Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2023 Film: “Verona”: Canadian Teen in Turmoil Film

If you are of a certain vintage you may have seen a fair share of “teen turmoil” genre films. In “Verona” gone are the “Rebel Without a Cause” monikers of teen turmoil such as boys, cars, teen hanky panky and overbearing parental authority. “Verona” as a Segway into modern teen turmoil becomes a bit moreContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Verona”: Canadian Teen in Turmoil Film”

RKS 2023 Film: “Whose Y’er Father?” Easy on the Mind Silly Canadian Spoof: Magnum PEI!

Larry Constable (Chris Locke) is the sole detective in the tiny Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island known for its lobsters and mussels, beaches and delicious potatoes. Constable is a good natured and trustful soul whose detective skills place him between inept and the village simpleton. Like Tom Selleck in “Magnum PI” he has aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Whose Y’er Father?” Easy on the Mind Silly Canadian Spoof: Magnum PEI!”

RKS 2023 Film: “Waikiki”: Vacillating Between Gritty, Fantasy, Myth and Reality

Writer and Director Christopher Kahunahana’s “Waikiki” shatters the myth and fantasy of Waikiki, Hawaii held by many. The opening scene features a massive cruise ship arriving and the closing scene a cruise ship departing. Beautiful Hawaiian scenery weaves in and out of the film. The opening scene also includes happy Hawaiian hula dancers performing forContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Waikiki”: Vacillating Between Gritty, Fantasy, Myth and Reality”

RKS 2023 Wine: Rocky Gully from The Frankland River in Western Australia: Flinstonish Wine

Time to try a Rocky Gully Shiraz from the Frankland River in Western Australia. Aroma: Dense and verging on overripe black cherry and blackberry with hints of dark chocolate and toasty coconut. Palate: Jumps over the boundary of ripe to overripe perhaps not surprising due to the 14.5% alcohol. Hey folks please no more ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Rocky Gully from The Frankland River in Western Australia: Flinstonish Wine”

RKS 2023 Film: “Trafficked Voices”: Sex Trafficking Canadian Style

“Trafficking Voices” is a Canadian documentary in which the voices of victims, parents of victims, police, trafficking specialists in law and finance lend their commentary to the sale, trading and exploitation of young vulnerable women some as young as 14. 93% of human trafficking victims are Canadian. The ultimate message is that trafficking of fleshContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Trafficked Voices”: Sex Trafficking Canadian Style”

RKS 2023 Film: “Pay or Die”: You Will Understand Big Pharma Profiteering on Insulin in The United States: The Solution Seems Typically American

Those who suffer from Type 1 diabetes require multiple daily insulin injections failing which diabetic ketoacidosis sets in and death ensues. Quite simple isn’t it? A vial of insulin currently sells for $10 in Italy, $12 in Canada and $14 in Japan. In the United States when the film was produced $300. Three Pharma’s controlContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Pay or Die”: You Will Understand Big Pharma Profiteering on Insulin in The United States: The Solution Seems Typically American”

RKS 2023 Television: “Tales from the Rez”: Episode “Something in the Water”

Blackfoot Nation Films has created a new Indigenous Canadian Horror-Comedy Anthology series “Tales from the Rez” which breathes life into popular Blackfoot urban legends. Each episode is introduced by crusty Uncle Randolf (Charles Duck Chief) an Elder with one foot in the living world and the other in the spirit world. Each episode blends humourContinue reading “RKS 2023 Television: “Tales from the Rez”: Episode “Something in the Water””

RKS 2023 Film: “Suzume” New Makoto Shinkai Animated Film

Yes another one of those Japanese animated films with those huge wide eyes! Long gone are those days when animation meant “made for children”. This film is not suitable for children. In “Suzume” there is a fantastic story about mostly threatening creatures from another world but as well themes of love, death, teen rebellion andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Suzume” New Makoto Shinkai Animated Film”

RKS 2023 Wine: German Wines in Ontario? They Are There But Hiding in the Back of the Bus!

I can’t recall ever being invited to a German wine tasting in Toronto. German tourism has invited me to their annual media event where Riesling was served and once they even splurged and gave attendees a bottle to take home. I have asked about a media trip but never any response. Is this a matterContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: German Wines in Ontario? They Are There But Hiding in the Back of the Bus!”

RKS 2023 Television: “Tales from the Rez”: Episode “Grave Consequences”

Blackfoot Nation Films has created a new indigenous Canadian Horror-Comedy Anthology series “Tales from the Rez” which breathes life into popular Blackfoot urban legends. Each episode is introduced by crusty Uncle Randolph (Charles Duck Chief) an Elder with one foot in the living world and the other in the spirit world. Each episode blends humourContinue reading “RKS 2023 Television: “Tales from the Rez”: Episode “Grave Consequences””