Here are some other successful (and not so successful) internet currencies November 28, 2012 DigiCash started it off but went bust Founded in 1990 by David Chaum, DigiCash was one of the first electronic currencies but was went bust almost a decade later when Mark Twain bank – the only bank that supported the business – decided to withdraw its backing. Mint Chip focuses on small transactions MintChip is [...]
VALENTINO: The last emperor of couture November 28, 2012 For MANY, the closest you will ever get to a couture outfit are the images you see in magazines. That is, of course, if you’re not amongst the handful of women whose pockets are deep enough to meet the £50,000 starting price for a dress. But this year in particular, the upper echelon of fashion [...]
Functional but not the finished article November 27, 2012 FUNNY HOW the MPV, once the auto industry’s latest, cleverest idea, now seems a little old-fashioned. The compact SUV has pretty much superseded small MPVs because they have similar flexibility – for transporting mountain bikes, flat-pack furniture, dogs, as well as people – in a trendier 4×4 package. But it seems there’s still a place [...]
CAR TALK November 27, 2012 Dacia know how to give you value for money It doesn’t matter how wealthy you are, bargains are always an attractive proposition. At just £5,995, Dacia’s forthcoming entry-level Sandero Access model is the UK’s most affordable new car and can be had for as little as £69 per month. Meanwhile, the Dacia Duster SUV starts [...]
Minimalist running: is less really best? November 26, 2012 Minimalist SHOES are having quite the moment right now, helped, in part, by the success of the Vibram Five Finger shoe. The “barefoot” running shoe has appeared on the feet of high flyers, most notably actor Shailene Woodley, who ill advisedly sported a pair with a designer frock at this year’s Golden Globes. Their popularity, [...]
Find sanctuary from the Indian bustle November 25, 2012 ENSCONCED in a luxury yoga hotel in the Himalayas, or in a resort matrix like Goa, you might just be able to avoid the clanging, overwhelming reality of India as you go about your daily business. Not in the cities. No matter how luxurious your hotel, enclave, or colony (as certain leafy districts are known), [...]
Mr Hare ushers in a new era for luxury men’s footwear November 22, 2012 Standing IN Marc Hare’s much talked about new store on Stafford Street, Mayfair, it’s hard to fathom that his life was far from rosy this time four years ago. Back in 2008 the designer was going through a divorce, had broken his leg and lost his job: and all in the same week. But his [...]
End of Watch is a wild ride November 22, 2012 FILM END OF WATCH Cert 15 **** Plaudits are deserved by anyone who manages to do something new with the guns and drugs cop movie. Director David Ayer’s documentary-style camera work, combined with excellent central performances, ensure that End of Watch makes a fresh contribution to a tired genre. It begins with Brian Taylor (Jake [...]
Few Silver Linings in this average rom-com November 22, 2012 FILM SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK Cert 15 *** It’s refreshing to have a mainstream movie with mental illness as its central tenet, especially when Hollywood’s usual treatment of the issue amounts to little more than: “Look! a crazy person! Aren’t they funny!” (Me, Myself and Irene springs to mind). At its best, Silver Linings Playbook is [...]
Gambit is an unforgivably dull carnival of grotesque stereotypes November 22, 2012 FILM GAMBIT Cert 12A ** Culture clash comedies risk falling into the trap of reducing their characters to dull stereotypes. Gambit does not fall into this trap – it gleefully dives into it with suicidal abandon. Colin Firth plays Harry Deane, the long-suffering art buyer for misanthropic mogul, Lord Shabandar (Alan Rickman). Financially hard up [...]