Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2024 Film: “Jeanne du Barry”: Grandiose, Pomp and Circumstance but Somewhat Vacuous: Poor Yawny Depp

It’s hard to pan a film with such lavish wardrobe in a Versailles setting. I have been to Versailles twice and it is certainly indicative of grandeur and wealth but with “Jeanne du Barry” populate it with rich period costumes of the era of Louis XV it is worth the price of admission to seeContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Jeanne du Barry”: Grandiose, Pomp and Circumstance but Somewhat Vacuous: Poor Yawny Depp”

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Norwegian Democrazy”

“Norwegian Democrazy” delves into the limits and constraints placed on free speech and the stresses on Norwegian society by the influx of Islamic immigration. The Muslim population of Norway is 182,000 constituting 3.3% of its total population. 55% of the Norwegian Muslim population live in Oslo and Viken. The Islamic influx is not restricted toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Norwegian Democrazy””

RKS 2024 Film: “Sweetland”: Time to Recognize a New Canadian Film Classic: The Sea Giveth the Governments Taketh

“Sweetland” is based on Michael Crummey’s novel of the same name. The Fisheries Household Resettlement Programme administered by the Canadian federal government and Newfoundland provincial government offered somewhat meagre payments for inhabitants of remote outports to relocate to “economic centres of development”. Did economic theory destroy and mutilate the fabric of historic Newfoundland? To receiveContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Sweetland”: Time to Recognize a New Canadian Film Classic: The Sea Giveth the Governments Taketh”

RKS 2024 Wine: Does a Boggled Mind Benefit from a Bogle Family Vineyards Pinot Noir?

At the Hot Docs film festival winds down I have saved the most depressing films for last and as a film reviewer of documentary films when I say depressing I mean it. On my bitter end list is the story of a 16-year-old Kurdish refugee girl, whose mother has died frozen to death in someContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Does a Boggled Mind Benefit from a Bogle Family Vineyards Pinot Noir?”

RKS 2024 Film: “Before I Change My Mind”: Enough Well Done Ambiguities to Choke a Horse

Robin (Vaughn Murrae) a junior teen arrives from Spokane, Washington to the Canadian province of Alberta with his somewhat geeky computer dad, Dan (Matthew Rankin). Robin experiences a flashback now and then about his past particularly his mother. The meaning of the flashbacks might constitute a moviegoer’s delight. Add to this ambiguity is Dan’s aversionContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Before I Change My Mind”: Enough Well Done Ambiguities to Choke a Horse”

RKS 2024 FILM: HOT DOCS: “The Ride Ahead”: Determination, Grit and Suffering

In “The Ride Ahead” expect a massive dose of suffering and genetic injustice alleviated, if not conquered, by a strong spirit resentful of being talked down to armoured by a boundless will to overcome obstacles facing severely handicapped Samuel afflicted with GNA01 Neurodevelopmental Disorder a progressive disorder so rare that there are a mere hundredsContinue reading “RKS 2024 FILM: HOT DOCS: “The Ride Ahead”: Determination, Grit and Suffering”

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “The Strike”: Memories of the East German Circus

Amidst great political and bureaucratic clapping the California Department of Corrections (CDC) opened the “state of the art” Pelican Bay State Prison’s Security Housing Unit (SHU) in 1989. Pelican Bay was designed for solitary confinement. Hundreds spent years in solitary confinement some as long as thirty years despite the United Nation’s maximum set at 15Continue reading “RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “The Strike”: Memories of the East German Circus”

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “American Cats: The Good, Bad And The Cuddly”: Calling All Cat Activists and Cat Lovers

True confessions. I am not a cat lover. I am a “dog person”. Once upon a time I was cornered by a Quebecois cat and kept prisoner for a few hours. I suppose that cat sensed my at best “indifferent” attitude toward cats. I might share that story with you one day. Then I metContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “American Cats: The Good, Bad And The Cuddly”: Calling All Cat Activists and Cat Lovers”

RKS 2024 Wine: Château Terre Blanque 2020

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Blaye. Aroma: It shouts out Merlot not lush and plush but clean and sharp. Full of cheerful cherry with lesser notes of blackberry and blueberry very high toned and alert and not sullied by an excess of oak. Palate: Broad based tannins. Clean and sharp cherry withContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Terre Blanque 2020”

RKS 2024 Film: “New Life”: The Brutality of Good Intentions or the Evil of “Good”

Jessica Murdock (Hayley Erin) all bloodied is running through the woods as if someone is pursuing her piquing your curiosity. Why is she running and why is she bloodied? Who is pursuing her? One of her flashbacks has her locked in some makeshift detention centre. This is getting heavier by the moment. Then that ladyContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “New Life”: The Brutality of Good Intentions or the Evil of “Good””