“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”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
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)”
RKS 2024 Wine: An Ontario Cabernet Franc from The Accidental Winery
Ever discovered an orphaned winery so far from its brothers and sisters? Well on my way from Toronto to Elora in the middle of cornfields there she lay….Cox Creek Cellars on the outer limits of Guelph, Ontario. Beautiful grounds and a simple tasting room and retail outlet and yes they host weddings too! We tryContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: An Ontario Cabernet Franc from The Accidental Winery”
RKS 2024 Film: “Guy Manley Super Spy”: Vacuous Spy Spoof
The Swedish film “Guy Manley Super Spy” is a 100% spoof of spy and espionage movies. It has a “Once Upon a Time in Uganda” flavour in that it revels in the absurd. Blood and guts in profusion replete with special effects and low on an intelligent plot. Guy Manley (Baltazar Ploteau) is a spyContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Guy Manley Super Spy”: Vacuous Spy Spoof”
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