|
Starz Announces New Slate of Original Specials for 'Starz Inside' Series
Acclaimed Film Critic Richard Roeper Returns to Host Premieres in April
Compelling Looks at the History of Pixar Animation Studio; Gender-Bending
Movie Roles; Mind Blowing Make-Up Special Effects; Gross-Out Comedies;
Comic Book Movies; Fashion in Film; and a Long Overdue Tribute to Character
Actors
NGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 27 -- Starz Inside, Starz
Entertainment's series of original specials returns in April with a new
slate of productions that will take the series into '09. The announcement
was made today by Michael Ruggiero, vice president of original programming.
Renowned film critic Richard Roeper returns as Starz Inside host. Please
note that all times are ET/PT and dates are subject to change.
The series premieres on April 22 (10:00 p.m.) with Starz Inside: The
Pixar Story - A Leslie Iwerks Film, a fascinating look at the history of
the storied animation giant, featuring perspectives from founding members
and Academy Award(R) winning directors including John Lasseter, Steve Jobs,
Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton. Leading up to the special, Starz
presents a night of Pixar films featuring Cars (6:00 p.m.) followed by
Ratatouille at 8:00 p.m.
Hollywood has always utilized comic books for inspiration and many of
the blockbuster franchises have been adapted from the comics (think Batman,
Spider-Man(TM), Superman, X-Men and the upcoming Iron Man). Starz Inside:
Comic Books Unbound (June 10/10:00 p.m.) looks at the evolution and
revolutions in this colorful corner of show business, going
behind-the-scenes to explore how filmmakers work with and bring to life
comic books and characters to the big screen. Mystery Men (4:00 p.m.) Ghost
Rider (6:00 p.m.) and Spider-Man 3 (8:00 p.m.) will be shown leading up to
the premiere of Starz Inside: Comic Books Unbound.
EWWWWWW ... that's funny! Starz Inside: In the Gutter (July 29/10:00
p.m.) looks at the origin and popularity of gross-out comedy films. Viewers
will be taken inside today's most outrageous comedies pushing the
boundaries with offensive material, bathroom humor and questionable taste
that make us laugh. Everything from There's Something about Mary to
American Pie to Jackass will be featured. Begin an evening of gross-out
comedy flicks at 6:00 p.m. with Talladega Nights followed by Superbad.
After Starz Inside: In the Gutter, stay tuned for American Pie (11:00 p.m.)
followed by Tomcats.
Wow, that's incredible. How did they do that? Starz Inside: Fantastic
Flesh - The Art of Makeup EFX -- tentative title (October 28/10:00 p.m.)
takes an inside look at the creation and execution of some of today's most
spectacular special effects in Hollywood blockbusters, through one of its
most prolific FX houses in the industry -- KNB EFX. From animatronic
critters to prosthetics and character makeup to aliens, monsters and
ghouls, the KNB EFX group has been creating innovative state-of-the-art
effects for movies for more than 20 years and over 300 films as diverse as
Scream to The Chronicles of Narnia.
Is she or is he a she??? Starz Inside: Ladies or Gentlemen (November
25/10:00 p.m.) takes a playful look at some of the most daring cross-sexual
performances in Hollywood history. From Dustin Hoffman (Tootsie) and Robin
Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire) to Felicity Huffman (Transamerica) and Martin
Lawrence (Big Momma's House), the special goes behind the scenes with
filmmakers and actors who turned these performances into some of the most
memorable in movie history.
Starz Inside: Fashion in Film (December 16/10:00 p.m.) explores the
world of fashion and costume design in Hollywood films and its unique
influence on contemporary fashion off the screen. The special explores big
screen fashion moments (in films such as Atonement, 27 Dresses and Sex and
the City) and how clothes not only make the actor or actress, but also how
they impact our culture's sense of style off the screen as well. Movies
including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (3:30 p.m.), Pirates of the
Caribbean: At World's End (5:00 p.m.) and Enchanted (8:00 p.m.) are sure to
get you in the fashion mood.
Who's that actor? We've seen him (or her) in so many movies, but what's
his (or her) name? Get to know some of Hollywood's most talented men and
women, who have supported leading roles in films for decades in Starz
Inside: The Face is Familiar (January 13, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.). They proudly
stand in the shadows of the "stars" of the movies, content to play the
roles that lend flavor and depth to the films, with their unique brands of
humor, intensity and charisma, leaving lasting impressions on all of us in
movie after movie. This special will help you put a name to their face and
just might help you win trivia contests. Prior to Starz Inside: The Face is
Familiar, watch character actor-turned leading men William H. Macy in Wild
Hogs (6:45 p.m.) and John C. Reilly (reteaming this year with Will Ferrell
in the upcoming Columbia Pictures release Step Brothers) in Walk Hard: The
Dewey Cox Story (8:30 p.m.). After the special, see Philip Seymour Hoffman
in 25th Hour (11:00 p.m.).
Starz Inside examines people, trends, and culture in movie
entertainment. "Last season, we broadened the spectrum of our original
programming with Starz Inside, which was developed to complement our
movie-centric programming strategy and provide viewers with an added
perspective on the filmmaking universe," said Ruggiero. "The new slate we
have scheduled will look at a diverse array of subjects our audience will
find informative, compelling and entertaining. In addition, we are thrilled
to have Richard Roeper back as our host. He did an incredible job last year
and we are excited to be working with him again."
"I look forward to working on a new season of Starz Inside and this
year's exciting specials," adds Roeper. "The topics that are covered will
provide an in-depth, informative look at the different facets of the world
of cinema."
Starz Inside host Richard Roeper has been co-host of "Ebert & Roeper"
since 2000. For the last 20 years he has been a columnist for the Chicago
Sun-Times. He was also a contributor to Fox News in Chicago, where his
commentaries were nominated for five Emmys(R), winning twice.
To enhance the premiere of selected Starz Inside specials, Starz will
also schedule a special selection of movies that celebrate the diverse
array of movie-centric themes discussed in each special.
Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating
in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship
Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 16 million and 30.3
million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000
movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services
including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and Vongo(R). Starz Entertainment
(http://www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to
Liberty Capital Group.
SOURCE Starz Entertainment
http://www.starz.com
|
