RKS 2023 Film: “Afire” (Roter Himmel)

The flies buzzing about during the film, the squealing wild pigs, the sky on fire, crispy burnt bodies Pompeii style and repeated helicopters flying overhead had me thinking of “Apocalypse Now” and “Lord of the Flies” and of course of the wildfires burning in abundance here in Canada. Director Christian Petzold, please forgive my metaphoricalContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Afire” (Roter Himmel)”

RKS 2023 Film: “What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith”

I am uncertain what genre this 24.5-minute film should be slotted in. Most likely cornball. But if the genre is right there is overly cheesy cornball and there is fun cornball. This film is loads of fun with a mighty satirical streak running through it. Jonny Faith (Frank Noon) was a massively popular 1980’s countryContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith””

RKS 2023 Film: “Showing Up”: Will the Poor Pigeon Survive?

As the film commences the monotonous soundtrack is a harbinger of what is to come. Dowdy, frumpy artsy fartsies rule the screen with the personalities of caterpillars. Michelle Williams has the energy and vitality of a snail although if that the role she is supposed to play then her performance is brilliant. Wearing clogs andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Showing Up”: Will the Poor Pigeon Survive?”

RKS 2023 Film: “Your Fat Friend”: Just Say FAT!

You might be daring and say that at 350 lbs and wearing size 26 dresses 37-year-old American Aubrey Gordon is obese, chunky, husky, plump and a myriad of other names. You might find her a bit repulsive. You might lay out any number of judgements. You might even be derisive. And you might be takenContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Your Fat Friend”: Just Say FAT!”

RKS 2023 Film: “Here is Better”: Leaving That Box of Horror in the Desert

Yes, haven’t we all witnessed the carnage of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) particularly amongst veterans? Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Korea, France et al. Often it is the violent incidents associated with PTSD we encounter in the media. But there is also a quiet form of suffering without any violence except for violence against theContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Here is Better”: Leaving That Box of Horror in the Desert”

RKS 2023 Film: “Tramps”: A Riotous Explosion of Music, Art, Dance, Fashion and Early Drag of the New Romantics

So what is a tramp? A hobo meandering along with his belongings in a kerchief on a pole tramping along aimlessly. Or it could mean a “trashy” and promiscuous person. In the Canadian documentary “Tramps” the New Romantic culture is explored from creation to death and it has elements of both views of what aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Tramps”: A Riotous Explosion of Music, Art, Dance, Fashion and Early Drag of the New Romantics”

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 businessContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “How to Rob”: Bostonian Small Time Hoods and Mob Hitmen Meet Their Match”

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 allContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum”

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 manyContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Americonned””

RKS 2023 Film: “Subtraction”: Riders on the Storm and “Rear Window”

Watching the French-Iranian film “Subtraction” I think of Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s 1954 “Rear Window”. Why? If you watch this film keep this refrain from the Door’s song “Riders on the Storm” in mind: “There’s a killer on the roadHis brain is squirmin’ like a toadTake a long holidayLet your children playIf you give thisContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Subtraction”: Riders on the Storm and “Rear Window””