Great performances are being lauded at the Toronto Film Festival this week. Penelope Cruz (pictured left) is seeing some of the best reviews of her career for her portrayal of a housewife and mother in Pedro Almodovar’s “Volver.” Cruz’s performance is being compared to some given decades earlier by Oscar winners Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren. Forest Whitaker (pictured right), a reliable character actor, could finally become a star once viewers get a look at his portrayal of Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland.” Critics went crazy for veteran Peter O’Toole’s portrayal of an actor in “Venus,” a role that could finally bring an Academy Award to the biggest loser in Oscar history. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and some lesser-known co-stars have been lauded for their work in the hard-hitting drama about communication, “Babel.” Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jennifer Connelly garnered strong reviews for their work in “Little Children,” a stark look at child abuse and adultery. Toby Jones, Daniel Craig, Sandra Bullock and Gwyneth Paltrow won plaudits from critics for their work in “Infamous,” a look at the life of Truman Capote. Look for many of these names to show up on ballots come awards season.