RKS 2024 Film: “All The Lost Ones”: A Civil War Spreads Upwards North Bay Way!

A massive water contamination incident kills thousands on North America’s northeast coast. Climate activists go wonkers in a Greta Thunberg fury sparking a backlash from a paramilitary-political group the United Conservancy comprised of neo Nazis, racists, white supremacists and assorted right wing deviants. Law and order people or so they say marching northward seeping into Canada but God Bless the resistors putting up a fight against these beer swilling yahoos.

A whole passle of “neutral folks” are holed up in a family cottage North Bay way in Canada and the film follows them as they are hunted down by the United Conservancy who rarely spare resistors they catch.  Cruel, vicious and ruthless and golly gee our group aren’t even resistors. They are caught in the middle.

I noted the film has a gritty reality to it as nothing discredits an apocalyptic film more than cheap sets which are avoided here with most scenes being shot in the woods. The romance between two of the characters is cheesy and played out too long but thank goodness the excess melodrama is near the film’s conclusion.

Measured and well-crafted doses of violence, apprehension, civil disobedience, suspense, political violence, deaths, woundings, escapes, politically divided families, child soldiers and executioners.

Somewhat strange that the Canadian newscasts in the film give the temperatures in Fahrenheit and there are references to miles. Is this rejection of metric an attempt to comfort American audiences?

The acting is fine with iconic Sheila McCarthy in a supporting role.

Directed by Mackenzie Donaldson and shiver me timbers his mom is Sheila McCarthy!

Theatrical release commenced 8November2024 in Canada.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 76/100.

RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon: To Dream the Impossible Dream

There must be a superb Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon out there but as my attempt at establishing my Bitcoin empire collapsed with my kidnapping in broad daylight on Toronto’s Bay Street and Wellington with my entire corporation’s capital of $4,679 used to pay my ransom my Bitcoin dream was smashed. I have an idea for electric powered portable ear cleaners and that will take off you bet. Until then I am making waffles at an ice cream joint in Niagara-on-the-Lake and saving for my start up. You will see me on Shark Tank soon.

I was so excited to see a Colio Estate Winery 50 Rows Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and WOWSERS the label states its reserve so it must be extra special. It’s from Harow, Ontario too with beautiful beaches and delicious perch. The epicentre of Canadian wine tourism!

This wine reveals along with 2018 Grand CREW Cabernet Sauvignon (yes from Harrow, Ontario) it is possible to dream the possible dream about Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon!

Aroma: It certainly has that distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon nose! The generous oak gives it a creamy smell. Oozing with blackberry, cassis, black cherry and blueberry.

Palate: Tannic pop which fails to impede the fruit only hold it back for a second or two. Mostly blackberry and cassis with a short peppery finish.

Personality: I am not afraid to say why bother with J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon. I exceed that crowd pleaser and sure as hell you won’t find me in any gas station in Ontario. What did Eddie Money sing…”Take Me Home Tonight”!

Price: $20.

Food Match: Lamb burger.

Cellarbility: This might develop additional character over the next three years.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating:  91/100. Sara d’Amato Wine Align 91.

(Colio Estate Winery, 2020 50 Rows Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Colio Estate Wines, Harrow, Ontario, 750 mL, 14%).

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Acheron” (Short)

Acheron is that mythical river in northwestern Greece where legend would have it Charon the ferryman transported souls of the damned to Hades.  Coins were given to Charon in return for transportation. Yet there is a school of thought describing the Acheron River as a place of healing, cleansing and the purging of sin from human souls. Whatever your view accept it as a mystical place.

Maria (Smaragda Adamopoulou) and Nikos (Kostadinos Aspiotis) are a married couple travelling to the Acheron for a brief vacation. Both are distant particularly Nikos nervously and frequently click clacking his lighter. Obvious tension!

Maria remarks that she prefers Nikos the way he used to look without a beard.

Off they go a bicycle ride and they finally display affection towards each other. Before bedtime Nikos shaves off the beard and slips into bed not before playing with a barrette he finds in his toiletry bag leaving it on the bathroom sink. Waking up in the morning he discovers the barrette on his bedside table and Maria gone. A little problem here Nikos. That barrette is not Maria’s.

Flip a coin one day you might give to Charon. Is the Acheron River a place of healing or is Nikos on his way to Hades?

The director is Konstantina Papadopoulou.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 89/100.

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Driving Me Crazy” (Short)

Parthena dives her Papu to his doctor’s appointment in town. Parthena is filling in for his regular driver so they are forced to talk to each other for once.

Papu speaks his mind and like her Papu, Parthena does as well. Off the bat we surmise Papu must be a traditionalist refusing to call Parthena, Nina which is her preferred nickname. Papu does not comment about Parthena’s facial piercings and numerous tattoos but his expression reveals all!

The banter between them is not acrimonious but more sarcastic and at times comedic. Parthena is convinced Papu hates her because she is a lesbian. Papu the drops a bomb about ya ya!

There is deep respect between Papu and Parthena perhaps because they are alike.

Papu meets Katerina who is Parthena’s special lady when their car breaks down and that is where the film becomes heartwarming. How could Papu hate his granddaughter!

An insight to the Greek character.

Directed by Meni Tsilianidou.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 91/100.

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Gardener’s Death” (Short)

A man lies sleeping in a beyond dilapidated room. The door knocks with a letter on the doorstep stating, “I am here waiting”.

