Sundance unveils dramatic, doc competition slate

'Filly Brown''For Ellen''Keep the Lights On''The Comedy''The First Time'"I'm almost starting to think a bad economy makes for better artists," John Cooper noted as he unveiled the lineup of the 28th annual Sundance Film Festival, marking his third year as director of America's premier independent-cinema event. "When things start to get crazy, it's actually good for them. They start making the films they want to make." Certainly the economic slump has had little impact on the numbers. Set to unspool Jan. 19-29 in Park City, Utah, Sundance will present 111 features (88 of them world premieres) culled from a pool of 4,042 submissions; given that last year the fest received fewer submissions (3,812) yet accommodated more titles (115), the selection process can be termed the most competitive in recent memory. Packages and passes have sold out as quickly as ever, and sponsorship has held steady, director of programming Trevor Groth said. "The filmmaking community out there is alive and well, pushing each other to make better and more challenging films, and we're seeing that," Groth said. Cooper and Groth noted that, artistically, filmmakers have responded to the economic slump in subtly but decidedly positive ways, revealing not only a greater urgency and sense of purpose in their storytelling, but also heightened resourcefulness and a greater commitment to long-term viability. Forced to work with tighter budgets than ever, directors and producers have had to take the notion of career sustainability more seriously. "They're not just looking for that big-ticket film, but for a career where they get to make movies," Cooper said, alluding to the old days when titles like "Son of Rambow" and "Hamlet 2" set off frenzied bidding wars and pricey pickup deals, only to have a tough time fulfilling high hopes at the box office. Now that the bubble has burst, Cooper said, expectations are more reasonable and the system is correcting itself: Sales have remained healthy, and distribs have seen a decent return on their investment. And with several dramatic offerings from Sundance 2011 -- namely "Like Crazy," "Margin Call," "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and "Take Shelter" -- having opened to solid specialty returns, critical acclaim and some awards buzz, distribs will certainly be on the lookout for fresh, commercially accessible talent, especially among the 58 competition titles unveiled today. For Cooper, the high number of Park City alums in the 2012 selection is an encouraging sign. Returning talents on the U.S. dramatic front include Todd Louiso ("Love Liza"), back with Melanie Lynskey starrer "Hello I Must Be Going"; Ira Sachs (2005 grand jury prizewinner "Forty Shades of Blue"), returning with Gotham gay relationship study "Keep the Lights On"; So Yong Kim ("In Between Days"), bringing her Paul Dano-starring drama "For Ellen"; and James Ponsoldt ("Off the Black"), cracking the competition with the boozy marital drama "Smashed." Groth noted the unusual number of comedies in the dramatic competition, with notable elements of light humor in Ry Russo-Young's "Nobody Walks," Colin Trevorrow's "Safety Not Guaranteed" and "Hello I Must Be Going"; oddly enough, the one film that's titled "The Comedy," from helmer Rick Alverson, is one of the section's darker entries. On the American documentary side, Cooper's "repeat offenders" include Eugene Jarecki (2005 grand jury prizewinner "Why We Fight" and last year's "Reagan"), who will unspool "The House I Live In," a critique of America's war on drugs; Kirby Dick ("This Film Is Not Yet Rated"), tackling the subject of rape in the U.S. military with "The Invisible War"; and Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady ("12th & Delaware"), returning with their urban elegy "Detropia." While at least one docu competition entry, Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce's corporate-malfeasance expose "We're Not Broke," chimes with the increasingly embattled Occupy protest movements, Cooper said the financial crisis was not a dominant theme. Instead, he observed that in contrast with the more personal, character-driven documentaries of Sundance 2011, the latest batch of nonfiction filmmakers tended to offer "a more comprehensive study of big problems," running the gamut from the health-care crisis to hunger in America to the environmental movement. The World Cinema dramatic competition is dominated by an unusually rich strain of Latin American filmmaking, encompassing pictures from Brazil, Argentina and Chile such as Luciano Moura's "Father's Chair," Armando Bo's "The Last Elvis," Andres Wood's "Violeta Went to Heaven" and Marialy Rivas' "Young & Wild." The rising interest in Greek cinema has also made itself felt with the programming of Babis Makridis' absurdist-sounding "L," co-written by Makridis and "Dogtooth" scribe Efthymis Filippou. During the two years since he replaced longtime Sundance topper Geoffrey Gilmore, Cooper made numerous refinements to the structure of the program, including the launches of Documentary Premieres and the best-of-fests Spotlight slate. Few such changes are in evidence for the 2012 edition, and Cooper said he and his staff plan to work within the present model for a few years, or "until the independent world tells us to change it again, which could happen next year." Once again, the fest will forego a traditional opening-night film and instead kick off with screenings of four competition titles and a shorts program. The first-day features are "Hello I Must Be Going" (dramatic), Lauren Greenfield's "The Queen of Versailles" (docu), Kieran Darcy-Smith's "Wish You Were Here" (World Cinema dramatic) and Malik Bendjelloul's "Searching for Sugar Man" (World Cinema docu). The festival will announce its Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next and New Frontier titles Thursday, while Premieres and Documentary Premieres lineups will be unveiled Monday. DRAMATIC COMPETITIONThe 16 films in this section are world premieres and, unless otherwise noted, are from the U.S. "Beasts of the Southern Wild" - Directed by Benh Zeitlin, written by Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar. The tale of a 6-year-old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her