Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS Literature: We All Smell the Same: Nikos Kazantzakis

“I’ve made voyages, Captain Mándakas, I’ve seen the whole world. I’ve slept with women of all kinds, I’ve pushed into Africa, where the bread is toasted by the sun. I’ve made great harbours and little ones, I’ve seen millions of black men, millions of yellow men-my eyes brimmed over with them! At first I thoughtContinue reading “RKS Literature: We All Smell the Same: Nikos Kazantzakis”

RKS 2023 Films: “The Martha Mitchell Effect”: A Trip Down Memory Lane in Time for the 2023 Oscars!

The Trump presidency had its humorous moments if you had a bad sense of humour and wanted to continue seeing a President soiling himself in the public eye. In the Nixon presidency there was only one really big poop namely Watergate. But there were initially in his first term (1968-1972) some lighthearted moments. Nothing asContinue reading “RKS 2023 Films: “The Martha Mitchell Effect”: A Trip Down Memory Lane in Time for the 2023 Oscars!”

RKS 2023 Film: “Haulout”: Oscar Nominated Short Documentary for 2023

“Haulout”, from the United Kingdom”, has been nominated for best short documentary film at the upcoming 2023 Oscar awards. Certainly, given the subject of walrus haulouts we could have stern warnings about global warming a la Greta Thunberg. Shrill and accusatorial becomes tiresome and numbing. “Haulout” takes a quieter and perhaps more effective approach. IContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Haulout”: Oscar Nominated Short Documentary for 2023”

RKS 2023 Film: “The Outwaters”

The promotional blurb I received for the film describes “The Outwaters” as a “throwback to the early days of the found footage genre”. My goodness talk about an obscure genre, at least in my neck of the woods. If I was to give this film a categorization I might say it is “a flashlight inContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “The Outwaters””

“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 49: Good-Bye Naples, Good-Bye Scampia and Good-Bye Don Lupara….for the time being

Seven hours after departing Bucharest I was at my seaside home on the Bay of Naples. Don Lupara gave me a call and invited me to dinner at the “compound” the following day. Perhaps it was my imagination but the scent of Ginevra still lingered in the house that was to be the home ofContinue reading ““The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 49: Good-Bye Naples, Good-Bye Scampia and Good-Bye Don Lupara….for the time being”

RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile

Aromatics: Raspberry jam, strawberry, blueberry and a hint of dark chocolate. Palate: The tannins are light and the acids are behaving themselves. Blackberry, raspberry, black cherry with a medium brackish finish. Personality: I am a good Carménère and proud of it. I am a bit rough on the edges which just might suit your palateContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile”

RKS Wine 2023: What is the Essence of Wine?

“It’s life, in the last analysis, is what sets wine apart. There is nothing else we buy to eat or drink that brings us the identity of a place and time in the same way, that memorizes and recalls (if we listen) all the circumstances that make it what it is. You can, of course,Continue reading “RKS Wine 2023: What is the Essence of Wine?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Quinta do Espírito Santo from Lisbon

You may know Lisbon as a wonderful tourist destination although unfortunately of late it is overrun by tourists. It is also a Portuguese wine appellation. The Quinta do Espírito Santo label has that annoying characteristic of not describing the grapes used in the blend instead stating it is made from “very ripe grapes of typicalContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Quinta do Espírito Santo from Lisbon”

RKS 2023 Film: “Metronom”: Sex, Cognac, Rock and Roll and Romanian Communism

Ana (Mara Bugarin), a senior high school student in 1972 Bucharest, wants to visit her buddy Roxana (Mara Vicol) and a group of friends to listen to music and chat. Mother does not want Ana to go as she has to study for university entrance exams. But being somewhat of a typical teenager Ana defiesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Metronom”: Sex, Cognac, Rock and Roll and Romanian Communism”

RKS 2023 Wine: Errazuriz Max VIII from Chile

Sorry can’t help thinking this wine sounds like some motor oil. Hopefully it tastes better than Saudi juice. It comes from 8 different vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile which has been carved out by the abundant rainwater that flows down from Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain range in the western hemisphere. Red varietiesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Errazuriz Max VIII from Chile”