RKS Literature: On the Verge of Death

“Watching Sophie with her breath misting the inside of the translucent green breathing mask. There was a terrible acceleration. The idea that Sophie could die had always been there, ever since the first diagnosis, and yet it had seemed like a bad place on the map, an Ivory Coast, somewhere not urgently frightening because fear itself kept you away from the place. You thought of it as somewhere braver people went, or at least somewhere you’d have plenty of time to pack your bags for. And yet here he was, suddenly in his tracksuit, with the housekeys, the car key, his phone, and five pounds seventy-three in the pockets watching Sophie do something that might be dying. This was the nature of time: it was a wide, elegant and gently descending spiral staircase whose last dozen steps were unexpectedly rotten. “

Chris Cleave “Gold”, 2012, Simon & Schuster

RKS News Release: Ontario Children Are Born Under Cabbage Leaves!

Spoof Media Services: Toronto, Ontario 12 August2022: The Minister of Health of Ontario Sylvia Jones today stated that children born in Ontario are born under cabbage leaves and accordingly nurses and doctors were no longer required to assist in the birthing process. The Ontario government announced a 36% decrease in obstetrician staff will be mandated which will be replaced by farmer brigades familiar with cabbage production. Ms. Jones, an unseasoned political from nowhere land in the most important ministerial portfolio in Ontario said it was those “damned nurses exploiting vacations” that were to blame for the “media aggravated crisis” of a non- existent health crisis. Jones’s background in broadcast journalism has purportedly enabled her to flim flam the masses. Premier Ford at a Ford Nation BBQ stated, “We need inexperienced people that I can manipulate in the health portfolio”. Ontario Ontario Oh is a Place to Grow and Such a Place to Snow You Dumb Fucks”. Apparently Doug had a few too many  Wobbly Pops!

“Virus # 26 Director’s Cut: Chapter 16 “Lessons Learnt from the COVIDs; Fuck the Vulnerable Movement”

Initially COVID-19 witnessed a polite population where the only sacrifice was finding toilet paper, surgical masks, hand sanitizer, yeast and bottled water then hiding out at home. Hospital beds just managed to cope with the seriously ill. Now the seriously ill and the fatalities were highly skewed towards the elderly in scandalously filthy and incompetently managed long term care residences housing the seriously ill elderly the medical system had worked blindly to keep alive despite the poor quality of life they had.

Yes as a cardiologist I had warned so many of these unfortunates their lifestyle was killing them before they landed in long term care facilities but as many do (and sometimes wisely) they ignored the warnings I gave them and many paid the price with strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and then once immobile obesity. So the initial COVID fatalities were not the youngsters at an Alabama beach on Spring Break or at Trinity-Bellwood’s Park in Toronto but the febrile and crippled elderly or the diabetics, obese, indigenous populations, the homeless or those affected by heart issues. I recall seeing a study out of the United Kingdom in the early days of COVID-16 that 46% of COVID hospital admissions were obese people.

As subsequent waves of COVID-19 hit post 2020 the casualties were enormous and just about wiped out all those with comorbidities, poverty or ethnicity as described above. Yet the drain on the health care system dealing with the comorbidities resulted in excluding the non COVID afflicted millions from care if such a concept existed in their country. You need cataract surgery too bad so sad as we have top of the pops COVID to deal with! You are in pain and need a hernia operation then we will put you on a waiting list to get on the waiting list.

So in many Western countries with hospital beds and possible life saving technology a movement began to form which took on the nomenclature of “Fuck the Vulnerable Movement”. The movement was a movement for some and for others a silent way of thinking and was somewhat reminiscent of the “We are the 99%” movement that flashed up and out in the 90’s. In this case it was not resentment but rather extreme fear of being left to die in street as “the fat, old and crippled” received all the medical attention. And many not in the priority grouping did die in the street but not before firebombing long term care facilities, committing murderous atrocities in aboriginal communities and bludgeoning to death the obese.

