“The hard lump of his tumor-unexpected, meaningless and quite without use-had dragged him like a fish on a hook and had flung him into this iron bed-a narrow, mean bed, with creaking springs and an apology for a mattress. Having once undressed under the stairs, said good-bye to this family and come up to theContinue reading “RKS Literature: Party Bigwig Pavel Nikolayevich’s Neck Tumour and Forced Equality of The Cancer Ward (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS 2024 Film: “The Body Politic”
The City of Baltimore has a murder rate just about over 300 a year and the cause according to newly elected (in 2021) mayor Brandon Scott is not drugs or gangs but cases of interpersonal violence. The solution espoused by Scott is not increased policing which has failed in Baltimore time and time again butContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “The Body Politic””
RKS 2024 Film: “The Invisibles”: Heaven as a Narcotic
“The Invisibles” will be gracing screens in Vancouver and Toronto on 20September2024. Canadian film is largely unappreciated at the box office both in Canada and internationally. “The Invisibles” is one of those “warm and fuzzy” movies like “Peggy Sue Got Married” or “Back to the Future”. Not overly complicated but not simplistic so if itContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “The Invisibles”: Heaven as a Narcotic”
RKS 2024 Wine: Southbrook 2019 triomphe chardonnay From Niagara
Ontario produces excellent Chardonnay. This is an organic Chardonnay. Aroma: One of those tropical Chardonnays with pineapple, mango, peach, Royal Gala apple and more than a tad of oak. The wine was aged 10 months in 300 litre French neutral oak barrels. Palate: Solid and full bodied and quite an oaky influence considering ageing wasContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Southbrook 2019 triomphe chardonnay From Niagara”
RKS Literature: The Boss Man and Thievery at the Gulag (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)
“What the boss man doles out is all you will get. Only you won’t get even that, what with the cooks and their stoolies and trusties. There’s thieving on the site, there’s thieving in the camp, and there was thieving before the food ever left the store.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “One Day in the Life ofContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Boss Man and Thievery at the Gulag (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)”
RKS 2024 Wine: Featherstone 2020 Onyx from Niagara
33% Merlot. 33% Cabernet Franc. 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc thrives in Ontario and almost always makes wines that do not disappoint. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are most often mundane but when judiciously oaked can shine. Each varietal was individually fermented. The Merlot was fermented and aged in French oak barrels. The Cabernets were fermentedContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Featherstone 2020 Onyx from Niagara”
RKS 2024 Film: “Russians at War”: The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming!
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) issued a statement on 12September2024 the Canada-France film “Russians at War” directed by Anatasia Trofimova would be “paused” and there would be a screening “when it is safe to do so”. TIFF said it was aware “of significant threats to festival operations and public safety”. It would seem thereContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Russians at War”: The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming!”
RKS 2024 Wine: Château Calet Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Blaye is where affordability and quality can happily co-exist. Aroma: Blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and licorice. Palate: The long finish is the first factor that meets your palate. Gentle tannins. Some chalkiness. Where’s the fruit? Personality: I am about as exciting as a day-old baguette. Food Match: Scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes and Mennonite summer sausageContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Calet Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux”
RKS Literature: Thoughts of a Convict (Aleksander Solzhenitsyn)
“A convict’s thoughts are no freer than he is: they come back to the same place, worry over the same thing continually. Will they poke around in my mattress and find my bread ration? Can I get off work if I report sick tonight. Will the captain be put in the hole, or won’t he?Continue reading “RKS Literature: Thoughts of a Convict (Aleksander Solzhenitsyn)”
RKS 2024 Film Reviews: The Vancouver Queer Film Festival Presents “Paradise Burning” (Pardiset Brinner)
The Swedish feature film “Paradise Burning” will be showing at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival running from 11-22September2024. Three sisters ranging from 6-16 survive in a Swedish working-class suburb without parental presence. Their drug addict mother is often absent abandoning her children. Social Services queries Laura (Bianca Delbravo) the oldest of the three sisters whenContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film Reviews: The Vancouver Queer Film Festival Presents “Paradise Burning” (Pardiset Brinner)”
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