TORONTO - Forget the movie screen, keep your eyes on the audience if you're wondering which Oscar contenders will emerge from this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
Crowds at the annual movie marathon seem to have a knack for picking out the next critical smash. For the past three years, films that have won the people's choice award in Toronto have gone on to become Academy Award best picture nominees: "The King's Speech," "Precious" and "Slumdog Millionaire."
Sure, they haven't all been renowned -- anyone remember 2003's pick "Zatoichi" from Japan? -- but a survey of past award-winners reveals a healthy list of enduring crowd-pleasers:
2007: "Eastern Promises"
2002: "Whale Rider"
2000: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
1999: "American Beauty"
1996: "Shine"
1989: "Roger and Me"
1987: "The Princess Bride"
1984: "Places In The Heart"
1983: "The Big Chill"
1981: "Chariots of Fire"
