[VIDEO] Woody Harrelson’s “Rampart” premieres in a new TIFF theatre – The Princess Of Wales on King street

Full use of the TIFF Bell Lightbox on King street wasn’t the only new theatre to see action during the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. This year also marked the first time the Festival used the famous Princess Of Wales theatre, located just down the street from the Lightbox.

The Princess Of Wales has primarily been used for Toronto theatrical productions. Named for Diana, the late Princess Of Wales, the theatre opened to the public during 1993 with the musical Miss Saigon. Designed by award-winning Architect Peter Smith, the theatre features a horseshoe-shaped, two-balcony seating plan connected to the proscenium by box seats. With seating on three levels – orchestra, dress circle and balcony – the Princess of Wales is surprisingly intimate for a theatre that seats 2,000. The Toronto International Film Festival consulted on the installation of a new state-of-the-art theatre sound system – optimized for movie viewing in the Princess Of Wales so expect this theatre to see plenty of TIFF action in the years to come.

[VIDEO] Cadillac Festival Insider SKYE reports from a busy King street outside the Princess Of Wales theatre just as Woody Harrelson and the cast of “Rampart” make a 2011 TIFF debut. (photos: Richard Budman. video/editing: Mike Edge.) Cadillac Festival Insider SKYE is wearing designs by Stephan Caras and jewelry by Psalms 91:1

TIFF insiders night with the Festival programmers and their best picks

The Toronto International Film Festival held its annual TIFF Insiders night where the TIFF team of programmers all come together and share some of their favorite picks of the Festival. After all, it is this group of people that screen thousands of films each year – rejecting about 90% – to eventually arrive at the 300+ films that make up the 36th edition of TIFF.

So a crowded room of TIFF sponsors, donors, and other festival friends got a chance to meet the programmers and hear about some of the films that really stand out in their minds.

It didn’t take long for the first few programmers to talk about a documentary that seems to make an impact on whoever has seen it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. Léa Pool’s investigative film about the industry and “culture” around breast cancer.

Programmer Jane Schoettle’s highlighted the performance of Matthew Goode in Burning Man as must-see. A personal favorite of Schoettle’s is Pariah with director Dee Rees as a talent to watch out for. We’re already hearing the company behind Pariah is planning a push to get it noticed by Oscar voters.

Another two titles we heard talked about in the room that night; The Hunter with Willem Defoe playing a mercenary and Juan Of The Dead and its funny trailer.

A personal fave of TIFF Midnight Madness programmer Colin Geddes is You’re Next by the director and writer of last year’s Festival indie hit, A Horrible Way To Die. Geddes gem of the Festival is a “Die Hard” type of action film, Sleepless Night (Nuit Blanche.)

Drive, starring a stunt-driving Ryan Gosling was called out a few times as a fun one to see. The film earned the director, Nicolas Winding Refn an award at Cannes this year. (We were then reminded that Drive will open up wide in theatres the week after TIFF, so perhaps look for films at the Festival that are harder to find playing later.)

Real To Reel programmer Thom Powers wasted no time in calling Paradise Lost 3 – Purgatory his gem of the festival. The filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky started their quest almost twenty years ago with the first Paradise Lost. It was just a few weeks ago when the featured protagonists of the films, were in the news, as the final twist in their two decade legal odysssy was finally written.

A hot pick of veteran TIFF Programmer Michèle Maheux is We Need To Talk About Kevin starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly. Maheux’s favorite was The Artist – shot entirely in black and white, without dialogue and in a traditional 1.33 aspect ratio, the film excited someone in the audience who previously saw it so much she blurted out, “(The Artist) is most fun you’ll have at the film festival this year.”

Cameron Bailey cited Rampart starring Woody Harrelson as a very hot pick of the Festival. Bailey calls Harrelson’s performance of a dirty cop in LA one that is sure, “to get noticed by the Oscar voters this year.” Cameron’s gem and “one of the most gripping” films of the festival is Guilty. Vincent Garenq’s disturbing drama from France investigates the corrupt judicial system and false accusations of pedophilia. The TIFF co-director was quick to call Elles starring Juliette Binoche his not-to-miss of the Festival.

