"It's like Albany. Only cleaner."

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By Alison Willmore on 08/10/2006

Little Dieter needs to eat something. There's been a flurry of Toronto announcements in the past few days, including a few big gala titles. Some of the premieres:

Marc Forster's "Stranger Than Fiction," which stars Will Ferrell as an IRS agent who starts hearing the voice of a mysterious narrator (Emma Thompson). There's a trailer on the website â€” it doesn't look as promising as it sounds.

Leon Ichaso's Hector Lavoe biopic "El Cantante" â€” hey, J.Lo! Stars her husband, Marc Anthony.

Mark Palansky's "Penelope," a "modern day fairytale" with Christina Ricci and James McAvoy.

Tony Goldwyn's "L'Ultimo Bacio" remake "The Last Kiss." Sorry, Zach Braff, but we think we may hate you.

David Von Ancken's "Seraphim Falls," another period film with Liam Neeson, except this time he's evil.

Roger Michell's "Venus," which reunites Michell and writer Hanif Kureishi, the team behind 2003's "The Mother." The cast is astonishing if gouty-sounding: Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Richard Griffiths and Vanessa Redgrave.

Kenneth Branagh's "The Magic Flute" â€” some opera by some guy.

Christopher N Rowley's "Bonneville," with Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen.

Christopher Guest's "For Your Consideration." Yes, it's about the film industry. No, it's not a mockumentary.

Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain" will also make it's North American premiere, after making its world premiere at Venice. Doing the same is Emilio Estevez's "Bobby," while AlmodÃ³var's "Volver" arrives by way of Cannes.

Tuesday's non-gala announcements included word that Werner Herzog's "Rescue Dawn," essentially a narrative take on the story told in his own "Little Dieter Needs to Fly" with Christian Bale as Dieter Dengler, will make its world premiere in the Masters program (trailer here). Scattered through various other programs are the world and international premieres of the new Hal Hartley, the new Larry Fessenden, the new Shane Meadows, the new Eytan Fox and the new Kore-eda.