Gama No Abura (2009)

Up until now the best film I've visited in the cinemas this year. It's the first movie directed by Kôji Yakusho, known as an actor. Yakusho must like style, for the fact that most of the caps I've selected from this film subjects his character (young and old) or his belongings.

The character played by Yakusho, Takuro, is a stock investor and sits behind his desk checking stocking quotes all day. His office is probably the nicest one I've ever seen: eight fully equipped iMac's (with the black backsides) and a corner with targets to hit with all the imaginable toy guns available. Then he continuously wears his khaki colored chino's, the fine leather jacket and completed with, not sure though, Red Wing 8181's and his Australian Akubra hat. And even when not at home, he makes sure to bring along his three MacBook Pro's in his trailer. And have a look at the Takuro character as a kiddo, he knows how to look cool and get at places he shouldn't be. Just superb. This film is highly recommended - and not only for style.

Dalkomhan Insaeng (2005)

The best Korean gangster epos there is. Not a lot of styles on menswear in this weeks choice; A Bittersweet Life is all about cinematographic style.

The cinematography in Dalkomhan Insaeng is pure art, beautiful shots are put together by very smooth camera motion. Ji-Woo Kim has got an eye for composition, the decors - especially the interiors - and lots of very cool items. Have a look at the fully automatic penholder aside the lighter at the desk and the antique hourglass on the table. But what really makes the film is Byung-Hun Lee, by far the best Korean actor out there, in his black and white suit showing off incredible Taekwondo skills. Since it's a gangster film there's a lot of mean looks to be found on the character's faces. And I shouldn't forget to mention the great cello soundtrack.