Examiner Reviews 3/34

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!!!

KEEP ON CHECKING FOR MORE UPDATES ON SPECIAL REVIEWS!!!

AN AMERICA 250 REVIEW SLATE IS CURRENTLY ON-GOING THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH!

Make sure to keep on checking the Rewind Series section to see what I will be checking out for this review series! SIDE NOTE! This anniversary milestone review series will be on hold for the month of July for my special America 250 review slate!

* 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!

* Reviews for recent releases will be back for August! I have updated the line-up below and you can see in the review slates below when I will have these reviews available!!**

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My Rewind Series will be back in August after I conclude my special America 250th anniversary review slate! For August, I will be planning a family edition of this series and will start planning this in a couple weeks! Stay tuned!!

EXAMINER 7/8

My review slate for the 7/8 Examiner will consist of the following:

Supergirl (new release)
Batman V Superman (DC 10th anniversary)
The Flash (DC RE-VISIT)
Zero Dark Thirty (America 250th)
Miracle (America 250th)

EXAMINER 7/15

My review slate for the 7/15 Examiner will consist of the following:

Minions and Monsters (new release)
Suicide Squad (DC 10th anniversary)
Glory (America 250th)
9/11: One Day in America (America 250th)
Apollo 13 (America 250th)

EXAMINER 7/22

My review slate for the 7/22 Examiner will consist of the following:

Moana (new release)
The Fifth Element (special Dietrich movie event)
Brothers After War (special Dietrich event)
A.I. Doc (Summer Fest)
Hidden Figures (America 250th)
Young Washington (new release)

EXAMINER 7/29

My review slate for the 7/29 Examiner will consist of the following:

The Odyssey (new release)
Willy Wonka (special Dietrich event)
Tuner (Summer Fest)
Normal (Summer Fest)
Thirteen Days (America 250th)

EXAMINER 8/5

My review slate for the 8/5 Examiner will consist of the following:

Spider-Man: Brave New Day (new release) (for 8/12 Examiner)
Pressure (Summer Fest)
Review No. 3 TBD
Review No. 4 TBD
Review No.5 TBD

“Mandalorian Season 2” An Exciting, Adventure-Filled Addition To Overall Franchise

For last week’s review slate, I took a look at the first season of the Disney Plus show “The Mandalorian,” which I thought was really good. The first season really returned the franchise back to its roots and made it fun again. So, how did the second season hold up? It’s definitely better than the first season for the most part. “The Mandalorian Season 2” follows the bounty hunter Din Djarin on a quest to reunite his young ward, Grogu (the Child), with the Jedi. Throughout hi

Matt Palmer

May 223 min read

“The Sheep Detectives” A Whimsical and Charming Family Whodunit

In this witty new breed of mystery, George is a shepherd who reads detective stories to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But, when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers. I’ll admit that I initially was going to think that “Sheep Detectives” was going to be a fairl

Matt Palmer

May 214 min read

A First Time Look at “The Mandalorian Season 1”

On Memorial Day weekend, I will be checking out “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first theatrical release for the franchise since 2019. And, since I have never seen the three seasons of the Disney Plus series, I decided it was finally time to see what this was all about (plus it would be good to get familiar with the series for the upcoming movie). For this review, I will be talking about the first season of “The Mandalorian.” “The Mandalorian Season 1” follows Di

Matt Palmer

May 193 min read

Rewind Back to 2001: “Shrek” (25th anniversary)

For this slate’s Rewind Series review, I wanted to take another look at a 2001 family favorite that still can be enjoyed by families today. This animated DreamWorks movie eventually spawned three sequels, not counting a fifth entry gearing up for a 2027 release. The movie I’m talking about is the 2001 family favorite “Shrek,” which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek whose precious solitude is s

Matt Palmer

May 184 min read

A Look at the 90’s Live Action “Mortal Kombat” Movies

For the past couple weeks I have been revisiting the world of Mortal Kombat for my latest review slates. So, for this review, I checked out the 1995 fan favorite “Mortal Kombat” and its 1997 sequel that has been heavily panned “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” (and yes the 1997 sequel is that bad). In the 1995 fan favorite “Mortal Kombat,” Lord Rayden handpicks three martial artists - federal agent Sonya Blade, Shaolin monk Liu Kang and action movie sensation Johnny Cage - and me

