Juliette (Morfydd Clark) and her academic archaeologist husband Richard (Matt Smith) live in an inherited family farm in the English countryside. Richard, who teaches the history of ancient British tribes, believes there was once a sacred oak tree on the property where the ancient gathered and may have even hung people. At a county fairContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Starve Acre”: Don’t Mess with the Sacred Oak Tree!”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS 2024 Film: “SURF NATION”: Imposed Serfdom and Mediocre Surfers
“SURF NATION” spans 2019 and 2020 following the trials and tribulations of young Chinese surfers at the Chinese National Surfing Academy in Hainan, China. China, in the true spirit of the “National Plan”, launches a massive effort for China to qualify for the surfing competition at the 2020 summer Olympics. China did not qualify. InContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “SURF NATION”: Imposed Serfdom and Mediocre Surfers”
RKS Literature: A Kiss Without the Passion of the Universe (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
“He kissed her without enjoying it. He knew that there was passion there, but there was no shadow of it in her eyes or on her mouth; there was a faint spray of champagne on her breath. She clung nearer desperately and once more he kissed her and was chilled by the innocence of herContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Kiss Without the Passion of the Universe (F. Scott Fitzgerald)”
RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?
As far a rosé goes the darker the pink the happier I am. Those wimpy pale rosés strike me with their acidity and thinness. By way of a bad analogy would you prefer to date Brigitte Bardot or Twiggy? Aroma: Loads of raspberry with strawberry, red cherry, wet stone and a tiny bit of cottonContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016
There is an ample supply at Vintages (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) of red Bordeaux under $25. Are they so much inferior to a Château Clarke 2016 from Baron Edmond de Rothschild at $55? This wine is a blend of 70 % Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aroma: A forceful and dense nose of plum,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016”
RKS 2024 Film: “Kryptic”: No Horror but You’ll Be Caught in The Gordian Knot!
Kay (Chloe Pirrie) joins a newly formed walking ladies club and with their guide they hike up Kryptic Peak. Kay separates from the group and encounters a hairy brute creature called a Sook as it is referred to in local lore. As the guide explains thousands of hikers disappear in the mountains each year withoutContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Kryptic”: No Horror but You’ll Be Caught in The Gordian Knot!”
RKS 2024 Film: “Widow Clicquot”: A Champagne Adventure
“Widow Clicquot” is one of those historical dramas with lush cinematography, brooding music and period costumes. It is the struggle of Barbe-Nicole-Ponsardin Clicquot (b1777 d1866) to navigate a struggling Champagne operation inherited from her husband François Clicquot into a successful business enterprise. François (Tom Sturridge) was an innovator with revolutionary ideas which largely failed. AContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Widow Clicquot”: A Champagne Adventure”
RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!
Ontario Baco Noir flops more often than not. It has flopped many times in my glass but when managed in the vineyard and in the vat it can make exceptional Baco Noir e.g. Henry of Pelham. And Foch ripped out aplenty years ago can make some exceptional wine e.g. Malivoire. 54% Maréchal Foch and 46%Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!”
RKS 2024 Film: “The Contestant”: Can Anything Positive Emerge from Reality Television?
Inanity and reality television are bedfellows. The specialty of reality television is humiliating people for audience snickers. A prime example would be “90 Day Fiancée”. What is next “Romans Feeding Christians to the Lions: Live at the Coliseum!” It may well be that reality television was born with the Japanese television show “Denpa Shonen” specializingContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “The Contestant”: Can Anything Positive Emerge from Reality Television?”
PORTHEAD ALERT! Kopke 2018 LBV
Late Bottle Vintage Port (LBV) is an affordable Port that can age well but certainly not as well as Vintage Port. For example the oldest Vintage Port I have had was an 1867 and it still had life. The 1932 Vintage Port likewise. How about the 2018 LBV from Kopke? Aroma: If there is oneContinue reading “PORTHEAD ALERT! Kopke 2018 LBV”
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