What to Watch on IFC in August

Friday, August 1, 2008 | 10:32 AM

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.