RKS 2023 Film: “Vengeance: Rise of the Footsoldier”: Bad Good Boys Chasing Bad Guys

Patrick Tate (Craig Fairbrass) is a British criminal. The wind is not blowing in his favour as in the opening scene his attempt at armed robbery with friend Kenny goes wrong. Kenny loses his mask so he is identifiable, a security guard is wounded and the big heist is but for ₤ 2,500. Kenny is later discovered dead with numerous stab wounds resulting from a brutal execution.

Tate pursues Kenny’s killer(s). There is no sense in plot delving here. A classic vengeance genre movie with treachery, Brit and Russian mobsters, police chases, mistresses, trans boxers, double dealing, death by a chicken bone stabbing and ruthless violence not raw and graphic like in the film “City of Vultures II” but a bit more mainstream big screen.

The pace of the film is somewhat slow and there are too many characters many looking alike to the extent one might say these Brits all look alike and I am 50% Brit! Excellent character development from violent Scottish thugs (my other 50% is Scottish) to sophisticated but brutal mob bosses.

Interesting exploration of posh, grubby and decadent London.

This is the sixth installment of the British gangster franchise “Rise of the Footsoldier” and as vengeance is not completely wreaked number 7 surely must be on its way.

Directed by Nick Nevern. You can watch the trailer here for the film being released in theatres and On Demand 1December2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC8FW5QRciU

RKS 2023 Film Rating 84/100.

RKS 2023 Film: “Going In”: So Bad Could it Be Good?

Surely you must have watched a film that you thought was so bad up pops a mushroom of sentiment egging you on saying that it was so bad it was good! “Escape From New York” was a 1981 film with Ernest Borgnine and Kurt Russell serving as an example of this as regards the performance of Ernest Borgnine an Academy Award Best Actor winner in 1956 for the film “Marty” whose performance as a taxi driver in “Escape From New York” was so miserable oddly it was brilliant. In the television realm and prime example is the 1968-70 television series “It Takes a Thief” starring Mr. Insincere (but handsome) Robert Wagner.

For a good part of “Going In” the acting and writing was rotten but was it intentionally so in an attempt to create a spoof for example of “Miami Vice”? I conclude the intent here would appear to be a comedy of some sort reinforced by the action in the 56th minute of the film where two Orthodox Jews save our protagonists from ostensibly vicious but incompetent Ninja Warrior types.

The film is set in 1989 Toronto. Two long intentionally lost former friends reunite. Leslie (Evan Rissi) is a hyper logical philosophy professor. Rueben (Ira Goldman) is a black Jamaican Jew. Both were (years ago) smash up, hard drinking DEA nightmares. Rueben’s brother has been kidnapped by evil drug baron Feng the man behind Pearl a ultrapowerful drug that offers a short intense out of body experience but it is highly addictive. Feng offers twice yearly tournaments where combatants face extreme danger including death. The winner receives a parsimonious $30,000 prize. Invitations to participate are difficult to obtain but Rueben and Leslie secure invitations. In a quasi “Cabaret” fashion the contest proceeds and lots of contestants’ hands are being severed. The film takes a serious twist and becomes a quasi fantasy then suddenly concludes with a satirical thrust on governmental anti-drug programmes.

Not that you dear readers ever take anything seriously but my advice is that don’t watch “Going In” thinking it is a serious film. That will ruin half the fun.

Theatrical release on 29November2023.

Rissi wrote and directed.

RKS Film Rating: 83/100.

RKS 2023 Wine: Where Have the Douro Table Wines Gone?

I don’t have piles of statistics and charts to determine why in Ontario’s Liquor Control Board Douro wines have slowed down to a trickle in the province of Ontario. Not that they were gushing in but it seems to me the Douro is faltering. Some of the LCBO old guard point fingers at the younger buyers even more driven by scores than the old folks retiring. Keep it up and the Alentejano wines will start nudging out Douro wines? In the 3December2023 LCBO Vintages release there are two Portuguese wines neither of which are from the Douro. I will be in Portugal early in 2024 and perhaps there is a story about this to tell.

We try a 2020 Veedha a Douro red from Douro giant Sogevinus.

Aroma: Blackberry, cassis and coal make this a dark and brooding wine. A slight bit of funkiness.

Palate: Blackberry, dark chocolate with a twist of licorice. There was maturation in both older French and Hungarian oak casks. The wine is immediately approachable as tannins are on the back of the bus as well as noticeable acidity. A bit of a rustic finish. Just a bit wee rough around the edges.

Personality: For some reason that old oak is making me a bit tired and slow. Blame it on the Hungarians.

