The Venice Film Festival Starts Tomorrow, People

We're so excited about Grierson heading to the Toronto Film Festival next week -- he leaves a week from tomorrow, so PREPARE THYSELF -- that we almost forgot: The Venice Film Festival kicks off tomorrow. We've never been to either Venice or Toronto, but we know Toronto must be nicer because that's where Hollywood goes to film so many movies. The architecture must be amazing, and so much more impressive than whatever bland, suburban strip malls Venice has. Pshaw.

Anyway, Venice is obviously a big deal, even if Toronto is more cinematically lush. Last year, "Black Swan" was the opening night film and pretty much dominated the movie conversation for the next two months. Like with most film festivals, it doesn't really matter which film wins. If you remember last year's winner, it's only because of the fake controversy as to whether or not jury head Quentin Tarantino fixed it so his ex-girlfriend would win. (The film was Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere.")

The big opening night film this year is George Clooney's "The Ides of March," which will show tomorrow night, so expect all the reactions then. Many films showing at Venice will also be showing at Toronto, but there are far more in Toronto but not in Venice. But the next week will bring the first public showings of Roman Polanski's "Carnage," David Cronenberg's "A Dangerous Method," and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." It's no Toronto, but it's a big week coming up. If only Venice had a Major League Baseball team. Keep trying, Venice!

2011 Venice Film Festival: What to Expect [The Wall Street Journal]