father on the edge of the Louisiana Delta. With Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry. "The Comedy" - Directed by Rick Alverson, written by Alverson, Robert Donne and Colm O'Leary. An aging hipster searches for meaning in a world that values status, popularity and good looks above all else. Stars Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rasmussen, Gregg Turkington. "The End of Love" - Directed and written by Mark Webber. A young man unravels after losing the mother of his child. Stars Webber, Shannyn Sossamon, Michael Cera, Jason Ritter, Amanda Seyfried and Frankie Shaw. "Filly Brown" - Directed by Youssef Delara and Michael D. Olmos, written by Delara. A Mexican girl achieves musical fame while coping with her mother's incarceration in this hip-hop-driven drama. Features Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera and Edward James Olmos. "The First Time" - Directed and written by Jonathan Kasdan. A story of two high schoolers who meet at a party and fall in love for the first time over the course of a weekend. Stars Brittany Robertson, Dylan O'Brien, Craig Roberts, James Frecheville and Victoria Justice. "For Ellen" - Directed and written by So Yong Kim. A struggling musician fights his estranged wife for custody of their young daughter. With Paul Dano, Jon Heder, Jena Malone, Margarita Levieva, Shay Mandigo. "Hello I Must Be Going" - Directed by Todd Louiso, written by Sarah Koskoff. A childless, 35-year-old divorcee moves back in with her parents, only to experience the unexpected attention of a teenage boy. Stars Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, John Rubinstein, Julie White. "Keep the Lights On" - Directed by Ira Sachs, written by Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias. Two men share a passionate long-term relationship in this fact-inspired drama. With Thure Lindhart, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson, Souleymane Sy Savane, Paprika Steen. "Luv" - Directed by Sheldon Candis, written by Candis and Justin Wilson. An 11-year-old orphan must face unpleasant truths over the course of a day in Baltimore. Stars Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton. "Middle of Nowhere" - Directed and written by Ava DuVernay. A woman struggles to hold onto her marriage and identity when her husband is incarcerated. Features Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissant, Edwina Findley. "Nobody Walks" - Directed by Ry Russo-Young, written by Lena Dunham and Russo-Young. A young artist visiting from NY disrupts the home of a hip Los Angeles family. With John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, India Ennenga, Justin Kirk. "Safety Not Guaranteed" - Directed by Colin Trevorrow, written by Derek Connolly. Three magazine employees investigate a classified ad from a paranoid loner seeking a time-travel partner. Stars Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson and Karen Soni. "Save the Date" - Directed by Michael Mohan, written by Jeffrey Brown, Egan Reich and Michael Mohan. A woman experiences an intense post-breakup rebound in this look at modern-day relationships. Stars Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend and Mark Webber. "Simon Killer" (France-U.S.) - Directed and written by Antonio Campos. A recent college grad heads to Paris and falls in love with a young prostitute. With Brady Corbet, Mati Diop, Constance Rousseau, Michael Abiteboul and Solo. "Smashed" - Directed by James Ponsoldt, written by Susan Burke and Ponsoldt. Young marrieds Kate and Charlie share a love of music, laughter and alcohol, until Kate decides to get sober. Stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. "The Surrogate" - Directed and written by Ben Lewin. A 36-year-old poet and journalist in an iron lung decides to shed his virginity. Features John Hawkes, Helen Hunt and William H. Macy. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITIONThe 16 American films in this section are world premieres. "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry" - Directed by Alison Klayman. A portrait of provocative, internationally recognized Chinese artist-activist Ai Weiwei. "The Atomic States of America" - Directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce. Examines the fierce debate over the safety and viability of nuclear power in the wake of the recent Japanese earthquake and Fukushima power-plant disaster. "Chasing Ice" - Directed by Jeff Orlowski. Uses time-lapse photography of glaciers over several years to provide evidence of climate change. "Detropia" - Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. Recounts the woes of Detroit and its people and the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare" - Directed by Matthew Heineman and Susan Froemke. Charts the rising movement to save the broken medical system in the U.S. "Finding North" - Directed by Lori Silverbush and Kristi Jacobson. A look at the looming American hunger crisis. "The House I Live In" - Directed by Eugene Jarecki. An inquiry into the failure of the war on drugs. "How to Survive a Plague" - Directed by David France. The story of the efforts that turned AIDS into a manageable condition in the wake of mass death and political indifference. "The Invisible War" - Directed by Kirby Dick. Investigates the rape of soldiers within the U.S. military and the institutions that have tried to cover it up. "Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present" - Directed by Matthew Akers. Follows the artist as she prepares for a major retrospective of her work at NY's Museum of Modern Art. "Me at the Zoo" - Directed by Chris Moukarbel and Valerie Veatch. A portrait of controversial Tennessee video blogger Chris Crocker. "The Other Dream Team" - Directed by Marius Markevicius. An account of how the 1992 Lithuanian national basketball team emerged from communist rule to participate in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. "The Queen of Versailles" - Directed by Lauren Greenfield. The rags-to-riches story of two people trying to construct the biggest house in America. "Slavery by Another Name" - Directed by Sam Pollard. Examines the system of involuntary servitude that took the place of slavery after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. "The