The Weekender

Published on Friday 3 October 2008 14:11

Film

From Spaced to Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg's geek-does-good style of comedy has been defiantly British, so his first major venture into Hollywood would logically follow the path of success. How To Lose Friends And Alienate People, released tonight, is Toby Young's memoir of writing for the American cultural bible, Vanity Fair, during the Nineties, and the fish-out-of water experience of a stiff Brit in among the glitz and glamour. Jeff Bridges stars as the Graydon Carter-esque magazine publisher, and Kirsten Dunst as the girl in the know attempting to help Pegg through the mire.

Also in cinemas from tonight is the remake of Brideshead Revisited, starring Ben Wishaw (best known for his performance in Perfume), Matthew Goode (most recently seen next to Kiera Knightly and Sienna Miller in The Edge Of Love), and Emma Thompson. The tale of aristocratic teenagers clambering their way through society, school and sexual allure hasn't had the best of responses from the critics, but is perhaps worth the watch for those who are of an age not to have seen the original.

Tropic of Thunder still gets our vote as the most un-PC fun you can have with your clothes on this weekend, however.

Music

Having figured out that a grand don't come for free, Mike Skinner of the Streets is back on the pop poetry soapbox with his new album, Everything Is Borrowed. It's a more mature and outward-looking work than his previous kitchen sink navel gazing, and this weekend fans can get their first chance to hear the new material live. Skinner plays the Barras tomorrow night.

Elsewhere this weekend, Foals play Aberdeen Music Hall tomorrow and Glasgow Barrowland on Sunday. and Steve Winwood and Tindersticks also play the dear green place, with gigs at the Arches and City Halls on Sunday night.

Days Out

We're all credit crunching this month, so hallelujah for Historic Scotland's Kids Go Free month in October. With around 70 venues taking part in the offer, it's a perfectly timed gift for parents and kids who are looking to get out and about without getting out of pocket. See www.historic-scotland.gov.uk for events and venues near to you.

Reested mutton and bannocks are sure to be on the menu this weekend, as Shetland Food Festival kicks off and runs until October 12. Celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli is making a guest appearance, and you can check out the other events at www.shetlandfoodfestival.co.uk.

Budding Bob the Builders can find ways of improving their home without paying over the odds at the Scottish Home Improvement and Self Build Show this weekend at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, from 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday.