Demons, White Stripes & Red Carpets

With less than a week to go, Hollywood A-listers will be hitting town for the opening gala of the Toronto International Film Festival like Jon Gosselin at a Girls Gone Wild wet t-shirt contest.

The focus may be on red carpets and paparazzi, but the hordes descending on the city unofficially signals the end of summer's "stack em, pack 'em and rack 'em" popcorn flicks and the start of the rush for Oscar gold.

If tales of a romance centered around a game show and something about a yellow scarf or priestly shenanigans didn't exactly make you eager to shell out for popcorn and a drink, this year's buzziest films and possible Oscar contenders may break you of your sofa habit.

Megan Fox stirred the hearts (and a few other body parts) of millions of men in the two Transformers movies. Toronto audiences will have the chance to see her during the Midnight Madness series in the titillatingly title "Jennifer's Body," about a high-school student possessed by a demon. Oh, and did we mention the girl-on-girl smooch? Yeah, minor detail. For the less lascivious-minded, the script is penned by Diablo Cody who won an Oscar for "Juno."

The Oprah-backed flick "Precious" could earn a possible Oscar nomination for Mo'Nique (of "Soul Plane," er, fame), while co-star Mariah Carey can finally shake off the tarnished glitter from, well, "Glitter."

Early rumblings suggest "Young Victoria" could be Emily Blunt's big break and "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" is hotly anticipated, and not only because it represents Heath Ledger's last performance before he died of an accidental overdose last year. An A-list cast of replacements was recruited, including Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, to take over his role.

The movie is directed by Terry Gilliam, the mind that brought audiences "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Brazil" and more recently "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," about "gonzo" journalist Hunter S. Thompson. The director's fans will be eager to see his darkly funny imagination at work in the fantastical tale of Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), a traveling thespian who makes a deal with the devil to gain immortality.

The movies being screened aren't all moody and maudlin, however. There is plenty of levity, too. Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with "Whip It!," starring Ellen Page as a teen misfit who finds happiness in an all-girls roller derby league. The screening on September 13 will kick-off with a public roller derby in Yonge Dundas Square with members of the cast. Roll, skate, bounce!

Documentaries usually inspire flashbacks to 10th grade history class, but two of the biggest announced titles break the usual snoozapalooza mode. The White Stripes' "Under Great White Northern Lights" follows the sibling musicians on a cross-Canada tour, while Chris Rock takes a look at African American beauty in "Good Hair." He may be exploring serious questions about race, but we're sure it will still be funny.

But before you head out to stand in line for two hours, a word of advice: Wear comfortable shoes and use the rest room. Ok, that was more than "a word," but trust us, comfort and bathroom logistics are key to making the most of the whole TIFF experience.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs this year from Sept. 10 through Sept. 19. More information and tickets can be had at tiff.net/thefestival or 416-968-3456.

By Paige Muller

Paige Muller, Gossip & Hollywood Hijinx
		About the author:
		Paige Muller is a gossip gal with an appreciation – some would say obsession – for Hollywood hijinx, celebrity style and the latest fashion trends.  From who hooked up, who's knocked up and "WTF are they wearing?", Paige offers all the dish, with a side of snark. When not pondering Jennifer Aniston's perplexing post-breakup PR strategy, Paige is a published writer and communications professional who has worked with brands like Dove, L'Oreal, More magazine, Gap and WE: Woman's Entertainment.
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