Truth Will Set You Free" - Directed by Macky Alston. Chronicles the battle of an openly gay bishop who refuses to leave the church or the man he loves. "We're Not Broke" - Directed by Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce. A critique of multibillion-dollar corporations concealing profits overseas to avoid paying U.S. income tax. WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION The 14 films in this section are world premieres unless otherwise noted. "4 Suns" (Czech Republic) - Directed and written by Bohdan Slama. A young man is unable to overcome his immaturity in the wake of new responsibilities as a husband and father. With Jaroslav Plesl, Ana Geislerova, Karel Roden, Jiri Madl, Klara Meliskova. "About the Pink Sky" (Japan) - Directed by Keiichi Kobayashi. Unexpected consequences ensue when a girl finds a wallet full of money and tracks down its owner. Stars Ai Ikeda, Ena Koshino, Reiko Fujiwara, Tsubasa Takayama and Hakusyu Togetsuan. International premiere. "Can" (Turkey) - Directed and written by Rasit Celikezer. A young married couple in Istanbul decide to illegally procure a child, threatening their future. Features Selen Ucer, Serdar Orcin, Berkan Demirbag, Erkan Avci. "Father's Chair" (Brazil) - Directed by Luciano Moura, written by Elena Soarez and Moura. A man tries to find his runaway teen son and confronts his own identity as a son and father. With Wagner Moura, Lima Duarte, Mariana Lima. "L" (Greece) - Directed by Babis Makridis, written by Makridis and Efthymis Filippou. A man who lives in his car gets caught in the war between car drivers and motorcycle riders. With Aris Servetalis, Makis Papadimitriou, Lefteris Mathaios, Nota Tserniafski and Stavros Raptis. "The Last Elvis" (Argentina) - Directed by Armando Bo, written by Nicolas Giacobone and Bo. An Elvis impersonator in Buenos Aires believes he is the reincarnation of teh King. Stars John McInerny, Griselda Siciliani and Margarita Lopez. "Madrid, 1987" (Spain) - Directed and written by David Trueba. The balance of power and desire continually shifts when an older journalist meets with a young student. With Jose Sacristan, Maria Valverde and Ramon Fontsere. International premiere. "My Brother the Devil" (U.K.) - Directed and written by Sally El Hosaini. Two British Arab brothers try to get by in London gang territory. Features James Floyd, Said Taghmaoui, Fady Elsayed. "Teddy Bear" (Denmark) - Directed by Mads Matthiesen. A painfully shy 38-year-old bodybuilder looks for love in Thailand. With Kim Kold, Elsebeth Steentoft, Lamajporn Sangmanee Hougaard, David Winters and Allan Mogensen. "Valley of Saints" (India-U.S.) - Directed and written by Musa Syeed. A man plans to flee war and poverty in his Kashmir village until a beautiful young woman changes his mind. With Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Mohammed Afzal Sofi, Neelofar Hamid. "Violeta Went to Heaven" (Chile-Argentina-Brazil-Spain) - Directed by Andres Wood, written by Eliseo Altunaga, Rodrigo Bazaes, Guillermo Calderon and Wood. A biographical portrait of famed Chilean singer and folklorist Violeta Parra. With Francisca Gavilan, Thomas Durand, Luis Machin, Gabriela Aguilera and Roberto Farias. International premiere. "Wish You Were Here" (Australia) - Directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith, written by Felicity Price and Darcy-Smith. Four friends go on holiday, but only three return home. With Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer, Felicity Price, Antony Starr. "Wrong" (France) - Directed and written by Quentin Dupieux. A guy has a series of mysterious encounters while searching for his lost dog. Features Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena, Steve Little and William Fichtner. "Young & Wild" (Chile) - Directed by Marialy Rivas, written by Rivas, Camila Gutierrez and Pedro Peirano. A teenager raised by a strict evangelical family struggles to find her own spiritual path. With Alicia Rodriguez, Aline Kuppenheim, Maria Gracia Omegna and Felipe Pinto. WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The 12 films in this section are world premieres unless otherwise noted. "1/2 Revolution" (Denmark-Egypt) - Directed by Omar Shargawi and Karim El Hakim. A look at the Egyptian revolution beyond the view of the world's media. North American premiere. "5 Broken Cameras" (Palestinian Territories-Israel-France) - Directed and written by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi. A Palestinian journalist chronicles his village's resistance to the building of a separation barrier. International premiere. "The Ambassador" (Denmark) - Directed by Mads Brugger. In which Brugger pretends to be a diplomat and infiltrates Africa's blood diamond trade. North American premiere. "Big Boys Gone Bananas!*" (Sweden) - Directed by Fredrik Gertten. The behind-the-scenes story of Dole's attempt to suppress "Bananas!*," Gertten's 2009 docu about Nicaraguan plantation workers. North American premiere. "China Heavyweight" (Canada-China) - Directed by Yung Chang. A look at the New China through the eyes of poor rural teenagers training to be Western-style boxing champions. "Gypsy Davy" (Israel-U.S.-Spain) - Directed by Rachel Leah Jones. The story of a white boy from Alabama who transforms himself into an Andalusian flamenco guitarist. International premiere. "The Imposter" (U.K.) - Directed by Bart Layton. Chronicles the disappearance and finding of a teenage boy from San Antonio, Texas. "Indie Game: The Movie" (Canada) - Directed by Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky. Charts the efforts of indie game developers. "The Law in These Parts" (Israel) - Directed by Ra'anan Alexandrowicz. A dissection of Israel's 43-year military legal system in the Palestinian Territories. International premiere. "Payback" (Canada) - Directed by Jennifer Baichwal. Examines debt as a central organizing principle in our lives. "Putin's Kiss" (Denmark) - Directed by Lise Birk Pedersen. Tracks the journey of a 19-year-old spokesperson for a strongly nationalistic Russian youth movement. North American premiere. "Searching for Sugar Man" (Denmark-U.K.) - Directed by Malik Bendjelloul. Recounts the up-and-down career of '70s musician Rodriguez. Contact Justin Chang at justin.chang@variety.com

