Part I
Baghdad, March 2003: Saddam Hussein [Igal Naor] watches George Bush appealing to Iraqis via a TV broadcast, asserting, “The tyrant will soon be gone.” As bombs explode nearby, Saddam bids farewell to his sons, Uday [Philip Arditti] and Qusay [Mounir Margoum], who hope to avoid capture “until the Americans are defeated.”

Baghdad, July 1979: During a seventh birthday party for his daughter Hala [Nour Trabelssi], Deputy President Saddam and his allies intimidate President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr [Sason Gabay] into resigning. Convening his first Ba’ath party congress, the new president exposes “detractors,” who are led from the hall, forced to confess to an attempted coup, and executed by party members in a test of loyalty. The personality of Saddam soon permeates Iraq, with his heroic image projected everywhere.

When terrorist bombs tear through Baghdad, Saddam orders a military response, leading to the Iran-Iraq War. Saddam also faces personal travails, including the death of the mother who dominated his upbringing; the erratic behavior of Uday, his first son and heir; and a deteriorating alliance with Barzan Ibrahim [Said Taghmaoui], a half-brother and former deputy. Saddam finds solace with Samira Shahbandar [Christine Stephen-Daly], a married beauty who becomes his mistress, to the chagrin of his wife Sajida [Shohreh Aghdashloo]. Later, Saddam’s family and friends gather to celebrate daughter Raghad’s [Agni Scott] marriage to Hussein Kamel [Amr Waked], Saddam’s cousin and close ally. Despite the festivities, a feeling of foreboding mounts, as jealousy, rivalry and paranoia will soon test loyalties to the limit.

Part II
1988: Though Iraq is on the brink of bankruptcy, Baghdad is jubilant in victory after the war with Iran. Uday celebrates in a nightclub by getting drunk and firing a gun into the crowd. His brother-in-law Hussein, now Saddam’s adviser, observes Uday’s actions with concern.

As Kuwait’s upsurge in oil output challenges Iraqi prosperity, a family lunch reveals fractures in Saddam’s household, including fears that an insider might overthrow him.

News spreads that Saddam has taken Samira as a second wife, with grim ramifications. Sajida is shamed that Kamel Hanna [Akbar Kurtha], a servant, knew first. Her brother, Saddam’s longtime lieutenant Adnan [Said Amadis], cautions Saddam that he’s neglecting the needs of both Sajida and his army; Saddam replies that he’ll address only the latter.

Uday’s short fuse is lethally ignited when he confronts an inebriated Kamel Hanna at a party, beating him to death in front of horrified guests. Following a failed suicide attempt, Uday faces the thunderous rage of his father. Inevitably, Saddam questions Adnan’s loyalty; a suspicious helicopter accident removes the threat, but ruins relations between the couple.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s oil policies incite Saddam to declare war and he leads his army into “the mother of all battles.” As nations line up to defend Kuwait, Saddam boasts that it takes 30 nations to take on one Iraq; when the American-led coalition chooses not to march on Baghdad, he claims victory.

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Every year AMC (American Movie Classics) hosts a week filled with haunting and Halloween-y type of films. This year, the fun has already started, with some of the best, classic horror movies reserved for the week leading up to Halloween.

Halloween is this Friday, October 31, 2008.

Here’s a list of the movie schedule for Halloween Week FearFest on AMC. You’ll have to check your television guide for specific channel listings.

Monday, October 27

2:00 AM - Pet Sematary Two (1992) TV14
4:00 AM - Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1965) TV14
7:00 AM - Damien: Omen II (1978) TV14
9:30 AM - Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) TV14
12:00 PM - An American Werewolf in London (1981) TV14
2:00 PM - Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood (1996) TV14
4:00 PM - Pet Sematary Two (1992) TV14
6:00 PM - Panic Room (2002) TV14
8:00 PM - House on Haunted Hill (1999)
10:00 PM - Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)
11:45 PM - Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood (1996) TV14

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Launched as an animated version of THE HONEYMOONERS, Hanna-Barbera’s cartoon classic THE FLINTSTONES is family entertainment at its finest. From the town of Bedrock, modern Stone-Age couple Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their goofy best-friend neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble comically trudge through prehistoric daily lives populated by animals-cum-household-appliances with refreshingly sophisticated zaniness and humor. Meanwhile, the Flintstones’ affectionate pet dinosaur, Dino, and daughter, Pebbles–not to mention the Rubbles’ club-wielding infant Bamm Bamm–cause plenty of havoc in a prehistoric world that’s seen through a 1960s lens. This collection includes all 166 episodes of the animated sitcom’s six seasons. Yabba dabba doo!

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LOGO GREENLIGHTS SEASON TWO OF EXES AND OHS WITH SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STARS MICHELLE PARADISE AND MARNIE ALTON

Greenlight news comes on heels of release of Exes and Ohs: The Complete First Season DVD
New York, NY – May 21, 2008 – Through a special video message posted by Exes and Ohs stars Michelle Paradise and Marnie Alton at Logo’s AfterEllen.com, Logo today announced the greenlight of season two of Exes and Ohs, the first-ever scripted comedy about lesbian friends and relationships for a basic cable channel. The eight-episode, half-hour scripted series – based on the short film The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide –will premiere in early 2009.

