Temperatures are dropping and colors are changing. Fall has hit, and the season changes everything, especially cinema. After a summer jacked with big-budget, popcorn energy, the movies calm. Cineplexes settle into serious, but no less exciting fare, suiting the year’s downward turn. That many vie for Academy lauds is not surprising. This is a time for film to look at itself and take notice of its best.

The mood extends to Chicago each fall, as well, when the Chicago International Film Festival opens. Now in its 46th year, the fest has become an impressive showcase, grand both in size and scope. Its tendency to spotlight star vehicles has been much criticized, but when viewed against the sheer number of divergent offerings, the complaints fall short.

More than 120 films are featured this year, representing countries from all global corners. The films range from studio to independent productions, from documentary to animation and drama to horror. Directors and stars abound, as well, adding a splash of Hollywood to Lake Michigan shores. The Thursday evening kickoff at the AMC River East 21 promises both.

Actor Edward Norton (American History X, Fight Club), director John Curran and others will be in attendance for Stone, which opens the fest complete with red carpet ceremony.

The film stars Norton as a prison inmate facing early parole who must convince a parole officer (Robert DeNiro) of his reformation. The encounters change both men — and the women in their lives (Frances Conroy and Milla Jovovich) — in unexpected ways.

Stars will be out for other events, as well. Oscar-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle, will be present for the festival centerpiece screening of his latest, 127 Hours, the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston (played by James Franco), who became trapped under a fallen boulder while hiking in Utah. Ralston’s escape from certain death — and the unimaginable means by which he does so — are harrowing.

Big films and bigger names do not make a film festival, of course. The real bread and butter can be found in the daily programming, and it’s strong this year.

Cannes hits Uncle Boonme Who Can Recall His Past Lives, directed by Thai director (and SAIC alum) Apichatpong Weerasethaakul, which won the Palme d’Or, and legendary Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami’s Certified Copy, featuring a Best Actress Award-winning performance from Juliette Binoche, are must-sees.

Darren Aronofsky’s thriller starring Natalie Portman, Black Swan; Argentine filmmaker Daniel Burman’s character study, Brother & Sister; Copacabana, starring the always impressive French actress Isabelle Huppert; Julie Taymor’s The Tempest, a visionary Shakespearean re-imagination with Helen Mirren in the lead; and Beautiful Darling, a documentary on transgender Warhol superstar Candy Darling, jump out immediately, as well.

Chicago finds itself on the screen throughout the fest, too.

Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side) explores the hysteria surrounding Cubs fan Steve Bartman’s innocent and ill-fated interference in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship series in Catching Hell.

Shot on-location throughout Chicago, The Defiled spins zombie horror through the undead’s eyes. And award-winning doc Louder Than Bombs follows Chicago high schoolers preparing for the world’s largest youth poetry slam.

These local ties add nice and needed backyard spice to the festival flavor — a reminder that, though this is an international celebration, Chicago lies at the heart.