PASSCHENDAELE OPENS 33rd ANNUAL TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL

Paul Gross was due north last night to open up a little film festival you may have heard of last night at Roy Thomson Hall. The actor, writer, and director of the Canadian film, a $20 million dollar (yes, seriously) World War I epic titled Passchendaele brought down the house. Gross tells The Cadillac Insider he owes all his success to his wife, Gemini-winning actress, Martha Burns. “We make a good team both off and on screen. I’m one lucky man,” he says of his Slings and Arrow co-star.

Meanwhile, former Ally McBeal legal eagle Gil Bellows informs The Cadillac Insider, “Paul Gross is my new hero. I want to be him when I grow up!” During filming of the movie in Alberta, Bellows was inspired to work behind the camera as a producer and director in an upcoming film, which he has been working on “for almost twenty years.” So what’s the title of his new film? All About Gil.

TORONTO SUCKS, MONTREAL ROCKS, EH!

Eye Candy Alert: Viggo Mortensen, who is promoting his latest celluloid contribution, Appaloosa is more handsome in person. The sexy actor is thrilled to be back in Toronto, even though, in his words, “I’m not a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.” So which team does David Cronenberg’s favourite muse cheer for? “I’m a die-hard Montreal Candiens fan. And that will never change, ever,” he says very seriously yet passionately. Funny, that’s how we feel about Mortensen.

MADONNA’s NEW BFF

So what was the best part about working alongside acclaimed UK director, Guy Ritchie on his latest opus, RockNRolla? “Madonna,” flatly states star Thandie Newton. “She’s an icon. I’m such a huge fan, and yes, it did cross my mind when I was handed the script to work on this glorious project that I could come into contact with her. And she’s the coolest person to talk to. Listen, I totally admire her. Who doesn’t,” Newton asks rhetorically.” Um, no one – well, except for the Republicans. Madonna wasn’t on the red carpet with her hubby because she was dancing to the groove on stage in her latest concert, Sticky N’ Sweet Tour in Amsterdam.

Ritchie on the other hand downplays rumours of a possible divorce between he and the Misses. “We’re very happy. You can’t believe what you read in the news these days, well, except that her Sweet N’ Sticky tour is phenomenal; I’m really proud of her.” Awww…. Like we had any doubt.

A SEXY KNIGHTLEY

The Duchess could be Keira Knightley’s best chance at Oscar glory. The gorgeous star will be walking the YYZ carpet tonight after promoting the period-piece film yesterday in London, England! “Wait until you see my sex scene in the film,” she purred to reporters.

ROCKNROLLA TOO MUCHA?

Gerard Butler must have thought he was in Las Vegas. The sexy RockNRolla star partied a little too hard the night before the screening and was MIA at the film’s after party at the Distillery District’s Boiler House. How naughty was the actor? Sources tell me he didn’t even sleep in his hotel room! Who does he think he is? Paris Hilton? Butler told The Cadillac Insider that despite rumours there are no plans currently for a 300 redux.

PARIS SKIPS TORONTO

Memo to all Toronto parents: there is no need to lock up your children. Paris Hilton’s reps reveal to The Cadillac Insider the reality-TV star will not attend the premiere of Paris, Not France, a documentary about Hilton. The reason? “We wanted one screening, and with Paris’ absence the movie will generate more buzz,” says a rep. Whaaat? Isn’t that the purpose of a film festival -†for stars to promote their films? That’s some twisted and selfish logic, if you ask moi.

THE GOODIE BAG REPORT

Degrassi: The Next Generation’s breakout star Nina Dobrev and Adamo Rugierro were spotted at the It Lounge at the Windsor Arms yesterday. While they collected their assortment of goodies, The Cadillac Insider learned series creator Linda Schulyer was invited to see Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Kevin Smith’s LA movie premiere†- co-starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. “It’s a great film, and super adult,” she tells us. Look for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s BFF to direct a Hollywood edition of Degrassi. “It’s going to knock your socks off,” she promises. “And there are a few Hollywood stars who pop up on-screen in our special episode!” We hear Perez Hilton, and Vivica A. Fox are a couple of stars are making cameos.

Also spotted at The IT Lounge? Soap star Tonya Lee Williams, Passchendaele’s Gil Bellows and wife Rya, and super model Monika Schnarre, who chuckles to the The Cadillac Insider, “it’s all about the gift bags – and oh, yeah, the films!” Schnarre’s short skirt literally stopped traffic when we walked out of the Windsor Arms Hotel together. “I’m tall, so sue me,” she says. “I’ve got legs.”

ANISTON ROCKS BEFORE TIFF

The former Mrs. Brad Pitt made her long-awaited TV comeback before hitting Toronto this weekend. Jennifer Aniston is having one busy month. Here to promote the movie, Management, the Friends superstar taped a guest-starring role on hit comedy series, 30 Rock making NBC a must-see network again. As the Cadillac Insider reported yesterday, Aniston is expected in Toronto for her Management screening on Sunday. And the big cliffhanger is will she run into her ex, Brad Pitt? Not if Angelina Jolie has anything to say about, kids! John Mayer where are you when we need you?

In other 30 Rock news, Golden Globe winner Alec Baldwin will be hitting the T-dot this week to plug his new film, Lymelife, which co-stars Jason Biggs, Dane Cook, and Kate Hudson.

COUPLE UPDATE: TORONTO RECONCILIATIONS?

Another former Hollywood super-couple, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling are rumoured to be on-again. Gossip hounds are hoping Gosling, who is in New York shooting a film, will walk next to his main squeeze at her movie, The Lucky Ones premiere. Another ex-couple, Lost’s Evangeline Lilly and Dominic Monaghan, set to attend TIFF, have reconciled, report snitches, so don’t be surprised to see the lovebirds playing tongue hockey on our very clean streets.

FILM SYLLABUS: MUST-SEE FILM TIPS

Which films are worth sitting in line for tickets? The Cadillac Insider suggests: Hunger, Burn After Reading (hello: Brad Pitt and George Clooney), Rachel Getting Married, Waltz With Bashir, Atom Egoyan’s latest opus, Adoration, and Benicio Del Toro’s sexy take on Che.

Are you a fan of the original The Office? Tonight, Ricky Gervais premieres Ghost Town, which hits theatres internationally on Sept. 19. He tells the Cadillac Insider he misses working in TV, but traversing into film was a “natural progression. I do miss working on Extras and The Office, though.” His dream? “To become the next Jim Carrey,” he reveals. Good luck with that, mister!

PARTY CRASHER

Tonight celebrities like Diddy will be dropping it like it’s hot at the eTalk party at 229 Queen Street with DJ Samantha Ronson, who is dating someone named Lindsay Lohan. Also, Holt Renfrew hosts their annual TIFF party, sponsored by Converse and GQ magazine. Shoplifting is not permitted, so don’t even think about it. I tried last year, and it didn’t go so well.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 5th, 2008 at 11:40 am and is filed under TIFF. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.