RKS 2023 Film: “Colorblind”: Can a Racist be Reformed?

Racism has been with us for time immemorial. Can a racist ever be reformed? Can “Colorblind” convince you one way or the other. Canadian director Mostafa Keshvari has impressed me with his “Corona” (2020) and “Unmasked” (2018) both of which are seared with intense and emotionally charged dialogue and themes. “Colorblind” represents a sudden tackContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Colorblind”: Can a Racist be Reformed?”

RKS Literature: Schools as Coercion?

“The masses had long since learned that for the education and discipline needed in the battle against the decaying bourgeoisie  they should look elsewhere than to coercive schools imposed by the authorities; and by now every idiot knew that the school system developed by the cloisters of the Middle Ages was as anachronistic and absurdContinue reading “RKS Literature: Schools as Coercion?”

RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!

Having attended the first annual Wine and Travel Week in Porto with a side trip to Pico Island in late February I had the opportunity to chat with a representative of Chilean winery Matetic as they had a booth as an exhibitor in the Alfândega in Porto. We didn’t talk wine but rather accommodations availableContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!”

RKS Literature: Not So True to His Stated Beliefs!

“Well he said a great many things about money, the soul of the sate, as he put it, and spoke out against property, because it’s thievery, and against capitalist wealth in general, which he said, I believe, was fuel for the fires of hell-at least if I’m mistaken that’s how he put it-and sang theContinue reading “RKS Literature: Not So True to His Stated Beliefs!”

RKS 2023 Wines: Alentejo Next Time?

I was in Porto at the end of February for Wine and Travel Week. Then after three days it was off to the Azores. I have never been to the Azores so I do not regret my decision. I had the choice of several wine regions Alentejo being one of them but I have visitedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Alentejo Next Time?”

“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 52: Revolt at the Queen Fairy Hospital for Veterans in Montreal

Not far from the idyllic suburb of Hampstead in Montreal one can find the ageing Queen Fairy Hospital for Veterans. Those Quebec soldiers severely injured in conflicts where Canada was fighting were “housed” in the Queen Fairy. Conditions were rather grim with lack of comprehensive physical and psychiatric care. For the past year patients hadContinue reading ““The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 52: Revolt at the Queen Fairy Hospital for Veterans in Montreal”

RKS 2023 Films: “The Worst Ones” (Les Pires) A French “Bad News Bears” ?

We’ve seen this genre previously. A band of perceived “misfits” somehow transforms into a power to be reckoned with whether it be “Bad News Bears” or even “The Dirty Dozen”. In this case it is a group of poor youth from the “Picasso Neighbourhood” in Northern France’s Boulogne Sur Mer who are recruited to participateContinue reading “RKS 2023 Films: “The Worst Ones” (Les Pires) A French “Bad News Bears” ?”

RKS Literature: Opinions vs Duty

“I was paying attention you see, but none of it was clear, instead, the more they talked the more confused I got. That’s how it always is. When people talk and about opinions, the result is always confusion. I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter what sort of opinions a man has, but whether he isContinue reading “RKS Literature: Opinions vs Duty”

RKS Literature: Snow Being More Than One Can Stand!

“And all the guests declared they could not stand to see any more snow, it disgusted them, summer alone had more than satisfied them in that regard, nothing but masses of snow, day in, day out, mounds of snow, whole slopes of snow-it was more than any human being could stand, deadly to both mindContinue reading “RKS Literature: Snow Being More Than One Can Stand!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle

Aroma: Rich blasts of black fruit predominate especially blackberry. Palate: Rich on the nose rich on the palate. Again blackberry plays the leading role. The finish is of moderate length. Tannins are just above smooth. Personality: Simply being “rich” and full bodied is not enough. I have identifiable black fruit. In other words I notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle”