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Probably the most exhausting day I’ve had yet!

Despite predictions of rain, the sun continues its stunning conquest upon Edinburgh, and a few tan lines are beginning to show. Not really, as we’re all sitting in the dark enjoying the screenings…

The day began with HIGH School, a comedy in which top-of-the-class Henry (Matt Bush) reconnects with his burn-out friend Travis (Sean Marquette) and do what Travis does best – get high. Soon after, the principal of their school announces that he is mandating a drug test of the entire student body. The only logical conclusion? Everybody must get stoned. Adrien Brody gives an outlandish performance as Crazy Ed, their drug dealer. The chaos that ensues is hilarious, with plenty of laughs peppered throughout. With a straight-laced Michael Chiklis as the school Principle and Colin Hanks getting loose as the cool vice-dean, it’s The Girl Next Door with drugs instead of porn.

I also caught Peepli Live, a satire based in India where poverty is rife and farmers begin to contemplate suicide for a government payout that will settle their debts. One farmer decides that this will resolve his problems and announces that he will die for his family, sparking a massive media circus in his small village. Although inspired by statistics of farmer suicide rates, it felt as though something was lost in translation. Peepli certainly had its funny moments, but went on a little too long. Some great gags, though, and full of Indian charm.

The biggest and best part of my day was meeting Pixar! I practically skipped down to the Caledonian Hotel to interview senior animators Bobby Podesta and Mike Venturini. They are a fantastic pair and their passion for animation is outstanding, which is always lovely to see. The interview will be online shortly!

Day 6 includes screenings of The Kid and The Good Heart starring Brian Cox and Paul Dano.

As always, you can find my live updates on Twitter @robotnic.

The week is almost over, and I am dangerously close to losing track!

Day 4 brings us to Saturday, aka Toy Story 3 day! The UK press were all lined up for 9am to see the first and only press screening of the festival while delegates, staff, and non-UK press pouted and grumbled.

Not me, though! I had a busy morning and big plans for later on.

At about 1pm, I sat down to watch The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer. Directed by one of Britain’s great directors, Kevin Billington, it was screened as part of the After the Wave retrospective. Billington was in attendance, and said a few words to introduce the film. It’s an uproarious satire based on the life of one Michael Rimmer, a pollster who rises in the ranks and through the British political system. Starring Peter Cook and penned by the Monty Python crew, it also features John Cleese in a minor role and a cameo appearance from Ronnie Colbert. Despite having been produced in 1970, its political satire is still relevant. It’s almost disturbing in its accuracy, yet subtle, confident and absolutely hilarious.

Kevin Billington returned to the stage after the screening for a Q&A session, but unfortunately I had to dash off…

After Michael Rimmer, I made my way over to the Delegate Centre to meet chic French director Celine Danhier. Blank city is her first film, a New York documentary that reflects upon the underground movements of the late-1970s and the birth of ’80s cool. She describes the film as a flashback to the era that created movements like No Wave and Cinema of Transgression, as well as now-famous filmmakers and artists like Steve Buscemi, Jim Jarmusch, Debbie Harry, and John Waters. A full piece on the interview will go live in the morning.

Finally, finally, it was time to sit down to watch Toy Story 3! I will keep my big trap shut – suffice to say that it was amazing, I loved it, and I may or may not have cried a teensy wee bit! It’s an absolutely delightful film that I’m certain will not disappoint.

After all that, I attended a party at the Traverse Theatre for SoulBoy, caught up with a few friends, and danced to some Northern Soul. A lovely ending to an excellent day!

Tomorrow is Day 5, featuring HIGH School, Peepli Live, and an interview with Pixar…

Another lovely day in Edinburgh! The sun shone and it was a great day for catching up with Fest-friends.

Though I missed it, the Donkeys press screening was a massive hit this morning. One to look out for this festival, it seems.

My first screening was Jackboots on Whitehall, a comedy with war puppeteering, star voices aplenty, and loads of face-melting explosions. Very well animated, the script didn’t quite live up to the animatronics but there were some real moments of brilliance.

After shuffling back to the Filmhouse to get some real work done, it was back to the Cineworld for the first press screening of The Extra Man. Starring Paul Dano and Kevin Kline, it’s based on the novel by Jonathan Ames, creator of HBO’s latest hit series Bored to Death (also being previewed at the fest next week). It’s a subtle comedy that, like its leading man, seems half-way trapped in the 1920s. Very enjoyable and definitely one of my favourites so far!

In the evening, I swung by the Delegate Centre for hair of the dog and caught up with some fellow Glasgonians. A quick dash home for dinner, then back to the Filmhouse to catch Monsters.

Director Gareth Edwards is the winner of an EIFF Trailblazer Award – he is a promising young director and new friend of the fest. Monsters is a 2-hander, starring Whitney Able and Scoot McNairy, a pair of Americans who were recently married and are here at EIFF on their Honeymoon. Aww!

The screening was the first at Edinburgh, and Gareth graced the stage alongside his producers, and most members of the small crew were present. The film itself is set in South America, where alien species are roaming across the land. As the borders are closed and quarantined, Samantha and Andrew undertake a long, harrowing journey home. It’s an impressive first feature with special effects far beyond what you’d expect, making great use of a small budget. While unfulfilling in some areas, it eschews the usual genre expectations and is fun to watch.

More updates to follow, and Day 4 is the big UK premeire of Toy Story 3! As always, you can keep up with my live tweets on Twitter @robotnic.