Films From Bogdanovich, Friedkin; Remembering Elvis

Three new movies premiere this Sunday, including a poignant drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich and a remake of a classic film with a star-studded cast directed by William Friedkin.

The Bogdanovich film is CBS’ “The Price of Heaven,” airing at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. Grant Show and Cicely Tyson star in the story of a good-hearted young man who learns the value of love and compassion from an unlikely friend.

Friedkin’s remake is “12 Angry Men,” at 9 p.m. on Showtime. Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott head the cast of the Reginald Rose drama about 12 jurors deciding a murder case.

Rosie Perez is one of the stars and executive producers of the other new Sunday movie, HBO’s “Subway Stories,” at 10 p.m. This omnibus film consists of 10 short stories depicting the world of the New York subway. Gregory Hines, Bonnie Hunt, Bill Irwin, Christine Lahti, Denis Leary, Mercedes Ruehl, Jerry Stiller and Lili Taylor star.

Other weekend fare:

Today

PBS’ “Willie Nelson; Down Home,” at 8 p.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28, features the country-western great in concert.

“Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer’s End,” at 11:30 p.m. on Cinemax, documents the life of the late gay writer and activist who wrote the award-winning “Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story.” Linda Hunt narrates. Winner of this year’s Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Documentary.

Friday

John Pierson hosts “Split Screen,” at 7 p.m., Bravo’s series on independent filmmakers. Featured on the first of four episodes is the short “Swing Blade,” a spoof of “Swingers” and “Sling Blade”; a report on the Florida Film Festival; filmmaker John O’Brien and director Errol Morris.

If you love Elvis Presley, then get your VCRs ready for TNT’s 30-hour Elvis Presley marathon. The festival, in honor of the 20th anniversary of his death, kicks off at 9 p.m. with 1965’s “Girl Happy.” Other films include “Jailhouse Rock,” Saturday at 5 a.m., and “Viva Las Vegas,” Saturday at 6 p.m.

VH1 remembers Presley by airing his 1968 NBC comeback special at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Other VH1 Presley programming features the new special, “Elvis From the Waist Up,” Saturday at 1 p.m.; the documentary “Elvis in Hollywood,” Thursday at 10 p.m., and the 1973 TV special, “Aloha From Hawaii,” Saturday at 7 p.m.

On PBS’ ” Glorious Accident,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 28, Dutch filmmaker Wim Kayzer interviews leading scientists: neurologist Oliver Sacks, cell biologist Rupert Sheldrake, philosopher Daniel C. Dennett and philosopher of science Stephen Toulmin.

Saturday

Adam Wylie plays Captain Nemo in the CBS special, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” at 9 a.m. on Channel 2.

AMC’s wonderfully entertaining series, “Remember WENN,” kicks off its third season, at 6 and 10 p.m. The comedy-drama, set at a Pittsburgh radio station in the early 1940s, features guests Malcolm Gets (“Caroline in the City”) and Bob Dorian, who is best known as one of the cable network’s movie hosts.

A&E;’s “Investigative Reports” takes an in-depth look at “Meth’s Deadly High,” at 6 and 10 p.m.

The Learning Channel’s documentary “Next to Nothing,” at 7 and 10 p.m., offers a light-hearted look at the history of undergarments. Cheryl Tiegs hosts.

Ed McMahon hosts the PBS musical, “Benny Goodman’s Greatest Hits,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 28. The special features performances of the bandleader’s signature tunes--”Sing Sing Sing,” “Let’s Dance” and “Blue Skies.” Patti Page and Lionel Hampton, who both worked for Goodman, perform.

Sunday

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers kick off NBC’s three-game preseason football schedule at noon on Channel 4. Charlie Jones and Bob Trumpy will call the action from Jacksonville Stadium.

For feline fanatics there’s the PBS special “Understanding Cats With Roger Tabor.” Part I airs at 1 p.m. and Part II follows at 3:30 p.m. on Channel 28.

Jim Hill hosts the golf special, “Beat the Pro Championship,” at 2 p.m. on Channel 2.

TBS’ “Inside NFL Films: The Idol Makers,” at 4 p.m., profiles the behind-the-scenes storytellers of NFL Films, the organization that shoots America’s most popular sports.

Eight renowned chefs reveal their chocolate secrets on “Chocolate Dreams: A Great Chefs’ Special,” at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 28.

The Learning Channel’s “Byzantium: The Lost Empire,” at 6 and 9 p.m., is a four-part miniseries hosted by historian John Romer, which examines the power glory of the ancient empire,which flourished for 1,000 years.