A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Film: “The Passengers of the Night”

Having watched French films for many years I am rarely disappointed. You like something sophisticated and creative you can find it. Like something mainstream the French are on par with Hollywood but I can’t say that is a plus. That is the reason I turned to watching French films as they once had their own distinct identity.

“The Passengers of the Night” is a rather uninspiring film centering on family drama. And the drama is not cheerful for most of the film. Elisabeth (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is in pain after a break-up with her husband after battling breast cancer. Her son Matthias is a bit of a wannabe poet and daughter Judith a political activist.

Great shots of Paris throughout the film many retro.

The film starts on May 10, 1981 when François Mitterrand is elected French President. Great socialist hopes contrasted against the despair enveloping Elisabeth.

Elisabeth lands a job at the switchboard for a late-night radio show “Passengers in the Night”. The show is hosted by Vanda Dorval (Emanuelle Béart) a tightly wound woman that sounds like melted butter on the air. One night a guest Talula speaks with Vanda. She is an 18-year-old homeless street waif that inexplicably Elisabeth takes home feeling sorry for the lass. Talula appears to be a lovely girl and Matthias falls for her and the compulsory French sex scene ensues even though Talula says to Matthias that she is not the girl for him giving no reasons. She disappears to reappear in 1984 as a junkie. She then seems to clean up her act and after Matthias declares his love for her she disappears again.

Elisabeth works a second job as a librarian and starts to fill in for Vanda who is off for some reason. Elisabeth is in a happy relationship with Hugo a man she met in the library. The film ends with the family dancing to a Jules Dassin song and all seems to end happily.

While the director’s statement by Mikhaël Hers presents the concepts behind the movie in personal terms they may mean more to the director than the average viewer. Yes the shots of the trains and subways is symbolic of passengers but hardly clever.

While the plot may be a bit pedantic Gainsbourg’s performance as Elisabeth is compelling. When sorrow, compassion, despair, optimism, grit or tenderness is called for she delivers a commanding performance. My goodness that little grin of hers and her eternal calmness is amazing and highly worth the watch. Emanuelle Béart as Vanda deserves a round of applause as a lovable tyrant.

The film is directed by Mikhaël Hers and opened in Canada on July 1. In French with English subtitles.

You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/704625452

RKS Film Rating 86/100.

As for Gainsbourg will she be in the running for best actress in the 2022 César Awards?

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Time to Say Farewell

We arrived in the land beyond to a great crowd of many we know who went to the land beyond. What a dream to see my master and mistress Boyka and Anatoli and our children Danilo and Daryna all killed in Russian missile attacks. What surprised me was a crowd of Russian soldiers mostly very young killed in action. They wanted to apologize to us saying they had no idea they were being manipulated in a brazen blitzkrieg plan to decimate Ukraine. They all said my death was not in vain. Strange that in death freedom often follows. Good-bye dear readers.

Hi it is Reggie. You have no doubt been reading my story “Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”. My master Karim welcomed me with a bone crushing hug not like the last time I was at the doors of the land beyond where he sent me back to fulfill my destiny. You know I was told that my good friends Jill and Joe Biden were enraged with the bomb attack that killed me and hundreds others and in short order America was finally at war with the evil Putin and finally crushed that Vermin! The Canadian Parliament created a new statutory holiday “Canine Heroes”. The Pope mentioned our tremendous sacrifices in his address to the faithful. Nicole Kidman will be directing a documentary on my life. The Nobel Prize Committee has designated a special prize for children’s films promoting peace and understanding called The Reggie Peace Award. The great Ayatollah of Iran who I prayed with declared a day of mourning and phoned President Biden suggesting as a mark of respect for me they meet to promote peace between Iran and United States. And the big surprise was that Rottenwiler in Cairo that took a chunk out of me when in a starvation mode I tried to pike his food. He apologized profusely for his overly aggressive response. And I thanked him as in a strange way it set in motion a short but rich life. He was called Mustafa and we became best friends in the land beyond. Isn’t life and death strange.

Hello all. It is Bosco here. We dogs all died together as we struggled against the barbarities of the world. Dogs are man’s best friends but cross us and cause pain and hurt to our fellow dogs and humans you have seen we can be the worst enemy man has known.

Bob and Dylan the Westie will miss you! RIP

Well it is Bob here. What you have read is a story of brave and courageous rescue dogs. Initially unwanted and unloved and threatened. Vile curs as Putin called them. These dogs have taught me they are far smarter than humans give them credit for. Don’t worry or cry for us. We are safe. Goodbye. Remember there is something very special about rescue dogs.

“Travels to a Different Time” : Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Evening Entertainment: Glorification of Colonial Exploitation!

Do I require nightly entertainment? It starts at 21:30 each night. Usually finish dinner at 20:00 and then have a coffee outside. One night it was some university students performing a cabaret show. One night dance. One night synchronized swimming with a fire eater and a magician. Then a strange cowboy and Indian show which was particularly violent against the Indians. Cuba the protector of oppressed people? It amounted to a glorification of the exploitation of indigenous people. Indians begging for firewater, getting kicked by cowboys etc. juvenile and racist. There is always some form of classical music during dinner and lunch. There are many graduates of the conservatory of music that have no real employment opportunities so you want to say they are underemployed playing for tourists at a hotel.