Piers Handling’s favorite pick was the french film Rebellion (L’ordre et la morale) – Handling called it simply, “the french Apocalypse Now.”

What’s on the Cadillac Festival Insider’s not-to-miss list? Branwen Okpako’s The Education of Auma Obama. A documentary on the U.S. President’s older half-sister. Festival programmer Rasha Salti was so happy to find this film and bring it to TIFF. Salti describes Auma as having many of the same passionate characteristics as her powerful brother.

If the 35th edition of the Toronto Film Festival will be remembered for anything – it’s the opening of the BELL LIGHTBOX – Toronto’s new home for film and culture

photos: Cadillac Festival Insider SKYE on arrival at the newly opened home of TIFF – The BELL LIGHTBOX. SKYE is wearing a dress & accessories by Pam Chorley’s Fashion Crimes (photo: September 16, 2010 / Richard Budman)

Over a decade in the making, if there is one thing the 2010 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival will be remembered for – it’s the opening of the BELL LIGHTBOX.

TIFF’s new home will be all things to the festival – a state-of-the-art screening facility as well, as place to meet and discuss the art and culture of film.

We couldn’t let the 35th edition of the festival end without a visit to the new Bell Lightbox. And it was as beautiful and spacious as one could imagine. We Festival Insiders especially loved being able to begin our night with a drink before a TIFF screening in the Blackberry Lounge. The lounge even had Blackberry charging stations so we could give our batteries a quick charge before tweeting into the night.

The esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert who annually covers TIFF couldn’t help but comment while in Toronto visiting the new facility, “The Bell Lightbox is superb. No other word for it.”

10 essential films at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival for red carpet celebrity spotting – get your cameras ready!

INSIDE JOB - Thursday, Sept 9th @ Ryerson 9pm. Matt Damon is narrator of this documentary and should make a surprise appearance.

STONE – Friday, Sept 10th @ Elgin 9pm. The legend himself Robert De Niro, with Milla Jovovich and Edward Norton.

SUPER – Friday, Sept 10th @ Ryerson midnight. Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, Canada’s own Ellen Page. and maybe even Kevin Bacon.

NEVER LET ME GO – Saturday, Sept 11th @ Ryerson 6pm. Great chance to see A-lister Keira Knightly and two up-and-coming stars; Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, New Spiderman), and Carey Mulligan (An Education, Wallstreet 2)

THE TOWN – Saturday, Sept 11th @ Roy Thomson Hall 9:30pm. Blake Lively, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, and director Ben Affleck (might we see Ben’s wife Jennifer Garner join him on The Town’s big night)

HEREAFTER – Sunday, Sept 12th @ Elgin 9pm. The icon Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon. Don’t be surprised if Matt’s good friend Ben Affleck shows up too.

YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER – Sunday, Sept 12th @ Elgin 6pm. The directing icon Woody Allen brings a cast that includes Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto, and possibly Antonio Banderas.

BLACK SWAN – Monday, Sept 13th @ Roy Thomson Hall 9:30pm. One of the most buzzed films at TIFF brings Natalie Portman and (we think) Mila Kunis too for a red carpet pair too beautiful for words.

HENRY’S CRIME - Tuesday, Sept 14th @ Elgin 9pm. Keanu Reeves, Vera Farmiga, James Caan. Need we say more?

THE MAKING OF DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN – Tuesday, Sept 14th @ Roy Thomson Hall 9:30pm. There doesn’t get bigger superstars then Bruce Springsteen and his red carpet entrance promises a sight to be seen (and you never know what friends Bruce will surely bring to his rare film festival appearance. Count on Ed Norton for one.)

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The Toronto Film Festival Galas at Roy Thomson Hall was a great place for TIFF celebrity sightings

(festivalinsider.ca) If there was one change that proved popular this TIFF – it was the new red carpet set-up at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. In years previous, The red carpet was on one side of the tight Simcoe St. and fans were stuck waiting on the OTHER side of the street. For 2009, the red carpet Cadillac drop-off of TIFF guests was brought into a park on the east side of the theatre, allowing the fans wanting a glimpse of their favorite TIFF stars a much closer look, and an excellent chance for a photo or autograph.

