For a generation weaned on the original Speed Racer—mostly nonsensical, laughably unplotted, kinetically colorful—the Wachowski brothers' film treatment, opening today, will seem surprisingly faithful. For fun, we recommend skipping the theater and reading the critics' candy-addled descriptions instead (like "pouring hot Starbursts on your corneas," reports MSNBC; or "an exploding bag of digital Skittles," explains The New York Times). For more rewarding fare, check out Surfwise, Doug Pray's documentary about Doc Paskowitz, who abandoned the rat race to ride the waves. The Paskowitz family—Doc, his wife, Juliette, and their nine children—live in a 24-foot camper and devote themselves to surfing with a mythic intensity Speed can't match. Surfwisemay not have the electric colors, but it goes for the heart, not the teeth.

Capsule-espresso models are dominating the market, with Nespresso leading the Clooney-endorsed charge. Now Italian powerhouse illy is stepping up to the plate with its Francis X7 and X8 capsule models. Look familiar? They've been available to commercial clients, like Le Bernardin, Nobu, and the Mandarin Oriental, for some time. The iperEspresso line (that's "hyperEspresso" to the rest of us) has much to recommend it: both illy's lauded beans and an appealingly, uh, normal design. In other words, it's not quite Le Cube. No offense, George, but the Francis just looks more Lake Como-ready.
illy iperEspresso machines, $395-495, illyusa.com

[Luxist]

In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday (no, we didn't forget), Scott Campbell will be setting up shop inside Earnest Sewn's Meatpacking District store in New York to ink customers with traditional "Mom" tattoos for $100. Those interested in less indelible declarations of devotion can purchase limited-edition Billykirk wallets and card cases laser-engraved with the design (pictured). Either way, we're not entirely sure mom would approve. (Check back next week for our video of the event.)
Earnest Sewn, 821 Washington St., New York, NY, (212) 242-3414, earnestsewn.com

Murphy & Nye returns to the U.S. with a store in Newport, Rhode Island—only appropriate, considering the clothier's seafaring history. The new location features the company's full line, including knits, pants, and swim- and outerwear, all of which is suited for sailing (it's the official clothing sponsor of the America's Cup). Founded in Chicago as a sail-manufacturer during the depression, Murphy & Nye moved to Italy in 1993. This marks the company's first stateside retail venture since. We're happy to welcome the line back, especially for its killer boat shoes, available in high- and low-top versions.
Murphy & Nye, 16 Bannisters Wharf, Newport, RI, (401) 843-8660, murphynye.com

The art collective known as assume vivid astro focus isn't really a collective—rather, it's the hypercolored work of one man, Eli Sudbrack, and a rotating cast of disparate contributors (think Kenny Scharf and Bec Stupak, among others). His new installation opens this weekend: Called ABSOLUTELY VENOMOUS ACCURATELY FALLACIOUS (NATURALLY DELICIOUS), it incorporates sculpture, murals, and a transsexual performance artist, all in an effort to symbolize the gentrification of Williamsburg (and here we were, thinking the neighborhood was doing just fine with that on its own). Subtlety isn't exactly Sudbrack's strong suit—expect his take on the waterfront condo developments to be more new rave than new money.
Through Aug. 16 at Deitch Projects, 4-40 44th Dr., Queens, NY, (212) 343-7300, deitchprojects.com

Daft Punk's Electroma features actors dressed in the Parisian DJ duo's Hedi Slimane-designed leathers, driving through the California desert in a 1987 Ferrari 412, hell-bent on making their way to (spoiler alert) oblivion. The film's been making the festival circuit for awhile—it's due out here on DVD in July—but has already achieved midnight-movie-status. It screens through the month at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts, which leads us to wonder: Are Daft Punk the new Dr. Frank-N-Furter?
May 9, 16 & 23 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, U.K., (0)20-7930-3647, ica.org.uk

Meet Mara Carfagna, the Italian government's newly appointed Minister for Equal Opportunities. Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has been a fan of the 33-year-old for some time; last year he told the former Miss Italy contestant and Maxim cover girl that he would happily marry her if he wasn't already attached, leading his wife Veronica to demand—in an open letter to an Italian national newspaper—that he apologize. (He did.) No word on how Veronica feels about the appointment, but we're guessing she's somewhat less pleased than we are.

[GQ UK]

Denim & Thread is exactly what it sounds like: a no-frills collection of jeans that emphasizes quality and discreet design. Founded in 2006, the company is a partnership between Australian designer Ron London, formerly of celebrated menswear line Selvedge, and business partner Alex Lambousis, owner of the most respected washing facility in Australia (Ksubi is one of his big customers). "We produce everything in Australia, in-house," says London. "That allows us to keep producing quality denim and experiment with new washes." Denim & Thread will debut stateside this fall—you'll want to make room in your closet.
denimandthread.com

Sopranos fans still smarting from the show's Journey-scored finale will be asked to give writer/producer David Chase a second chance. News broke this morning that Chase has re-teamed with Paramount's Brad Grey to write, produce, and direct his first feature film—but no word if it will be related to the New Jersey-based series. (Relevant quote from The Hollywood Reporter: "A mob story would be a natural, but the studio is being secretive about details.") Hey, whatever it is, it's got to be at least as entertaining as Alexander Payne's new HBO venture, a series called Hung about middle-aged basketball coach who's, uh, overly endowed.

[The Hollywood Reporter]

Between their face paint, battle axes, and spiked armbands, Norwegian metalheads have developed a distinctive look. But what sets Norway's black metal bands apart from, say, Kiss, is that the Scandinavians are deadly serious about their offstage mayhem. "Ask any little old lady in Norway about metal, and she'll start yelling at you about burned churches," explains photographer Peter Beste, who has spent the better part of the last eight years shooting members of the country's reclusive headbanger scene. Judge for yourself: Beste's book, True Norwegian Black Metal, goes on sale next week, and tonight a show of photos from the book opens at the Steven Kasher Gallery in New York City. Leave the earplugs at home: Beste assures us that the volume at the gallery will be set somewhere below 11.
True Norwegian Black Metal, through June 7 at Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 W. 21st St., 2nd Fl., New York, NY (212) 966-3978, stevenkasher.com

A one-of-a-kind 1930s Patek Philippe that belonged to Italian nobleman and race-car driver Count Felice Trossi is expected to fetch close to $2 million at Sotheby's in Geneva this Sunday. The oversize gold chronograph (pictured) is one of the largest timepieces ever made by the legendary Swiss watchmaker. Not to be outdone, Christie's Geneva branch is staging its own competing watch sale, starring two of the most important Pateks ever offered at auction, valued at $1.5 to $2.5 million each. No doubt Patek's own museum will be among the bidders.

BKLYN DESIGNS kicks off in, uh, Brooklyn tonight, marking the unofficial start of the five boroughs' monthlong furnishings bonanza, which will culminate in two weeks with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in Manhattan. This weekend in DUMBO, 70 exhibitors will present their work, like Re-Surface Design's "SOLO pendant lamp" (pictured), a repurposed microphone made into a light, replete with a "soft disco-like glow." (Sounds like Brooklyn to us.) Those who prefer less kitsch in their fixtures, take heart—the festival's Web site features both high- and low-minded examples.
May 9-11, $15, brooklyndesigns.net