Global Showbiz Briefs: Uk, Ireland, Canada, Asia Off-shoreline

Odeon Becomes Greatest All-Digital Cinema Chain In Uk, Ireland Exhibition giant Odeon has completed its digital rollout within the Uk and Ireland. All Odeon’s 890 screens are actually enhanced using the organization’s Digital 8000 HD system for approximately 40 million. The circuit now becomes the greatest all-digital cinema chain inside the two areas. Rupert Gavin, Boss of Odeon and UCI Cinemas stated: “The finishing this digital rollout knows our ambition to make certain that each guest can feel the finest in technology and image quality, a process that has taken just beneath couple of years to know. Hopefully our site visitors nationwide enjoy the new digital experience as well as the exciting content set striking screens inside the several days later on.” Sky Revs Up Formula 1 Funnel Here’s something for Formula 1 fans: Britain’s Sky Sports features the launch from the funnel devoted for the greatly popular nine-month racing ritual. Relocating March, Sky Sports F1 HD will air live coverage in the entire Grand Prix season, including all practice and being qualified periods and every race round the calendar. Magazine shows are planned and interactive services will put audiences inside the driver’s chair, behind the curtain minimizing inside the begins – only the one factor for vehicle-crazy British people. Fantasia Fest Innovates With Frontires Market The Fantasia Worldwide Film Festival is adding an worldwide co-production target its approaching 16th edition. The Montreal-based genre fest states the Frontires market will choose 12 standout projects by filmmakers from Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia as well as the US that is provided to worldwide producers, sales agents and entrepreneurs while using goal to get the pictures made. The festival states this really is really the very first worldwide co-production target connect Canada with Europe, Scandinavia, Australia as well as the US inside an atmosphere focused particularly on genre films. Funds Award Script Grants or loans or financial loans To Asia Off-shoreline Filmmakers Script development grants or loans or financial loans worth greater than $140,000 are actually granted to six filmmakers with the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund as well as the APSA Children’s Film Fund. The first sort is certainly an initiative in the Asia Off-shoreline Screen Honours as well as the Film Association. The MPA APSA Fund is giving $25,000 to Shawkat Amin Korki for Recollections On Stone, Maryam Ebrahimi for your documentary Burqas In Jail, Pryas Gupta for your Cricket Tree and Peyman Moadi for People Days. Moadi stars inside the festival circuit hit A Separation which was a grant champion this season. The Children Fund grants or loans or financial loans visited Garin Nugroho for your Seen As Well As The Unseen also to Songtaijia for your Stone With Nine Eyes. The visitors hail from such nations as Iraq, Iran, India, Indonesia and China. To learn more, click here