IVAN and JASON REITMAN had a very busy TIFF 2009 with Up In The Air, Jennifer’s Body, and Chloe all having Toronto premieres

(festivalinsider.ca) There could not have been a more active father-son duo in the filmmaking business then what Ivan and Jason Reitman put on display during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Put simply, the Reitmans owned TIFF’09. Jason Reitman was in Toronto as producer on Jennifer’s Body and director on the already highly acclaimed UP IN THE AIR. After the recent film festival reviews for Up In The Air, many think the George Clooney starring vehicle will be well represented come awards time. During the press conference, Jason was sure to point out a key producer on the film, his father, Ivan Reitman proudly sitting in the first row with the assembled media. It wasn’t the only business at TIFF for Ivan – he was also there to support another Gala premiering film he produced – the Atom Egoyan directed CHLOE. From press, to red carpet premieres and receptions, there was no shortage of Reitman sightings during the 2009 TIFF week.

IT LOUNGE gifting suite at Windsor Arms Hotel plays host to TIFF celebrities and contributes to a roster of charities

The IT Lounge, hosted by NKPR at The Windsor Arms Hotel during TIFF week is proud to have broken new ground as the first gifting suite in North America to have had each participating brand contribute to a charity or cause.

A who’s who of celebrities visited the IT Lounge during the week to lend their support. For each of those visits, a special donation was made to the 12 charities. Brooks, Fila, Goody , Sharpie, Universal Music, were just some of the gifting companies contributing to the program.

Some of the many celebrity guests that visited IT Lounge: Paul Haggis, Olivia Wilde, the entire crew from So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Sissy Spacek, Saukrates, James Purefoy, Divine Brown, Kat Dennings, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Jennifer Garner, Russell Peters, Kyle MacLaghlan, Ivana Santilli, Marci Playground, Edward Norton, Ricky Gervais, Kardinal Offishal, Samantha Morton, Kristin Booth, Colin Mochrie, Deb McGrath, Eva Avilla, Lyriq Bent, Monika Schnarre, Caitlin Cronenberg, Lisa Ray, Verne “Mini-Me” Troyer, Terry Gilliam and many, many more!

rising star Amber HEARD at TIFF’09 with THE JONESES – Next up is THE RUM DIARY with Johnny Depp

Rising star AMBER HEARD was in Toronto for the world premiere of The Joneses. The film also stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny. Heard was channeling old-school Hollywood glamour during her stop at the after-party at AME on Mercer St. for the TIFF premiering film which has been earning strong reviews. Next up for Amber is a movie based on Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary, opposite Johnny Depp.

Nicolas Cage at 2009 TIFF press conference ON the importance of acting awards and where he keeps his Oscar

NICOLAS CAGE has come to Toronto this year in support of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. It was an especially reflective Cage in the press conference for the film accompanied by director Werner Herzog. “You can’t make movies thinking about awards…You make movies just coming from the heart.” – NICOLAS CAGE

Kerry Washington and Naomi Watts celebrate Mother and Child with a few TIFF party stops

(festivalinsider.ca) KERRY WASHINGTON and NAOMI WATTS attended the party for Mother And Child at Swarovski crystal store on Bloor Street prior to their Gala TIFF screening. Watts and Washington continued the celebrating after their premiere stopping by a party at The Gardiner Museum for designer turned director Tom Ford’s A Single Man

A Gorgeous George Clooney, Jeff Bridges and cast of Men Who Stare At Goats arrival at Roy Thompson Hall Red Carpet

(festivalinsider.ca) One of the most anticipated guests of the Toronto International Film Festival – Mr. George Clooney made his first (of two!) red carpet appearances on the first Friday of TIFF for The Men Who Stare At Goats.
Even with a banged up and bandaged hand, Clooney still spent a good fifteen minutes taking pictures with fans and signing autographs.

