“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 39: The Worst Day of My Life: Naples An Assembly Line of Death

I wanted desperately to return to Naples to my Ginevra who I was beginning to miss terribly. Physicians at the hospital were concerned the bone chip near my heart might be an issue so travel was forbidden until a round of tests was completed. I was in gnawing pain and miserable. John Lennon gunned down in New York. I just had to leave this cesspool even if it was to the violence of Naples. Ginevra did the best she could to keep my spirits up talking about our baby kicking her in the womb like a professional soccer player. That made me chuckle but being so distant it just made me cry in utter desperation.

I took long walks in Central Park but even then it brought more sadness as it sparked memories of the wonderful walks I had in the park with John Lennon. It was as if I had no place to turn to but a depressing and lonely hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Central Park South. I had no appetite. Nothing to do. No place to go. New York once a glowing gem for me was nothing more than a piece of fool’s gold.

Then it happened. The worst day in my life. After a walk in the frigid Central Park I returned to the Ritz and as I entered into the lobby one of the crew from Don Lupara’s family I recognized “Greasy Fingers” Alfonso. Alfonso said he wanted to check up on me as Ginevra was unable to. We went to the lobby bar and had a martini and Alfonso said my beloved Ginevra, my sweet Calabrian plum and my unborn child had been killed in a roadside explosion. It was Cyclops that claimed responsibility. Naples, an assembly line of death.

As for what happened after that I remember very little except descending into a hellish violent rage. In fact it was a rampage smashing mirrors, lamps and anything in sight. I was later told Alfonso had attempted to stop me but I tossed that muscular man aside like a toddler. Police came along with the boys in white from Bellevue. I was placed in a straight jacket and off I was whisked. Ginevra dearest had been taken from me.

RKS 2023 Film: “Silent Love”: LGBTQ Stressful Living

“Silent Love” will be showing at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival in Utah on 21/25January. The film has a LGBTQ thread running through it but it is not solely LGBTQ themed.

In this Polish film 35-year-old Aga rushes from Frankfurt back to Warzaw to visit her mother on her death bed. Her mother, a widow, leaves behind her young teen son Milosz who is of course Aga’s brother.

Aga relinquishes her live in lesbian relationship with Maja behind in Germany to care for bother Milosz. As she wants to be the guardian for Milosz, she must apply to Polish authorities and endure questioning and a hearing so as this will take time she returns to her late mother’s village in the Polish countryside.

Aga and Maja exchange visits with Aga trying to persuade Maja to leave Germany and join her in Poland. Maja makes the decision to try and make it a permanent move. This is when the stress starts to build. The Polish village Roman Catholic priest gives a rousing sermon about the sanctity of man and woman as the foundation of a godly life all this with Aga and Maja sitting in the pews receiving a few spiteful looks from the parishioners. Aga must deal with the stress of losing her mother, having to become Milosz’s guardian including an intrusive hearing, dealing with Maja’s family in Poland learning that Maja is gay and dealing with a son who mocks faggots but fails to realize Aga and Maja are gay. Then Aga has to devise effective techniques to discipline 15-year-old Milosz who has stolen 50 zlotys to buy himself an e-cigarette. And of course, Maja has similar obstacles to the world knowing she is gay. Their love once silent is very noisy in the village gossip circuit.

Both Aga and Maja hold firm facing these life events. At the final guardianship hearing for Milosz Aga lies about her live in lesbian relationship fearing a prejudicial sting. The question is once this silent love is “exposed” would it destroy Aga’s case. Are Aga’s lies fatal to her guardianship?

The director, writer and cinematographer is Marek Kozakiewicz.

You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/705736699

RKS 2023 Film Rating 83/100.

RKS 2023 Film: “Godland”: Stark and Lush Characters and Cinematography

“Godland” is a Danish/Icelandic film replete with both stark and lush characters and topography. The cinematography and the soundtrack capture the stark yet lush landscape of Iceland. The characters too are both stark and rich and as a former casting agent I would venture to say absolute impeccable casting in “Godland”.

