RKS Literature: Politics; The Unpaid and Paid Windbags

“Like many unpaid windbags he thought that he could combine the reports he read in the papers by paid windbags into an orderly scheme, upon following which a logical and sober mind (in this case his mind) could with no effort explain and foresee a multitude of world events. The names of countries and their leading representatives became in his hands something in the nature of labels for more or less full but essentially identical vessels, whose contents he poured this way and that.”

Vladimir Nabokov, “The Gift”, 1962.

RKS 2023 Film: “Here is Better”: Leaving That Box of Horror in the Desert

Yes, haven’t we all witnessed the carnage of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) particularly amongst veterans? Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Korea, France et al. Often it is the violent incidents associated with PTSD we encounter in the media. But there is also a quiet form of suffering without any violence except for violence against the soul of PTSD victims.

Thirteen million Americans are suffering from PTSD. Some 20 veterans a day are committing suicide suffering from PTSD. And Canadian vets as well are suffering after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These PTSD victims may kill their entire family and then turn the gun on themselves. In Canada more vets have committed suicide than died in Afghanistan.

“Here is Better” tracks four United States military vets that had served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. An intelligence officer sent on dangerous missions in Iraq without backup facing death at any moment. A U.S. Marine raped by men in her unit. A U.S. army driver seeing her husband blown up in Iraq. A Vietnam door gunner with a 1969-1970 tour of duty in Vietnam. PTSD can affect many suffering from trauma but American vets are three times more likely to suffer from PTSD than civilians. And it is not only direct combat that spawns PTSD as it can be the stress of operating as a soldier that is enough to trigger PTSD.

“Trigger” is a key word. A sound. A voice. A memory. They all may be harbingers of a PTSD reaction. It may affect all ranks of soldiers and manifest itself in such reactions as hyper alertness, fear, rage, isolation, terror, depression, violence and panic.

My father was a Royal Airforce flyer in the Battle of Britain. I recall on a rare occasion he’d take out his photo album full of photos with his squadron. Most of his friends were killed in action. His best friend who I was privileged to call “uncle” survived. My real uncle was shot down flying a mission over France at 22. Yet in those days it was be a man and suck it up.

Vietnam vets have fought tirelessly to recognize PTSD as a war injury. There are now therapies used with some degree of success which are described in the film. Eye Movement Desensitization, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Eastern spiritual exercises. The Cincinnati VA Trauma Recovery Centre offers a 7-week residential programme to deal with PTSD and has a 70% success rate meaning those in the 70% are no longer considered to be suffering from PTSD.

Best you listen to the horror stories of these four vets to understand the triggering events of PTSD and how each managed to climb out of the hell hole perhaps not to be cured but how to manage PTSD so it no longer has a suffocating grip on them.

As Dr. Kathleen Chard of the Cincinnati VA Trauma Recovery Centre states, “I don’t want to take away the memory but remove the control that memory has over you.”

Combat not only kills it destroys minds. PTSD is a disease that is finally getting the attention it deserves after hundreds of years of taking its toll.

Here and now is certainly superior to then and there and the tortured past.

Limited theatrical release on 23June2023 in the United States with a 27June2023 VOD release in North America.

You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmfAoB6TYMo

 Directed by Jack Youngelson.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 90/100.

RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!

The 27May2023 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Vintages Release catalogue has a snippet of a jamessuckling.com review for a Château Clou du Pin 2020 stating, “There is a rusty note in the finish that reminds you of rusty nails.” Indeed a most interesting descriptor! Yet “clou” in French means “nail” and thank goodness not a fingernail!

Aroma: There is no mistaking the Merlot in this 100% Merlot! Leaving aside this highly brilliant observation it is an aroma of controlled lushness. Loads of black plum, black cherry and blackberry.

Palate: Drum roll please as we await that rusty nail taste! Big tannins hold back the fruit but give it some Rodney Dangerfield respect. There is a bit of licorice and pepper on the finish along with homemade cherry jam but damn if I can find any rusty nails.

Cellarbility: I think this needs some decanting unless you have the patience to hold for 3-5 years.

Food Match: Grilled beef tenderloin or an Eggplant Parmesan made with field eggplant and tomatoes. Can’t wait for eggplants in August here in Ontario! Food a must for this wine.

Personality: I resent being nailed down by some wine writer stating I taste like nails. Probably some AI plot against me. I am a bit tough and chewy which a bit of aeration or ageing might help but being not a vampire no nail through my heart please.

