The greatest B-movie actor of all time, Bruce Campbell, was in Edinburgh, Scotland this week promoting his new film, ‘My Name is Bruce’. I went to the show, mostly to see the man himself–but the movie turned out to be worth it too. Now don’t get me wrong–this is by no means a great film. Of course, if you go into a B-movie expecting too much that’s really your own fault. That being said, if you are a fan of other Bruce Campbell films (the ‘Evil Dead’ trilogy, ‘Bubbahotep’, etc.), you’ll enjoy all the in-jokes and self-deprecating humor as Bruce Campbell plays a somewhat negative caricature of himself, drawn into a ‘real’ monster scenario. I’ll leave you to discover the details by watching the film yourself.

Bruce Campbel came on afterwards to field questions from the audience. I have to say, the man is a consummate performer in that sort of situation. He has a sort of mocking, dismissive style when answering the often ridiculous questions of his fans. (Admittedly, he is known and loved for this style, so people ask him stupid questions on purpose). I’ll just give you a small taste of the dynamic.

Girl: “If you could be any kind of dinosaur, what kind would you be?”

Campbell: “You’re a twit. I’d be a kind that was alive so that I could kill you.”

Further, he kept making fun of Edinburgh being called “The Athens of the North”, a sobriquet I find particularly silly myself, and insulting people by insinuating that they were from Glasgow (Edinburgh’s rougher, more metropolitan neighbor to the west). In any case, he kept the audience laughing the whole time, and I don’t think anyone left unsatisfied. Hail to the king, baby!