ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DISH Network L.L.C. customers will be among the first to enjoy "Passion Play" – a movie about an angel under the thumb of a ruthless gangster who is eventually saved by a struggling jazz musician – from the comfort of their living rooms on the same day the movie premieres in theaters starting May 6. DISH Network customers can rent "Passion Play" in HD for $5.99 and standard definition for $4.99.  

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"Passion Play" features Nate (Academy Award Nominee Mickey Rourke of "Iron Man 2" and "The Wrestler"), a down-on-his-luck jazz trumpeter whose life changes when he meets Lily (Megan Fox of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "Jennifer's Body"), the star of a carnival sideshow attraction who has beautiful, real wings. The two begin to fall for each other just as the menacing gangster Happy Shannon (Academy Award Nominee Bill Murray of "Lost in Translation" and "Ghostbusters") decides he wants Lily for himself.

"DISH Cinema offers our customers the hottest Hollywood hits, and we're thrilled to deliver 'Passion Play' in HD on the same day it's available in theaters," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "DISH Network is committed to giving our customers the best in-home movie experience. Not only do we offer movies simultaneously with the theatrical release, but also we give our customers access to a huge library of movies available 28 days before Netflix and redbox, as well as on the same day or prior to DVD release."

"Passion Play" will be available on DISH Pay-Per-View (channels 500-558) beginning May 6-16. Customers can order by selecting the movie in the program guide, calling 1-977-DISH-PPV (347-4778) or visiting www.DISHCinema.com.

About DISH Network:

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.1 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2010, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy industry-leading customer satisfaction, the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

SOURCE DISH Network L.L.C.