Beyond the Turkey: Critic's Guide to Thanksgiving Week TV

Andrew Lincoln Some selective highlights and mini-reviews to get you through the long holiday weekend: WEDNESDAY Last week, she was a hapless office assistant on Up All Night. Tonight, in the same time period on a different network, she's an insufferable sibling who makes Thanksgiving a chore, as Saturday Night Live vet Molly Shannon shows off her range, playing Frankie's demanding sister Janet on ABC's The Middle (8/7c). A holiday visit to Frankie's mom and dad (Marsha Mason and Jerry Van Dyke) becomes a recipe for disaster: "Stir in one broken toy, one passive-aggressive sister and let stew overnight ... Take unresolved issues and soak in alcohol." Frankie insists that "Everybody in one house is what makes holidays special," but anyone who's ever spent the festivities sleeping on an air mattress will relate to this first-rate episode. Meanwhile, Tessa (Jane Levy) is experiencing separation anxiety from her home turf in Manhattan as she dreads her first Thanksgiving in the suburbs on ABC's garish Suburgatory (8:30/7:30c). ... And on Modern Family (9/8c), a game of punkin chunkin settles a few scores in a holiday episode that reunites Book of Mormon Tony nominee Josh Gad with Ty Burrell, who co-starred in the short-lived 2007 sitcom Back to You (from Family creators Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd). Want more fall TV news? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now! Here's something you probably don't want to hear while you're preparing the Thanksgiving fixings: "Let's discuss the brain eating." Yes, it's time for another episode of FX's increasingly vile American Horror Story (10/9c), which this week doesn't even give us the benefit of Jessica Lange for comic relief. In this episode, the identity of the ghoul lurking inside the rubber suit is revealed, if you care. Trust me, it doesn't amount to much more than a latex shrug. More vulgar and witless by the week, and thoroughly disgusting (without being remotely suspenseful) as it replays the graphic deaths of the previous gay homeowners, this episode finds a gaslighted Vivian (poor Connie Britton) fearing she's losing her mind - a condition many viewers may identify with as they wonder why they're still watching this sick joke of a hot mess. Music as a universal language that can change lives and inspire dreams is the uplifting theme behind the captivating HBO documentary The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical (HBO2, 8/7c), in which a group of children from the Indian city's slums are selected to perform selections from the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra. The performance takes place in a grand concert hall that the kids' parents would ordinarily never be allowed entry in this caste-conscious society. The iconic music becomes an incongruous soundtrack following the kids from rehearsal to their primitive homes. A standout among the group is the charismatic 11-year-old Ashish, who earns a solo in the title number but has to keep battling his own self-consciousness, chanting the words "I have confidence in me" from another of the score's famous songs. Despite jealousy from his friends, Ashish maintains an infectiously positive attitude that extends to his tentative friendship with Kimberly, a girl in another choir from a much higher social status. Like the kids, you'll wish their magic night in the spotlight never had to end. So what else is on? ... After a double elimination on Fox's The X Factor (8/7c), the network revives Mobbed (9/8c) in a new special, as a father plans an elaborate flash-mob surprise for a family member. ... NBC's The Biggest Loser presents a new two-hour "Where Are They Now?" special (9/8c), for the first time including a feast of bloopers from the trainers, contestants and host Alison Sweeney. THURSDAY After a day of parades and football, the most unorthodox prime-time holiday special is without doubt ABC's A Very Gaga Thanksgiving (9:30/8:30c), a new showcase for pop icon Lady Gaga, who talks with Katie Couric at her alma mater of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Manhattan and performs eight songs (including a new version of "White Christmas") in front of a select audience of friends and family. More traditionally, new and vintage animated specials - including two featuring the Peanuts gang - vie for the family audience. On Fox, Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (8/7c) brings the hit movie franchise to the small screen, as Sid the Sloth destroys Santa's Workshop on Christmas Eve. This is followed by the new Peanuts special Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown (8:30/7:30c), in which Linus contemplates shedding his security blanket (fat chance). ABC repeats the 1973 standard A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (8/7c), paired with This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers to fill out the hour. So what else is on? ... NBC looks back at the long history of the holiday's most famous parade in the prime-time retrospective The 85th Anniversary of The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (10/9c), hosted by Today's Matt Lauer, who has presided over the event for NBC for the last 13 years. ... CMT Crossroads (CMT, 10/9c) brings together Sting and Vince Gill in a concert from NY's Hammerstein Ballroom to collaborate on songs from their respective hit catalogues as well the Everly Brothers' "Let It Be Me." FRIDAY One of the summer's most pleasant surprises, MTV's hilariously raunchy yet poignantly