Matt Palmer

May 175 min read

“Primate” An Effective, Chilling, Over the Top Flick

The 2026 movie “Primate” has been recognized as the first box office horror success of this year and later became a massive sleeper hit on streaming. Despite a modest $21 million budget, it exceeded expectations in a quiet January, becoming a popular creature feature. Lucy’s tropical island homecoming turns deadly when her family’s clever chimpanzee, Ben, becomes rabid. With her father away and no help coming, paradise becomes a prison as Lucy and her friends fight for surviv

Matt Palmer

May 163 min read

Flawless Victory! “Mortal Kombat II” A Huge Improvement of the 2021 Reboot

From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, “Mortal Kombat II.” This time, the fan favorite champions - now joined by Johnny Cage himself - are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no holds barred gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. Even though the response for the 2021 reboot of “Mortal Kombat” was kind

Matt Palmer

May 154 min read

Halfway to Halloween: A Look at the “Blair Witch” Movies

It’s Halfway to Halloween, which means that one of my favorite holidays will be here before you know it and I can't wait to come up with a Halloween review slate down the road! So, since it's halfway to Halloween, I wanted to check out a small series of movies that I have never seen before that have gotten some mixed reactions from audiences over the years - the “Blair Witch” series. In 1999's “The Blair Witch Project,” found video footage tells the tale of three film student

Matt Palmer

May 125 min read

Rewind Back to 2016: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

This month for the Examiner, not only will I be checking out the upcoming movie, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (which also marks the first time the franchise is on the big screen since 2019), I will also be checking out the three seasons of “The Mandalorian” for the first time for the next few editions! So, since I am already on the topic of the “Star Wars” franchise, I wanted to revisit “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” for its upcoming 10th anniversary. “Rogue One” marks the fir

Matt Palmer

May 115 min read

Rewind Back to 2006: “The Devil Wears Prada” (20th anniversary)

With the sequel “The Devil Wears Prada 2” now playing in theaters, I wanted to revisit the original movie that was released twenty years ago! 20th Century Fox bought the rights to the film adaptation of Lauren Weisberger’s novel in 2003, before it was even completed and the project wasn’t greenlit until Meryl Streep was cast. The movie eventually grossed $326 million worldwide ($125 million domestically) against a $35-41 million budget. Andy is a recent college graduate with

Matt Palmer

May 104 min read

A Revisit of the 2021 Reboot of “Mortal Kombat”

The eagerly awaited sequel to the 2021 “Mortal Kombat” movie will be showing on the big screen and for the next two slates (including this one) I will be going back to the world of Mortal Kombat. For next week’s review slate, I will be checking out the 1995 movie and its 1997 sequel (which I haven’t seen before and heard that it’s not really that great). So, for this week, let’s talk about the 2021 reboot. Hunted by the fearsome warrior Sub-Zero, MMA fighter Cole Young finds

Matt Palmer

May 95 min read

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” an Empowering, Enjoyable Sequel

Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel - Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the sequel to the 2006 movie that defined a generation. Miranda Priestly struggles against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival associate, as they compete for advertising revenue amid declining print media

Matt Palmer

May 85 min read

Rewind Back to 1991 - “Fried Green Tomatoes” (35th anniversary)

The Dietrich Theater is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the classic “Fried Green Tomatoes”, showing on May 10 (Mother’s Day) and May 13! “Fried Green Tomatoes” is a 1991 film based on Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.” The beloved film grossed $119.4 million on a $11 million budget and has also received nominations for two Academy Awards and two BAFTA Awards, as well as Golden Globe nominations among many others. On one of trapped h

Matt Palmer

May 54 min read

Spring Film Festival - “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die”

The final film festival selection that I checked out for this week’s slate is the Gore Verbinski-directed “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,” a weird, yet entertaining film. A man claiming to be from the future takes the patrons of an iconic Los Angeles diner hostage in search of unlikely recruits in a quest to save the world. The film festival selection “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” is a chaotic, fun film that delivers a high-energy tone, led by another awesome performance

