Solar power + fashion = Zegna?

Rumor has it that Ermenegildo Zegna designed a new Solar-Powered Jacket, which is set to hit stores in November. What a wacky thing? Apparently, you can accumulate solar power with this jacket to charge your phone or ipod while looking like you are an aluminum wrapped stuffed turkey. Definitely not my understanding of high end fashion.

5 hours of direct sunlight and you are able to power your ipod or cell phone. I mean if I have 5 hours to kill, I will go home charge my ipod and cell phone while watching 2 netflix movies instead of standing still under the sun... Really...

I knew that ecological wear is making its headlines in fashion (which for some reason, I don't think will catch on unless Gore makes a documentary out of it) but solar jacket is taking this green concept to a whole new level. A fugly new level...

Oh yeah and this awesome practical jacket comes with a nice price tag too. $750 for a souped up windbreaker. So do you dig it?

Rose Obsession Continued: Montes

The last few weeks until you have to admit that fall is here... And what a better way to ease into fall than enjoy a great rose...

This weekend I have discovered a great buy: Montes Rose of Syrah Cherub


It is ~$15 or so, by a great Chilean producer and got a 90 pts from Wine Enthusiast. But beyond the reputation and the rankings, I am intrigued by a Rose made from Syrah grapes. It is a very beautiful pink, which makes me happy just by looking at it. It has a quirky label which also puts a smile on your face, the very necessarily morale boost we need as the weather gets cold and melancholic.

I have not tried it yet... but for now these are the tasting notes I stole from someone else... I will confirm later...

"Montes Cherub is a vibrant, flavor-filled Rose from Chile's coastal region. This Rose is made from Syrah grapes, which dictate both its brilliant color and swank flavor. The flavor profile offers rich red fruit, mainly strawberry and cherry with a touch of orange and spice. Montes Cherub Rose also boasts backbone and lively acidity, culminating in a long, delightful finish. A fantastic wine for end of summer gatherings. Consider pairing with shrimp, fish or prosciutto appetizers." About.com

Also, I would highly recommend try other Montes wines... Chile is definitely up and coming...

Fay Grim: To be funny or not to be...

...That is the question I have asked myself over and over while I was watching Fay Grim this weekend. Written and directed by Hal Hartley, I think this is a sequel to Henry Fool, or maybe not... That's what I have been told while trying to understand what on earth inspired this guy to write/direct this movie...

Fay Grim (Parkey Posey), a single nosey mom, gets coerced by the CIA to cooperate in finding her husband Henry's secret notebooks that supposedly have some governmental secrets. And the pseudo comedy/thriller that is the global(ish) quest of Fay Grim starts...

One review I read about this movie, nails my feelings for this movie right in the head...

"Overall, though, Fay Grim only occasionally connects with the viewer. It is a film so caught up in its own cleverness and cheekiness that -- despite the solid work by its cast -- it forgets to make you truly care about its characters." Stax, ign.com

It has its slightly funny moments - in a dark humorish way. Parker Posey and Jeff Goldblum's performances are very good. It is just that I constantly felt like Hartley was trying to impress me rather than engage me... Which is not a very pleasant feeling... You feel like you are in math camp with a smart ass 8th grader... who keeps on asking you stupid riddles... You just want the yapping to stop...

Hmmm, I would say don't watch it... alas it is not really worth your time

Exciting New Discovery: Paul Theroux

Speaking of the New Yorker and my favorite section, Fiction, this week's contributor Paul Theroux is just amazing. His short story Mr. Bones was so great to read.

http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2007/09/17/070917fi_fiction_theroux

Please please read... (if you have time heheh)

He has a new book coming out named The Elephanta Suite, end of the month. I am really thinking of buying it after reading his short story. He has written a LOT of novels and travel books but unfortunately (or fortunately) this is the first time I heard of him.

I hope you like his story...

Junot Diaz, A writer with a lot of buzz

I love the New Yorker. I just do... especially its fiction section. And one of these days, The New Yorker introduced me to an amazing writer: Junot Diaz. He is the author of Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao which I am looking forward to reading.

I think to sum up his style, I would say call it a very genuine latin voice within the New York community. His portrayal of the dominican culture in New York is so touching and vivid and real. His characters are really unique and all reel you in. He has been listed as one of the top 20 writers in the 21st century.

His new book is in my list of books to read and wanted to share a wonderful writer with you...

Borders of Canada: Toronto International Film Festival

Yup, something that I know you are jealous about... Rightfully so... It was awesome! It was probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life: Going to Toronto Film Festival

I have seen three amazing movies and one hyped movie (respectively)
Jar City by Baltasar Kormakur
Lust, Caution by Ang Lee
The Man from London by Bela Tarr
4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days by Cristian Mungiu

So first of all, I have to say that people in Toronto were amazing. Everyone so friendly and polite and helpful... It was as if every person went to school of manners and came out with perfect scores. What a great experience!

And I really really liked Toronto. Very hip and cosmo... Has a Berlin'ish european feel to it... Very modern and clean...

Anyways, back to the movies

Jar City is adapted from the Icelandic Thriller by Arnaldur Indriðason and seems like a very hard book to adapt. And can I say that Kormakur has done an amazing job... A must see for the year

Ang Lee's movie, Lust, Caution was a very good take on Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love. Although lacking in plot and style originality, it is a very good attempt to be Wong Kar Wai and carrying his style to mainstream.

And Bela Tarr's movie was a cinematographic masterpiece. I have never seen such precision and beauty in a movie before. The entire movie felt like one photo after another... Every second of it beautiful.
And he was so nice and humble too... I actually got a photo with him which I am thinking of magnifying to poster size for my office and one wallet size for everyday staring... I love him!!!!

And finally, the most hyped up movie of all... 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days... This movie is about abortion and stylistically reminds me of 21 grams. I think it is tough to do a movie on such a sensitive subject but I think all the hype is about the subject rather than the actual directing job... Which was very disappointing...

No, I did not see George Clooney or Brad Pit... Yes they were there... And so were 2 million people who wanted to see them... Meanwhile, I was obsessing over Tarr and Kormakur...