Sony Movie Channel Presents The World Broadcast Premiere Of 'KAZ: PUSHING THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE', The True Story Of 'Gran Turismo' Mastermind Kazunori Yamauchi On Sunday, March 16

CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This March, Sony Movie Channel is proud to present the world broadcast premiere of KAZ: PUSHING THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE, director Tamir Moscovici's (URBAN OUTLAW) chronicle of Kazunori Yamauchi—celebrated creator of the best-selling PlayStation® video game franchise Gran Turismo® that has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide. The acclaimed documentary, filmed during the making of the latest iteration Gran Turismo®6, illustrates how one man's childhood passion for fast cars spawned one of the most important and influential video game racing franchises of all time, and changed the face of the gaming and automotive industries forever. KAZ: PUSHING THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE will debut on Sunday, March 16, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, and immediately repeat at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The documentary will also be available on VOD at the beginning of the month.

Additionally, the Sony Movie Channel celebrates the '70s all month long, with some of the decade's most important and influential films, with popular classics TAXI DRIVER and MIDNIGHT EXPRESS headlining a roster of films starring actors that defined the decade, such as John Travolta, Burt Reynolds, Warren Beatty, Penny Marshall, Rob Reiner, Goldie Hawn, Faye Dunaway, Charles Bronson, Donna Summer, and more. "70s Month" kicks off on Monday, March 3, with weekly stunts and features, culminating in a weekend marathon from Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, March 30.

On Sunday, March 9, the Channel is also featuring a four-film GIDGET marathon, as the loveable beach bunny—originated by Sandra Dee—grows up, falls in love, and travels the world. The marathon begins with GIDGET at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, followed by GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN; GIDGET GOES TO ROME; and GIDGET GETS MARRIED.

And, on Tuesday, March 18, pride and prejudice converge with the Jane Austen double feature. At 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, a group of friends—led by Maria Bello and Emily Blunt—find their lives and loves mirroring the works of the English Lit. staple in THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB. And a young woman has a decision to make when the poor naval officer she rejected years earlier, returns home as a wealthy captain in PERSUASION at 12:05 a.m. ET/9:05 p.m. PT.

Top Events for the month of March include: (Times Below Are Eastern)

KAZ: PUSHING THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE – Sony Movie Channel presents the world broadcast premiere of KAZ: PUSHING THE VIRTUAL DIVIDE—a documentary that delves inside the life and mind of Kazunori Yamauchi, celebrated creator of PlayStation's blockbuster racing video game franchise Gran Turismo, whose passion spawned one of the most successful and influential video games of all time. The newest entry into the franchise, Gran Turismo 6, is now available exclusively on the PlayStation®3 system.

TOM BERENGER & SNIPER – Sony Movie Channel puts the spotlight on action hero Tom Berenger and the franchise he popularized on Saturday, March 1, starting with the thriller TRUE BLUE at 12:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., followed by the complete SNIPER series, with SNIPER at 1:45 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; SNIPER 2 at 3:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.; SNIPER 3 at 5:05 p.m. and 1:25 a.m.; and SNIPER: RELOADED at 6:40 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

'70s MONTH – Sony Movie Channel programs a roster full of films that defined a decade with "70s Month," launching on Monday, March 3. Themed nights featuring Classic Action Stars, Heist Films, Thrillers, and more take over prime time, headlined by a weekend marathon that runs through Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30. The entire '70s stunt will be available on VOD.

March 3 –70s TOUGH GUYS – TO KILL A COP (with Joe Don Baker) 8:00 p.m.; THE NEW CENTURIONS (with George C. Scott) 11:20 p.m.; and THE STONE KILLER (Charles Bronson) 1:05 a.m.

March 4 – 70s HUNK JAN MICHAEL VINCENT– WHITE LINE FEVER 10:00 p.m. and 1:15 a.m.; and SHADOW OF THE HAWK 11:35 p.m.

March 5 – 70s MOVIES OF THE WEEK COUPLES – THE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE (with John Travolta & Diana Hyland) 8:00 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.; and MORE THAN FRIENDS (with Penny Marshall & Rob Reiner) 9:50 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

March 6 – 70s SEXY THRILLERS – THE DEEP (with Jacqueline Bisset) 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.; THE EYES OF LAURA MARS (with Faye Dunaway) 12:10 a.m.