heartfelt teen rom-com Awkward, replays its entire first season of 12 episodes in a daylong marathon starting at 11 am/10c. Ashley Rickards is sensational as Jenna, the outsider and pariah whose crush on BMOC Matty (Beau Mirchoff) takes many unexpected turns up to the euphoric finale, where she actually has to make a choice between the school stud and the nice guy Jake (Brett Davern), who's been carrying a torch for her all year. This winning comedy achieves heights the CW and ABC Family can only dream of. So what else is on? ... Because it's not quite time for Frosty yet, CBS offers two new animated specials: hoops&yoyo Ruin Christmas (8/7c), in which the pink kitty and green bunny stow away on Santa's sleigh and disrupt the time-space continuum that allows for the global distribution of presents (oops!); and The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story (8:30/7:30c), based on the children's best-seller about Santa's helpers who determine who makes the naughty and nice lists. ... Hallmark Channel airs its own animated special, Jingle All the Way (8/7c), which seems more like a program-length commercial for Hallmark's Jingle the Husky Pup toy. ... National Geographic WILD lives up to its title with Shark Attack Experiment LIVE (9/8c), a two-hour special in which experts test the most enduring myths about sharks by swimming among them as we watch. This follows a daylong marathon of shark documentaries for those who want to get their "Jaws" on. SUNDAY The venerable Hallmark Hall of Fame TV-movie franchise moves to a new network, ABC, with Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith (9/8c), starring Bradley Whitford as columnist/author Albom, who describes this heartwarmer as "a story about believing in something, and the two very different men who taught me how." In the tradition of his best-selling Tuesdays With Morrie, Albom travels frequently from his home base of Detroit to his childhood home in New Jersey, where he gets to know the aging rabbi Albert Lewis (a beatifically perky Martin Landau) who has asked Mitch to write his eulogy when the day comes. These periodic life lessons are played out against the redemptive story of inner-city preacher Henry Covington (a rousing Laurence Fishburne), who found religion after a life of crime and addiction and now operates a church that caters to the homeless but is in desperate need of a roof and electricity. Using Rabbi Albert's "What's Your Glory?" pamphlet as a guide, Albom finds purpose in helping Rev. Covington achieve his mission. This story pretty much defines the idea of thanksgiving. If you've been missing AMC's Mad Men - and the wait isn't over yet, as we're not expecting the long-delayed fifth season to premiere until spring - the network is filling the void by replaying the series in its entirety from the beginning, starting early this Sunday morning (6 am/5c) with the first three episodes of the groundbreaking first season. And the wait is about to begin for another AMC breakthrough, the harrowing zombie thriller The Walking Dead, which airs its gut-wrenching midseason finale following a six-episode marathon of the entire season to date, starting at 2:30/1:30c. (The show will return to finish out the season in February.) In the fall finale (9/8c), the natives are getting restless (as are the show's fans) as life goes on at Hershel's farm, where the debate continues about whether to stay or go, with tempers and nerves fraying. Hershel wants them gone, and soon, but with a baby on the way and little Sophia still missing, and a barn full of "walkers" nearby, the line between mercy and survival and what it means to be human continues to blur. The tension builds to a powerful climax that takes us about as far into the realm of genuine horror as we're willing to go - with much more impact than FX's ludicrous American Horror Story. The twists just keep resonating on the fall's best new series, Showtime's psychological thriller Homeland (10/9c), which this week sheds more light on what happened to Sgt. Brody in captivity that might explain his ambivalent, ambiguous ties to terrorist Abu Nazir. Meanwhile, while dealing with the interagency fallout from the collateral damage in the mosque, Carrie continues to pursue the Imam for leads. As her boss says, with exasperated admiration, "There is no bridge you won't burn, no earth you won't scorch." Might the same someday be said about Brody? This show just doesn't let up. So what else is on? ... Cedric the Entertainer hosts the 2011 Soul Train Awards (BET, 9/8c), taped earlier this month in Atlanta, with highlights including a Gladys Knight salute from Natalie Cole, a tribute to the late Heavy D from Cee Lo Green, Goodie Mob and Big Daddy Kane, and a performance from Earth, Wind and Fire. ... No sooner has Rob Kardashian hung up his dance shoes on Dancing With the Stars than the most relentless family in reality TV strikes again, as Kourtney & Kim Take NY (10/9c) begins a new season of self-exploiting shenanigans, this time reflecting the blink-and-you-missed-it marriage of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. ... On ABC's surprise hit Once Upon a Time (8/7c), in an episode written by fantasy fave Jane Espenson (Buffy, Battlestar Galactica and many others), little Henry explores a sinkhole to see if it can help link Storybrooke back to the more enjoyable fairy-tale world, while Jiminy Cricket seeks self-fulfillment above ground. Maybe if he wished upon a star? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Lady Gaga's Behind-the-Scenes Photo Book Released

