Issue 663

M Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender plumbs new depths

Director spouts nonsense about children’s cartoon adaptation

It was sometime around July of 2010, a time when lowly journalists were still shuffled into London hotel rooms to politely listen to film-makers modestly tell of their own creative genius. On this particular occasion, the assembled throng – a…

Allan Brown will discuss Inside the Wickerman

His batty book analyses the cult classic

Inside the Wicker Man is a cinema lover’s dream. The book is packed with fascinating trivia from the horror classic it explores, along with in-depth analysis and humour; and it’s a pleasure to find its author Allan Brown just as funny in everyday…

Labels of love: mini50 Records

Edinburgh label run by members of The Kays Lavelle

Based in Edinburgh Roster Mammoeth, Conquering Animal Sound. Bosses Euan McMeeken and Russell Kostulin, both members of Edinburgh group The Kays Lavelle. Sounds like ‘What Russell does with (his solo project) Mammoeth is a bit more…

Step inside a payphone booth for a spot of storytelling

The Invisible Dot provides audiences with a new form of entertainment

What with the Fringe being the Fringe, it’s only right and proper that some of this year’s shows should crop up in the most unlikely of places. And so it is that The Invisible Dot have brought four old British Telecom payphone booths to this year’s…

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

Masterful characters discover a world of crime and corruption

Popular private investigator Jackson Brodie makes a dramatic return in Kate Atkinson’s latest offering; as he delves into the past and discovers a world of corruption, killings and cover-ups. Set in Leeds, Started Early, Took My Dog marks another…

John Harris at the Book Festival

Hail Hail Rock'N'Roll: expect full audio-visual support

‘I will talk about rock moustaches, Elvis’ jumpsuits and James Blunt’s lyrics,’ proclaims John Harris, author of Hail Hail Rock’N’Roll, his vintage rock, pop and counter-cultural almanac. ‘The aim is to navigate through 50-odd years of rock history…

Show Obsession wins Bribe of the Week

Gemma Leader and David Kelly win us over with some chocolate-covered shortbread

This tasty heart-shaped, chocolate-covered shortbread was sent in by David Kelly and Gemma Leader, in exchange for a cheeky mention of their show, Obsession. ‘It’s about discovering what we are truly obsessed with,’ says Leader. ‘We’re probably all…

Lee Kern opens with Filthy Raucous Soul Bitch

Promising debut from cheeky Londoner

Inviting critics to the very first performance of his Fringe debut run, as opposed to giving himself time to ease in, could have gone either way for Lee Kern. On the one hand, he’s got a better chance of receiving a write-up, which becomes more…

Wau Wau Sisters' Last Supper bribe The List

With a magnet, thong, tea towel, fridge magnet and hip flask

We received this bribe bounty at the very last minute, so unfortunately didn’t have time to track down a spokesperson from the show, but we think the bribe speaks for itself. The Wau Wau Sisters sent us a bundle including: a pair of pants, a thong, a…

The Dinner Party

Australian psychological drama by Scott Murden

(15) 88min (Kaleidoscope) Opening with the claim that it was inspired by real events, this Australian psychological drama by Scott Murden manages to drain the plausibility out of its subject by flatly delivered, moralising dialogue, clumsy character…

The Valdez Horses

Bronson stars in solid western from director of The Magnificent Seven

(15) 93min (Optimum) Though not generally thought of as being a spaghetti western, this US/Italian/Spanish co-production from 1976 fits the bill. Directed by Hollywood veteran John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven, Gunfight at the OK Corral), produced…

Tana French - Faithful Place

Otherwise gripping drama suffers from inconsistencies

As much a sprawling family drama as a crime novel, Tana French’s character-driven mystery has more of the life stuff – heart, family, class – than the average genre work. In following the trials of undercover Irish cop and estranged son, brother and…

