Features

The Dietrich Theater will host a free screening of the beloved film “An Officer and a Gentleman” at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. This special event is presented by Veterans Connection: Meetup & Workshop and generously sponsored by M&T Bank.

It’s the season when zombies eat brains and people eat mummies. At least, they can if they make this “Easy Mummy Stromboli.” But as always, “ease” is defined by the cook’s experience and time constraints.

This true story follows everyday man Jeffrey Manchester, played by the delightful Channing Tatum (“White House Down”), who also just happens to be a part-time criminal. Eh, who’s to judge? So, what if he robs banks and breaks into fast food restaurants across nine states by drilling holes through the walls and roofs? Jeffrey Manchester, who was also a former U.S. Army paratrooper means well, isn’t that all that counts?

It’s about time we talk about Norman Reilly Raine, the quiet member of the Luzerne County Oscar winners’ club. Unlike Jack Palance and the Mankiewicz brothers, you don’t hear much conversation about Mr. Raine, who won his Oscar for best adapted screenplay for 1937’s “The Life of Emile Zola” — which also won best picture.

Let me preface this week’s review by stating just how much I dislike the title of this movie. Like, who on earth could not come up with a better title than “The Smashing Machine?” Like seriously, with a corny title such as this, it’s no wonder it bombed opening weekend with only $6 million worldwide! And it should be noted that it had a $40 million budget — yikes! Of course it did open up next to Taylor Swift’s new album preview film, not that the target audiences cross paths at all.

The fall season brings Halloween, and for Northeast Pennsylvania, Reaper’s Revenge.

With the loss of West Hazleton’s Cinema & Drafthouse, there are now only four movie venues in Luzerne County, and two of them are the always majestic but unfortunately temporary drive-ins, Garden and Moonlite. Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre and the Regal in Hazle Twp. are year-round consistent presences, as is Cinemark in Moosic, just north of Luzerne County’s border.

Stephen King is one of the most notorious names in terms of authors whose works have spanned many generations. He has more than 60 novels in print to date, 200 short stories, and more than 60 of his stories have already been adapted into films and television series. Some of the most notable and popular of his book titles adapted to film have been arguably, “Carrie,” “Misery,” and “The Shining” to name just a couple.

As far as I’m concerned, spooky season has begun.