Three people appear in the man’s room one of which is holding a newspaper with sensational headlines (except one which laments the 100% increase in the price of olive oil) linked to a Gardener leaving a trail of bodies but in all cases with a golden watering pot at the scene of the murders.

The man climbs on his balcony with a noose around his neck ready to jump but knocks over the golden watering pot which falls to the street below and you recall the Gardener said he would be waiting.

Seven minutes of curiosity and high suspense. Is the pot of boiling orzo a red herring or is it infused with deep meaning? Director Christina Spiliopoulou we aren’t falling for this orzo nonsense!

RKS 2024 Film Rating 93/100.

RKS 2024 Wine: Douro Delight?

Having been to the Douro Valley several times I have yet to visit Bulas Cruz the producer of the wine we are about to sample.

30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz and 20% Touriga Franca.

Aroma: Pumped up with black cherry. Blueberry, blackberry with a hint of coconut.

Palate: Vibrant acidity you can feel rather than taste. Moderate tannins. Clingy cherry and all fruit embedded deep in the palate. Longish finish.

Personality: Shy but not lacking in confidence.

Food Match: Douro Duck Casserole enjoyed in the Douro hills looking down below at the river.

Cellarbility: Drink now or hold until 2026-year end.

Price: $19 CDN.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 87/100: Wine Align 88. 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards 97.

(Diwine Douro 2020, DOC Douro, M. Bulas Cruz, Gouvinhas, Portugal, 750 mL, 13%).

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “MJ” (Short)

The Greek film short “MJ” weaves a cautionary tale about entertainment industry fame known yet forgotten by many. Fame is fleeting.

“MJ” initially is comedic. In fact, it is hilarious. MJ is a rapper with an ego the size of the Parthenon. Material trappings have inflated his ego to the extent he can’t deliver two lines in a music video thinking he should be in film as after all he refers to himself as “a complete artist”. His dress style is across between Zsa Zsa Gabor and Bozo the clown and as to the latter unlike a clown he is not funny just exceedingly obnoxious.

As to everybody but himself he proudly proclaims that they all want to be like him. No one compares musically to MJ and if they do, they are one hit wonders.

On the beach he is set up as thugs rough him up completely shredding his aura of superiority humiliating him all recorded on a phone ready to go viral.

Despite this setback he fails to heed motherly advice about growing up and careens forward without a shred of humility. He has yet to encounter his “Nightmare Alley”.

Written and directed by Yiorgos Fourtounis.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 91/100.

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival:” What Mary Didn’t Know”

“What Mary Didn’t Know” is a lighthearted Greek, French and Swedish co-production.

Mary is cruising with her Swedish family in one of those floating hotels. The ship is the NEOROMANTICA with more seniors than you can shake a stick at. Mary’s father complains in the ship’s dining room there is salami in his Spaghetti Carbonara with his wife replying as a cheapskate you get what you pay for! At her father’s request she returns the plate to the kitchen asking for an unsalamied dish. Her eyes catch a young prepper and waiter Abdel Belhacem of Algerian descent.

Mary is smitten and sneaks out of her cabin in the early morning in her skimpy sleepwear finding Abdel and the young and innocent Mary is not so innocent anymore. Not understanding Abdel’s French she pays the price and is wounded in love. She queries to the mythical bird from an Arabian folktale that knows everything if love always hurts. What does the bird reply? Plug your ears.

While a romcom there are priceless satirical scenes lambasting “cruise culture” or lack of culture altogether. A classic scene is “Greek themed night” with the senior, mostly women as their husbands all die first, drinking Love Boatish cocktails such as Marriage Margarita or Forever Wedding Date and smashing plates on the floor while dancing the sirtaki.

Not only is the film light it is mostly trite.

The director is Konstantina Kotzamani.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 64/100.

RKS 2024 Wine: Château Laurou Les Complices 2020 from Fronton

Fronton is a small appellation consisting of 2,400 hectares.

The wine is a blend of 65% Négrette and 35% Syrah.

Négrette contributes a wonderfully silky texture and raspberry perfume the best wines.

Aroma: Raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and licorice. Meaty.

Palate: Definite tannins here in a thickly structured wine. The fruit is buried in the wine meaning it is playing peekaboo. But with some concentration pluck out chalky blackberry and blueberry. Hints of pepper on a broad finish.

Personality: I am a bit of a Boxer from “Animal Farm” namely honest and solid but kilometers from elegance.

Food Match: A Bucky Burger.

Cellarbility: Best consumed by 2025-year end.

Price: $20 CDN.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 89/100. Wine Align 89.

(Château Laurou Les Complices 2020, AOP Fronton, Lionel Osmin & Cie, Pau, France, 750 mL, 13.5%).

RKS 2024 Film (Short): The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Halycon Days”

A farm girl and an auto mechanic from a small Greek village are driving to the mayor’s office for their marriage ceremony but the officiant leaves the building before the ceremony joins the two as man and wife.

They must return the following day.

The camera work is brilliant in capturing facial expressions of the couple. The man seems distant and at one point resembles a man who has some displeasing statement to make. When returning to their homes the man stops the car to smoke a cigarette by the side of the road without telling the girl he would be so doing. He stands afar smoking his cigarette.

The tension in this short is agonizing. You may guess the conclusion but with its filming your compassion must surely gush out in torrents.

This is more like a funeral than a wedding.

The black and white film here gives the short a vicious austerity.

Directed by Alexandros Skouras.

RKS 2024 Film Rating: 91/100.