RKS Wine: Quinta Cabriz’s Rosé from Portugal’s Dão

We do not see very many rosés from Portugal and I think I have yet to see any sparklers. Timid Liquor Control Board of Ontario buyers?

Great Food at Quinta Cabriz in 2018! Photos Robert K. Stephen

The Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2020 rosé is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro and clocks in at $13.95. In colour it is barely pink so I am wondering what sort of punch it has to it? Is it more of a white than a red wine or is it somewhere in between? I believe I had it in Obidos in Portugal with roasted baby goat and it was a stellar match.

On the nose it is a middle of the road rosé meaning it is neither red nor white. How is that for a brilliant statement about a rosé? Yet a Pinot Noir rosé most often is more red than white. In any case there is light influences of sweet red cherry, raspberry and watermelon. On the palate it is very light once again with raspberry and cherry influences with a bit of a raspy finish that saves it from being a 99-pound weakling. I would pair with a Greek salad or if in Portugal with a tomato salad or even Bachalau. Perfectly fine to sip on its own. An innocuous wine for a steamy hot and humid day. Drink by the end of 2022. It just might suit grilled chicken with a beer and paprika spice rub?

(Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Rosé 2020, DOC Dão, Global Wines Carregal Do Sal, Portugal, $13.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 30445, 750 mL, 12.5%, RKS Wine Rating 85/100).

RKS Travel: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House

I have stayed twice at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House during the plague. Perhaps the strongest feature is its location off the dreaded main drag, Queen Street, clogged with day trippers in the summer and fall months eating Hungarian Funnel Cakes and chowing down on ice cream. Yet for tourist gawking, it is a rich gawking ground and you are a 10-minute walk to Queen Street from Harbour House. On Melville Street, where the hotel is located, life is quiet and mostly residential. You face the Yacht Club and are just a two-minute walk to Riverbeach where you can enjoy a walk along the river and see Fort Niagara across the river in the State of New York. If you have a yoga mat it is a tranquil spot to make your moves.

A premium room at $340 a night is a fair price given the neighbourhood and a “continental breakfast” is also included and it is more than continental with home baked quiche and bread pudding something to look forward to. Although the mini croissants appear grocery store variety you may luck in with a butter tart! The service is impeccable with friendly locals whether it be at breakfast or throughout your stay. You may not have the mini-bar or an other than breakfast dining room but this is no 5-star Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons in New York, Paris or Madrid. You want wine then take a few minutes drive into wine country and thoughtfully there is a fridge in your room to keep wine chilled or food if you want a simple meal of cheese, bread and olives.

A momentously delicious quiche awaits you at breakfast: Photo Robert K. Stephen

And this is a dog friendly inn charging $25 a day for your dog with water and food bowls, poop bags and a bed at the ready. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a dog friendly town.

A leisurely two-hour drive (non weekend) from Toronto but mostly an ugly one. Get off the QEW at Beamsville and take the country road to Niagara-on-the-Lake as it is more scenic.

Why Niagara-on-the-Lake? A never-ending amount of wineries, Niagara Falls, the botanical gardens, the Butterfly Conservatory, the floral clock, golf, boating, hiking, cycling, The Shaw Festival and decent dining.

As for daily linen and towel service this is a feature that COVID has eliminated for many hotel properties. And one can become accustomed to that but some communication as how to request towels and glassware would have been helpful.

As a plus as this is wine country a shuttle service operates in the evening. Taxis aren’t exactly plentiful.

Not in the mood for dining out or you would like a glass of wine before or after dinner there is a small patio off the main reception area where you can bring your own wine and relax. Speaking of wine between 4 and 5 there is complimentary wine and cheese although the wine served is run of the mill and the cheese is a weird orange cheese ball from 1960’s suburbia!

As for dining many wineries have their own restaurants and patios. You may want to try Two Sister’s Winery restaurant “Kitchen 76” for rather expensive dining. Unfortunately the quality does not match the price. The Truffle Pizza at $36 is steep but worth the price. The Arancini at $20 was mediocre. The grilled octopus at $28 was not tender but rather mushy. Do try their Merlot at $21 a glass! For Ontario it is a winner. The Lemon Olive Oil Cake at $14 was unremarkable. At $218 for two I would have expected better. Treadwell on Queen Street was a third visit for me. The last meal in October was stellar although the wine list remains surprisingly abbreviated for a “fine dining” restaurant. It was a lobster club with bits of annoying shell still in the lobster meat with a side of fries. The Hidden Bench rosé was pedantic and a very minute pour. If you want some quality baked goods the trip to Willow Cakes and Pastries on 242 Mary Street is worth it. And I hear the golf course a 10-minute walk away has a great food and a patio overlooking the lake.

A low-keyed inn off the beaten path but far from isolated. Not quite a bed and breakfast but definitely not a full-service hotel. Located at 85 Melville Street. The room size is generous.

RKS Travel Hotel Rating 83/100.