The announcement, made by series creator and star Michelle Paradise and co-star Marnie Alton, is now available for viewing at AfterEllen.com, the nation’s top-ranked lesbian-themed website, which helped propel Exes and Ohs’ first season success through video blogs about the show and a powerful community of fans who shared in the show’s experience. The news was announced on the heels of the availability of Exes and Ohs: The Complete First Season DVD at retail stores and at the shop at LOGOonline.com.

Exes and Ohs follows the adventures of Jennifer (Michelle Paradise), a documentary filmmaker and her search for Ms. Right, telling the story of lesbian survival in life and love in Seattle, WA. Jennifer tries to keep up with the high-drama dating world, fulfill her creative ambitions, avoid the danger of professional and romantic complacency and embrace the “rules” of lesbian life, love and community.
Jennifer is surrounded by a group of close and diverse friends: Sam (Marnie Alton), was Jennifer’s first love but is now her fun-loving, commitment-phobic ex-girlfriend; long-time partners in love and business Chris (Megan Cavanagh) and Kris (Angela Featherstone) are trying to run a home-based pet accessory enterprise while overrun by pets with whom they’re too in love to give up for adoption.

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Thousands of video clips from Logo programming library now available at LOGOonline.com and across Logo’s federation of super-serving websites

NEW YORK, NY – May 7, 2008 – Logo, a division of Viacom Inc.’s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, today launched the world’s largest central library of online video for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender audience at LOGOonline.com. With more than 1,200 video clips covering every programming genre, the videos are all ad-supported and viewable on Windows and Mac, providing a sampling of content from Logo’s digital cable channel. Another 1,800 videos currently housed at Logo’s portfolio of websites will be added during the coming weeks.

Among the video clips available at Logo’s new video library are classic full-length episodes and clips from original series like Big Gay Sketch Show, Curl Girls and Exes and Ohs as well as music videos, including The Click List: Ultimate Madonna and True Colors. The site also includes CBS News on Logo, Real Momentum documentaries, The Click List: Best in Short Film and Logo’s slate of video blogs. Logo will also include online-only content such as the NewNowNext Awards after show and other original features.

“Before Logo, LGBT people had to go to film festivals or urban art houses for stories that spoke directly to them. Now there is a national stage – on-air and online – connecting LGBT artists with the LGBT audience,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Logo. “If community has been the cornerstone of the history of the American gay experience, then the digital revolution may be one of our most important milestones.”

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THE BOONDOCKS: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON UNCUT AND UNCENSORED

Three-Disc DVD Includes All 13 Episodes of Season Two Plus Two Exclusive Episodes Too Hot to Air in the U.S. and Multiple Bonus Features Available June 10

Aaron McGruder’s Edgy and Satirical Hit Animated Comedy Series Stars Regina King, John Witherspoon, Cedric Yarbrough, Jill Talley, Gabby Soleil, and Gary Anthony Williams

Guests Voices include Mos Def, Lil Wayne, Cedric the Entertainer Snoop Dogg, Katt Williams, and Busta Rhymes

Another season of the must-own provocative Peabody Award-winning comedy, Sony Pictures Television’s The Boondocks: The Complete Second Season – Uncut and Uncensored debuts on DVD June 10 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Based on Aaron McGruder’s award-winning and politically charged comic strip, the three-disc DVD includes all 13 uncut and uncensored episodes from the broadcast season as well as two exclusive bonus episodes never-before-aired in the U.S.: The Hunger Strike with guest stars Cee-Lo, Donald Faison, Tavis Smiley, Debra Wilson and The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show with guest stars Donald Faison and Debra Wilson. Extensive bonus features include commentary from Aaron McGruder on his favorite episodes, and an individual character profile featurette. The set will be available for $49.95 SRP.

The Boondocks: The Complete Second Season – Uncut and Uncensored tracks the adventures of two boys, Riley and Huey Freeman, who experience a culture clash when they move from Southside Chicago to the suburbs to live with their irascible grandfather. Huey, a 10-year-old left wing revolutionary, is determined not to enjoy the affluence of suburbia. This attitude is seconded by his 8-year-old brother, Riley, a proud product of contemporary rap culture. Although they torture each other and provoke the neighborhood, the two aren’t any match for Granddad, who is eccentric even by “crazy-ass-old-black-man” standards.

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From a Galaxy Far, Far Away Comes the DVD Debut of a Stop-Motion Tribute to One of the Greatest Pop Culture Phenomena of All Time

Robot Chicken: STAR WARS™

Featuring the Voices of STAR WARS Creator George Lucas and Guests Conan O’Brien, Seth MacFarlane, Hulk Hogan and More; Special Bonus-Laden DVD Arrives on July 22nd

In homage to one of the biggest adventure sagas in cinematic history, Adult Swim über-creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich incorporated tons of plastic action figures, brilliant execution of stop-motion animation and a touch of the Force to create the Robot Chicken: STAR WARS special — and now it makes its way to a bonus-feature filled DVD from Warner Home Video and Adult Swim on July 22nd.

