Michael Cera says his life hasn't changed much since 'Juno,' 'Superbad'

TORONTO - Baby-faced actor Michael Cera is one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood after starring in the hit films "Superbad" and "Juno." But the 20-year-old, who grew up in Brampton, Ont., insists fame hasn't changed his life all that much.

"Same friends, same family, same clothes, same car, same house," Cera said Saturday while promoting his new movie, "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," at the Toronto International Film Festival.

"People just, you know, people feel like they know you ... that's the only difference."

The sandy-haired actor (who drives a Toyota Corolla, by the way) is being typically modest.

He's earned legions of female fans since breaking out on the big screen, including one who boldly proposed to him during a news conference last year at pop culture convention Comic-con

Rent leaves Broadway with youthful legacy

Rent, the Tony Award-winning musical that opened on Broadway in 1996, finishes its New York run Sunday.

But not without leaving its legacy on the Great White Way, producer Jeffrey Seller said Friday in an interview with CBC cultural affairs program Q.

Rent, a musical that chronicles the struggles of a group of young artists in New York, was groundbreaking in bringing topics such as AIDS and homelessness into the mainstream, Seller said.

"The best role that Rent played was that it opened up Broadway to different fare, to different genres," he said.

More and more women calling the shots at Toronto International Film Festival

TORONTO - Look around a movie set, and the person sitting in the director's chair is usually a man. But this year's Toronto International Film Festival suggests that an increasing number of Canadian women are calling the shots.

While the festival kicked off Thursday with Paul Gross's war epic "Passchendaele," high-profile features helmed by Canadian women are also taking centre stage. They include Deepa Mehta's dark domestic drama, "Heaven On Earth" and Kari Skogland's controversial IRA thriller, "Fifty Dead Men Walking."

Buzz is also surrounding Ingrid Veninger's coming-of-age film "Only," and Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu's visually stunning Inuit tale "Before Tomorrow."

Toronto film festival provides celeb glitz, cinematic surprises

TORONTO - Will Brad run into Jen? Do the Coen brothers have another Oscar winner on their hands? And can geeky heartthrob Michael Cera keep up his streak of cinematic hits that have included "Juno" and "Superbad"?

The 10-day movie extravaganza known as the Toronto International Film Festival gets underway Thursday, unspooling 312 films from around the world, spanning everything from experimental short flicks to blockbuster Hollywood productions.

"The exciting part is being able to meet the directors and the stars that come to the premieres, and getting a chance to actually ask them questions about the movies they make," said John Ricchiuto, a Toronto resident who has attended the festival for several years.

Surfers Charged in McConaughey Pap Fight

The surfers who thought they were lending Matthew McConaughey a hand have been slapped on the wrist.

Two men who allegedly roughed up a photographer who was angling for shots of the actor hanging ten on a Malibu beach were charged Tuesday with misdemeanor battery and are due to be arraigned in October.

One of the handful of shutterbugs at the scene told police after the June 21 confrontation that the territorial surfers shoved him and threw his camera in the ocean.

But while video of the incident (posted online, of course) showed at least a dozen wave enthusiasts closing in on the paparazzi, only 24-year-old Skylar Peak and 30-year-old Philip Hildebrand are facing charges.

Natalie Portman Awarded for Social Commitment

Natalie Portman picked up a "humanity award" in Venice on Sunday — and it wasn't for agreeing to be in her boyfriend's wacky music video.

The Garden State and Star Wars beauty received the first-ever "Movie for Humanity Award" at the Venice Film Festival for her work with social and environmental programs.

Given to film artists who devote themselves to humanitarian causes, the Oscar-nominee donated her $50,000 prize to the Jane Goodall Institute in Tanzania, where Portman supports the Tacare Girl's Scholarship Program.

"The Jane Goodall foundation does incredible work in Tanzania, an area which is very environmentally affected. I really appreciate this award," Portman said.

Venice date for animation master

Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has denied any rivalry exists between his Studio Ghibli company and US animation giant Pixar.

"The illustrators at Pixar are all people I hold dear," he told reporters at the Venice Film Festival.

"We are not in competition. Our relationship is one that is based on friendship."

However, the veteran director insisted he would continue to champion traditional hand-drawn animation over the computer-generated variety favoured by Pixar and others.

"CG is used a great deal at the moment, and at times it can be excessive," the 67-year-old said.

"Animation needs man's drawing hand, which is why I will continue to use the pencil for as long as I can."

Meszaros inks six-year deal with Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't take long in signing newly-acquired defenceman Andrej Meszaros on Saturday, signing the 22-year-old to a six-year contract.

Meszaros was picked up from the Ottawa Senators on Friday in a trade for veteran defenceman Filip Kuba and young blue-liner Alexandre Picard as well as a first-round draft pick.

The Lightning wasted no time securing their newest player long-term. Terms were not immediately disclosed, but a report in the Tampa Tribune indicates the deal is worth US$24-million.

Gas Prices Depress Diddy's High-Flyin' Style

Sean "Diddy" Combs is done with his $250,000 round trips.

In his latest video blog, shot while boarding a regular old American Airlines flight, the hip-hop and fashion mogul cites inflated fuel costs as the reason he's had to ground his private jet for the time being.

"Gas prices are too motherf--kin' high," Combs complains, explaining that it has just gotten too expensive to fly back and forth between New York and L.A. (where he's pursuing his acting career) twice a month.

"I want to give a shout-out to all my Saudi Arabian brothers and sisters and all my brothers and sisters from all the countries that have oil. If y'all could please send me some oil for my jet, I would truly appreciate it."

The OPEC aficionado can hardly believe his misfortune as he proceeds through the terminal.

Casting Couch: Schroder Gets Hellhounded, Marcil Applies Lipstick, Lachey Takes Times Square

Ricky Schroder is drumming up some thunder down under.

The actor has signed on to direct the Sci Fi Channel movie Hellhounds, about a Greek warrior who teams with his loinclothed posse to rescue his bride from Hades, circa 500 B.C. The film, starring Men in Trees' Scott Elrod as the put-upon groom, is set to start shooting Sunday in Romania, per the Hollywood Reporter.

Schroder, the former Silver Spoons lad who grew up to carry a badge on NYPD Blue and most recently costar in The Andromeda Strain for A&E, has stepped behind the camera before for music videos and the boxing drama Black Cloud.