Food Pairings: Baked butternut squash vegetarian casserole or perhaps a Mushroom Bourguignon.

Cellarbility: Drink now.

Price: $14.95 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 84/100.

(Veedha 2020 Douro Red Wine, DOC Douro, Sogevinus Fine Wines, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, 750 mL, 13%).

RKS Literature: The Great Muffin Scam (Charles Dickens)

“He had visited the houses of the poor in the various districts of London and had found them destitute of the slightest vestige of a muffin, which there appeared to much reason to believe some of these indigent persons did not taste from year’s end to year’s end. He had found that among muffin sellers there existed drunkenness, debauchery and profligacy , which he attributed to the debasing nature of their employment as at present exercised; he had found the same vices among the poorer class of people who ought to be muffin consumers; and this he attributed to the despair engendered by their being placed beyond that reach of that nutritious article, which drove them to seek a false stimulation in intoxicating liquors.”

“Nicholas Nickleby”, Charles Dickens, 1839

RKS 2023 Wine: Is This Sicilian Wine Suffering from Moderate to Severe Back Pain?

Planeta is one of Sicily’s most recognized wineries. Perhaps I picked up a bottle of their Plumbago because it reminds me of an affliction called lumbago somewhat of a relic of a disease categorization these days. Remove the P from the wine’s name and you have lumbago an affliction affecting the back. If you don’t have a sense of humor as a wine writer you’ll get a serious posting as a wine writer for the Sable Island Messenger or Allo Police in Montreal.

Aroma: Cherry and raspberry rule the roost with spasms all over the place shouting “red fruit” but there is a tad of black coffee with some dark chocolate and Santa Rosa plum. The warmer the wine the more the oak creeps out.

Palate: Tannins are on the mild side. Big infusion of raspberry and cocoa making the wine almost momentarily making the wine semi-sweet. A delightful mid weight wine with a short finish.

Personality: I assure you a glass or two of me will set your mind at ease if you are suffering from lumbago. In Italian Plumbago means a type of wildflower. I was fermented in stainless steel and then spent 10 months in oak. Not telling you what type of oak here. I am coy just like the Planeta website.

Food Match: A Napoli pizza made with Caputo flour of course!

Photo Robert K. Stephen

Cellarbility: Consume by end of 2025.

Price: $24.95CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. Michael Godel 92/100. 

(Planeta 2019 Plumbago Sicilia Nero D’Avola DOC, Planeta, Menfi, Italy, 750 mL, 13.5%).

WARNING: If you are suffering from lumbago and are on Darvon please don’t mix with this wine. It is one or the other.

RKS 2023 Wine: Man of La Mancha and Wines of La Mancha

Man of La Mancha was a 1965 Broadway Musical. The wine we try now is a Cimal Tempranillo from the Spanish wine region known as La Mancha. Which is the better dancer? The answer is up to you.

Aroma: This just about purple coloured wine is very much infused with blackberry, black currant and black cherry. Bits of dark chocolate, sandalwood, espresso and spicy sausage linger in the midst of the wine like a bunch of convicts milling about in the exercise yard of a penitentiary.

Palate: Yowsers folks some tannins in this along with massive blueberry a hallmark of Spanish Tempranillo. The oak and blueberry pie in this create an almost creamy texture. The label falls to mention oak but my guess is that there is a high percentage of new French oak in this. Moderately long tannic infused finish.

Personality: I have size 14 feet and perhaps I am a bit clumsy but my soul is decent and at my price you are picking up a Keith Haring at a Filene’s Bargain Basement/Century 21 price.

Food match: Grilled lamb without a doubt.

Cellarbility: Will mellow out with some ageing. Consume by the end of 2026 but perhaps 2028 if you dare and given its low price what do you have to lose if you purchase a few bottles and store them in a basement cellar or a temp controlled cellar.

Price: $14.95 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 93/100. jamessuckling.com 92. Natalie MacLean 89.

(Cimal 2019 Tempranillo, DO La Mancha, Bodegas Bastida, Socuéllamos, Spain 750 mL, 14%).

RKS 2023 Wine: So What if the Wine You Bottled is Incredible? A Cave Spring Example of What Needs to be Done to Create a Buzz

Making a good wine these days is simply not enough. The distance from a winery to a consumer’s gullet may be a very long one and in most cases it, never happens. You must think of creating some “buzz”. Flies migrate to honey and certain other substances. Wine drinkers gravitate towards buzz.

