Director Lee Daniels never gave up on getting his film, Precious, made – a battle which parallels its main character’s fight for survival. Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones is sixteen-years old, lives in Harlem and is about to have her second child. She's got a verbally abusive mother. Precious is overweight, illiterate and poor, but has an aura radiating from within that let’s you know she may be down, but never out. The film follows her gritty journey to an alternative school where she finds hope, truth and a deeper understanding of herself. Daniels’ film attracted a pretty interesting array of big-name musical talent like Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz to play roles. The most risky casting by Daniels, though, might've been comedienne Mo’Nique as Precious' abusive mother, Mary. With Oscar buzz at a steady build over Mo’Nique’s star turn, it's looking more and more like the film's director and stand-up comedienne-gone-serious are having the last laugh. We spoke with Daniels about his pretty powerful film; one that takes the time to reminds us that every day is a new day and life is, indeed, very, very precious.

One of the best events this weekend is hosted by everyone's favorite community radio station, KCRW. Masquerade is a full-out costume ball and dance party at the Park Plaza downtown, with a headliner that will make your head spin: DJ Shadow (whoa! that's a name we haven't heard in a loooong time). In addition to the mixmaster, you've got Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Sweden’s Little Dragon, and LA’s own Sea Wolf. If you're getting hungry for something that's not vampire blood, there's gonna be a food truck orgy -- Kogi, Border Grill, Coolhaus, and Sprinklesmobile! A lot of the KCRW jocks will be on hand, including Raul Ghoul Campos, Anne Elvira Litt, Dan Blood Sucker Wilcox, and music director Jason Nosferatu Bentley (cute Halloweeny names, guys). We talked to Jason Nosferatu Bentley about his upcoming one-year anniversary as the head of the station, as well all things L.A. Have you ever heard of Castle Heights Road? Us, neither.

When most people hear the words "global" and "fashion" in the same sentence, places like Milan, Barcelona, Paris, New York, and names like Lagerfeld, Armani, Versaci typically come to mind. What they won't think of: Uganda. Nepal. Madison, Wisconsin. But say hello -- in whatever language -- to the world of Apolis Activism. Started by three brothers from Santa Barbara, Shea, Stenn and Raan Parton are re-designing the way fashion works from the ground up by connecting it with a global community. For example, their Philanthropist Briefcase, currently blowing up the menswear press lines: designs in their studio in L.A. prompt the need for cotton, which they source from Jinja, Uganda, which gives villagers there a chance to own and operate their own means of industry they never had before. It goes to classic American outdoor wear providers C.C. Filson Company in Seattle to be assembled and sold in boutique menswear shops, like Madison, Wisconson's Context Clothing. And done. They've created more work for the world in places it couldn't before. And it's great stuff. To get a better idea of how it works, and how it's going to change the way we wear our lives, Shea Parton, 25, gave us a worldly schooling in the business of Apolis Activism.

HBO and Edward Norton's production company have teamed up to produce a record of Barack Obama's historic campaign, By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, premiering November 3. What started out as a documentary of a senator turned out to be one of the biggest undertakings Norton and the filmmakers have ever experienced. The team worked on By the People for over three years, chronicling the life of the Obama family and those who gave their all for Barack to get elected. The result is a sensationally moving depiction of the campaign trail that displays the strength of Obama and those he inspired. We caught up with Norton and filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams to hear about their experience making the film and being given an all-access pass into the life of our president-to-be.

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, The Midnight Juggernauts refuse to be boxed in by music bloggers, who often take the easy route by grouping them with fellow Aussie electro acts Cut Copy and The Presets. But with their latest single, “This New Technology,” the Juggernauts are making it harder than ever to pigeonhole their style. Andy, Vin, and Dan took a quick break on a recent visit for CMJ at Manhattan’s Norwood to talk about their refusal to be confined, getting booted out of the Beatrice, and making way for Jay-Z.

If you're like me, then you still haven't been able to shake the image of model-turned-actor Gilles Marini's shower scene from the Sex and the Movie. As Samantha's Californian neighbor, Marini made Samantha and millions of women across the globe pant like puppy dogs. Since then, the actor has parlayed his notoriety into a stint on Dancing with the Stars and as Rachel Griffith's love interest on the ABC dramedy Brother & Sisters. Later this year, he'll appear as Vanessa Redgrave's maniacal husband on the final season of FX's outre plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck. We recently asked the actor to revisit his famous scene and its aftermath, and the result is pretty steamy.

John W. Codling is not your average artist. When Wall Street began its tumble in spring of 2008 with the collapse of Bear Stearns, some financial honchos coped through yoga or a psychiatrist. Codling, who works in equities at Tellet Prebon, turned to Christopher Walken. Overworked and stressed out, Codling bought three canvases and started painting portraits of Walken every Sunday (see full gallery). The pieces range from "Walken This Way," a painting of Run DMC with Walken's face as Run's head to "I Follow Nobody," a painting of Walken with a collage of words incorporated in it. The series culminated into "Sundays with Chris," which is on display at the DVF Gallery until November 1. All proceeds from the sales will go to Team Continuum, a charity that assists cancer patients. I sat down with Codling at The Standard the evening before the opening.

Much like Diana was to Wonder Woman and Clark Kent to Superman, Valerie Poxleitner is to Lights. Legally changing her name to fit what she felt was her true musical identity, Lights isn’t just another performer, but a superhero. With an MTV show dedicated to her alter ego’s honor and a hot album, The Listening, villains beware; this quirky, Canadian, Juno-winning caped crusader might just kick your ass with her keytar, if she wasn’t just so damn happy right now.

Ryan Heffington has been described as the "sweaty love child of Freddy Mercury and Martha Graham." I completely agree; if those two had made babies, their kiddies would probably have the charisma, organic talent, and out-of-control precision Heffington exudes while performing just about any activity. The man commands attention when he’s grilling vegetables, let alone when he’s performing "Dirty Diana" in a packed nightclub. A born superstar dancer, performer, designer, and choreographer, Heffington’s ferocious, uncompromising energy lights up -- think psychedelic high -- before loosening up the world one stage, club, or impromptu street performance at a time. From his arrival in the City of Angels his determination was to simply be himself. Only he is someone, probably the only one, who’s as comfortable in a leopard leotard as he is in a vibrant Rastafarian getup or just some casual low pumps and jeans. Put mildly, he’s like no other.

New York popsters The Postelles brought their upbeat bubble to the elegant stage of Idno in Reykjavik, as part of the Airwaves Music Festival. We caught up with the quartet -- Daniel Balk, David Dargahi, John Speyer, Billy Cadden -- right after their Airwaves gig and asked them to wax Icelandic for a minute before they headed back to New York. Catch them in NYC tonight at Bowery Ballroom or tomorrow at the CMJ PureVolume House after party. Or just catch ‘em kickin' it with the hidden people.