Ingenius Edinburgh

The most inspiring weeks of your life. And a family film for the weekend.

Author

Ed Rigg
August 08, 2025

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Catch Nowhere at Fringe this summer

Whether you’re after fringe or film or both, there’s something in the air in August in Edinburgh (as well as the familiar smell of malt). A sort of magic. Performances that break the spell of modern life’s rat race and remind us what it is to be human, to laugh with strangers, to give yourself over to the power of spoken word or new music or extraordinary physical theatre or that late night comedy you sort of didn’t mean to go to but you’ll never forget.

It’s rare indeed, to be able to see the latest cinematic offering on the big screen at EIFF. Then wander into a cellar in the underbelly of the city and be moved to tears by some fresh new live-wire writing, laugh yourself silly at some late night frivolities, or discover your new favourite band busking in the dusty corner of a basement bar.

There’s no place better to be in the world to indulge in the power of storytelling and marvel at humanity’s ingenuity than the Fringe in August. Therapeutically entertaining. Stories that last but an hour, live long in the memory, themes which shape how we see the world, challenge our opinions, and change beliefs about what we thought we knew. And this even Oasis are in the mix 🤯 🫠.

If you have’t been to Edinburgh before, go soon. Maybe even attend a RecDek event there in the future. For anyone heading up this year, I’ve put a list of shows I’m intrigued to checkout below.

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And as for Edinburgh International Film Festival's Starry Summer Lineup!

This year’s film festival kicks off next week and is pulling out all the stops!

  • Adele Romanski (Moonlight producer) will be appearing with filmmaker Eva Victor for the UK premiere of Sorry, Baby.

  • Ken Loach, Paul Laverty, and Rebecca O'Brien discussing their decades-long collaboration, plus screening their Palme d'Or winner The Wind That Shakes The Barley.

  • Kevin Macdonald will be in conversation with producer brother Andrew.

  • Andrea Arnold, Ben Wheatley, Nia DaCosta and A24 producer Rose Garnett Mystery Movie: Ben Wheatley's BULK - a secretly shot return to his experimental roots, it opens the Midnight Madness strand with maximum secrecy.

  • Renée Zellweger makes her directorial debut with animated short They - a politically engaged piece about environmental issues that's nothing like her Hollywood starring roles.

  • And a Bond Bonanza! All six Sean Connery Bond films screening perfectly timed as Amazon's acquisition of the franchise dominates headlines.

AND A FAMILY FILM IS OUR PICK OF THE WEEK

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

This week's family pick proves that sometimes the supporting act steals the show.

Based on the beloved children's books, this musical adventure follows an eight-foot singing crocodile (voiced by Shawn Mendes) who ends up living with the Primm family in New York. But the real star is Javier Bardem as Hector, the flamboyant failed showman with a magnificent moustache who discovered Lyle's talents.

Bardem delivers a deliciously over-the-top performance as the debt-ridden dreamer who abandons Lyle after their stage debut flops due to the crocodile's crippling stage fright. He plays Hector's mix of desperate optimism and moral flexibility perfectly - like a musical Mr. Micawber convinced his luck will turn.

Parents beware: the songs are by the La La Land composers are catchy! The family storyline hits familiar beats, but there's genuine warmth here that mostly overcomes the generic plotting.

Brett Gelman adds comic menace as the grumpy neighbour Mr. Grumps, while the CGI crocodile himself is charming for younger viewers! Perfect for families seeking wholesome entertainment with a dash of Broadway pizzazz.

STREAMING NOW - ADD TO YOUR RECDEK WATCHLIST

Go well this week won’t ya.

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