Is Not That Bad

So, not too long ago, “The Strangers: Chapter 3” came and went really fast. The recently released trilogy received some very mixed to negative reactions from the general audiences and critics. And, I even remember not really liking “Chapter 1” when I first saw it awhile back. So, with “Chapter 3” eventually hitting PVOD and streaming sometime soon, I wanted to give “Chapter 1” another shot and finally check out the second installment of this horror trilogy. After their car br

Matt Palmer

Mar 223 min read

In Remembrance: John Candy - “John Candy: I Like Me”

For last week’s edition, I checked out “Tender Mercies” for my small In Remembrance review series (Robert Duvall). This week I checked out a film for my series featuring the late great comedy legend John Candy (who passed away March 4, 1994) - the Amazon Prime documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.” “John Candy: I Like Me” is an exploration of the life and legacy of the comedic icon. The film showcases Candy’s remarkable career from his breakout turn on SCTV in his native Canada

Matt Palmer

Mar 213 min read

“Reminders of Him” An Emotional Story About Grief and Loss

The literary phenomenon from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover becomes a transformative film about motherhood, forgiveness and the power of love to overcome the worst mistake. After a perfect outing with her boyfriend, Kenna makes an unbearable mistake that sends her to prison. Seven years later, Kenna returns to her hometown in Wyoming, hoping to rebuild her life and earn the chance to reunite with her young daughter, Diem, whom she has never known. When

Matt Palmer

Mar 203 min read

The Way We Were - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series

Showing at the Dietrich Theater March 18 (today) 1 pm and 7 pm PLOT: Opposites attract when, during their college days, Katie Morosky, a politically active woman, meets Hubbell Gardiner, a reckless WASP. Years later, in the wake of WWII, they meet again and, despite their obvious differences, marry. Hubbell wants to be a screenwriter, so the two move to California despite Katie's objections. They prosper there, but as the Hollywood blacklist looms, Katie's activism threatens

Matt Palmer

Mar 182 min read

A Pixar Revisit: A Second Chance Look at Last Year’s “Elio”

Last year’s Pixar release “Elio” didn't go as planned for the animation studio and became a rare box office flop for the company. Even though I initially had a mixed reaction to the animated film, I was still open to giving it another try. Elio, an underdog with a very active imagination, finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives far and wide. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the un

Matt Palmer

Mar 172 min read

A Pixar Classic: “Cars” Turns 20 This Year

With the latest original Pixar film “Hoppers” now showing in theaters and at the Dietrich Theater, I wanted to revisit a couple other Pixar releases that I haven’t seen in some time. For this Pixar classic revisit, I took a look at the 2006 Pixar family favorite “Cars,” which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! Quick side note: starting in May, I will also be checking out some films that will also be celebrating special anniversaries! While traveling to Califo

Matt Palmer

Mar 163 min read

In Remembrance: Robert Duvall - “Tender Mercies”

The Dietrich Theater has put together a Lasting Legacy series where we celebrate the enduring legacy and cultural impact of three legends that we lost recently. With that in mind, I planned a small “In Remembrance” review series that features two other acting legends and one other legend that passed years ago (in fact, March is the anniversary of his death). So, for this “In Remembrance” review, I will be talking about a film starring the late Robert Duvall that wasn’t widely

Matt Palmer

Mar 154 min read

“Hoppers” A Delightful Family Film That Is Also One of Pixar’s Best in Years

What if you could talk to animals and understand what they’re saying? In Disney and Pixar’s all new feature film “Hoppers,” scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into life-like robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! This adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world beyond anything she could’ve imagined. While Pixar has been relea

Matt Palmer

Mar 144 min read

A Look At A Couple Horror Cult Classics for Friday the 13th and St. Patrick’s Day

With both Friday the 13th and St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner. I wanted to do something centered on the horror genre since a majority of this week’s review slate is centered on the genre. So, for this review, I took a look at a couple cult classics for both Friday the 13th and St. Patrick’s Day - “Friday the 13th: Part VI: Jason Lives” and the original “Leprechaun.” In “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” years ago, Tommy Jarvis infamously killed hockey-masked Jas

Matt Palmer

Mar 133 min read

The Conclusion of the Award Season Series: A Revisit of “Sinners”

Since the beginning of January, I have been checking out several films that either have won numerous awards or have been nominated. For the last edition, I took a look at the bizarre film “Bugonia,” which is one of this year’s Oscar Best Picture nominees (and I highly suggest you check it out at least once). Now, for the final review of this award season series, I revisited last year’s “Sinners,” which earned a record 16 Oscar nominations. Trying to leave their troubled lives

Matt Palmer

Mar 122 min read

“Scream 7” Delivers a Fun, Yet Weaker Story

For the past three decades, the “Scream” franchise has been entertaining audiences with its fun meta-commentary and good scares. To lead up to “Scream 7,” I’ve been revisiting the 30 year old franchise and you can find my updated ranking of the series at the end of this review! Now, while the 7th installment can be fun and entertaining at times, it can also feel a little bit weak and formulaic as well. When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney has bui

Matt Palmer

Mar 114 min read

A “Scream” Franchise Revisit: “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI”

For the last couple weeks I have been revisiting the “Scream” franchise to get ready for the latest installment - “Scream 7.” For last week’s edition, I took a look at “Scream 3” and “Scream 4” (the weakest of the series - even though the 4th movie isn’t actually that bad). Now, it’s time to talk about the 2022 and 2023 sequels, which actually helped revitalize the meta horror franchise. In the 2022 installment of “Scream,” 25 years after a streak of brutal killings shocked t

Matt Palmer

Mar 95 min read

Winter Film Festival - Fackham Hall

Over the past couple weeks, I have been checking out some of the film selections that the Dietrich Theater Winter Film Festival has been offering. I didn’t get to check out all that I wanted to see, so I will be checking them out once they’re available on streaming. For this review, I took a look at the period comedy “Fackham Hall” and if you haven’t had the chance to see it during the festival, the film is now currently streaming on HBO Max. When a new porter forms an odd bo

Matt Palmer

Mar 82 min read

NEW RELEASE REVIEWS AND MORE FOR THE EXAMINER!!!

4/15 Examiner

4/15 Examiner

4/8 Examiner

4/22 Examiner

4/29 Examiner

REVISIT; 4/8 Examiner

4/15 Examiner

4/15 EXAMINER

4/15 Examiner

4/22 Examiner

4/15 Examiner

EXAMINER 4/8

EXAMINER 4/15

EXAMINER 4/22

EXAMINER 4/29

EXAMINER 5/6

REWIND SERIES - 20th anniversary

REWIND SERIES - 35th anniversary (Dietrich movie event)

“Hop” A Fun Easter Treat for the Whole Family

“The Strangers: Chapter 2” A Slight Improvement of “Chapter 1”

A Look at the 2019 Modern Cult Classic “Ready or Not”

“Project Hail Mary” A Visually Stunning, Must See Film

“Ready or Not 2” a Wild, Chaotic Sequel to the 2019 Modern Cult Classic

The First Wives Club - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series (Diane Keaton)

A Look at “When Harry Met Sally” - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series

“The Strangers: Chapter 1” A Flawed Thriller That Is Not That Bad

In Remembrance: John Candy - “John Candy: I Like Me”

“Reminders of Him” An Emotional Story About Grief and Loss

The Way We Were - Dietrich Theater Lasting Legacy series

A Pixar Revisit: A Second Chance Look at Last Year’s “Elio”

A Pixar Classic: “Cars” Turns 20 This Year

In Remembrance: Robert Duvall - “Tender Mercies”

“Hoppers” A Delightful Family Film That Is Also One of Pixar’s Best in Years

A Look At A Couple Horror Cult Classics for Friday the 13th and St. Patrick’s Day

The Conclusion of the Award Season Series: A Revisit of “Sinners”

“Scream 7” Delivers a Fun, Yet Weaker Story

A “Scream” Franchise Revisit: “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI”

Winter Film Festival - Fackham Hall