18 mei 2011

The Flying Scotsman (2006)


We Dutch people love to ride our bicycles, where the flat landscape perfectly lends itself for. I love to ride my bike here in the city of Amsterdam to take me as fast as possible to my place of destination. I'm a big fan of trackcycling and love to see old matches won by 'our own' great Theo Bos.


But this movie is about another great champion, the scotsman Graeme Obree. In 1993 he beats the world hour record with his hand-built bike optimized for his awkward but very efficient 'tucked' style. A year later he lost the record, but regained it short afterwards. On the individual pursuit event he became world champion twice as well and became famous for his second style-invention, the superman. His hand-built 'Old Faithful' bike has some marvelous tri-spokes by Specialized and the iconic San Marco Rolls saddle (not the most comfortable though I can tell from everyday use). And Brian Cox in the role of the older friend of Graeme in a very nice old-fashioned English style with two very classy Barbour jackets.




8 mei 2011

Le Samouraï (1967)


If there is one film where Jarmusch got his inspiration from for his the Limits of Control it must be this classic from Jean-Pierre Melville. Alain Delon stars as Jeff Costello: the ultimate cool and loyal modern day 'samouraï' in the streets of Paris, complete the mission and don't ask any questions. Until he's been setup and there is no one to trust for him anymore.


Jeff Costello outfit is as complete as can be with his beige Burberry trenchcoat, the two-piece suit with a button-down white shirt, his light colored Fedora hat and his Baume & Mercier watch. No shortage of coats here, with all kinds of woolen and cotton overcoats. Not to mention the good taste for interiors Melville shows here.