The festival season is kicking into high gear. Venice is winding down, Telluride just wrapped up, and big daddy Toronto kicks off tomorrow. Most of the movies we will be talking about at Oscar time have just premiered or will premiere this month. Here is a quick look at 10 films that have had people talking from Venice and Telluride. Watch for a more in depth look at the Toronto lineup coming soon.

Black Swan – Darren Aronofsky’s follow up to The Wrestler is shaping up to be one of the most devisive films of the season. It’s premiere at Venice had many top critics split. Though most agree on the film’s quality, it sounds more like one of those films you appreciate rather than enjoy. There is, however, a general consensus that Natalie Portman’s performance will be good enough for a very strong Oscar push. But with the very crowded Best Actress category this year, it won’t be quite the slam dunk it might have been in years past. The trailer highlights the handheld styling which didn’t seem like a hit to me, although it certainly will increase what appears to be the film’s most noticeable feature: it’s dark and brooding milieu. …Well most noticeable after Mila Kunis that is.

Miral – The consensus seems to be that Julian Schnabel’s latest is no Diving Bell and the Butterfly. The film stars Slumdog Millionaire‘s Freida Pinto as a Palestinian orphan (she’s Indian btw). It sounds like Pinto’s lack of experience may be partially to blame for the film’s shortcomings though reviews have not been kind to Schnabel’s tackling of such a difficult story either. It remains to be seen if the Weinsteins are able to translate the spark plug subject matter into box office receipts or if this one will make a quick appearance on the art house circuit before getting lost in the awards shuffle.

Somewhere – I’ve been a huge fan of everything Sofia Coppola has done, even the critically panned Marie Antoinette . So it is no surprise that I am pretty excited for her follow-up. The film tells the story of a young girl (Elle Fanning) and her Hollywood star father (Stephen Dorff). Reviews from Venice have been positive. No one is calling it revolutionary, but it is competently told story that doesn’t stray too far from Coppola’s lovely style. Sounds exactly like what I want.

Never Let Me Go – Mark Romanek has often been called one of the most visionary directors working today due to his incredible music videos (NIN, Jay-Z, The Eels, Fiona Apple). Therefore, I was surprised to realize that Never Let Me Go is only the second feature he has helmed (the first being 2002’s One Hour Photo). This film is adapted from a dystopic Japanese novel by screenwriter Alex Garland (28 Days/Weeks Later, Sunshine) and stars IT-girl Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and future Peter Parker Andrew Garfield. Reviews after its Venice and Telluride unspoolings have been mixed but call it powerful and have universally praised the acting. I am hoping to see it soon and have some more thoughts here.

The King’s Speech – Tom Hooper’s period comedy about the stuttering King George VI has been the early darling of the Fall fests. Critics have consistently put it forward as the film to beat in the run to Oscar gold and called Colin Firth’s Best Actor nom and Geoffrey Rush’s supporting nom sure things. Hooper has so far been better known for his TV success (John Adams, Elizabeth I) than for features (last year’s The Damned United). That may be changing this season.

I’m Still Here – Comparisons have already been made between Casey Affleck’s “documentary” and Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop. Echoes of “Is it real?” can be heard all the way from Venice. But from early accounts, the movie isn’t half of what Banksy’s film is. What could potentially be an interesting look at celebrity is reported to instead be an ego driven star-studded prank. As one review put it, the film is more like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm than a documentary. The question isn’t necessarily whether or not Joaquin Phoenix and Affleck orchestrated the quitting-acting-for-hip-hop stunt for this movie – but rather why anyone should care.

Meek’s Cutoff – I missed Kelly Reichardt’s last feature Wendy and Lucy – but by all accounts it was a bit slow. Reports from Venice about her take on the Western genre seem to echo that sentiment. One review reported that by minute 40, a quick glance around found most people sleeping. Another report called it more boring than watching paint dry. Too bad because star Michelle Williams is supposed to be quite good and I’ve always found the Oregon Trail subject matter particularly interesting.

The Way Back – One movie which has garnered a lot of speculation is Peter Weir’s tale of a group of men who escape a Soviet labor camp in 1941. While early reports from Telluride have been very positive, there is some question as to whether the film will be moved forward from its scheduled January release in time for awards eligibility. Weir’s credits include a number of great films from Witness and Dead Poets Society to The Truman Show and Master & Commander. Given that he has been nom’d for 6 Oscars and never won, I’m guessing the film’s distrib Newmarket gives it a push.

Tabloid – Errol Morris has made some of the best documentaries of all time (The Thin Blue Line, The Fog of War) and it sounds like his latest is up there as well. Tabloid tells the hilarious story of beauty queen turned S&M hooker turned tabloid queen Joyce McKinney. From all accounts, the movie was the star of Telluride and should make a splash when it makes it to theaters (hopefully) soon.

127 Hours – Yet another big director with a big follow-up (Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire in this case), Danny Boyle’s latest stars James Franco as that dude who cut off his own arm after a rock climbing accident. Critics have been mixed on the film – skewing a bit more positive – with many singing Franco’s praises. Could it be his year for a nom? The trailer evokes Into the Wild and the scenery looks gorgeous – but sitting for two hours watching a guy trapped by a rock sounds like a horrifying experience. Here’s hoping Boyle’s mastery of the medium can make it an enjoyable journey.