Angus Peter Campbell's Archie and the North Wind

Enchanting in parts, but not a wholly compelling or intriguing tale

To temper the harsh winters and escape an unhappy marriage and dreary life on a Scottish island, Archie leaves to find and cover the hole where the North Wind blows. Working as a crewman, he heads north, accompanied by a Russian composer nicknamed Brawn…

Greek Myths For Kids by the new Backhand Theatre

A bit too few tales of Kings, Heroes and Monsters

This is the debut show from the newly-formed Backhand Theatre company, and to a certain extent, it shows. There’s nothing new or overly exciting here, and the performances are solid rather than outstanding. That said, the company shows promise, and…

Real Lives by Peter Bagge

Since rising to fame with Hate, his comic book chronicling the slacker generation, Peter Bagge has specialised in capturing realistic characters trapped by the frustrations of real life. Here, he casts his eye on the false personalities people project…

I Know You Know

Robert Carlyle stars in working-class tale director of Human Traffic

(15) 81min (Network) Despite garnering acclaim for his 1999 clubber comedy Human Traffic, writer/director Justin Kerrigan hasn’t made a movie since. Making the decade-long wait worthwhile, the Cardiff-based writer-director returns with a moving and…

World Pipe Band Championships

Highland games, taste of Scotland, and dancing on the Glasgow Green

Look at this happy bunch of pipers. Would you believe they’re actually Canadian? Simon Fraser University’s bagpipe squad won last year’s world championship title: teams from as far afield as New Zealand, Pakistan and, er, Paisley keep their eyes (and…

Matthew Dear - Black City

A bewitching fourth album from the Texan DJ

Ooh 2010, you are spoiling us with your variegated, melodic electro. First came Four Tet’s There Is Love in You, then Caribou’s Swim, and now Black City – the bewitching fourth album from Texan DJ and techno-pop lord Matthew Dear (you may also know him…

Atsuo Okomoto: Faraway Mountain

Japanese stone sculptor presents 12 pieces sculpted from same block

The first UK solo exhibition by Japanese stone sculptor Okomoto showcases the technique of ‘war modoshi’, or splitting and returning, and features 12 pieces sculpted from the same block which can then be pushed together to reform the original piece. The…

BAFTA Young Games Designers Workshops

A unique opportunity for 12–16-year-olds to work with experts on the planning, design and creation of video games. Participants will have the chance to get a head start on their entries for the BAFTA Young Games Designers competition, which is open…

Courtyard Readings

Read and listen to poetry at these outdoor readings

One of the loveliest annual events of the Festival season, these outdoor readings (don’t worry, they go indoors if/when it rains) hosted by the School of Poets are open to all poetry lovers. Come and read your own work, or a personal favourite poem, in…

Moira's five ways to ensure you survive the festival

'Falkirk's hardest woman' hands out tips on surviving the Fringe

Being on tour can be a stressful business, what with staying away from home, forgetting your lines onstage and, erm, setting off the fire alarm in the venue. Scotland’s newest stage superstar, Moira, shares her tips on how to survive a fortnight at the…

Jonno Katz - Cactus: The Seduction

A manic one-man love story

After an unnecessarily lengthy preamble that includes a lesson in cultural and linguistic differences and enforced sexual fantasising for the audience, Australian Jonno Katz weaves a love story of a man, another version of himself, an enigma wrapped in…

LuckyMe decamps to Cabaret Voltaire for the Festival

David Pollock talks to the Glasgow-based record label/art collective

This has been the most important year yet in the evolution of Scottish electronic label LuckyMe, and this third annual Edinburgh Festival event featuring their friends, collaborators and signees should be the perfect showcase for local supporters and…

Detroit's electronic prodigy Kyle Hall

The unconfined artist gets ready to guest at Jelly Roll Soul

‘I first got into electronic music at the age of 11,’ says Kyle Hall, the latest bright hope to emerge from the city of Detroit’s illustrious music scene. ‘I’d go over to my Uncle Ray’s crib and he’d show me his records and how to mix with them. I’d…