he red carpet was out at the Toronto International Film Festival - so were the stretched limos, the paparazzi and, of course, a huge contingent of big name stars. They schmoozed, they partied, they dined and they spent some quality time promoting their latest film offerings.
Gene Hackman  Star power was out in full force at the premiere of Heist, including Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Sam Rockwell. By the way, Tribute Magazine was the first to learn that Rockwell will play the lead in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. George Clooney makes his directorial debut in this film about the life of Chuck Barris.
Denzel Washington  Ethan Hawke was in town promoting four films in the festival - Tape, Waking Life, The Jimmy Show and Training Day. He was a no show at the Training Day premiere but co-star Denzel Washington was there. Dressed in a designer black T, black pants and running shoes, the casually clad actor still looked his usual suave self. He scored big points with fans when he went out of his way to greet the crowd.
  The film's director, Antoine Fuqua, was clinging on tight to his actress wife Lela Rochon for moral support. He had no qualms admitting that he had a bad case of last minute jitters before showtime. Meanwhile, fans went crazy when Keanu Reeves showed up at the screening. The actor, in town for Hardball, was spotted at the Four Seasons lounge later that night.
  Matthew McConaughey was late to arrive for the premiere of his film Thirteen Conversations About One Thing. He was whisked into the theater without saying boo to the press outside. Well, McConaughey was back in everybody's good books when he rushed to the aid of woman who collapsed during the screening of his film. The good samaritan waited for help to arrive after resuscitating the dazed and confused movie goer. Now that's a festival moment she'll never forget.
  An exclusive party was held at Pangaea on Bay Street for the cast of Life as a House, including Jena Malone, Kristen Scott Thomas, Mary Steenburgen and Toronto's own Hayden Christensen, who's getting a taste of celebrity to prepare him for the attention he'll get when his Star Wars flick hits the big screen next year.
  Steve Martin was here to promote his film Novocaine with co-star Helena Bonham Carter. Leelee Sobieski, Paul Walker and Steve Zahn were in town for Joy Ride.
  The stars of Prozac Nation - Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs and Michelle Williams - were spotted dining together at Bistro 990 to celebrate William's 21st birthday. Meanwhile, Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing won rave reviews for The Business of Strangers.
  Unfortunately, the Toronto Film Festival came to an abrupt halt following the tragic events of Sept.11. Festival organizers were considering cancelling the remainder of the film fest but chose to resume screening scheduled films.   However, all red carpet events and festival parties were cancelled. A subdued Benjamin Bratt was spotted in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel. He was in Toronto to promote Pinero, but he cancelled all of his press interviews and his director subsequently pulled the film from the festival altogether.
  The people at Universal chartered a bus to help enable stranded studio execs and others to get back home to L.A. Meanwhile, others carried on. Harvey Keitel briefly addressed the audience at the gala screening of his film The Grey Zone and asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the tragedy.
- Ola Sturik


ddie Murphy likes his houses big - 30,000 square feet to be exact. The comedian has been hunting for such a place in Vancouver where he's slated to spend several months starring in I Spy. Murphy told handlers he wanted a pool and tennis courts to go along with the house but the West Vancouver mansion that fit the bill wasn't for rent. The actor, his wife and their five children had to settle for a mere 10,000-square-foot shack in Shaughnessy, the city's next toniest neighborhood. The rent is rumored to be a cool $375,000 per month. Betty Thomas directs the spy spoof based on the popular '60s TV show. Murphy joins a long list of Hollywood celebrities who've rented and bought property in B.C., among them Robin Williams, Mel Gibson, Tom Selleck and Brian Dennehy.
  Funnyman Murphy isn't the only actor who likes living large. Scotland's most passionate advocate, Sean Connery, moored his 200-foot navy ship at a Vancouver dock this summer. Connery told pals the renovated vessel reminds him of the time he spent sailing for Her Majesty's Royal Navy, only now he's the captain. The actor kept mostly to himself aboard the ship, although his
legendary fondness for golf and salmon lured him ashore more than once.
  The film production glut - most studios spent their annual production budgets by last July in anticipation of an actors' strike - has left B.C. unusually short of film shoots and movie star sightings. Only five features are currently being shot with hints of a couple more to come before the end of the year. And the terrorist attacks of Sept.11 haven't done much to ease the situation. Even celebs who own private aircrafts have been leery about flying across the border, preferring to stay stateside whenever possible.

- Valerie Gregory