Is summer already over? Pity, seems like it came and went quicker than a ride on the Pineapple Express. To make you feel better, we've rounded up a bunch of films to keep your mind distracted.

On Thursday, September 11th, beginning at 9PM Eastern, get a triple dose of burn outs, junkies, and deals gone wrong beginning with "Rush," starring Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as a pair of narcotics cops who get caught up in the drug world, and then try to buck the system by altering evidence. Then, check out "Party Monster" (pictured), based on the true story of a guy (played by former child star Macaulay Culkin) who hits the club circuit way too hard. It's an intense look at the often drug-besotted club kid era of the 1980s and 1990s. After that, we give you a lesson on the effect of what cannabis can really do to a person with exploitation classic "Reefer Madness." Your brain may not be able to handle it.

Also this month, IFC is paying homage to the Mighty Penn -- that would be Sean Penn, Spirit Award winner, Golden Globe winner, Oscar winner, the list could go on. Penn's a man of many talents, including director ("The Indian Runner," "The Pledge" and, more recently, "Into the Wild"), writer and producer, but we're celebrating what he does best: acting. Tune in Saturday, September 6th starting at 9pm Eastern for a night of phenomenal performances from one of the greatest actors in film. See Penn take on the role of Sgt. Welsh in war saga "The Thin Red Line," play an undercover cop in "State of Grace" (pictured) and portray a disturbed blue collar worker who plots to kill the president in "The Assassination of Richard Nixon."

Plus, brand new to IFC, the Automat begins Tuesday, September 30th. Every week, we're taking you back to the future with a blend of exclusive, uncensored alternative programming, including anime, original series, plus a film thrown into the mix, and much more. The cycle gets going 8PM Eastern/Pacific.

PREMIERES TO LOOK FOR:

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Defying gravity with its martial arts sequences, Ang Lee's impressively shot film tells the story of a mysterious stolen sword. Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film in 2001. Premieres Wednesday, September 3rd at 9PM Eastern.
• Little Fish In this Australian indie, thespian queen Cate Blanchett portrays a former drug addict trying to get her life together. Premieres Thursday, September 4th at 9PM Eastern.
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Bill Murray plays Jacques Cousteau-esque oceanographer Steve Zissou, who seeks revenge on the shark that ate one of his team members (no, it's not a great white named "Jaws"). The role made such an impact that it inspired the remix music to this Bill Murray dedication. Premieres Friday, September 5th at 8:30PM Eastern.
• Brothers When a man is shot down in Afghanistan, his brother steps in to help his family and begins falling in love with his wife (Connie Nielsen) in this heartwrenching Danish drama. Premieres Monday, September 8th at 9PM Eastern.
• Guinevere An older photographer becomes involved with his young muse, whom he calls "Guinevere." She soon learns, however, she's just one of many. Ensemble cast includes Stephen Rea, Sarah Polley, and Gina Gershon. Premieres Monday, September 15th at 9PM Eastern.

By Joanna Varikos in What to Watch on IFC | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (3)

Tags: Automat, film, new, premieres, schedule, Sean Penn, September, series

We just launched a photo contest on IFC.com - It's called the IFC Dress Your Kid (and/or Pet!) Like A Rock Star Photo Contest. It's our version of a kid and pet photo contest - instead of cutest kid and pet, we thought it would be fun to see who could be chosen as the coolest mini-rock god or goddess.

http://kidrockstar.ifc.com/

The prizes are - weekly prize of $50 iTunes gift certificate, runner-up prizes of $500 each (coolest kid/coolest pet) and a $5000 grand prize. The kids in the photos have to be between the ages of 0 and 10. (Pets of all ages accepted. ) Entrants are allowed to post multiple photos but only one photo per day. (Note we are screening and approving all entries before posting, so just be patient.)

Even if you not going to upload a photo, you can go check out and "rate" the photos that have been submitted. Let us know what you think!

By IFC | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: contest

Watch all the great highlights and see if you made the IFC Comic Con News. Check out our complete coverage at this year's Comic-Con here:

• Read all posts in Film News


• All IFC News Video

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the IFC booth at the show. Did you win a Grand Prize? These fans sure did!

• Sony Home Theater System -- Ralph Langer (Pittsburgh, PA)


• HD Camera -- Rosa Martinez (Spring Valley, CA)


• 42" LCD HD TV -- Gianni Pretto (Las Vegas, NV)


• Apple Mac Book -- Wayne Thomson (National City, CA)


• Sony Playstation 3 -- Fatima Camero (San Marcos, CA)

See you next year!

By IFC | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

This month, IFC presents a brand new semi-scripted original series, Z ROCK. By night, Brooklyn-based rockers ZO2 are budding rock stars with groupies and backstage antics - they're thisclose to making it big. But to pay the bills, they perform during the day as "The Z Brothers" at kiddie parties for affluent families. Their manager hooks up Dave Navarro as director of their music video, and books gigs opening for her aunt, Joan Rivers. These fun-loving guys are just trying to make it in the business while dealing with real life. Z ROCK premieres Sunday, August 24th beginning at 11:30PM Eastern/Pacific. Keep your eyes open for celebrity guest appearances throughout the season, including Dave Attell, Sebastian Bach, Dee Snider and many more.

And, while August usually brings scorching weather to a close, things are just heating up with IFC's Summer Sizzler. Turn the AC way up on Thursday, August 7th, because it's going to be one steamy night. Strippers, threesomes and porn will have you wiping the sweat from your forehead over...and over...and over again. Featuring "Dancing at the Blue Iguana," "The Dreamers," the very erotic "When Will I Be Loved," and the premiere of an IFC documentary, "Larry Flynt: The Right to Be Left Alone," all about the free speech advocator who built his empire from three little letters: XXX.

Plus, be sure to check out "Clerks" this month on IFC. If you feared tuning in for the Bennifer "Jersey Girl" flick last month, give yourself a reminder of Kevin Smith's directorial talent with his very first feature film. "Clerks," which was made for less than $30K, is about two convenience store workers who spend a day doing anything but their job, and has become an instant cult classic.

PREMIERES TO LOOK FOR IN AUGUST:

• "TRANSAMERICA" - Independent Spirit Award winner and Oscar nominee Felicity Huffman gives a stellar performance as a man transitioning into a woman who discovers she fathered a son. Premieres Sunday, August 24th at 8:30PM Eastern.


• "THE NEW WORLD" - In between moonlighting as Batman, Christian Bale played John Rolfe, an Englishman who found himself in a love triangle with Indian Princess Pocahontas. Colin Farrell also gives a rather remarkable performance as John Smith. Premieres Monday, August 4th at 9PM Eastern.


• "THE FLORENTINE" - Twists and turns in various peoples' lives all lead to the same bar in one small town. Good script, good direction and great cast, including the late Chris Penn. Premieres Monday, August 18th at 9PM Eastern.


• Also, it's not a full-length film, but these chicks pack a whole lot of punch. The documentary short "THE FIGHTING CHOLITAS" premieres in August, about a group of female Bolivian wrestlers who fight in traditional skirts. Also look out for "LA LECON DE DANSE" (aka "The Dance Lesson"), in which a man shares his ability to perform some unusual dance moves.

By Joanna Varikos | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (6)

Tags: August, films, premieres, schedule, short films, Z Rock