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 […]
Netflix’s ‘Haunting of Bly Manor’ – why Henry James’ eerie tale still inspires so many adaptations
New on Netflix, “The Haunting of Bly Manor” is the latest in a long line of adaptations of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw” (1898) that began in 1954 with Benjamin Britten’s opera. Since then, there has been more than 25 others. Adapters’ enduring fascination with James’ “irresponsible little fiction” can be summed up […]
Regal Cinemas’ decision to close theaters is latest blow to film industry on life support
A film industry in free fall just suffered its latest blow. Cineworld Group, the owner of Regal Cinemas, announced that it would suspend operations at all of its locations in the U.S. and U.K. as crowded theaters continue to be seen as Petri dishes for a virus that shows no sign of abating. [In Northeastern […]
Movie theaters survived pandemics and home video before, but can the film industry adapt this time?
Since the start of the pandemic, the film industry has been in free fall. As deaths have continued to climb, so have studio losses, with crowded theaters – once a source of collective entertainment and escapism – now seen as Petri dishes for the virus. Familiar blockbuster franchises whose summer releases studios banked on to […]
VIDEO: Netflix releases Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ teaser trailer about NEPA hitman and crime family
In February, a commercial for “The Irishman” aired on television during the Oscars, but it simply confirmed that the highly anticipated Martin Scorsese film would be coming to Netflix this fall without showing any footage, instead opting for a simple voiceover as bullet shells fell past the names of stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, […]
Comedic YouTube and Netflix star Miranda Sings comes to Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on May 5
From a press release: It was announced today that comedic YouTube sensation and Netflix star Miranda Sings will visit the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $45 and $75, plus fees, are on sale now and available at the Kirby Center box office (71 Public Square, […]
CULT CORNER: ‘Turbo Kid’ is all the post-apocalyptic ’80s nostalgia you’ll ever need
The 1980s are certainly having a renaissance of sorts lately. Shows and movies featuring the decade have become extremely popular – see “Stranger Things” or last year’s “It” remake for proof. However, for those of us who grew up the ‘80s, the nostalgia reaches even deeper, especially if you grew up a horror and/or sci-fi […]
NEPA SCENE PODCAST: Telling the real ‘Polka King’ story with documentary filmmaker John Mikulak
Recorded and produced every week by Internet marketing company Coal Creative in their production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, the award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast presents honest, uncensored interviews and in-depth discussions about local arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The live, multi-camera show streams in high definition on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page […]
VIDEOS: NEPA musicians perform with ‘Polka King’ Jack Black on ‘Colbert’ and ‘Today’ show
While the NEPA Scene Podcast recorded a show with John Mikulak, whose local documentary inspired the new Netflix movie “The Polka King,” several Northeastern Pennsylvania musicians were in New York City yesterday performing polka music with its star, Jack Black, on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which aired later that night on CBS. Black […]
VIDEO: Netflix releases first trailer for ‘The Polka King’ starring Jack Black as Hazleton con man
As NEPA Scene reported yesterday, Netflix has finally settled on an official release date for its new comedic drama, “The Polka King,” so today the streaming service dropped the first trailer for the anticipated film, which stars comedian, actor, and musician Jack Black as real-life Hazleton polka legend Jan “Lewan” Lewandowski. No area has anticipated […]
