Tag Archives: news

RKS 2024 FILM: HOT DOCS: “The Ride Ahead”: Determination, Grit and Suffering

In “The Ride Ahead” expect a massive dose of suffering and genetic injustice alleviated, if not conquered, by a strong spirit resentful of being talked down to armoured by a boundless will to overcome obstacles facing severely handicapped Samuel afflicted with GNA01 Neurodevelopmental Disorder a progressive disorder so rare that there are a mere hundredsContinue reading “RKS 2024 FILM: HOT DOCS: “The Ride Ahead”: Determination, Grit and Suffering”

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “The Strike”: Memories of the East German Circus

Amidst great political and bureaucratic clapping the California Department of Corrections (CDC) opened the “state of the art” Pelican Bay State Prison’s Security Housing Unit (SHU) in 1989. Pelican Bay was designed for solitary confinement. Hundreds spent years in solitary confinement some as long as thirty years despite the United Nation’s maximum set at 15Continue reading “RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “The Strike”: Memories of the East German Circus”

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Qoryqpa” (Streets Loud with Echoes)

Being a part of the Soviet Empire when the Berlin Wall fell Kazakhstan declared itself an independent democracy but not having much of a history of democracy it quickly slipped back into the comfortable ways of totalitarianism. It was the 19July2018 murder of Kazak 25-year-old figure skating Olympic bronze medalist (Sochi 2018 Olympics) Denis TenContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Qoryqpa” (Streets Loud with Echoes)”

RKS 2024 Film: “The Beast” (La Bête): Nagasaki Love

Clocking in around two and a half hours this French film is long but fascinating and not readily understood with one viewing. I am tempted to state it could be a great love story of a couple spanning three lifetimes but that is shattered Nagasaki style in the dying seconds of the movie. Alternatively, andContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “The Beast” (La Bête): Nagasaki Love”

RKS 2024 Film: “EARLYBIRD”: Theatre and Life Lessons

Mike (Joshua Koopman) owns a struggling small theatre playing it safe presenting “known plays” like “Romeo and Juliet” attracting small audiences but small is better than playing riskier productions that may fail to attract any patrons. Jerry, the landlord of the theatre premises, advises Mike when his lease expires in two months he will haveContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “EARLYBIRD”: Theatre and Life Lessons”

RKS 2024 Film: “All We Carry”: Fairytale, Fantasy and Playing the USA Migrant Game?

There are usually many sides to a story. The documentary “All We Carry” presents one side focusing on the suffering of thousands of migrants streaming towards the United States border somehow believing they are by rights entitled to entry and a life in the United States. Magdiel, Mirna and their child Joshua are self-described EvangelicalContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “All We Carry”: Fairytale, Fantasy and Playing the USA Migrant Game?”

Opera Revue: Pesky Operatic Danger Attacks the Sanctity of Opera

As disclaimers and “transparency” are soothing words spouted by public relations firms desperately trying to “manage” the transgressions of deep pocketed corporations I must disclose that I am President and Chief Executive Officer of “The Pan Canadian Society for the Purity of Opera”. Our goal is ensuring operatic performances maintain minimum standards including “proper management”Continue reading “Opera Revue: Pesky Operatic Danger Attacks the Sanctity of Opera”

RKS 2024 Film: “The Burning Season”: Raging Hormones, Various Intoxications of the Flesh and Deception from Z to A: The Canadian Film Fest

I have viewed some fine films showing at The Canadian Film Fest. There are so many film festivals in the world it is impossible to keep track of them all and I stumbled into this one by chance. It is certainly not a major festival but based on the festival films I watched great careContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “The Burning Season”: Raging Hormones, Various Intoxications of the Flesh and Deception from Z to A: The Canadian Film Fest”

“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: The Lights Dim and We Are Live at the Academy Awards! Riot Police Called as Larry David Attacked by Penny and Bosco: Reggie Becomes a Swiftie: Chapter Seventy Six (76)

We hold our breath as the nominees for best song are announced. And the winner is…….Gordon Lightfoot for “Paco A Girl’s Best Friend”! Mr. Gordon Lightfoot grabs Bosco and me under his arms and carries us on the stage. He has 90 seconds to speak to the world. “I would like to thank the Academy.Continue reading ““Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: The Lights Dim and We Are Live at the Academy Awards! Riot Police Called as Larry David Attacked by Penny and Bosco: Reggie Becomes a Swiftie: Chapter Seventy Six (76)”

“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: Our North Korean Experience: On Tour in North Korea: The Call of Nature for Dylan the Westie Just About Sends Him to the Gallows: A Warning for The Mookster: Chapter Seventy (70)

After our sumptuous feast with Kim and his sister we return to our hotel. It has been searched in our absence. Bob leashes us up and takes us for a walk. There are no people on the streets. There is no pee mail in this town of Pyongyang. Could it be all the dogs, aContinue reading ““Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: Our North Korean Experience: On Tour in North Korea: The Call of Nature for Dylan the Westie Just About Sends Him to the Gallows: A Warning for The Mookster: Chapter Seventy (70)”