I’m starting to get that feeling of excitement in the pit of my stomach. The Toronto International Film Festival is just 8 days away and the anticipation of seeing the best movies from around the globe — and some world-class movie stars hawking those flicks — is building. I’m also looking forward to my pal Jerry’s fabulous brisket sandwiches and cabbage borscht at Toronto’s New Yorker deli.
This is my 19th trip to the TIFF and every year the star-power seems to grow exponentially. Since 2001, I’ve been driving to the Festival. You really understand how long New York State is when you have to drive the entire length. You also appreciate the cheaper gas in New Jersey and the fact that you don’t have to pump it yourself.
After looking over the list of films coming to Toronto here are the dozen films I most want to see at this moment in time. The more I read about the films, the more this list will change.
(Pictured are Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead)

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (USA; Sidney Lumet)
Body of War (USA; Ellen Spira, Phil Donahue)
Chacun son cinema (France; 25 of the world’s best directors)
Death Defying Acts (United Kingdom/Australia; Gillian Armstrong)
4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days (Romania; Cristian Mungiu, Palme d’Or winner)
Honeydrippers (USA; John Sayles)
In the Valley of Elah (USA; Paul Haggis)
Iron Ladies of Liberia (USA; Daniel Junge, Siatta Scott Johnson)
Man From Plains (USA; Jonathan Demme)
No Country For Old Men (USA; Joel & Ethan Coen)
Titov Veles (Macedonia; Teona Strugar Mitevska)
With Your Permission (Denmark/Sweden; Paprika Steen)