Lady Gaga's coffee table book, a self-described "visual dialogue" between she and fashion photographer Terry Richardson, hits bookstores today.our editor recommendsLady Gaga on Terry Richardson Book: 'I Didnt Hold Anything Back'Lady Gaga Unveils Photo Book Cover Shot PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's MTV Evolution LADY GAGA x TERRY RICHARDSON (Grand Central Publishing, 360 pages, $50.00) features more than 350 color and black and white photographs of the pop star's life, taken between Lollapalooza in August 2010 and the Grammy Awards in February 2011. During those 10 months, Richardson had complete access to Gaga. PHOTOS:International Emmy Awards 2011 The photos capture the intimate behind-the-scenes moments of the singer's professional and personal life, including backstage photos from the Monster Ball tour and the recording of Born This Way. PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style To select the images in the book, Gaga and Richardson had to cull through the more than 100,000 photos he took during his time following her around the world. See a photo of Gaga and Terry Richardson and two others from the book below: Related Topics

L.A. Mayor Race: Who in Hollywood Is Supporting Whom

At a time when national politicians increasingly look to Hollywood for money, a hotly contested Los Angeles mayoral race is starting to draw the entertainment industry's attention.our editor recommendsSteven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg Support Wendy Greuel For L.A. MayorJeffrey Katzenberg, J.J. Abrams Leading the Charge of Hollywood's Super PAC SpendersRelated Topics•Politics Invitations have gone out to the city's monied investment and venture capital crowd for a Dec., 9 event at the Holmby Hills home of investment banker Warren Woo and wife, Carolyn, to raise money for billionaire fund manager, philanthropist and investment banker Austin Beutner's campaign. Beutner, one of several individuals looking to replace termed-out Antonio Villaraigosa in 2013, is a political protégé of former mayor, Richard Riordan. PHOTOS: 10 Entertainers Democrats and Republicans Love to Hate Riordan is one of the event's co-hosts, along with Lionsgate's Michael Burns, developer Wayne Ratkovich and wife Joanne, Jeanne and Terry Pritzker, Nick Pritzker, Jody and Scott Siegler, Anne and Bob Simmons, and Earthlink founder Sky Dayton along with partner Arwen Dayton. All have business ties to the entertainment industry. Beutner was the youngest partner ever in the Blackstone Group and later co-founded, along with former Treasury Secretary Roger Altman, his own fund Evercore, which made him a billionaire. Along the way he found time to serve as a special American emissary to help restructure the Russian economy after the fall of communism and to work as Villaraigosa's economic policy and business czar, overseeing 13 city departments, including Water and Power, the harbor and LAX. PHOTOS: Democrats and Republicans' Favorite Movies Tickets to the December, 9 fundraiser are scaled from $250 to $5,000, and the invitation even provides for convenient payment by credit card. At the same time, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen have sent out a letter backing Controller (and former DreamWorks executive) Wendy Greuel's mayoral candidacy. The Democratic power trio also is urging friends and associates to attend a December 7 Greuel fundraiser at the Westside home of Ellen and Andrew Hauptman, The Hollywood Reporterhas learned. Co-hosts include Hollywood philanthropy consultant Marge Tabankin and industry political advisor Andy Spahn. The way things are shaping up, the March 2013 mayor's race may be the first since Tom Bradley's landmark victory in which Hollywood takes a substantial and active hand. Related Topics Politics

Kit Harington On For Arthur & Lancelot

He just can't wait to be king...After a hefty search among rising younger talents, director David Dobkin has finally locked in someone to play the man who will be King Arthur in Arthur & Lancelot. His choice? Kit Harington.While some prior experience swinging a sword around wasn't likely to be the final deciding factor, it surely didn't hurt that Harington has been getting plenty of practice via his role as Jon Snow in HBO's Game Of Thrones.Harington will join Joel Kinnaman (who stars in the US remake of The Killing) in the tale of Arthur's early days. Born an illegitimate son and raised by a humble, poor knight, Arthur is slowly turning into the inspiring leader he will one day become. Lancelot, on the other hand, is of noble birth, but shot through with a rebellious spirit. Looking to get a more light-hearted, action-packed Sherlock Holmes-toned spin on the story, Warner Bros. has also offered the role of Merlin to Gary Oldman.According to the Heat Vision blog, the rivalry over the heart of Guinevere will not truly come into play until any sequels. She'll crop up, but briefly.Dobkin is aiming to kick off shooting next March. Harington will be back in the next season of Thrones and also crop up in Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, which doesn't yet have a solid UK release date.

Vivendi Third-Quarter Results Exceed Anticipation

NY - Vivendi on Wednesday reported better-than-expected third-quarter financials when excluding caused by tax reforms driven by strength at gaming arm Activision Blizzard.our editor recommendsVivendi Second-Quarter Earnings Rise 12% on Gaming StrengthJudge Narrows Vivendi's Investor Suit Exposure The final results also incorporated the second consecutive quarter ofslight organic revenue growth at Universal Group - .7 percent supposing constant foreign foreign currencies following .six percent inside the second quarter. UBS analyst Polo Tang mentioned in the first reaction this might be "suggesting industry may be reaching an inflection point carrying out a decade of decline" inside the music business. Vivendi, introduced by Boss Jean-Bernard Levy, reported another-quarter profit excluding one-time items of 685 million pounds ($923 million), nearly unchanged around-ago period. The figure exceeded estimations. Internet profit of 241 million pounds declined 35 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, an important profit metric of a single.5 billion pounds, up 5.three percent in addition to exceeding analyst anticipation. Activision results, which have been reported the other day, together with a 1-off benefit at telecom firm SFR drove the upside surprise. Quarterly revenue declined 1.six percent to 6.78 billion pounds. However, Vivendi decreased its full-year primary point here guidance due tothe impact of formerly introduced tax reforms, therefore it thought to become 350 million pounds drag. Guidance for modified profit moved from three billion pounds-plus to "above" 2.85 billion pounds. UMG earnings before interest, taxes and amortization released a 36.three percent gain to 112 million pounds. Canal Plus released an every three several weeks revenue improvement, but a decline towards the conclusion. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Worldwide Vivendi Universal Group

Hot Trailer: Relativitys Mirror Mirror

The other day we have got a look at Universal’s Snow White-colored As Well As The Huntsman directed by Rupert Sanders. The initial trailer for Tarsem Singh’s undertake the storyline book turned up today. Relativity’s Mirror Mirror will achieve theaters March 16 before Universal’s version searching for June 1.