For a time they were contained by police and the military but they remained a bubbling lava core ready to re-emerge to meet Virus #26 with a virulent right wing movement. The core leadership was located in Michigan and Florida and apparently had links to the Klan, Proud Boys and the tattered remnants of Trump supporters. It made an easy transition to Europe in Hungary and Germany where it was nationalized by the neo-Nazi movement and exported to disaffected millennials throughout Europe furious their sidewalk cafes had been closed by social distancing mania. Never ever separate a millennial from cherished outdoor patios!

The bottom line thought of these groups was why waste resources and vaccinations on the sickest and most frail. Why weren’t the healthy young population worth priority? As the vaccination supplies withered and hospital occupancy rates reached the maximum the Fuck the Vulnerable movement gained steam. At one point they managed to create a social media advertising campaign questioning the wisdom of vaccinating a 82 year old Alzheimer’s “vegetable” as opposed to parents of a young family struggling to survive in the midst of job cuts. The politico-medico elites paid no attention to Darwinism. As a physician I condemned the “Fuck the Vulnerable” as at least to me it reeked of Nazi ideals of let the undesirables be wiped out to focus on the “strong”. But all are equal in our socialized medical system in Canada but not with COVID. Was there no better more equitable fashion of apportioning medical resources?

RKS Wine: Hairy Brute Wine from Spain

The red wine El Goru from Jumilla in Spain has a caveman on its label. Artistically done of course. It is a blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot none of which can be referred to as primal.

On the nose while not a snarling cave man attacking you with a club the wine has the aromas of a gruff nature. Cherry, raspberry, red beet and cactus pear. On the palate the tannins are moderate and the acidity very harmonious. Malted chocolate, strawberry jam, red pepper jelly with jalapeno pepper with root beer. As the wine aerates on the finish the acidity makes an appearance within the bounds of propriety. There is Petit Verdot in the blend and that grape can add some perfume and eccentricity in the wines it is blended with. In this case it does add just a touch of levity to the wine lifting it above a curmudgeon type of wine. Match with baby goat, grilled lamb, spicy sausage or Spanish mackerel filets cooked in tomato sauce with Jalapeno peppers. And given its intensity it is really best suited to foods as about 80% of European wines are. I suppose you call that generations crafting wine to suit the local cuisine. I should add the wine has been oaked but it must be neutral or old oak and the wood is way in background and barely detectable.

Hold until end of 2023.

(El Goru 2020, DOP Jumilla, Ego Bodegas, Jumilla, Spain, $13.95, 750 mL, 14%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 443945, RKS Wine Rating 89/100).

RKS Film: “The Movie: It’s Only Compelling If It’s Real”: CREEPY!

“The Movie” is a deceptive horror movie. Warning that reality is always lurking in front of you but you may be deceived by what you think is satire. Of course, the entire film could be satirical but near its conclusion it loses its lighthearted veneer. Quite frankly once the ending manifests itself you may be subject to an extremely uncomfortable feeling the writer and director (Michael Mandell) has been playing with you.

Of course, I really can’t reveal the plot other than saying a strange courier named Walter (Jarod Pistilli) has a special delivery for 44 year old Janet Gillespie (Bonnie Root) and convinces her to let him enter her home to deposit the large crate in Janet’s living room. Janet is a former childhood movie star with strong creds having been nominated years ago for an Academy Award.

Walter wants to shoot a movie with Janet and himself starring. So he ties her up to a dolly and the movie begins its twisted road. Walter is a bumbler and the script he has written for the movie is plainly idiotic. Walter slowly degrades Janet and steals everything worth value playing the role of Gustav the plumber. My mind strayed a bit in the early part of the film thinking Walter was a twit however at some point I began to think he was psychotic and suffering from multiple personalities. My view of this film being a satirical and lighthearted look at home invasions gradually evolved into the twisted personality of Walter.

Walter insists that acting is only compelling if its real and he means what he says and you no doubt will be convinced by the big toe this is no lighthearted horror flick. You the viewer are gradually dawn into the disturbed mind of Walter.

I may have said too much!

Root is entirely solid both while “acting” and acting herself. Super solid. Pistilli is harder to read playing the fool but quickly evolving into a very menacing character.