Price: $18.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 88/100. Jamessuckling.com 89.

(Château Clou du Pin 2020, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, Domaines Fontana, Gensac, France, 750 mL, 15%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 28727.)

RKS 2023 Film: “Tramps”: A Riotous Explosion of Music, Art, Dance, Fashion and Early Drag of the New Romantics

So what is a tramp? A hobo meandering along with his belongings in a kerchief on a pole tramping along aimlessly. Or it could mean a “trashy” and promiscuous person. In the Canadian documentary “Tramps” the New Romantic culture is explored from creation to death and it has elements of both views of what a tramp is.

New Romanticism is a London based movement running from the early 1970’s and fizzling out in the early 90’s. Mostly disaffected youth not sharing their parent’s dreams of respectability and “success”. With little money but with much creativity you might wish to say they established a movement of punk music, new art, creative dance, film and fashion, heavily costumed and made-up personages living in squats and hanging out in clubs like The Roxy Club, The Cha Cha Club, Taboo Club and The Blitz.

The punk movement perhaps was one of the catalysts but as one commentator noted punk become clonal lacking creativity. If there is one definitive marker of the New Romantics it was “creative dressing and makeup” that formed the essence of the movement.

A key component of the New Romantics were queers. Much of the New Romantic fashion by today’s terms could be called drag. It was drugs and AIDS that decimated many of the New Romantics in the early 1990’s and weakened it. It was also the lure of fame and fortune and interestingly, high student debt levels that killed the New Romantic movement.

Although urban anthropologists may revel in the film many will be riveted to the screen by an explosion of costumes, make up, art, bizarre artistic productions and music commented upon by the now mature elements of the New Romantic movement. When and if you watch it just consider the cultural influence of the New Romantics.

On June 22, 2023 “Tramps” will have a special Pride screening in Toronto at the Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema followed by a panel discussion. Expect a July theatrical release.

Directed by Kevin Hegge. You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M594Ucn2pY8

RKS 2023 Film Rating 91/100.

RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?

When I saw the Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz having just under 5% Viognier added to it I thought perhaps it might be somewhat similar to a Côte-Rôtie of the Northern Rhône in France where Viognier is added to the Shiraz in very small quantities. Côte-Rôtie is very dear in price. I have two 2005’s which on release years ago were $60. Now? I’ll go with a more economical $32 Paringa on sale down from $37.

The Viognier was co-fermented with the Shiraz and aged for 11 months in seasoned French oak.

Aroma: Plum, blackberry, raspberry and black earth. As for Australian Shiraz in a class above most others. Happily, there is a latent raging acidity that is barricaded from asserting itself as if by magic. The only thing to send it spilling into the wine would be a direct hit from a Russian…..ooops Iranian supplied drone.

Palate: Smooth and rich with creeping tannins. A tad of white pepper. Plum, blackberry, raspberries on steroids like an East German (DDR) swimmer all with a long finish. The acids on the palate are even better hidden than on the nose.

Personality: I am what you might call a cool climate Shiraz with more in common with a Western Australian Margaret River Shiraz than those boastful big ass Southern Australian Shiraz’s. No insult intended. Up to you to determine if I am better but as we Aussie mates must stick together like our “stickie” brethren just say I am different.

Food Match: Served slightly chilled with Mushroom or Chicken Adobo. Best consumed with food.

Cellarbility: Will sail into 2027.

Price: $32 as a clearance price (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 92/100. Jane Faulkner 95/100.

(Paringa Estate 2019 Peninsula Shiraz, Mornington Peninsula, New South Wales, Australia, Paringa Estate Winery, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 10581).

RKS 2023 Film: “How to Rob”: Bostonian Small Time Hoods and Mob Hitmen Meet Their Match

“How to Rob” is an American film which is not graphic nor big studio assuaging. Sean Price (Chinaza Uche) and Jimmy Winters (Josh Koopman) are two Quincy, Massachusetts small time hoods robbing small time drug dealers and participants in high stakes card games. They receive tips from bar owner Judge (Kevin Nagle). Their legitimate business is landscaping which only accentuates their small-time hood status. Sean is somewhat of a good crook and Jimmy has a violent streak that lands both of them in deep shit being pursued by two Goodfellah type hitmen for $7,500. One of the hitmen complains the money is rotten but he needs it to take his daughter to Disneyland. Macabre humour.

