14 August 09

Distractions

Distractions

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Ed Chamberlin brings you the latest fi lms, books and cool stuff

4 HOT PICKS

Handheld heaven
iPhone Apps
The iPhone is one of the more desirable chunks of technology out there, and best of all are the myriad applications available to download, including those useful to travellers. Translate-y, the Language Translator allows you to translate quickly between 30 of the world’s most prominent languages, iMetro has underground maps for 44 cities worldwide, while the Tipulator will help you divide up a restaurant bill and work out the correct tip.
From free, www.apple.com

Hidden gems
Shoot London Treasure Map
Creative-minded visitors to the UK capital will love this interactive map and photographic scavenger hunt, which takes you to landmarks off the mainstream tourist trail. Better still, you can take pictures as you go around, then afterwards upload them to the Shoot London website for a chance to win prizes. And if your children are dragging their feet, solving the clues on the map is a fun way to capture their attention.
€12, www.shootexperience.com

Three Miles North of Molkom
Directed by: Robert Cannan and Corinna McFarlane
Taking you into the wilderness of Sweden, first-time directors Cannan and McFarlane manage to get an extremely intimate look at a group of visitors to the new age No Mind Festival at Angsbacka. The prospect of watching almost two hours of people hugging trees, walking on fire and “sharing” with one another may sound unbearable, but thanks to beautiful camera work and the role of Aussie cynic, Nick, the film is both aesthetically pleasing and very funny.
In UK cinemas 4 September, www.threemilesnorthofmolkom.com

Hippo Eats Dwarf!
Alex Boese
We have never had access to as much information as we do today, thanks to the internet, radio, TV, newspapers and word of mouth. But so much of this information is wrong: scams, rumours and pranks litter our collective experience of the modern world. This book, written by the curator of the online Museum of Hoaxes, takes you through all the ways that you can be fooled and will hopefully deliver you out the other end as streetwise as the best of them.
Out now, €9.50