Brazenly combining the satirical style of Green and Senreich’s Stoopid Monkey Productions and the creative team at ShadowMachine, headed by Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico, and inspired by the unforgettable moments and favorite characters of the Star Wars galaxy, the Robot Chicken: STAR WARS special intertwines the staples of George Lucas’s universe with “yo’ momma” battles, spoofs on George Dubya, and besotted fanboys. Green directed the special, which earned him this year’s Annie Award for Directing in an Animated TV Production. It’s everything the fans have come to expect of the hit television series and more. So very much more.

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Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 Are Back!

GET SMART: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Starring Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Andy Dick and Elaine Hendrix

All 7 Episodes Available on DVD June 3

Emmy® winner Don Adams (TV’s original “Get Smart”) and Emmy® nominated Barbara Feldon (TV’s original “Get Smart”) reprise their roles as Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 in the update of the classic spoof Get Smart, now with the addition of Andy Dick (Road Trip) and Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap). From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Get Smart: The Complete Series ($19.95 SRP) comes to DVD June 3, just prior to the release of the new “Get Smart” motion picture starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway, coming to theaters June 20.

It’s years later, but the forces of good (CONTROL) continue to battle the forces of evil (KAOS) to keep world order and peace. This time around Maxwell Smart (Adams), promoted to the chief of CONTROL, and Agent 99 (Feldon), now a Congresswoman, are fighting to keep KAOS from taking controlling over the world’s economy. Joining them is their bumbling son, newly-minted Control Agent Zackary Smart (Dick) and a tough, sexy Agent 66 (Hendrix).

Get Smart: The Complete Series episodes include:

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POPULAR ADULT SWIM ANIME SERIES

Blood +: Volume Two Single-Disc DVD Contains the Next 5 Episodes of the Series DEBUTS JUNE 17 ON DVD

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (April 7, 2008) – Fans of the Blood+ series will be able to add to their collections with Blood +: Volume Two, debuting June 17 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. This is the second volume of the Blood + series to be released on DVD in a five-episode single disc format, a popular option among anime collectors. Blood +, the dark and visually impressive Adult Swim series from The Cartoon Network, is based on the anime movie Blood: The Last Vampire. Blood +: Volume Two will be available for $24.96 SRP.

Saya Otonashi, a seemingly normal high school student, suffers from amnesia and can’t remember the past year of her life. One day, after a man appears and gives her a katana sword, her destiny changes forever. Soon Saya finds herself fighting the latest threat to humanity – Chiropterans, ravenous immortal creatures that can change form and disguise themselves as human beings. An organization known as the Red Shield has been waging a private war to wipe them out and now, with Saya’s help, the struggle has grown.

DVD Special Features Include:
Full Screen Presentations
Audio: English, original Japanese
Subtitles: English, French
Closed Captioned

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TNT Original Series Starring Oscar® Winner Holly Hunter In Her Powerful Golden Globe®-Nominated TV Series Debut Premieres On DVD July 15th >From Fox Home Entertainment

“A dark, mesmerizing drama anchored by Holly Hunter’s delicious performance” - Variety

CENTURY CITY, Calif. – A jaded, emotionally complex and brilliant Oklahoma City police detective gets a last chance to reclaim her life in the acclaimed new TNT series “Saving Grace,” debuting on DVD July 15th from Fox Home Entertainment. Academy Award® winner Holly Hunter (The Piano) makes her television series debut with the provocative, Golden Globe® nominated role of Detective Grace Hanadarko, a fast-living, hard-drinking, cynical forty-something who, despite being at the top of her field, takes struggle to a new level. It all catches up to her when, after another night of too many drinks, she tragically kills a pedestrian with her car, forcing her, uncharacteristically, to ask God for help. Her prayers are answered by Earl; a scruffy, tobacco-spitting, unlikely “last-chance angel” who unfolds his wings to reveal his heavenly origins and pledges to help Grace get her life on the right path – whatever that may mean for Grace.

Hailed by critics as “one of the most distinctive new shows of the year” (Chicago Tribune) with a “distinctive voice” (Time) and “sheer force-of-nature performance by Hunter” (San Jose Mercury News), “Saving Grace” became the #1 new U.S. cable series of summer 2007 (averaging over 5.2 million viewers per week). The series also features outstanding supporting cast including Leon Rippy (Deadwood), Laura San Giacomo (“Just Shoot Me”), Kenneth Johnson (“The Shield”), Bokeem Woodbine (The Big Hit), Gregory Norman Cruz (“Criminal Minds”) and Bailey Chase (“Las Vegas”). Featuring all 13 original episodes on a four-disc set with bonus features including numerous behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews with cast/crew, select episode commentary, Everlast music video and more, the “Saving Grace” Season One DVD will be available to own for $49.98 U.S. / $69.98 Canada.

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