March 7 – 70s GRITTY MASTERPIECES – TAXI DRIVER 10:00 p.m. and 2:10 a.m.; and MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 12:00 a.m. and 4:10 a.m.

March 12 – 70s CAPERS – SHAMUS (Burt Reynolds & Dyan Cannon) 8:00 p.m. and 11:50 p.m.; and $ (a.k.a. DOLLARS) (Warren Beatty & Goldie Hawn) 9:45 p.m. and 1:35 a.m.

March 19 – 70s BRITISH BATTLES – ZULU DAWN (Peter O'Toole & Burt Lancaster) 8:00 p.m. and 12:15 a.m.; THE WILD GEESE (Richard Burton & Roger Moore) 10:00 p.m. and 2:15 a.m.

March 26 – SOUNDTRACK OF THE 70s – YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE (featuring Oscar winning song "You Light Up My Life") 8:00 p.m. and 11:10 p.m.; and THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY (featuring Donna Summer's Oscar winning disco anthem "Last Dance") 9:35 p.m. and 12:45 a.m.

March 29 & 30 – "'70s Weekend" marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, and ends at 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, March 30. Marathon features same movies above, as well as a few others.

GIDGET MARATHON – On Sunday, March 9, Sony Movie Channel viewers will be able to enjoy the four-film GIDGET marathon. The marathon begins with GIDGET at 7 p.m.; followed by GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN at 8:45 p.m.; GIDGET GOES TO ROME at 10:35 p.m.; and GIDGET GETS MARRIED at 12:25 a.m.

Other highlights include:

ST. PATRICK'S DAY – On Monday, March 17, ring in St. Patrick's Day with the MacManus Brothers in the cult classic THE BOONDOCK SAINTS II: ALL SAINTS DAY, starring Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery, at 10 p.m. and 2:05 a.m. Then, Jason Statham and Ray Liotta star in the 2005 crime drama REVOLVER at 12:15 a.m., and 4:20 a.m.

JANE AUSTEN NIGHT – The literary icon's works come to life on Tuesday, March 18, with THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB at 10 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.; and PERSUASION at 12:05 a.m.

WESLEY SNIPES – On Monday, March 24, settle in for a night of action as two of Wesley Snipes' hardest-hitting films air back-to-back – the 2006 thriller HARD LUCK at 10 p.m. and 1:35 a.m.; and 2008's THE ART OF WAR II: BETRAYAL at 11:50 p.m. and 3:25 a.m.

CHEECH & CHONG – Sony Movie Channel lights up the night with two of the trailblazing comedic duo's most popular films on Tuesday, March 25, with CHEECH & CHONG'S NICE DREAMS at 10:00 p.m. and 1:10 a.m.; and THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER at 11:35 p.m. and 2:45 a.m.

PIERCE BROSNAN – Watch Pierce Brosnan in two of his finest dramatic roles on Friday, March 28, with 2008's MARRIED LIFE at 8:15 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.; and 2001's THE TAILOR OF PANAMA at 10:00 p.m. and 1:45 a.m.

For a complete schedule of films and times, visit www.Sonymoviechannel.com/schedule.

In addition to airing these films on the dates noted above, some of the movies mentioned are scheduled for further broadcasts throughout the month. (See listings for further details.)

About Sony Movie Channel
Sony Movie Channel is the first U.S. multi-platform television network from Sony Pictures Television created specifically for the Hollywood movie fan. Offering uncut, uncensored theatrical releases in stunning high definition, Sony Movie Channel showcases titles from Sony Pictures' vast library including award-winning features, cult favorites, family comedies and gripping dramas. Programming is selected from more than 3,500 Sony Pictures films, which collectively have received 184 Academy Awards including 12 for Best Picture. Sony Movie Channel is available on DISH Network, DIRECTV and AT&T U-Verse TV on linear as well as on authenticated VOD and online platforms. For more information, visit SonyMovieChannel.com, Facebook and/or Twitter @SonyMovieCh.

SOURCE Sony Movie Channel