Quite frankly a very inventive and creative movie. Sure there can be comparisons to “Sunset Boulevard”, “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” and “Strawberry Plastic” but this film should not be tarnished by comparisons.

It is rare a “horror movie” horrifies me but this one does particularly as it almost initially has a comedic element.

The film is compelling as it is real.

The film will be released on digital platforms on September 6th.

You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/733802140/00a3fb8f45

RKS Film Rating 92/100 and on shiver meter 96.

RKS Travel: So Your European Flight Delay/Cancellation/Rescheduling Has Caused You Aggravation: Your Rights as a Passenger

Thanks to less than astute airline and airport management coupled with the Canadian federal government’s COVID obsession Toronto Pearson’s Airport is now the worst in the world for delays and baggage loss.

However I have several recountings of numerous European delays, flight cancellations and a stern warning from a diplomatic contact to avoid checking in your baggage in Europe at all costs. A neighbour flying to Greece next month has had two flights rescheduled already within Greece.

So the two Greek airlines Olympic and Aegean notified my neighbour of the delay and rescheduling but when I look at the e-mails my neighbour sent me from the two airlines there was no mention of what right he had to compensation. Convenient.

So see the attached for your rights for claims against airlines in the EU https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

“Travels to a Different Time” : 13August2000: Good-Bye Greece

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and a mediocre breakfast at a faded beauty of a hotel. The Greek yogurt with Greek honey is always a treat. The dining room is huge and the obnoxious bright fluorescent lights make you feel like an inmate at a penitentiary. A view of the fountain but is sadly dried up as it is a beautiful fountain. Further evidence of the decline of a grand dame. A good cabbie whisked me to the airport in quiet Sunday traffic. Purchased some honey and Metaxa brandy at the airport. My Olympic flight to London was as usual delayed. Uneventful flight and took the bus at Heathrow to Terminal 3 for Air Canada flight back to Toronto. Had a mediocre lunch in Terminal 3 at Chez Girard. I was so looking forward to a British beer but all they had was Budweiser. OH THE HORROR!

RKS Film: “Studio 17: The Lost Reggae Tapes”

If you are a ska or reggae aficionado “Studio 17: The Lost Reggae Tapes” is a mandatory film and for the rest of us interested in the history of music it is almost as compelling. And if you a history buff the documentary is in many ways a history of Jamaica from the 1960’s to the present day.

Randy “Vincent” Chin and his wife Pat started Randy’s Records in the Parade District of Kingston Jamaica in the late 1950’s. A recording studio, Studio 17 was then added on the second floor. Just about anyone involved in Jamaica with ska and reggae recorded at Studio 17. They could record, take a break and head downstairs and be submerged in yet more music. His son Clive eventually took over Vincent’s recording skills and responsibilities.

As a viewer you’ll luxuriate in archival film, music and photographs of the many artists that passed through Studio 17 including Jimmy Cliff, Lord Creator, Pete Tosh and Bob Marley. After awhile the many artists and their music becomes a delightful blur. But Jamaican independence from Britain in 1962 never really panned out to the greater glory of Jamaica and instead political violence exploded starting in mid 1970 with riots and gun battles in the street. Peter Tosh is murdered. The situation deteriorated so badly the Chins and many others fled Jamaica in 1978. The Chins emigrated to New York City to Jamaica New York near Kennedy Airport. VP Records named after Vincent and Pat was established but Americans knew little of reggae other than Bob Marley. VP became the largest global distributor of reggae and dance hall music.

The Chins left behind countless tapes of artists recording at Studio 17. Hurricane Gilbert struck the island in 1988. Clive returned to Jamaica in the mid 90’s and despite looting and hurricane damage the tapes were safely stored and brought back to New York where they were archived and digitalized.

Vincent’s son Joel returned to Jamaica and unfortunately was murdered by a lone gunman in 2011 which spurred on Vincent to revive and bring the “lost tapes” to the world’s attention. So enjoy the music and history and there is a treasure trove of this in the documentary.