“Andrij the Ukrainian Orphaned Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Mass Carnage and Putin Executed

Bob, Fay, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, me, Reggie, Bosco and Dylan were sitting in the front row at a Toronto benefit concert for Ukrainian orphans and security was extremely tight as you know there is a bounty on my head offered by Tsar Putin.

I remember a bright flash and then walking along a tunnel toward a bright light. I was not sure where I was. Bob was holding Dylan in one arm and Reggie in the other. I was following him. Mr. Gordon Lightfoot was carrying Bosco.

Yes all of us are dead. As facts later played out several members of a Russian gun club in Toronto were behind this terrorist bombing. Wire transfers from Russia show the reward money being paid to Igor Pushkin the president of the Russian gun club. 540 spectators were also killed

Tsar Putin was seen laughing on Russian state television proclaiming the end of the Russian hater curs.

Boy did he make a huge mistake. Two days after the carnage Canada declared war on Russia followed by the United States, Germany, France, Greece, Finland, Sweden and most NATO member states. Within 48 hours the Russian army was smashed to pieces. Certain precision missiles were launched into Russia “accidentally hitting” schools, shopping malls and churches giving the Russians a taste of their own war crimes. Tsar Putin was executed by 5 shots to his head by most likely some in his inner circle.

Am I sad? No all of us are proud of what we did and a terrible price had to be paid for positive results And wait until you hear about our arrival in what Reggie often refers to as the land beyond.

Please cry no tears for us and forgive all those innocent young Russian soldiers. Not all were genocidal rapists.

Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Carnival and Begging Cuban Children?

Hotel guests were invited to Carnival Parade in Santiago de Cuba. We were only a few who accepted and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience of Afro-Cuban culture. We took a bus into Santiago de Cuba an impressive but decaying example of colonial architecture. Everyone was out partying in the street. The air was heavy with beer fumes. We had a tour of the parade route. Lots of pink and white colours and the streets were brimming with people drinking beer and buying food from stands. Tradition requires one to take a chamber pot put a sausage in it and fill it with beer. Almost everyone had a clay pot but some had plastic ones. Our guide Eli warned us to hold our belongings tight as Santiago de Cuba has a tradition of training the world’s best pickpockets! Brought a sandwich and a banana for dinner but the banana got mushed in transport and made the sandwich soggy and inedible. Fries from a stand were excessively greasy. Beer was $1. We had an excellent view in the grandstand sitting with local dignitaries. A never-ending stream of dancers and musicians paraded by in colourful costumes. All the villages in the province spend the entire year practicing for the parade and it shows. Some of the performers were singing in Creole. Most of the procession were blacks and one village portrayed the evils of slavery. One troupe had a horn that played what can be called a hypnotic tune. All were having a the time of their life. We left at 1 a.m. and the party was going on. A large group of children pounded on the bus door asking for “dollars”. Not sure if they were begging or just being kids?

Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Fighting Cubans

Took a 6 km bicycle ride along the coast. Roasting hot but a nice breeze cooled things down a bit. The coast is rugged and rocky with crashing waves sending up a big spray. About 2 kms from the hotel there is a rather run-down amusement park that looks like something from a Flintstones cartoon. It is called Il Mundo del Fantasia. Met a couple of young Cuban boys who looked in a state of disrepair like the amusement park. Ripped jeans and no shirts and smoking cigarettes. I was asked for clothes. I later heard from a guest at the hotel they had taken two suitcases of clothes to the amusement park and fights erupted amongst families scrabbling for the clothes. No thank you just requests for the clothes off their backs! Another couple heard this story and simply gave clothes to the nurse on duty at the hotel to distribute as she saw fit. The beach at the amusement park was littered with rubbish including construction debris. Not a nice memory of Cuba and of course the security guard at the hotel carrying a baseball bat.

RKS Wine: Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 from the Dão in Portugal

The Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 breezes in at $14.95 a welcome price point in these inflationary times. I contemplate with some trepidation what it might cost next year.

Enjoy this wine with a Tomahawk Steak; Photo Robert K. Stephen

It is a blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 40% Tinta Roriz and 20% Touriga Nacional and was aged in French oak for 6 months.

On the nose some bright raspberry shimmers upwards leaving behind a solid base of blackberry and black cherry. On the palate an easy drinking wine with some gentle tannins creating a bit of a dusty wine. It is a solid wine with a firmness that best suits food. I recall my last media trip to the Dão enjoying this wine in Viseu accompanied by a few slices of grilled tomahawk steak. Sublime.

Drink now or hold until the end of 2023.

(Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019, DOC Dão, Global Wines, Carregal do Sal, Portugal, $14.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 247973, 750 mL, 13%, RKS Wine Rating 88/100).

RKS Quote of the Day: “Confessions of a Shopaholic”

“That moment. That instant when your fingers curl round the handles of a shiny, uncreased bag-and all the gorgeous new things inside it become yours. What’s it like? It’s like going hungry for days, then cramming your mouth full of warm buttered toast. It’s like waking up and realizing it’s the weekend. It’s like the better moments of sex. Everything else is blocked out of your mind. It’s pure, selfish pleasure. “

Sophie Kinsella “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, 2001 Dell Publishing