Details emerge on Tarantino's new film, Django Unchained.

For awhile now, we've been hearing about Quentin Tarantino's follow-up to Inglorious Basterds, a spaghetti western in the style of Sergio Leone.  Over the weekend, details of the script leaked, and we even got a title: Django Unchained, named after Sergio Corbucci's classic Django, an awesome spaghetti western about a dude who drags a coffin with him everywhere he goes.  If you haven't seen it yet, stop wasting your time reading this and go do so immediately.  Otherwise, feel free to read on for more details on Tarantino's script.

Brioni, Ferragamo, and Zegna ranked as top 3 luxury brands for men.

The 2011 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI), conducted by the Luxury Institute, surveyed men in the U.S. who earn over $150,000 a year on their opinions regarding dozens of high-end fashion and shoe designers.  The average household net worth of those surveyed was $2.4 million.

The LBSI is the 'only unbiased measure of the reputation of leading brands provided by direct insights from wealthy U.S. consumers.'

Combining Fashion and Finance: Salvatore Ferragamo planning IPO by end of 2011

Salvatore Ferragamo, the Italian luxury fashion group that is best known for its beautiful shoes and other high-end leather goods, announced yesterday that they are planning an IPO by the end of this year, and possibly as early as July.  The company, based in Florence, has already lined up JP Morgan and Mediobanca as joint lead-managers and global coordinators.  

At least thirty percent of the total offering would be issued in the United States and Japan.  Investors will likely be eager to get their hands on a piece of Ferragamo, which enjoyed a 26% earnings increase last year, giving the company 786 million euros in revenue and 61 million euros in net profit (113 million euros EBITDA).  The value of the company is estimated at between 1 billion and 1.7 billion euros. 

source: Reuters

Too little, too late? Almost 15 years later, FBI finally releases their files on the murders of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace.

After releasing the files on the 1997 murder of Christopher Wallace (aka The Notorious BIG) last week, the FBI today followed up with the release of the files on Tupac Shakur's murder a year earlier.  The release "consists of a 1997 investigation into allegations that extortionate death threats had been made against Shakur and another rap artist [apparently Eazy-E] by a domestic terrorist group."  I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't gotten around to reading the files yet, but I've posted the links below.  What do you guys think? Too little, too late?

Christopher Wallace

Tupac Shakur

Bernardo Bertolucci to become only third director to receive honourary Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival announced today that they will award director Bernardo Bertolucci with an honourary Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony of this year's festival, to take place on May 11.  The award is typically given each year to the director of the best film at the festival, but twice before has it been given as an honourary award; to Woody Allen in 2002, and to Clint Eastwood in 2009.  Festival coordinators have suggested that, starting with Bertolucci, they plan to award an honourary Palme d'Or each year.

Paul Smith flagship opens in Seoul, Korea.

One brand that I've really been getting into lately is Paul Smith.  A little late to the party, I know, but his stuff was always a little colourful and eccentric for my taste.  Well, either my taste is evolving, or they've reeled it in a bit (my money is on the former), because lately I find myself liking more and more of his offerings.

Today, Paul Smith opened their new 3-floor store in Seoul, Korea.  Who gives a shit, I know; brands open new stores all the time.  But what caught my eye about this was just how well the design of the store matches the personality of the brand itself; a pleasant, effortless and, of course, colourful amalgamation of the classic and the modern.  Either that, or I was just looking for an excuse to share my newfound Paul Smith admiration.

Check out more pics after the jump.

Shit Worth Checking Out: That ain't no ordinary Blackberry...

Research in Motion leaked video of their new Blackberry smartphone over the weekend.  Codenamed the 'Montana', it's basically a touchscreen Bold.  Awesome in every way.

Shit You Should Be Aspiring To: A place in Monaco

Bloomberg has named Monaco the world's most expensive place to live for the third straight year.  If you want to buy an apartment or a house in Monaco, it'll cost you an average of over $65,000 per square meter.  London was the second most-expensive, at just over $56,000 per square meter.

Start saving up your ducats.

R.I.P. Sidney Lumet, 1924 - 2011

2011 has been a rough year; first Elizabeth Taylor, and now this.  Sydney Lumet, one of the greatest directors of all time, passed away this morning as a result of lymphoma.  He was 86.

American Express Platinum Card continues to spoil its members.

As if all the benefits this plastic beast already offer weren't enough, American Express has announced that they are adding several additional perks for international travelers.  Robin Korn, Senior VP and General Manager of Consumer Charge Cards, noted that “with the launch of these new benefits, combined with the suite of existing ones, the Platinum Card is truly the passport to a premium travel experience."  No argument here.  

Now there's really no excuse not to man up ... Netflix moves in on Mad Men

For anyone who has yet to hop on the Mad Men bandwagon (if there's any of you left), you are officially out of excuses.  Netflix announced this morning that it struck a deal with Lionsgate to bring the entire series to Netflix, starting with the first four seasons on July 27th.  Future seasons are to be added annually after they complete airing on AMC.  Lionsgate and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner reached an agreement last week to bring the show back for three more years, so it is expected that the show will reach a seventh season.