For BATMAN fans everywhere, there is no film more highly anticipated this summer than THE DARK KNIGHT. For this most recent big-budget installment of the popular franchise, ReelzChannel, the only cable/satellite network dedicated to "Everything About Movies, 24/7," will become "Everything About THE DARK KNIGHT, 24/7" as it devotes its original programs across the network July 11-20 to showcase the movie franchise.
Leading into the film's nationwide opening, ReelzChannel TV will provide a virtual master class on the famed franchise with extensive coverage including: one-on-one interviews with the stars of the new film; retrospective looks at the films that have paved the way for the newest incarnation of the Caped Crusader; interstitial THE DARK KNIGHT production notes airing throughout the ten-day event, and Leonard Maltin's hidden movie gems featuring the cast of THE DARK KNIGHT. ReelzChannel has assembled an entire Bat-week of fun for fans of Bruce Wayne, his sidekick Robin, his faithful manservant Alfred, and the assortment of iconic villains who have made the property an enduring worldwide franchise.
In addition, www.reelzchannel.com will join the celebration with original BATMAN-themed online content and pop-culture elements including a guide to BATMAN history, as well as highlights, clips and features from the network's programming event.
From Gotham City to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, here's the ReelzChannel TV original programming lineup for this special event:
SECRET'S OUT (premieres Friday, July 11, 7 p.m. ET/PT) Hosted by movie critic Leonard Maltin, the series delves into the film archives to re-discover those gems that, while they didn't make box-office history, certainly deserve the attention of movie fans. In this week's special episode, Leonard will explore some of the unheralded films that feature cast members from THE DARK KNIGHT: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman.
DAILIES (premieres Monday, July 14, 6 p.m. ET; encore 8 p.m. ET/PT) ReelzChannel's signature show hosted by Mike Richards, DAILIES provides movie fans with breaking movie news, exclusive clips, and in-depth stories about movies and movie-making not found on any other network. Throughout this week, Richards and the DAILIES team of correspondents will present the most relevant breaking news about the return of The Caped Crusader, from interviews with the stars, reviews from "First Fans" who see the film all around the country -- with reports from New York, Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Nashville -- and stories covering every aspect of the BATMAN franchise. One of the franchise's most prominent fans, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), showcases his impressive collection of BATMAN memorabilia.
MOVIE MOB (Monday, July 14, 7 p.m. ET) Mob members weigh in on all the actors who have played The Caped Crusader over the past two decades, from Keaton to Bale, as well as the numerous villains and lady loves who have crossed their paths. Criticism and passions are sure to run high during this highly-opinionated half-hour hosted by former mob member Sara Fletcher, truly the first show to feature an all-online cast who vie each week to keep their coveted spots as movie critics.
WHAT IT TAKES (Monday - Thursday, July 14-17, 7:30 p.m. ET) ReelzChannel TV's original, half-hour biographical look at the journeys of Hollywood's most successful actors presents the background stories of stars who have appeared in Batman movies, including Morgan Freeman, Jim Carrey, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman and George Clooney. Included in each episode is Batman-themed pop-up trivia.
THE BIG TEASE (Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. ET) Chi-Lan Lieu and Jeremy Parsons host this lively half-hour original series dedicated to the beloved movie trailer, a studio's most important tool in sharing an upcoming movie with audiences. This special edition of the show pays homage to all six BATMAN movies, featuring their trailers, followed by a spirited and informed discussion about the evolution of The Caped Crusader, Gotham City and its denizens.
MOVIE UP (premieres Thursday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. ET) Hosted by Tory Shulman, this series is the definitive home-entertainment guide to what's new and hot on DVD, VOD/PPV and premium channels. In a special Batman-themed segment of the show, original TV BATMAN Adam West is scheduled to appear, along with highlights from the 1966 BATMAN feature film in which he starred with Burt Ward, and which features classic villains The Joker (Cesar Romero), The Riddler (Frank Gorshin), The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) and Catwoman (Lee Meriwether); GOTHAM KNIGHT, the 2008 animated DVD anthology of six short films, and the Blu-ray release of BATMAN BEGINS, starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Liam Neeson.
REELZCHANNEL SPOTLIGHT: THE DARK KNIGHT" (premieres Friday, July 18, 9 p.m. ET/PT) In this ReelzChannel TV original half-hour special, DAILIES correspondent Gerrad Hall talks one-on-one with stars of THE DARK KNIGHT, while correspondent Travis Oscarson gets reactions for his FIRST FANS segment from the movie's earliest viewers. Never-before-seen interviews include Hall's sit-downs with stars Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and director Christopher Nolan. While Hall provides the inside scoop from the film's stars, Oscarson will be talking with fans exiting the very first screenings of the film for their important take on summer's biggest movie bet.
THE DIRECTORS: Two of The Caped Crusader's most noted directors are highlighted in this installment of the show which looks at the impressive bodies of work by lens masters Tim Burton (Monday, July 14, 9 p.m. ET/PT) and Joel Schumacher (Thursday, July 17, 9 p.m. ET/PT). Viewers will go behind the lens and deep into the world of moviemaking with exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at the contributions of Schumacher and Burton to the silver screen evolution of Batman. Included in each episode is Batman-themed pop-up trivia.