I recall many years ago here in Ontario you might go to a winery, assuming of course it was open to the public, and pick up your wine. There might even be a cellar and vineyard tour. Once wineries opened to the public then some thought was given about creating more than a cash register in the barn and so the tasting room was born. Then tasting rooms became not only a good opportunity to sell wines but merchandise as well such as wine accessories. Then the merchandise expanded to food. Then why not a bistro or restaurant to sell and consume meals and snacks. Then entertainment was “hired” to bring wine drinkers and abstainers alike. Then perhaps even lodgings.

Not all wineries can slide into basic wine tourism that easily. In addition to foresight and planning capital is required to offer more than simply a retail operation to earn your income. Given that most of the revenue for Ontario wineries is on site sales well then you must give some thought on how to attract customers to your winery.

I am seeing an increase in the past few years of wineries displaying some innovation. One such winery in Ontario is Cave Spring Vineyard in Jordan, Ontario in the Niagara wine region. On 9December2023 they are inviting the public to “The Ultimate Holiday Feast”. Cave Spring winemaker Gabriel Demarco is teaming up with The Culinary Workshop to virtually celebrate the holiday season. Two courses will be created by chefs Jody O’Malley and Kirstie Herbstreit. Well actually you will be creating the courses guided virtually by these two chefs using an interactive approach. Demarco will be chiming in from his kitchen to explain the wines he has chosen and how wine and food can be successfully paired. The Culinary Studio are chefs who have founded a virtual cooking school during our recent plague. The raw materials for the dishes will be delivered to participants by the two chefs.

The first course will be Sauteed Wild Mushroom Crostini paired with a Cave Spring NV Brut Dolomite. The second course will be Pan-seared Local Beef Tenderloin with Bearnaise Sauce, Shallot and Endive Salad with crispy Golden Potatoes aired with a 2021 Cave Spring Pinot Noir Estate. The cost including the Pinot Noir is $180.95 for two plus tax and delivery and add $35 for the Dolomite Brut. Did someone forget dessert?

The Ultimate Holiday Feast will be on 9December2023 between 17:00 and 19:00 hrs.

So you see dear readers selling your wine requires more than a good bottle of wine. I recall Cave Spring has also offered painting and yoga classes in the vineyard. My friends you are seeing “wine tourism” in play.

RKS Literature: Being Shamed for Being Different (Ken Kesey)

“I discovered at an early age that I was-shall we be kind and say different? It’s a better more general word than the other one. I indulged in certain practices that our society regards as shameful. And I got sick. It wasn’t the practices, I don’t think, it was the feeling that the great, deadly pointing forefinger of society that was pointing at me-and that great voice of millions chanting,’ Shame. Shame. Shame. It’s society’s way of dealing with someone different.”

Ken Kesey, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, 1962.

RKS Literature: Wandering Around in a Daze: Electric Shock Therapy (Ken Kesey)

“ There had been times when I wandered around in a daze for as long as two weeks after a shock treatment, living in that foggy jumbled blur which is a whole lot like the ragged edge of sleep, that grey zone between light and dark, or between sleeping and waking or living and dying, where you know you’re not unconscious any more but don’t know yet what day it is or who you are or what’s the use of coming back at all—for two weeks. If you don’t have a reason to wake up you can loaf around in that grey zone for a long fuzzy time, or if you want it bad enough I found you can come fighting right out of it. This time I came fighting out of it in less than a day, less time than ever.”

Ken Kesey, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, 1962

RKS 2023 Wine: California Cabernet Sauvignon and My Self Imposed $25 Guideline

I am not one that ordinarily judges a wine by its price but there are exceptions to the rule or is it rules to the exception?

One RKS Wine guideline for Cali Cabernet Sauvignon is that don’t expect much under the $25 guidepost. I suppose given the latest increases in wine prices in our province of Ontario that should be adjusted to $30.

Let’s put this new guideline to the test with a $26.95 CDN Cali North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon from dough wines.

Aroma: Lots of blueberry a la classic Cali Cab Sauv. Secondary notes of blackberry and black cherry. Not lush and plush but can we call the bouquet reticent if not a bit tense?

Palate: A mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon very light on its feet. The fruit is there but is just a bit shy which suits me just fine. Tannins and acids are hiding under the bed. Short finish. It handles its 14% alcohol admirably.

Personality: Come on RKS admit you like me and your guideline is just a guideline! I would like to exaggerate a bit and label myself as “elegant”.

Food Match: Some Morbier or St. Nectaire cheese drizzled with blackberry flower honey. Now that’s wild like Beach Blanket Bingo!

Cellarbility: Drink by 2025-year end.

Price: $26.95 CDN.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100.

(dough North Coast California (Mendocino) 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, dough wines, Sonoma, California, 750 mL, 14%).