Matt Palmer

May 43 min read

Spring Film Festival - “Late Shift”

The second film festival selection I checked out for this slate of reviews is the foreign film “Late Shift,” which is an absolute must see! Dedicated nurse Floria navigates the relentless pace of her hospital’s understaffed surgical ward with humanity and warmth. As her overnight shift intensifies, she is pushed to the brink in a race against time. The film “Late Shift” is an intense, immersive and essential drama that highlights the grueling realities of nursing, anchored by

Matt Palmer

May 32 min read

Spring Film Festival - “Tow”

For this week’s review slate, I was able to check out three more films that are showing throughout the Dietrich Theater’s Spring Film festival. One of these films that I checked out was also one of the opening night films - and based on a true story - “Tow.” Based on a true story, “Tow” follows Amanda Ogle, a woman living in her aging Toyota Camry on the streets of Seattle. When her car - her only lifeline - is stolen and eventually impounded, Amanda is thrust into a relentle

Matt Palmer

May 22 min read

“Michael” Biopic Will Have Fans Moonwalking to the Theater

“Michael” is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most icon

Matt Palmer

May 14 min read

“Is This Thing On” A Thought-Provoking, Well-Acted Drama

Last year’s release “Is This Thing On?” was featured at the Dietrich Theater’s Winter Film Festival a couple months ago and I didn’t get a chance to check it out then like I initially planned. The film premiered as the closing film of the 2025 New York Film Festival on October 10, 2025 before its initial domestic release on December 19, 2025. As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene wh

Matt Palmer

Apr 283 min read

Rewind Back to 1996: A Nostalgic Childhood Favorite of the 90s - “Space Jam”

Last week, I officially started up my Rewind Series with “The Silence of the Lambs” (35th anniversary; showing at the Dietrich Theater April 26 and 29) and one of my childhood favorites “Short Circuit” (40th anniversary). And for those who don’t know, my Rewind review series will consist of reviews for movies that I will be checking out that are celebrating anniversary milestones throughout the year. For this week, I will be checking out two movies that will be celebrating th

Matt Palmer

Apr 274 min read

Rewind Back to 1996: A 90s Action Staple - “The Rock”

For this review, I checked out an action movie that is probably one of the best action movies that came out of the 1990s. This 90s action staple that I am talking about is the 1996 action flick “The Rock.” FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed is sent on an urgent mission with a former British spy, John Patrick Mason, to stop General Francis X. Hummel from launching chemical weapons on Alcatraz Island into San Francisco. Gen. Hummel demands $100 million in war reparat

Matt Palmer

Apr 264 min read

NEW RELEASE REVIEWS AND MORE FOR THE EXAMINER!!!

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EXAMINER 7/8

EXAMINER 7/15

EXAMINER 7/22

EXAMINER 7/29

EXAMINER 8/5

“Mandalorian Season 2” An Exciting, Adventure-Filled Addition To Overall Franchise

“The Sheep Detectives” A Whimsical and Charming Family Whodunit

A First Time Look at “The Mandalorian Season 1”

Rewind Back to 2001: “Shrek” (25th anniversary)

A Look at the 90’s Live Action “Mortal Kombat” Movies

“Primate” An Effective, Chilling, Over the Top Flick

Flawless Victory! “Mortal Kombat II” A Huge Improvement of the 2021 Reboot

Halfway to Halloween: A Look at the “Blair Witch” Movies

Rewind Back to 2016: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Rewind Back to 2006: “The Devil Wears Prada” (20th anniversary)

A Revisit of the 2021 Reboot of “Mortal Kombat”

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” an Empowering, Enjoyable Sequel

Rewind Back to 1991 - “Fried Green Tomatoes” (35th anniversary)

Spring Film Festival - “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die”

Spring Film Festival - “Late Shift”

Spring Film Festival - “Tow”

“Michael” Biopic Will Have Fans Moonwalking to the Theater

“Is This Thing On” A Thought-Provoking, Well-Acted Drama

Rewind Back to 1996: A Nostalgic Childhood Favorite of the 90s - “Space Jam”

Rewind Back to 1996: A 90s Action Staple - “The Rock”