The documentary will be shown in some Canadian theatres and also in Spain and the United Kingdom starting August 10th and it includes an August 15th screening at Toronto Hot Docs Cinema.

Directed by Mark James.

RKS Film Rating 91/100.

“Travels to A Different Time” : 12August2000: Epidavros, Greece: Off to The Sunken City and Staying at a Grand Hotel In Athens on the Decline!

Off in a boat with a local met at a restaurant to see the sunken city. Atlantis? Just out of the port into another bay with ancient ruins on the hills. It was thought there was a town there in antiquity but an earthquake or volcano destroyed it and it slid into the sea. Indeed below the boat there were more ruins but the water was choppy so the view was not so good. But the thought of a city that disappeared below the ocean surface is intriguing and special. We chugged along the coast and there were those Dutch and French campers on the beaches full of overweight men and women many burnt to a crisp. Then past renowned Greek actress Melina Mecouri’s summer house. A couple of hours back in Hotel Christina for a late breakfast. Paid hotel bill and back to the Flying Dolphin for the hydrofoil back to Piraeus. Ended up in the President Hotel in Athens. It struck me that years ago this was THE HOTEL in Athens but it badly needs updating. As they say the bones are good but it is in a good area of Athens unlike the Hotel Stanley. The rooms may be old but spotless and proud. There are high end shops and clean streets without shifty characters milling about. Had a swim at the rooftop pool but it lacks the ambience and view of the Stanley Hotel. Back to Kolonaki Pizzeria for an overly salty cheese pizza which necessitated downing a litre of spring water on the way home. Fell asleep like a rock. Back to Toronto tomorrow.

RKS Film: “The Art of Making It”: The Power Structure in the Art World

The documentary “The Art of Making It” clearly outlines the current power structure in the American art world and presents the views of young artists seeking survival outside the mainstream.

The large galleries are currently in the driver’s seat and for many artists being carried by a mega gallery is a mark of success. 50 art galleries in the United States control 90% of the major showings.

The mega galleries have the wealthy patrons and collectors. They have so much influence that they “sign-up” second year students at fine art schools like major league baseball teams signing up high school students. In today’s art world the ticket to possible success is enrollment in a nationally recognized fine arts programme. Did Vincent Van Gogh have a Master of Fine Arts? Who can afford the tuition at Yale for a Master of Fine Arts programme? And if you are admitted don’t be too inventive or like one young black artist experienced you will be booted. Boola Boola to the Yalies.

If you are going to make it in the American art world as an artist start at the bottom of the food chain in a Master of Fine Arts programme, exhibit at a small gallery move to a mid tier gallery and then with a mega gallery.

If you are an artist of colour life is tougher as most curators of galleries are Caucasian and if there is a person of colour does their upper middle-class existence have any connection with the difficulties young artists of colour face and what they are producing?

We hear from many young artists struggling against the art world power structure. That structure picks up who they think are winners and possibly the next hot new thing. Then there are the sharks or “astute investors” acting like speculators in a futures market buying entire collections of up and comers then storing it and hoping to sell their investments off years later.

But is anything revolutionary here? Art is a commodity in a market and those who control the market share the spoils. And like an economic system that is riddled with sexism and colour bias did you expect anything less? The art world is unregulated and governmental spending on supporting artists in the United States is the lowest in the developing world. One gallery in the documentary will not sell to a list of sharks it maintains.

The documentary concludes with some artsts musing if the art world will change? Have a listen and are we left with dreamers?

Perhaps like me you have visited many art galleries and museums and seen a work of art you liked. You might remember this documentary and give some thought how that piece of art appeared before your eyes. I recall seeing a very powerful Finnish documentary tracing the history behind a tin of ravioli in a Finnish supermarket. Every ingredient was traced and the whole production process filmed. Will art ever be more than a tin of ravioli? Did Andy Warhol have a secret vision with his tin of Campbell’s soup!

The film opened on August 5th at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto and if you missed it keep your eyes open as it will no doubt be making the rounds.

This 94-minute American documentary was directed by Kelcey Edwards.

RKS Film Rating 79/100.