'Harry Potter' Director Dealing with 'Doctor Who' Movie

The wizarding realm of "Harry Potter" and also the Whoverse are going to collide. "Deathly Hallows" director David Yates has introduced his partnership with BBC to direct a large-screen undertake "Physician Who," the lengthy-running British television series concerning the sci-fi exploits of times The almighty. Yates states the film doesn't have authors by yet, is 2 to 3 years from beginning production, and can have little to nothing related to the "Who" continuity that's come before. Get all of the particulars here. There's more comic movie news past the jump! "Dark Dark night" Gossips Rise With production on "The Dark Dark night Increases" nearly in an finish, it's no surprise the rumor mill continues warming up. Two new reviews have appeared alleging to understand the particulars concerning the approaching "Dark Dark night Increases" prologue, in addition to Frederick Gordon-Levitt and Matthew Modine's roles within the film. Keep the salt shakers handy with this pair, folks. "Spider-Guy" Shifts By SNL Emma Stone located "Saturday Evening Live" earlier this weekend, but she wasn't the only real "Spider-Guy" star around the set. Additionally to Andy Samberg putting on the superhero's red-colored-and-blue tights, the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler themself, Andrew Garfield, designed a surprise visit too. Frank Burns Jams Occupy Wall Street "300" and "Las VegasInch creator Frank Burns has unleashed a scathing condemnation from the Occupy movement, mentioning to protestors as "only a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists" that "can just harm America." Inform us that which you think about present day Splash Page roundup within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Neil Patrick Harris to Guest Co-Host Live!

Neil Patrick Harris He's located the Emmys and also the Tonys. Now Neil Patrick Harris will co-host Live!. Harris, 38, may be the latest celebrity set to become combined with Kelly Ripa on Live! after Regis Philbin exits now. Star-studded selection introduced for Regis Philbin's a week ago on Live! Harris will co-host November. 28 through 12 ,. 2. Jerry Seinfeld was already introduced as Philbin's first (temporary) alternative, showing up on the program November. 21-23. Philbin's last show airs Friday, but no permanent co-host continues to be introduced. Ripa, who lately restored her agreement for five more years.

Report: Kris Humphries Lawyers Up

First Published: November 12, 2011 2:28 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Kris Humphries enters a Midtown Manhattan hotel in NY City on October 20, 2011After weeks of rumors claiming Kris Humphries was still hoping to make his brief marriage to Kim Kardashian work, the New Jersey Nets star has finally hired a divorce attorney, according to multiple reports. The 26-year-old athlete has reportedly chosen Minnesota attorney Lee Hutton who previously repped Kris during prenup negotiations to handle his impending divorce, according to TMZ. Sources close to the now-defunct couple reportedly told the site that Kim and Kris divorce should be relatively simple, largely because of the prenup. Additionally, an E! News source said the basketball star wants the proceedings to be as amiable as possible. He doesnt want a war. Hes lying low, the source said. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Kim, 31, filed for divorce just 72 days after walking down the aisle with the NBA player. The reality bombshell hired famed divorce attorney Laura Wasser and, according to the divorce filing, is asking that Kris pay for his own lawyer fees. She also asks that the court reject any attempt by Kris to obtain spousal support. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

VIDEO Exclusive: Watch a Clip from Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour

Britney Spears Britney Spears is back - studded bra and all - and we've got an exclusive clip from her Femme Fatale Tour. In this clip, catch a snippet of Spears performing her hit song "I Wanna Go." The singer also shares some behind-the-scenes moments. Britney Spears Live: The Femme Fatale Tour airs Saturday at 8/7c on EPIX.

Joe Lagani Named Chief Revenue Officer At Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, searching to find techniques to boost advertising sales within the flagship posting unit, has hired former iVillage ad-sales boss Joe Lagani for your lately created position of chief revenue officer. He'll be designated with leading sales across all MSLO’s models — including magazines, the site and programs, and Radio and television — additionally to spearhead mix-platform integrations and brand partners. Lagani’s experience includes stints at Fashion Media to ensure that as V . p . and author of Conde Nast’s House And Garden more youthful crowd was author of Country Home and advertising director at Ladies Home Journal. “(Lagani has) been a substantial pressure inside the lifestyle space his whole career and contains proven his capacity to alter performance and lead great teams,” mentioned MSLO leader and COO Lisa Gersh — herself within the lifestyle media world as co-founding father of Oxygen Media — in announcing the hire today. MSLO reported a decline in guides ad pages within the recent third quarter, which saw its TV and selling revenue grow.