There's nothing like starting off the day with an edge-of-your-seat thriller! I went to a screening of 'Reservation Road' which has a jam-packed cast of superstar wattage: Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino, Mark Ruffalo. Directed by Terry George, who did 'Hotel Rwanda,' I remember seeing Hotel Rwanda that year at TIFF and it got the most rousing standing ovation I've ever witnessed. It must have gone on for five, full minutes. Meanwhile, 'Reservation Road' is a Hollywood film that does exactly what it sets out to do, which is pretty tense at 9 am.

After that, I skipped over to see 'Jihad For Love,' about homosexuality and Islam - this is why I love film festivals!

Next, at the Park Hyatt, I had to wait in a room-full of journalists for ages in order to speak with Jude Law, Michael Caine and Kenneth Branagh. These were "roundtable" interviews, which consists in a bunch of journalists sitting around an actual round table and trying to ask questions in the faux ambience of a dinner party. When Jude Law turned to face me, all of a sudden I could barely hear his answer to my question. His mouth just kept moving, and that's the problem, really - he's got mesmerizing lips. His whole face is pretty compelling, in fact. He was wearing a natty, grey (not sure it started off that way) waffle undershirt and took off his bright new Nikes under the table.

Jude fended off a blunt inquiry by a journalist who tried to get him to talk about being arrested last week for hitting a paparazzo (the rest of us journalists just exchanged looks). Jude was patient and unflappable. At one moment, when a journalist brought up Jude recently being honoured by France with a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (which means he was knighted!), Jude demonstrated a beautiful and impeccable French accent. Geniale!

Next Michael Caine and Kenneth Branagh strode in, Mr. Caine playfully swatting Jude while saying, "Clear out now!" Caine made no bones about how much he loves Jude Law and also mentioned that Heath Ledger's acting (they are both in the next Batman movie) is "astonishing."

That evening, I tootled off to Casa Loma again for the ET Canada party. The red carpet was devoted to 'Deficit,' the Gael Garcia Bernal movie (he directed!) and, yes, he was there in all his wee glory. So was David Blaine, looking unrecognizably bigger (must be an illusion), when he showed up with indie It-kid (remember 'Kids'?) Harmony Korine. Then, suddenly, a whole cavalcade of stars sauntered in. Joaquin Phoenix walked by with Jennifer Connelly, who was on crutches (must be the hot new accessory), gallantly helping her get about.

At half past midnight the photographers were still on the red carpet because word was that Paris was on her way. I say 'Who cares?' and decide to call it a night.

Parties with celebrities are super weird because they are extreme examples of class stratification. Overheard beside the red carpet:

Young Tart: Oh! And here I was thinking that you weren't someone important! (Pause). You look GREAT.

Young Man to Buddy: Just don't let it get to your head. Buddy: What do you mean, Get to my head? Young Man: I'm just saying, it happens. Don't let it get to your head.

Young Lady to David Blaine: Hi David, who are you here with tonight?

Ok, that last one? That was me. I didn't recognize Harmony at first (like most celebs, he's shorter in real life) and I admit it became slightly embarassing once I realized I wasn't on the red carpet. David looked at me like I was a YT (Young Tart) and said, "Uh...them?" and followed "Them." It's a good reminder about how behaviour that is valid on a red carpet (i.e. funnily pointed questions lobbed at strangers) is suddenly outre when swaying with a drink on the other side of the velvet rope. But really, friends, where would you rather be? On the red carpet yelling at strangers or downing some plebian comfort and having some party conversations before going home sated? Over at Casa Loma right now, there are gaggles of girls in dresses, trying to snuggle up to someone "important" - no wonder Kanye finds so much inspiration for songs like "Golddigger." Half the people there tonight need a cold shower, the other half are on the VIP side of the velvet rope.