Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Official: Clarkson Hammond & May to Amazon Prime TV

Photo: The Times / driving.co.uk

Photo: The Times / driving.co.uk

After the now infamous "Fracas", mourning the end of the Clarkson era of BBC übershow Top Gear, and months of speculation, the lads have signed a three-year deal to do a nonfiction automobile show on Amazon Prime TV.  Also joining the crew will be former TG co-mastermind and producer Andy Wilman.  Wilman resigned from the BBC after co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May followed Jeremy Clarkson out the door.  Clarkson was fired from the BBC after berating and assaulting a producer during filming over dining arrangements (keep a Snickers handy, Jezza).

The trio (and Wilman) together turned what Clarkson at one time called 'a pokey little car show' into the largest viewership on the planet, with over 350 million weekly viewers in over 190 countries in various formats.  The show was famous for its classic British humor, double entendres, often controversial jokes and sophmoric antics of Clarkson mixed with great photography, soundtracks, races and challenges performed by the three all over the world.  The onscreen chemistry of the three hosts cannot be overstated.

Filming of the new series begins in the fall, hopefully we won't have to wait 5-9 business days after release of the first episode.

Follow @JeremyClarkson

Follow @RichardHammond

Follow @MrJamesMay


James Bond 007: SPECTRE Trailer No.2

Watch the new trailer for SPECTRE. A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.

Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot.

As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz.

Released in the UK on October 26, and in the US on November 6, 2015.

--MGM/Columbia Pictures

Follow @007 on Twitter

Bold. Badass. Beautiful: Armadillo by Enrico Marone Cinzano

Holding true to form with the furniture company's mission of high design through art and sustainability, Enrico Marone Cinzano debuts a very special piece, a Credenza called Armadillo.  Armadillo is a reclaimed glass and steel complication that expands and contracts as per desired use or occasion.  This dramatic and innovative piece is available exclusively at Spazio Rossana Orlandi, just in time for the Salon del Mobile di Milano 2015.  Watch the magic in the video.  Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Follow @enricomc


The Month of March

A Recap of our discoveries in March.

Leica M-P Edition 'Safari'

The extremely limited M-P Edition 'Safari' from Leica is finished in exquisite and durable olive green enamel and is resistant to fingerprints, chemicals, solvents and UV light; the iconic 'Leica' brand script etched atop the camera body.  All of the exterior metal body parts are machined from solid brass.  It's so exclusive, you won't even find the usual red Leica 'Dot' logo on the front.

This modern digital instrument, meant for amateurs and professionals alike, is absolutely drenched in heritage paying homage to the fabled Leica brand as the leader in serious photography equipment.  The M-P Edition 'Safari' comes with a beautiful leather strap and memory / credit card holder.

Follow @Leica_Camera

new film “Trevligt Folk” - Somali Team from Sweden to World Championship in Siberia

A group of young Somali immigrants in the town of Borlänge takes on the Swedish winter and the local favorite sport of bandy -- a precursor to ice hockey. Together with a local man who had a simple idea of “integration through sports”, these young men embrace the cold, the ice and their skates and 6 months later end up representing Somalia as the first African country at the Bandy World Championship in Siberia. Their inspiring journey is shared in the documentary Trevligt Folk (Nice People) presented by Filip & Fredrik premiering at the Göteborg Film Festival over the weekend and in theaters around Sweden beginning January 28th. Watch the trailer above with a universally understood message that goes beyond sports, Somalia, Sweden and Siberia.