Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2024 Film: More Canadian Indigenous Misery in “I’ll Tell You When I’m Ready”

Documentaries are rarely uplifting preferring an endless stream of negativity and when the topic is Canadian indigenous life the negativity is often escalated to misery. Another plate of angry misery fills the screen in Hayley Morin’s documentary about jaye simpson a poet, activist and drag queen. Abandoned as a child her single mother died inContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: More Canadian Indigenous Misery in “I’ll Tell You When I’m Ready””

RKS 2024 Wine: What Batman, Robin and Alfred Drink After Hours

My sources tell me that although Bruce Wayne has lots of dough he prefers inexpensive wines. Of late apparently Batman, Robin and Alfred are drinking an Italian wine named “Dark Knight”. Alfred was seen unloading a case of it from the Batmobile. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Sangiovese. Aroma: Full of black cherry,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: What Batman, Robin and Alfred Drink After Hours”

RKS 2024 Film: “Out Come the Wolves”: Human Horror Intertwined with Animal Horror

The Canadian feature film “Out Come the Wolves” presents a combination and intertwining of both animal and human horror set in the remote Canadian woods. Rugged and highly experienced hunter Kyle (Joris Jarsky) travels to a remote cabin in the woods to assist Nolan (Damon Runyan) in writing an article about “the hunting experience”. SophieContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Out Come the Wolves”: Human Horror Intertwined with Animal Horror”

RKS 2024 Wine: Shuffling Around in the Bargain Bin: 2021 Carro from Yecla Region in Spain

For $14, at least in Canada, you most likely are shuffling around like my friend The Penniless Pensioner, in the bargain bin. And in the bargain bin you never know what you may discover. In this case it is a Carro 2021 from DOC Yecla in Spain. From 30-year-old plus vines this wine is aContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Shuffling Around in the Bargain Bin: 2021 Carro from Yecla Region in Spain”

RKS Literature: In the Mood of Money (Kurt Vonnegut)

“Quinn sat down in the booth next to the bandmaster. He was a bachelor, a small, dark, humorless man. He wasn’t a well man. He couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t stop working, he couldn’t smile warmly. He had only two moods: one suspicious and self-pitying, the other arrogant and boastful. The first mood applied when heContinue reading “RKS Literature: In the Mood of Money (Kurt Vonnegut)”

RKS 2024 Wine: The Gentle Whites of Bordeaux?

When I think of white Vin de Graves from Bordeaux I think aromatic, gentle and at times high sophistication. Nothing shouts out to you but instead beckons. This Château Des Perligues 2022 is a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Aroma: Honey, marzipan, mango, peach and lychee. Palate: Smooth, muted acidity and loaded with peachContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Gentle Whites of Bordeaux?”

RKS 2024 Film: “Charlie Tango”: Sympathy for The Devils?

The movie commences with some “active sex” in the washroom of a club between an angelic and prim rocker vocalist Kim (Stacie Mistysyn) and her ponytailed boyfriend Charlie (David La Haye) both in the “adulterer’s club”. Two morally bankrupt characters….devils? With the smell of sex in the air Kim goes to her evening shift asContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Charlie Tango”: Sympathy for The Devils?”

RKS 2024 Wine: Rosé from Tavel Rarely Disappoints: Tavel La Forcadière

Not a fan of those flinty pale and a bit too acidic pinkies from Provence? Well then in France look to Tavel for consistent quality. Instead of a washed-out pink expect a salmon colored pink where fruit refuses to hide behind acidity and the hype of Jolie/Pitt/Sarah Jessica Parker and Hollywood wine wannabees. Grenache NoirContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Rosé from Tavel Rarely Disappoints: Tavel La Forcadière”

RKS Literature: Beauty and Restless Beagles (Kurt Vonnegut)

“Susanna’s feathery hair and saucer eyes were as black as midnight. Her skin was the color of cream. Her hips were like a lyre, and her bosom made men dream of peace and plenty for ever and ever. She wore barbaric golden hoops on her shell pink ears, and around her ankles were chains withContinue reading “RKS Literature: Beauty and Restless Beagles (Kurt Vonnegut)”

The Fourth Greek International Film Festival Tour (Canada): “Je”: A Devastatingly Effective Short

A young woman (Sabrina Campilii) sits at her desk writing her suicide note placing it in an envelope and then takes a razor blade to her wrist but the radio she had been listening to crackles with the voice of her soul asking her what she is doing. Her soul (Cassandre Anaya) appears and surprisinglyContinue reading “The Fourth Greek International Film Festival Tour (Canada): “Je”: A Devastatingly Effective Short”