There are certain historical and political tangents running through the film. Iceland was under Danish and Norwegian rule from 1262-1944. If you look carefully and have a sharp and critical mind you’ll discern certain negative barbs at Danish colonialism but they are subtle where they could be very well rantable.

The film opens with young Danish priest Lucas sitting bolt upright listening to details about his assignment in Iceland from a senior Danish clergy official absolutely stuffing his face in a noisy and gluttonous manner. Lucas is to treat himself like an apostle to manage the strange and wild people of Iceland. Perhaps the most valuable piece of advice Lucas receives is that he must adapt to the Icelandic people and culture or his task will come to nothing. OK then a fat greedy Denmark sending an apostle to convert the heathens?

Lucas sets sale from Denmark to Iceland landing far from his destination so he can journey through Iceland to get a better idea of the country he has been sent to build a church in. He intends to photograph the country and its people. Upon meeting his guide Ragnar, the Danish priest is awkward, condescending, cold, arrogant and blundering making no connection with the Icelanders and more likely alienating them and earning their scorn. Ragnar quickly refers to Lucas as a “Danish Devil”. Due to the stupidity and arrogance of Lucas there is a death in the horse caravan taking Lucas to his destination. Throughout the film rotting animals and humans are seen but they are all absorbed into the terrain. Just a part of Icelandic life that Lucas will soon participate in.

Upon reaching his destination Lucas is nothing but a callous incompetent neither an intellectual nor a competent cleric. He is but an enormous embarrassment to his church and to all Danes but when has that ever bothered a colonial power? Lucas is failure and a fornicating and a murderous hypocrite. Iceland devours him like it does animals and humans it has conquered. Iceland conquers the Dane Lucas. Danish colonialism suffers a defeat most likely totally unnoticed or understood in Denmark. Such is the callousness of colonialism and its inherent brutality that its apostles are nothing but cannon fodder in the colonial march.

The cinematography is perhaps the biggest treat for the viewer. It is spectacular. It is stark yet incredibly rich and propels the film forward irrespective of any political message.

The casting is impeccable. Elliot Crosset Hove as Lucas conveys arrogance, stupidity and awkwardness to a sublime level. The gutsy Ragnar played by Ingvar Sigurðsson is almost a primitive incarnation of an unconquerable Iceland. Ragnar is almost godlike. Lucas is black death. The supporting cast is cast to absolute perfection.

Iceland is close to Godland and the Danish colonial intrusion is indeed devilish!

The director is Hlynur Pálmason.

You can watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/789053419

The film opens in theatres in Canada on February 3, 2023.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 95/100.

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Carménère: If You Can’t Do It Right Go Home!

When it is a matter of Chilean Carménère if you can’t do it right go home. The Chileans more often than not vint top rate Carménère. You come to expect a quality red wine with a bottle of Carménère. From my perspective to date raspberry and strawberry notes are a possible tip off to high quality Carménère and no I am not talking about Pinot Noir. It’s a bit like Cabernet Franc in Ontario in the sense that one can almost count on a decent bottle of Ontario Cabernet Franc and if you don’t get one well the winemaker ought to go home.

Now I have put my foot in my mouth by daring to make any comparison of Pinot Noir to Carménère so read no further but I’ll try a Primus 2019 Carménère from the Colchagua.

Aromatics: Should I be worried with the absence of raspberry and strawberry? On the nose loads of black cherry and blackberry with figs and dark chocolate. Rich and alluring.

Palate: Smooth and supple with light tannins. Blackberry rules but thank goodness not jammy. Some Balkan cherry nectar. A hint of pepper. Full bodied but agile and light footed.

Personality: You might take me for a complicated intellectual full of unintelligible vocabulary and back off thinking I am out to bamboozle you. But hoist a glass of me and you will find me serious with much to say but I am at heart simple, pure and true. The pure will be my organic parentage.

Food Match: Barbeque Hoisin Blackberry Ribs. And you though blackberries were only a breakfast starter or ingredients in a dessert.

