Want to meet a slew of real live movie stars such as Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Hudson and Matt Damon?
Well, then come on up north for the 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival, which starts to unreel 312 movies Thursday (Sept. 4) before bringing down the curtain Saturday evening, Sept. 13, with 
a closing night gala screening, “Stone of Destiny,” from writer/director Charles Martin Smith.
Before then, Theron will be on hand for Guillermo Arriaga’s “The Burning Plain;” Pitt arrives with the Coen Brothers’ “Burn After Reading;” and Hudson for “The Secret Life of Bees.” Damon will be there for one of a few “Maverick” discussions, sharing the stage with Josh Brolin to give audiences an early glimpse of a documentary called “The People Speak” from historian, playwright and social activist Howard Zinn.
Naturally, there will be some big Hollywood films generating the kind of buzz that resulted in Oscar noms last year for “Atonement,” "Juno,” “Michael Clayton,” and the Coens' award-winning “No Country For Old Men.” The Best Picture contenders kept TIFF’s reputation alive and well by first showing off their stuff last year in Toronto.
Among this year’s many, many world or North American premieres: “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (Michael Cera, Kat Dennings); “Pride and Glory” (Colin Farrell, Ed Norton); Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna” (Derek Luke); Ed Harris’s “Appaloosa” (Renee Zellweger, Viggo Mortensen); “Ghost Town” (Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni); Rod Lurie’s “Nothing But the Truth” (Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon), and Jonathan Demme’s “Rachel Getting Married” (Anne Hathaway), to name but a few.
Certainly all the stars will be there, too. Here’s a complete film schedule and a list of more than 500 celebrities expected to attend. Oh, and keep checking back at MovieZen during the next two weeks for festival updates on all of it, even maybe a few parties.
John M. Urbancich
**Read more articles by John Urbancich**
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