Movie reviewer Richard Crouse on THE ROAD, THE TROTSKY, DAYBREAKERS, and who he most wants to interview at TIFF – Part 3/3

Here is the final part of our video chat with movie reviewer and author Richard Crouse who will be all over TIFF this year. Crouse shares his feelings on Viggo Mortensen’s THE ROAD, Jay Baruchel’s THE TROTSKY, and DAYBREAKERS. Richard also tells the insider about one particular celebrity he would most love to interview during TIFF (It’s Oprah.)

RELATED: Richard on PRECIOUS, YOUNG VICTORIA, & IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS
RELATED: Richard’s most memorable TIFF interview ever

Movie reviewer Richard Crouse talks PRECIOUS, YOUNG VICTORIA, & IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS in-between press screenings on the eve of #tiff09 – Part 2/3

In-between press screenings the week before the 2009 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival opens – movie reviewer and author Richard Crouse shared his early thoughts on some of the main tiff’09 premiering films.

Crouse called the Oprah Winfrey produced buzz-film Precious Oscar worthy and “the best movie at the festival this year you’ll only want to sit through once.”

Richard also shared his thoughts on the Toronto festival’s closing night film, Young Victoria featuring Emily Blunt in the title role. Crouse felt this would be the Blunt performance that would “make her a BIG star.” (even more so then the stand-out Devil Wears Prada role.)
RELATED: CROUSE TALKS ABOUT HIS FAVORITE TIFF INTERVIEW EVER

Tarantino loves Jane Campion’s TIFF bound Bright Star

Director and Writer Quentin Tarantino was first in Cannes this year with box-office smash Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino was recently asked by L.A. Weekly what some of the better films he saw at the Cannes Film Festival, “I was a big fan of Jane Campion’s Bright Star, I think it’s her best movie. I got caught up in the seriousness of the poetry, and I don’t mind the chaste stuff,” he said.

Campion brings Bright Star to Toronto next. TIFF should be a good week for Campion’s films, besides Bright Star, Canadian actress and filmmaker Sook-Yin Lee will present a screening of Jane Campion’s first theatrical and groundbreaking feature, Sweetie.

Welcome to the Cadillac TIFFinsider for movie and celebrity news at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Welcome to the Cadillac TIFFinsider! We’ll be featuring on this site the latest celebrity news and movie buzz from the 2009 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival.

We will bring you inside TIFF – providing a sneak peek on the red carpet and into the Gala parties. And there will be lots to talk about – over 300 films and hundreds of TIFF celebrity guests.

This years film festival is shaping up to be one of the greatest ever – with A-list acting talent, marquee filmmakers, and a few pop-culture icons all planning appearances in Toronto.

So, who can we expect to see?

Some of Hollywood’s finest leading men we could bump into include George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, Sir Michael Caine, Bill Murray, Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Michael Douglas.

Leading ladies who will grace the festival with their style and beauty are Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore, Megan Fox, Jennifer Garner, Vera Farmiga, and Ellen Page to just name a few.

We may talk a little filmmaking with celebrated directors Terry Gilliam, Neil Jordan, Todd Solondz, Pedro Almodóvar, Jason Reitman, Atom Egoyan, & Steven Soderbergh – all bringing films to Toronto for 2009.

There are even a few non-traditional festival names visiting Toronto as Oprah Winfrey, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson all have films at TIFF to support.

And of course, the insider will be sure to throw in a few juicy details on where the stars will be wining, dining, and celebrating during the festival.

So stay tuned. We’re about to go inside TIFF.

09.10.08 — DAY 7: TIFF’s BEST-DRESSED WOMEN

10. Brad Pitt — tie — Tanya Kim
9. Julianne Moore
8. Cheryl Hickey
7. Kelly Carlson (more…)

09.10.08 — DAY 7: BROMANCES MAKE THE 33RD ANNUAL TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THIS REPORTER — NOT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT OR ANYTHING.

BROS BEFORE HOES

Seriously, The Brothers Bloom stars Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody need to get a room. At the press junket for the film yesterday, the very affectionate duo couldn’t keep their hands off each other — there was nothing gloomy about this duo. Ruffalo literally straddled Brody at one point — and I became very jealous. (more…)

09.09.08 — DAY 6: PARIS HILTON ARRIVES IN TORONTO — LOCK UP YOUR CHILDREN, HUSBANDS, AND LIQUOR CABINETS! PLUS: TIFF’s MOST DELICIOUS MAN CANDY!