Cellarbility: Drinking so beautifully now why bother ageing this wine. It will perhaps marginally improve in the bottle over the next two years. Drink by the end of 2026.

In a nutshell: A black fruit personality. Full bodied but smooth and very pure. Organic wines often display a purity of fruit evident in this wine. This wine was done just right so nobody must go home. If this wine is going anywhere it should be in your home.

Price: $19.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 93/100. TimAtkin.com 93.

(Primus 2019 Organic Carménère, D.O. Apalta Colchagua, Alto de Casablanca, Casablanca, Chile, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 439356, 750 mL, 14%). 

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon Doing 50/50 So Far

Late in 2022 and early into 2023 Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is 50/50. The Maipo leads in the top 50% and the Cachapoal is in the bottom 50…the real bottom.

The 2019 Primus Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Maipo yet the 2020 vintage will be from Colchagua being released in Ontario on 21January2023. In Ontario there remains high inventory of the 2019 vintage. It may very well be subject to a mark down.

So how fares the 2019 Primus Cabernet Sauvignon?

Aromatics: Big time hedonistic black fruit with a healthy dose of blueberry.

Palate: The tannins are moderate in this full-bodied wine. Blueberry, black cherry and blackberry vie for attention. The rich flavours border on that of a Late Bottled Vintage Port. A smooth finish with moderate length.

Personality: I am a stout well fed squire happy to sit on the hearth and pat my hunting dogs after the fox run. Confident, successful and well endowed with gold coins I need not have to impress anyone…my modesty of course requires no praise.

Food Match: A mild blue cheese such as Cambazola with a chunk of dark chocolate.

Cellarbility: Drinking well now. Will improve in bottle peaking in 2026.

Price: $22.95 (Ontario).

In a nutshell: Solid Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon far outclassing Californian brothers in the $25-30 price range.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 92/100. Jamessuckling.com 91.

(Primus 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Viñedos Veramonte, Casablanca, Chile, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 486043, 750 mL, 13.5%)

Misadventures in Wine Chapter 6: Wine Drinker Profiles: “The Intimidated”

Do you ever see someone in the aisles looking overwhelmed? What wine to purchase! So many countries! So many regions! So many appellations! Different price ranges! This may the driving reason for the “I don’t care” crowd or the “stuck in the rut” folks. Stick to a limited choice range and preserve your mental health. Why suffer panic attacks over wine selection! The intimidated reminds me of a story of Americans in Paris (not the movie) where a couple were so intimidated about not speaking French they ate at McDonald’s every night. Zut Alors!

RKS 2023 Film: “Pro Pool” (Piscine Pro): Revenge on an Unpleasant Reality

Charles-Olivier is a newly minted graduated with a most relevant Bachelor of Arts in Civilization and Viking History. In his first post graduate job he finds a job as a salesclerk at a suburban pool shop. Be prepared to watch reality meeting miseducation in this short film from Quebec which made the selection for the Sundance Film Festival (Short Film Section) and will be playing January 21,23,24 and 28th.

If you have been in the workforce whether in an office tower or in a warehouse you can identify with the loafer, all over your ass boss, demanding customers and the multitude of petty rules.

Charles-Olivier can’t fit in socially or with any proper competence. Is he a loser or underqualified/overqualified?

You might cheer at the revenge or you might feel disgusted at its immaturity or feel a bit of both. It was unexpected and made me jump up in my chair in shock.

An anti capitalist or anti-Millennial film? Or toss all political interpretation and enjoy or suffer through the film. Take either side and you’ll walk away satisfied. You can’t say that about many films.

Alec Pronovost was a former Club Piscine employee and is the writer and director for the film. 8 minutes of sheer fun.

In French with English subtitles.

You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/780780194

RKS 2023 Film Rating 90/100.

