Monday, August 16, 2010

The Conversations: Todd Haynes


After an unusually long layoff due to busy summer schedules, The Conversations is back at The House Next Door! In this edition, Ed Howard and I go film by film through the career of Todd Haynes. This is our first director overview since Quentin Tarantino about this time last year. We were due. Though we couldn't cover every feature of Haynes' oeuvre, we did discuss Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1988), Poison (1991), Dottie Gets Spanked (1993), Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998), Far From Heaven (2002) and I'm Not There (2007). As usual, it ain't short. So bookmark it, take your time, and join the conversation with your comments.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Dacia SHIFT Concept



Dacia SHIFT Concept is a new innovative concept design that was created independently by a young Romanian designer - Liviu Tudoran. As have been said by the designer that the Dacia SHIFT Concept will be the perfect vehicle for roaming the crowded streets of 2012.

MINI Cooper Graphite

MINI Cooper Graphite 1
MINI Cooper Graphite is equipped with 15-inch Rotator Spoke alloy wheels, and it comes with a Dark Silver metallic paint, a piano black interior, white indicator lenses, and also black bonnet stripes.Special edition models have been hugely successful since the launch of the new MINI in July 2001. In recent years, editions carrying the monikers Checkmate, Park Lane and MINI One Se7en have set MINI owners apart from the pack and are highly sought after in the used car market. These editions have been instrumental in maintaining high MINI residual values and industry expert Glass’s has confirmed that the MINI One Graphite will command a three per cent higher residual value than the standard MINI One.

Seat Ibiza Bocanegra

Seat Ibiza Bocanegra 1
Seat Ibiza Bocanegra 2
Seat Ibiza Bocanegra 3
Seat Ibiza Bocanegra 4
Seat Ibiza Bocanegra is powered with a twin charged 1.4 TSI engine coupled with a seven-speed DSG gearbox. However, Seat Ibiza Bocanegra is available in two power levels, 150 PS or 180 PS.In its home market the new Bocanegra will be equipped with the twin charged 1.4 TSI engine, either in 150 PS or 180 PS guise. This new generation engine guarantees both brilliant performance and exceptional economy.Meanwhile, XDS electronic limited slip differential and a state-of-the-art seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts underline the Bocanegra’s hi-tech appeal.

Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition Porsche Carrera GT

Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition Porsche Carrera GT 1
Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition Porsche Carrera GT 2
Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition Porsche Carrera GT 3
Porsche Carrera GT gets the latest upgrade package from the Gemballa’s Porsche specialists.Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition Porsche Carrera GT have acceleration time 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds while the 0 to 200 km/h in 9.7 seconds.This car can reach more than 335 km/h with the power increased to 670 HP and 630 NM of torque. With that fact, we can see that the maximum speed gets higher and the 0 to 62 mph time drops.

Scion TC 2011

Scion TC 2011 1
 Scion TC 2011 2
 Scion TC 2011 3
The  Scion tC 2011  design features a very attractive and more interesting over the current model. But besides changing the engine, because it has a 2.5 liter 180 hp with a box-sequential automatic updates or manual, both with six gears, EBD, brake assist, active head restraints, 18-inch wheels It has a 4 cylinder engine with 2.5 liter manual gearbox or 6-speed sequential gearbox.It has independent suspension on both axles, more hardened, and a flier with electronics.

Aem Scion Tc Rockstar 2009

Aem Scion Tc Rockstar 2009 1
Aem Scion Tc Rockstar 2009 2
The good news is that Scion has developed a rear-wheel drive version of its compact coupe, the tC. The bad news for all us RWD-lovers is that the RS*R tC was created to compete in Formula Drift events and not to go on sale for the public to enjoy. The conversion, that was performed by aftermarket specialist, RS*R, was able to be done thanks to the fact that the tC shares its platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive.

RS*R changed the tC's stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear wheels. While the stock tC is equipped wit a 161 Hp 2.4-liter engine, the RS*R features a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system that outputs more than 400 HP.

Power is transferred to the rear-wheels via a Tilton triple carbon clutch and a G-Force five-speed sequential transmission. Other upgrades include the Project Mu brakes, RS-R coilovers, Sparco Corsa seats, a custom concept wide body and Enkei RPF1 alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes R1R tires. The RS*R Scion tC that will be driven by Ken Gushi, will make its first appearance at Formula Drift's Round 1, Streets of Long Beach in Calif. on April 12. Rockstar AEM Scion tC which will be participate on Formula Drift season this year has been revealed by Toyota.

Rockstar AEM Scion tC comes with a custom wide-body exterior and custom Wilwood brakes. It sits on Eibach springs and Tokico shocks and the power is transferred to the track via Motegi Racing wheel and Hankook RS-3 tires. While on its interior, Rockstar AEM Scion tC featuring Sparco seats with six-point harnesses.Rockstar AEM Scion tC comes equipped with an AIM Sports dash display with GP Motorsports wiring.