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