Misadventures in Wine Chapter 5: Wine Drinker Profiles: “The Explorer”

An Explorer dislikes being stuck in a rut or comfort zone. The Explorer may have favourite wines but refuses to be imprisoned by them and constantly looks for new wines, new wine regions and new producers. There is the Random Explorer who has no agenda in wine selection but buys on newness. There is also the Strategic Explorer that has an agenda in wine selection and that could be specific producers, specific geographic regions or countries. The Strategic Explorer might decide to explore Chilean wines, Chilean reds, Chilean whites or specific producers or grapes. The Explorers might add to their favourite lists but never rest their palate to discover the next great wine.

“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 38: Good-Bye John Lennon

I spent three days in a New York hospital. The bullet had gone clean through my shoulder except for nipping a bit of bone which X rays revealed came to rest a few centimetres from my heart. Those hollow point bullets are nasty things.

In considerable pain I headed back to my room at the Ritz Carlton Central Park South thanking the effects of morphine on the pain. I thought about The Rolling Stones song “Sister Morphine”. It made me gloomy and lethargic. The press circled the entrance to the Ritz-Carlton wanting to speak to the man that was holding John Lennon’s hand and was comforting him as he lay bleeding on the pavement. I took a big swing with my good arm and knocked a camera to the ground. Out of control I screamed obscenities at these newshounds. Thank God hotel security darted out and dragged me into the lobby.

Yoko decided there would be no funeral for John but rather a cremation service. Ringo was the only Beatle that appeared in New York and at the request of Yoko both Ringo and I minded Sean while the cremation service occurred. Ringo told me he simply could not attend the service due to the violent death of his former bandmate. It would shatter him to pieces. If he had only died a natural death Ringo lamented.

Yoko returned looking haggard and dreadful. I was asked to attend a small reception in the unit but declined. I had a long conversation with Ringo about John and while he was no saint he was a decent man. The stories Ringo told me were said in confidence so I can’t repeat them here. Ringo said we should keep in touch.

So how did I feel about the death of John Lennon. I was crushed with the tragedy and furious with “America” for its history of violence and its gun obsession. How could a little fucked up fucker like Chapman possess a 38 special? Chapman was so fucked up he was reading “Catcher in the Rye” calmly across the street from the murder scene when he was apprehended. I had to leave this country.

Yes I recall reading John’s tea leaves and seeing a menacing figure and what looked like an ambulance and having a sinister shiver eating some ice cream that day, Chapman’s…John’s favourite.

So I had witnessed a tragedy as a spectator and around the corner was a deep tragedy that would take my mind and body where it had never been before. Was it the morphine talking?

RKS The Tea Meister: Tea Squared’s Cranberry Purifier

For many years I have been steadfastly avoiding “kiddie teas”. Kiddie teas often have no tea at all as an ingredient but nonetheless they list “tea” as one. They have a melange of flavours primarily all types of fruit.

I have backed off from avoiding kiddie teas as a result of a recent experience I had while reviewing the Woodbourne Inn in St. Davids Ontario home of the famous double breakfast. I made a bold decision to try a Sakura Rose tea (from Toronto’s Genuine Tea) with both my breakfasts. Yes rose petals! Well it suited both the first and second breakfasts the latter being a gourmet French toast with pa pa cream. The rose petals matched the French Toast to a tea! Sakura Rose is now an occasional inclusion to my breakfast routine.

The Cranberry Purifier from Toronto based Tea Squared has no actual tea in it and rather reminds me of a breakfast cereal with apple chunks, hibiscus blossoms, cranberries and natural flavours. It is a zero caffeine “beverage”.

Aroma: Rose, peach, cranberry dried cherries, watermelon and a bit of strawberry jam.

Palate: Floral and fruity without excessive sweetness. There has been no sugar added. No tannins to speak of. A warm inviting beverage. Cranberry, mango, peach, McIntosh apples with a moderate finish.

Food match: French toast made with Challah bread topped with preserved peaches.

Price: $8.99 for 100 grams. Free shipping on Canadian orders over $50 and on US orders over $75.

RKS 2023 Tea Meister Rating 88/100