Friendship and violence might have formed a friendship between Sean and Jimmy but in due course it claims a few bodies and saves one. Beware of Brazilians!

Solid casting and acting all around. A very good indie crime flick. Kevin Nagle has a supporting role but shines with an Irish type streak. Friendly, fatherly until of course the hitman from North Boston pay him a visit transforming the paternalistic character into an Iago with his Brazilian wife! Nagle thoroughly delivers in his supporting role.

“How to Rob” was directed and co-produced by Peter Horgan. It has been acquired by Good Deed Entertainment’s Cranked Up Films for North American rights and Nicely Entertainment for international rights.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 84/100.

Coming to you soon.

If you are in North Boston visit Cucina Massimino’s and drop into Mike’s for some cannoli.

RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo

I have made previous comments concerning the surge of red wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal leaving the Douro somewhat behind. In the 27May2023 LCBO Vintages release catalogue of the Portuguese reds 3 are from Alentejo and 1 from the Douro. The Herdade do Sobroso is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Aged 6 months in French oak then another three months in American oak. I have yet to see any Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon in Douro reds. Making an analogy to the “Super Tuscans” is it time to start thinking about Super Douro’s?

Aroma: packed with black fruit particularly black cherry but there is also some blueberry and cranberry with some light vanilla overtones.

Palate: Reticent tannins despite the fact this is a full-bodied wine with some heft. Blueberry pie and black cherry rule the roost here. Moderately long finish.

Food match: When I was in Porto for Wine and Travel Week in late February at a four-star hotel, Pestana Douro Riverside Hotel, I kept on asking for mains of which they were “out of”. In fact on my fourth try I discovered the only food they had was duck which is quite popular in the Douro so that is what I had and although a big portion by Canadian standards it was “tough”. This experience was one you would not expect from a Pestana Hotel. This wine would have suited “tough duck”.

Cellarbility: It will hold until the end of 2024 but will only marginally improve.

Personality: No flaws in me for sure. Reliable, dependable and that sums up today’s modern Alentejano wines.

Price: $18.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100.

(Herdade do Sobroso 2020, D.O.C. Alentejano, Sociedade Agro-Pec Herdade do Sobroso, Vidicueira, Portugal, 750 mL, 14%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 306563).

RKS Children’s Literature: “Children Who Dance in the Rain”: Materialism and Privilege Meets Spiritualism and Abject Poverty

“Children Who Dance in the Rain” is Sophie’s adventure from a cozy cocoon of materialism and privilege of the First World into the spiritualism and abject poverty of the Third World.

Sophie has it mighty good as the daughter of Indian immigrants eating fancy breakfasts and playing on her tablet. She is spoiled and selfish if not egocentric. Her parents decide to return to India for a visit with Sophie’s grandmother and Sophie receives the shock of her life arriving in a small Indian village where the bathroom is dirty, there is no electricity or internet and no pizza. Her reaction is to ask her parents to go somewhere “nice”.

OK as adults we might scoff at Sophie for being a spoiled little brat. However showing some compassion and understanding we must ask is Sophie’s attitude and ignorance really her fault or is she simply the product of a privileged society and parents that may have failed to discuss conditions in rural India? We read that Sophie learnt how to spell privilege in school but she has no concept of what it means.

Sophie encounters orphan Nanaki Kaur in the village carrying discarded plastic objects to sell to recyclers so she can buy food for her sick brother. Nanaki lives in a community of abandoned children without any of the comforts and toys Sophie has. Nanaki is generous offering Sophie a juice box she had been saving for a special occasion. Sophie realizes the food and vitamins she did not eat at home were a result of the privilege she had back home.

The child community plays with stars in the sky at night and see themselves as friends of the moon and when it rained the children danced in the rain. Sophie is introduced to spiritualism and takes that memory back to the First World with her.

A simple and entertaining story effectively delivering the message that there is more to life than materialism but it took a special journey for Sophie to understand that. Gratitude of children in different socio-economic and cultural environments is manifested by children in different ways.

There are many unrealities and gloss overs in the story but please let us remember this is a children’s story for the 5–9-year-old range. Was there ever really a big bad wolf in “Little Red Riding Hood”? Do we stop and question Jack’s trespassing and theft in “Jack and the Beanstalk”? This is a book for children not for more savvy adults!