A KNIGHTLEY TO REMEMBER

Someone get The Duchess starlet Keira Knightley a hamburger, STAT! When The Cadillac Insider asked her if traveling around the world eats away at her, she laughed, saying, “Yes, I have heard those anorexia rumours, too. Perhaps I should just become pregnant; that’ll keep them quiet.” Yeah, that’s one reason to have a baby.
(more…)

09.09.08 — DAY 6

JEN ANISTON NO SHOW AT ONE X ONE

While Management star Jennifer Aniston failed in an attempted reunion with ex-spouse Brad Pitt, many in the gossip circles assumed she’d stop by her ex-hubby’s pal Matt Damon’s One X One gala last night. No such luck. After all, last week, someone near the Pitt camp suggest Brad may stick around to attend OneXOne and support Damon. But that was wishful thinking. Hearing Aniston was planning on stalking Pitt, Brad bolted from Toronto immediately. (more…)

08.09.08 — DAY 5: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JENNIFER ANISTON-WALDO? THE FORMER MRS. PITT PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK WITH TORONTO

JEN AND BRAD REUNION? FORMER FRIENDS’ STAR IS THE NEW WALDO!

Where in the world is Jennifer Aniston? And does anyone care? The big story this weekend was anti-climatic: Would the most famous former spouses since Liz Taylor and Richard Burton finally reunite in Toronto? A big no was the answer. While the new Mother Theresa, Angelina Jolie was nursing her newborn twins, Mr. Pitt snuck out of town Saturday night —before dining at Sotto Sotto and indulging in a night cap at Lobby — just as his ex arrived in the T-dot. Too bad, because sources from her camp told The Cadillac Insider she was hoping to “break bread with her ex-hubby.” (more…)

07.09.08 — MORE DAY 4

MR. JOLIE SPEAKS — THE BRAD PITT FILES

Speaking of stars and aggressive security, acting newcomer Brad Pitt (he’s going to be a huge star one day, predicts The Cadillac Insider) joined his Burn After Reading co-stars at The Sutton Hotel to promote his Coen Brothers film. Of course, questions regarding his brood of a children arose faster than his sperm count. (more…)

07.09.08 — DAY 4 AND COUNTING

SEX, LIES, AND CONTROVERSY: BURN THIS BLOG AFTER READING

PEOPLE… WHO NEED FILM FESTIVALS

Is Toronto still the people’s festival? That’s the big question on everyone’s sleep-deprived minds this weekend. Yesterday, The Toronto Sun lambasted TIFF Director and CEO Piers Handling for turning what was once a peaceful film festival into a “an elitist corporate spectacle which is disconnecting it from the public that made it so important in the first place.” (more…)

06.09.08 — DAY 3: ARE YOU STILL BREATHING?

THE BEST QUIPS, NEWS, AND GOSSIP FROM THE PARTIES FRIDAY NIGHT… AND WITH APOLOGIES TO THE NEW YORK TIMES — IT’S NOT FIT TO PRINT, BUT FOR OUR CADILLAC FANS IT’S ALL KOSHER!

(more…)

05.09.08 — DAY 2

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. (more…)

04.09.08 — DAY 1

On your mark, get set, and catch up on your Z’s, people, because this year’s festival will prove to be a fun yet bumpy ride for the next ten days. Well, at least the stars who’ve been in rehab, ‘yo!

It’s finally here — today is the official day of 33rd annual The Toronto Film Festival — and here’s an exclusive preview on what not to expect at the best celluloid celebration in the world. (more…)

Lights, camera, festival!

It’s that time of the year again, stargazers: Hollywood North shines bright as the boldest of bold face punctuates the T-dot this week.

Beginning September 4-13, 500 heavyweight stars, who include Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, John Malkovich, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Viggo Mortensen and Renee Zellweger, Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, Gael Garcia Bernal will be promoting, partying, and patronizing our beautiful city for ten days for the 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival. (more…)