With the minor controversy surrounding Across the Universe (director Julie Taymor reportedly had final cut taken away from her), we're curious to see how the Beatles-inspired epic turned out.  Universe is among numerous major films world premiering at Toronto, including Eastern Promises (which reunites History of Violence's David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen) and Lars and the Real Girl, whose trailer suggests a delicately twisted time with Ryan Gosling and a blow-up doll. 

While this only recently registered on our radars, we're already intrigued with the comedy-drama, Juno.  It stars Ellen Page and Michael Cera, as two soon-to-be teenage parents reassessing their lives, and Jason Bateman.  Arrested Development fans, rejoice!

After squandering his Match Point cred on Scoop, can Woody Allen make another late-career recovery?  We'll see with his new drama, Cassandra's Dream, about two warring brothers (Ewan McGregor, Colin Ferrel).  In addition, both rising heavyweights -- like Noah Baumbach (Margot at the Wedding) and Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow) -- and contemporary masters -- such as the Coen Brothers (No Country For Old Men) and Ang Lee (Lust, Caution) -- will be hosting their North American premieres.

While we enjoy the festival night parties as much as anyone else, we may have to cut the nocturnal revelries short: this year's Midnight Madness program looks impossibly awesome.  It's going to be a marathon of premiering cult cinema, like Sukiyaki Western Django (directed by Takashi Miike), Stuck (Stuart Gordon), The Mother of Tears (Dario Argento), and George A. Romero's The Diary of the Dead.  Toronto Film Fest: come for the art, stay for the gore!

Click here for the full TIFF program list. And remember to keep an eye out for our coverage once the festival starts September 6!