The author Susan Justice is a lawyer and advocate based in British Columbia who co-founded “South Asians Against Childhood Abuse”.

100% of net proceeds from the sale of each fourth book will go to Save the Children, Give Well and Bright Sparks School in Mohali, India who are dedicated to providing education opportunities for underprivileged children.

The book is available now in Kindle Format on Amazon and on June 15th in Canada at Chapters-Indigo stores in physical format.

A multiple prize-winning book already including the 2023 Human Relations Children’s Book of the Year.

(“Children Who Dance in the Rain”, Susan Justice and illustrated by Lena Baroly, Compassionate Project Press, 2023).

Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome

Offley is a Sogrape brand. Pre-Covid I recall going out with the Sogrape folks to the Bolsa (Old Stock Exchange) in Porto for some stellar Portuguese beef…prime rib roast I recall and we had Port with the beef. It worked perfectly and I won’t forget that match. But mention it to just about anyone in North America and they will look at you with wide eyes and disbelief. What a shame.

Orange brickish hues around the rim of the glass are indicative of ageing.

Aroma: Marmalade, milk chocolate, Groselha (red currants), butterscotch, plump organic California raisins and roasted Portuguese almonds.

Palate: Smooth as a baby’s bottom as they say with a not an unpleasant burn. Look through the heat there is red plum, fig, and Triple Sec. An intriguing combination of heat, acidity and subdued fruit give this Tawny an extraordinarily long finish. Unlike many Vintage Ports or Late Bottled Vintage Ports there is no gush of luscious black fruits instead this is taught, tightfisted and hyper and would rather nervously pace around the room or even better play a marvellous Glen Gould piano concerto pounding away magically on the keyboard. Port Attention Deficit Syndrome.

Personality: Given the burn I exhibit I am a hot shot. Perhaps a “Top Gun” Port! Think of me as having a hot temper. I am not a complex personality but I got lots of zip.

Food Pairing: A bit too hot for pairing with solo beef. Perhaps a Sichuan hot pepper with orange beef or simply after dinner with some almonds and Oka cheese from Quebec. It would suit a multitude of Azorean soft cheeses.

Cellarbility: Perhaps hold until end of 2025.

Price: $26.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating; 89/100. Decanter.com 90.

(Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny, Sogrape, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, 750 mL, 20%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 297778).

RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum

I thought it a perfect time to watch the American documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” while Canadian forest fires rage in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta and Health Canada advises many Canadians to stay indoors, close windows and wear a N95 mask outdoors in face of a dangerous particulate smog. Yes I was going to watch all about forest fires not really understanding all catastrophic community damaging fires are not forest fires!

In this documentary we receive a historical lesson in American forest fire ideology and the effects of “settlement” on the Western United States. Indigenous populations in California and Oregon respected fire and had their own system of controlled burns to reinvigorate the landscape to promote new growth and attract wildlife. They were arrested as arsonists and some of them hanged by the colonizers.

The documentary starts with footage showing the power and fury of some of Oregon and California wildfires and the harrowing stories of those trying to escape it. That leaves a lasting impression. We hear from biologists, scientists, firefighters, ecologists, survivors and indigenous fire practitioners discussing wildfires and the validity of techniques used to control the fire. But can the fire ever be controlled? In fact it is more the embers than the fire that cause community destruction. Should we be thinking more of “ember management”?

The techniques of fuel reduction techniques to fight wildfires is discussed in detail. This consists of clearing and thinning and much doubt is expressed about this long-used technique of “fuel management”.

You will learn about private and public wildfire management and their efficacy. What role does climate change play in the spread of wildfire? Is a destroyed forest a destructive bomb or a boon? What role does a new forest play as opposed to an old growth forest in capturing carbon? What do indigenous populations in the Western United States have to teach firefighters from other countries such as Canada or Spain?

The potential solution to community destruction from wildfire might seem elementary but it may have taken so many years to begin to recognize that wildfires and their community destruction can be managed in other ways than attacking the fire with manpower and equipment. It is clear by the raging power of wildfires propelled by high wind little can be done by mounting an offensive against the fire. In massive wildfires the fireman is not going to do much. The time is ripe for creative reimagining of how to manage community destruction perhaps more than managing the fire itself?

You can see a trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4qAgoeOTZs

“Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” is directed by Trip Jennings. It will be released in North America on 13June, 2023 on TVOD/Digital and TVD’s.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 89/100.