Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival returns with 90 films in-person at Opera House April 22-25
From a press release: Channeling “the rebellious spirit of the Molly Maguires,” the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival challenges the boldest, most defiant filmmakers to present their work, shatter convention, and incite spirited debate. The festival credo is “eyes and minds wide open,” and they mean it. After canceling last year due to COVID-19, the […]
Godzilla vs. Kong – science weighs in on which monster would actually win the fight
The 2021 film “Godzilla vs. Kong” pits the two most iconic movie monsters of all time against each other. And fans are now picking sides. Even the most fantastical creatures have some basis in scientific reality, so the natural world is a good place to look to better understand movie monsters. I study functional morphology […]
Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival returns to Ritz Theater in Scranton on April 17-18
From a press release: The 2020 Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival was canceled due to COVID-19 and rescheduled for October, but conditions did not improve enough to safely hold the fourth annual event last year. Now that movie theaters have reopened and the state is easing safety restrictions, organizers are moving forward with a slightly smaller […]
‘Ten Commandments’ screens in NEPA movie theaters on March 28 for 65th anniversary
From a press release: Throughout film history, Hollywood has produced a number of sweeping epics and generation-defining movies. However, one Biblical saga – Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” – has withstood the test of time. Shot in Egypt and the Sinai on one of the biggest sets ever constructed for a motion picture, the […]
Circle Drive-In in Dickson City hosts free St. Patrick’s Day screening of ‘Quiet Man’ and ‘Rudy’ on March 13
There may not be a St. Patrick’s Parade in Scranton this month, but a local nonprofit Irish Catholic fraternal organization will still celebrate the holiday with a festive socially distanced event. Scranton’s Ancient Order of Hibernians Paul “Hook” O’Malley Division 4 will host a free double feature of “The Quiet Man” and “Rudy” at the […]
How the philosophy in ‘Groundhog Day’ can help us through pandemic times
Today, many of us will recall the American comedy film “Groundhog Day.” Originally released in 1993, it stars the incomparable Bill Murray as Phil Conners, an insufferable Pittsburgh weatherman. A minor local celebrity who believes himself destined for much better things, he resents his piddling assignment to report on the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, […]
WVIA rebroadcasts ‘War Stories’ about Pittston WWII vet Patrick Solano on Jan. 29-31
From a press release: In remembrance of Patrick Solano, a decorated World War II veteran who became a public servant under nine Pennsylvania governors, WVIA will air a special rebroadcast of the award-winning original documentary film “War Stories: Pat Solano” this Friday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. […]
PHOTOS: Giant Dundie Award presented to Scranton by Peacock and ‘The Office’ stars
Despite airing its final episode in 2013, “The Office” was still the most streamed television show of 2020. This week, Nielsen reported that Americans streamed more than 57 billion minutes of the NBC sitcom last year on Netflix, and now all nine seasons have moved to Peacock starting Jan. 1. To celebrate and memorialize Scranton […]
WVIA hosts live ‘Short Takes’ watch-along with filmmakers and producers virtually on Jan. 13
From a press release: WVIA’s production division VIA Studios Global will present a “VIA Short Takes” watch-along on Wednesday, Jan. 13 where viewers will get to ask the series creators and producers questions live. Geared towards aspiring and seasoned filmmakers alike, the panel will feature the award-winning team discussing the process of making documentaries for […]
Are the streaming wars really a threat to the film industry?
In a world of countless entertainment opportunities, movies are one of the few remaining proven ways to attract a new audience and retain existing ones. Yet the dominant narrative seems to be that, in the age of the Internet, the old system of theatrical release can no longer cater for audiences worldwide – or so […]
