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.

RKS 2023 Wine:  It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong

Is there an offensive launched by Portugal’s Alentejo region these days in Ontario? Is the Douro taking it on the chin? Alentejano reds completely outnumber whites and while they may utilize mostly indigenous grapes the Alicante Bouschet grape features predominantly in the red blends. Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet crossed in France by Henri Bouschet in the mid 1880’s. It is thick skinned, a high yielder and deeply coloured. Alicante Bouschet has been used for decades in Southern France to give light red wines more colour.

In this instance we have a Terra Lenta red being a blend of Trincadeira, Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet.

Aroma: Blackberry, red cherry, cactus pear, blueberry with a hint of milk chocolate.

Palate: Moderate broad-based tannins. Tight structure. Tightly wound fruit. Blueberry, pomegranate and a titch of dark chocolate and a peppery twist.

Personality: Effusive personality if you judge me by aroma alone. Once I splash on your tounge I clam up and hide my fruit like a drug trafficker desperately flushing down his dope when the police battering ram strikes his door.

Food Match: Canned salmon and 35% cream added to a sauce of garlic, scallions, caned tomatoes, basil, oregano and vodka just before that sauce is fully cooked. I used to use smoked salmon but wild Alaskan canned salmon is just as good if not better believe it or not.

Cellarbility: Can’t see any improvement with age. Drink before 2025.

Price: $13.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100. Rod Phillips 91/100.

(Terra Lenta Premium Vinho Tinto 2020, Alentejo D.O.C. , Carmim, Reguenos de Monsaraz, Portugal, 750 mL, 14.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 646083).

RKS 2023 Film: “Americonned”

The American documentary “Americonned” is an attack on the tiered economic system of the United States which is tilted heavily in favour the rich and highlights those attempting initiatives to “even out” the disparities in that system. The Bezos, Musk, Branson romps of the obscenely rich versus the unemployed and struggling! The goal of many is to build a fair and equitable society in the face of a widening gap of the monied oligarchy and those struggling to put food on the table. The optimum way is set forth as a rah rah for unionization. One example is the unionization of Amazon’s Staten Island, New York distribution centre. The first union Amazon has ever dealt with in its workforce.

The documentary looks at the history of unionization and the direction in which it is heading. Economists, academics, authors, political activists, the struggling victims of the economy and even a venture capitalist all stating the current system in inequitable and must change given “globalization” artificial intelligence, automation, the stalemate of American national politics, the gig economy and more. There is a huge amount of archival footage!

In case you don’t know it Big Business plays dirty and have been doing so for years failing to understand if they fail to adequately compensate employees the day may come when there is another insurrection in Washington this time of the economically displaced and if matters go off the rails armed conflict. Didn’t Roosevelt’s New Deal make more sense and show a degree of compassion than space romps of billionaires! Are the rich the purveyors of the big con?

“Americonned” will have a United States’ theatrical release on 9June and a VOD release in North America on 13 June.

You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zLqjJzDm8o

Directed by Sean Claffey.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 86/100.

RKS Literature: A Russian’s View of Politics

“He, to whom so called politics (that ridiculous sequence of pacts, conflicts, aggravations, frictions, discords, collapses and the transformation of perfectly innocent little towns into the names of international treaties) meant nothing, would sometimes immerse himself into the vast bowels of Vasilev and live for an instant actuated by his, Vasilev’s inner mechanism where next to the “Locarno” button there was one for “Lockout” and where a pseudo-clever, pseudo entertaining game was conducted by such ill-hatched symbols as “the Five Kremlin Leaders” or “The Kurd Rebellion” or individual surnames that had lost all human connotations: Hindenburg, Marx, Painlevé, Herriot….. this was a world of prophetic utterances, presentiments, mysterious combinations; a world that was a hundredfold more spectral than the most abstract dream.”

Vladimir Nabokov, “The Gift”, 1962.

RKS 2023 Wine: Primarius Oregonian Pinot Noir: Meaty and Intellectual?

I reviewed an Iranian-French film last night, titled “Subtraction” and my take was that it was meaty and intellectual as to content. Can a wine be meaty and intellectual?

I have had a few wines that have had some meatiness to them often with notes of smoked meat. It is interesting that both red wines and smoked meat contain nitrates! One red wine from British Columbia I had years ago from Hester Creek reeked of hot dogs. Sulfuric overload!  Meaty can also mean dense and chewy.

I am not certain a wine can be intellectual however if we interpret a highly nuanced and complicated wine of which there are many yes a wine can be intellectual. Additionally think of all the decisions that have to be made about, pruning, fermenting, ageing, blending and clonal selection wine has a huge intellectual component.

After digressing over the best film I have reviewed this year I suppose it is time to review a Primarius 2020 Oregonian Pinot Noir.

Aroma: A very muscular Pinot Noir with none of those delicate raspberry and strawberry notes one might expect from an Okanagan Pinot Noir. Oregonian Pinot Noirs are a little weightier than those Okanagan Pinot Noirs but this one tips the scale making it difficult to categorize it as a Pinot Noir. Bits of raspberry and strawberry scattered about like a bad motor vehicle accident. No meat on the nose just an abundance of rawness!

Palate: Just rawness with almost no fruit except for some eloquent black cherry thrashing about like an Iranian theocrat sentencing a protestor to death by hanging but yes some smoked brisket.

Food Pairing: Will some fatty smoked meat on rye revive this wine?

Cellarbility: If you are going to drink this do it now. Unless some blessing from the big ayatollah will rescue it from perdition.

Price: $26.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 74/100. Eric Asimov of New York Times 4 out of 5 stars

(Primarius 2020 Pinot Noir, Oregon, Primarius Winery, Dundee, Oregon, 750 mL, 13.2%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 402180).

RKS 2023 Wine: More Good Ontario Gamay? Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir

Aroma: Cherry, raspberry and a bit of mocha. Simple and delightful.

Palate: Modest tannins. Light and smooth with Niagara cherry, blackberry, almonds and a bit of red pepper jelly. Short finish.

Personality: OK I might not be bursting with fruit on the palate but essentially I am nonchalant and easy going. Perhaps I have a bit too much oak. Excuse me.

Food Pairing: Mussels in a tomato, chorizo sausage, red wine, scallion and basil sauce with Portuguese cornbread for mopping up the broth.

Cellarbility: Drink now.

Price: $22 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 86/100.

(Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir, VQA Creek Shores (Mia Cara Vineyard), Di Profio Estate Wines Incorporated, Jordan Station, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.7%).