George Clooney gets mad, Woody Harrelson gets harassed, The Artist makes silent films relevant again, and OMFG Leighton Meester is here.
Stargazing
First off, hope eTalk doesn’t think they had a scoop with the “Where did Clooney have dinner?” tweet because we soooo had that story yesterday. Then again, judging by the harsh reaction to that message (hinting you know where stars ate prompts a litany of “get a life”-style responses, apparently), perhaps we should be embarrassed instead of proud.
That’s the funny thing about celeb stalking at TIFF: there’s a fine line between reverential and creepy. And George Clooney himself revealed his boundaries at The Ides of March press conference yesterday, when he handed down a verbal bitchslap to Paul Chi, a reporter who innocently asked about how tough it is to date in the public eye. Clooney’s response was tough, but fair. We feel sorry for Chi though. He’s got a job to do, after all—writing for People Magazine about why Jessica Simpson might try online dating. Poor fellow.
Leave Woody Alone
All this talk of where to draw the line was made brutally clear to us last night however, after we witnessed the real reason celebs hate us normal people: the douchebag outside the Elgin Theatre who brazenly harassed Woody Harrelson after the screening of Fernando Meirelles‘ new drama 360. Harrelson was standing on Yonge Street trying to hail a cab, and after denying his bearded admirer a photo, the man hollered out, ”Oh come on! This is my only chance to get a Woody Harrelson photo!”
Look guys, we realize it’s a thrill to see the stars when they come out at TIFF. But there’s a reason most stars spend as little time as humanly possible in Toronto during the festival—because we treat them like caged animals on the verge of extinction. Woody isn’t a commodity to be exploited in the name of your Facebook profile! He’s human too! Treat him like one.
Industry Buzz
Amid all the stalking and hysteria, we actually found time to catch a few films last night, highlighted by Michel Hazanavicius‘ glorious silent film The Artist. In the post-screening Q&A, one of the producers modestly commented on his low expectations for the film, saying he felt silly working hard to develop a throwback to the 1920s in the age of colossal 3D mammoths like Avatar. Yet the insiders are saying The Artist is actually building awards momentum. And most importantly of all, Ebert adored it. Put this one on your radar.
TIFF’s my party
The wild spree of opening weekend TIFF parties is in full swing, not that it means much to people like us (i.e., people who weren’t invited) following all the action from home on Twitter. A night on the town at TIFF provokes a myriad of reactions from those on our feed, encompassing the good, the bad and the bizarre.
But last night’s bragging was all rendered meaningless after we saw this. Yes folks, it’s true. The gorgeous and talented Leighton Meester has arrived in Toronto.
If you’re getting dolled up for a TIFF jam tonight, have fun. And say hey to Jon Hamm for us. But always remember the wise words of our generation’s queen of partying, the one and only Paris Hilton: “If you’re out past two, you’re desperate.”
