[spectre] Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

[Joel S. Bachar]

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession
A Film by Xan Cassavetes
Catalog No. MC-451
2005, 120 minutes
UPC: 829567025529
$24.99 - includes PPR
Release Date: October 11, 2005

to order:
http://www.microcinema.com/programResult.php?program_id=451

Synopsis:

Launched in 1974 in Los Angeles, Z Channel was one of the country's first
pay cable stations. Its prominence was solidified in 1980 when maverick
programmer Jerry Harvey took over as head of programming. Z's uniqueness was
attributed to Harvey and his staff's determination, diverse taste and
encyclopedic knowledge of cinema. Harvey's programming showcased a
combination of classic, international, independent, and Hollywood films. Z
was the first to develop programming innovations such as 'director's cuts'
and uniquely themed on air festivals, while also airing many rare and never
before seen exclusives and critically acclaimed films not in the mainstream.

The documentary chronicles Harvey's emergence as a brilliant programmer, but
also explores Harvey's emotional and psychological descent, which eventually
resulted in a shocking murder/suicide and the eventual demise of Z Channel
itself.

Robert Altman, Jacqueline Bisset, F.X Feeney, James B. Harris, Jerry Harvey,
Henry Jaglom, Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne, Alan Rudolph, Theresa Russell,
Penelope Spheeris, Quentin Tarantino, James Woods.

Bonus Features

-Extra interviews Over 30 minutes of film clips by Robert Altman, Paul
Verhoeven, and many, many more. Featuring an untold story of Peckinpah's
"Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid."
-Photo gallery montage Includes Z Magazine covers and reviews of the many
celebrated films aired on Z Channel.
-On The Film Scene with Film critic Charles Champlin interviews include
Hollywood luminaries, such as David Lean, Francis Coppola, Steven Spielberg
and Jessica Lange.
-"Castaway's Choice" Full length radio interview with Jerry Harvey by radio
show host John McNally.
-AFI Tribute to Z with panelist Oliver Stone includes Monte Hellman, Richard
Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Joffe and James Woods.
-Audio Commentary with Director, Producers, Editors and more.

Booklet section
Reproduced original Z Magazine reviews of films featured in doc.

http://www.microcinema.com/programResult.php?program_id=451