“Operation Hadal” exhibits all the tried-and-true elements of the classic war movie; bad guys, good guys, the old warriors, the young boastful bucks, blood, guts, tension, suspense, bravery, sacrifice for country and fellow warriors and hand to hand combat…and that schmaltzy over the top Top Gunish type music. Let’s not forget the patriotism and prideContinue reading “RKS CHINESE FILM: “Operation Hadal”: Beyond the Classic War Movie?”
Category Archives: film
RKS Canadian Film: “Armageddon Road”: About Time Las Vegas a la Sodom and Gomorrah is Visited by the Four Horsemen
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. Different cultures in different points of time have given varying interpretations of their meaning. The commonality is that their appearance is bad news for the world signalling its ensuing destruction. The White Horse symbolizes conquest. Some believe itContinue reading “RKS Canadian Film: “Armageddon Road”: About Time Las Vegas a la Sodom and Gomorrah is Visited by the Four Horsemen”
RKS CHINESE FILM: “Dear You”: Many Stories Behind the Story
“Dear You” is an epic familial tale focusing on love, friendship, compassion and loss but there are many stories hovering around the apparent simplistic plot. And the film is a solid hit in China being the second highest grossing film there in 2026 and attracting audiences throughout Southeast Asia. It also has sparked controversy inContinue reading “RKS CHINESE FILM: “Dear You”: Many Stories Behind the Story”
RKS ARGENTINIAN FILM: “The Dollmaker” (Encantador) 2025: Political Horror?
American horror films in many respects are simply boring. Deserted cabin in the woods and take it from there. Canadian horror films are marginally superior. The real horror resides of late in Mexican and Argentinian films. “The Dollmaker” is no exception. It combines sophisticated and clever horror with a political allegorical twist. Expect Pee WeeContinue reading “RKS ARGENTINIAN FILM: “The Dollmaker” (Encantador) 2025: Political Horror?”
RKS EURO FILM: “Familia”: Doorways to Hell
See a door in this film and hell and a disciple of the devil is not far away. Based on a true story. Franco Celeste (Francesco Di Leva) returns to his Rome home after serving 9 years for armed robbery. Given that his wife Licia (Barbara Ronchi) expects his return and changes the locks onContinue reading “RKS EURO FILM: “Familia”: Doorways to Hell”
RKS EURO FILM: “Romería”: A Vast Overwhelming Ocean
Marina (Llúcia Garcia), an 18-year-old orphaned Spanish student, travels from Barcelona to Vigo for “bureaucratic” reasons as she has been awarded a scholarship at a university in Barcelona to study film. But in bureaucratic fashion she must be recognized on her father’s death certificate as his daughter. She ventures to Vigo in the Galician regionContinue reading “RKS EURO FILM: “Romería”: A Vast Overwhelming Ocean”
RKS EURO FILM: “Warriors of the Wasteland”: Serbian Samurai and Mad Maxers in a Post Apocalyptic West Balkan World
After a nuclear disaster the West Balkans become a rough and tumble world full of Mad Maxers and a few Serb samurai. Society is splintered with The City a quasi-feudal capital ruled by “The Ruler” or “Lord” exacting tribute from tribes but even The City is carved up into factions along the lines of thatContinue reading “RKS EURO FILM: “Warriors of the Wasteland”: Serbian Samurai and Mad Maxers in a Post Apocalyptic West Balkan World”
RKS CANADIAN SWISS FILM: “NESTING”: Beyond Psychological Terms
We all have heard the terms Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Post Partum Depression (PPD) and understand the physiological and psychological repercussions of these mental disorders. But view “Nesting” and you go beyond the nasty headlines reflecting the effects of these mental disorders and you may start to feel what these disorders are likeContinue reading “RKS CANADIAN SWISS FILM: “NESTING”: Beyond Psychological Terms”
RKS Films of China: “The Butcher’s Blade”: Death, Redemption and Noodles in the Song Dynasty
Why so many Kung Fu films from China in North America? Surely there are more Chinese films of a non martial arts ilk deserving release in North America? Do I have to fly on Cathay Pacific to see them? But until and if that occurs enjoy “The Butcher’s Blade”. “The Butcher’s Blade” packs in plentyContinue reading “RKS Films of China: “The Butcher’s Blade”: Death, Redemption and Noodles in the Song Dynasty”
Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Parasisi”: Wayana People Plagued by Intruders
“Parasisi” is a quiet yet threatening documentary. Take the opening minutes in a tender moment with a father and child bathing at dusk in the river then a scene with some roughnecks unloading battered steel barrels from a truck onto the riverside. What is in the barrels certainly can’t be beneficial for the river. ThreateningContinue reading “Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Parasisi”: Wayana People Plagued by Intruders”
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