On the eve of the festival, anticipation for the films really does mount. I must admit to being a tad disappointed that I'll be unable to catch “Babel” or “Copying Beethoven” due to scheduling conflicts with other films. Alas, there’s not much that can be done about that. And there are many other titles that I will be taking in that ought to compensate for my missing of those two.

Here are the films that I should be seeing. I’m very much looking forward to all of them because of the experience of a 'festival screening' for each one of them. Yet there are also reasons I’m looking forward to each that are particular to each…

“All the King’s Men”: This is a great story and the sort that needs to be retold for a new generation. And, I mean, look at that cast! I’m particularly curious to see how Law and Penn approach their fascinating characters.

“Bobby”: My doubts about Estevez’s filmmaking abilities aside, attracting a cast like this is pretty amazing. Robert Kennedy is also a figure who must never be forgotten.

“Breaking and Entering”: I was a huge fan of Minghella’s first three directorial efforts. Here’s hoping he can work wonders with Law, an actor who I’ve always loved in supporting roles yet I still feel needs *just* the right role to become a bonafide leading man.

“Catch a Fire”: Focus Features usually know how to play their cards…here’s hoping they’re hiding something special in this film. Noyce is a talented filmmaker.

“For Your Consideration”: It seems as though this project was made ‘just for me’. Christopher Guest has always been a favourite of mine…and satirizing awards’ season?!? Why hasn’t this been done before?!?

“The Fountain”: At worst, I suspect this will be a visual treat. The premise sounds captivating and Jackman is also an actor I very highly respect.

“A Good Year”: Russell Crowe is one of our most consistently fine actors. And he’s reuniting with the director who turned him into a movie star.

“Infamous”: “Capote” was a superbly crafted film…yet it didn’t really explore ‘Truman the socialite’. Maybe this will?

“The Last King of Scotland”: Sounds like a unique take on an unfortunately memorable period in history. Macdonald is also a filmmaker blessed with talent and I'm anxious to see his first non-documentary feature.

“Little Children”: Field hit me in the gut with his directorial debut five years ago. Winslet and Wilson also have fascinating characters here that they are perfectly cast for.

“Stranger than Fiction”: This premise really sounds immensely clever to me. And the cast just seems so perfect for a film like this.

“Venus”: Peter O’Toole is, simply put, one of the all-time great actors. I have been wanting to see another truly great performance from him for a very long time.

“Volver”: Pedro Almodovar films are always must-sees for me; the advance praise this one has received just means that the 'screening can’t come soon enough'.

“The Wind that Shakes the Barley”: I don’t always love the Cannes winners…but I am always curious to see them. I also consider Cillian Murphy to be one of the best actors of his generation.

Tomorrow, the madness begins. Though I’ll be sure to check in at least once more before hitting my first screening tomorrow evening.