RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Film: “Angel Applicant”

The American documentary “Angel Applicant” is an intertwined story of Swiss German abstract painter Paul Klee (1879-1940) and film maker Ken August Meyer. Both were and are suffering from a disease Scleroderma as are some 2.5 million people globally. It is caused by an overactive immune system attacking the body’s healthy connective tissue including skin,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Film: “Angel Applicant””

RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Rowdy Girl”

“Rowdy Girl” examines the story of two married former cattle ranchers in Texas, Renee King-Sonnen and Tommy Sonnen, who have transitioned out of ranching and into running the “Rowdy Girl Sanctuary” in Texas for abandoned, lost and unwanted farm animals. In that story about these former ranchers we learn why they have converted to vegansContinue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Rowdy Girl””

RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir

Having suffered through half a glass of a Tawse 2020 Grower’s Blend Gamay Noir it is now to a sure winner? A Bachelder les Villages 2020 Gamay Noir. Aroma: Geez! After an initial whiff of oak upon uncorking the aroma is seemingly more than what might expect from “largely neutral oak barrels” but it doesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir”

RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Tawse’s Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay Noir: Swimming with the Fishes

If there is one red wine in Ontario that causes some excitement on my part in Ontario it is Gamay Noir. For the most part it is reliable but not quite at the point of Cabernet Franc for universal excellence but it is at the edge of that. So we try a Tawse 2020 GamayContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Tawse’s Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay Noir: Swimming with the Fishes”

RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah? Chateau Ste. Michelle: Memories of the January 6th Coup Attempt!

There is no doubt that Washington State can produce top quality Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon but can the same be said for Syrah? I suppose we might start with a big Washington State winery that produces quality wines at least the ones we are seeing in Ontario. Up on the witness stand is a ChateauContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah? Chateau Ste. Michelle: Memories of the January 6th Coup Attempt!”

RKS 2023 Film Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Food and Country” (international premiere)

“Food and Country” is an American documentary delving into food production and the restaurant business in the United States. Although shot during COVID, a most miserable time for so many, it doesn’t solely focus on the impact of COVID on restaurants and the ag business. It digs deeper and examines the crisis in the AmericanContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Food and Country” (international premiere)”

RKS 2023 Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisbon: Big Name but What Quality?

Red wines from the Lisbon appellation in Portugal are not timid about blending with Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon aside native indigenous varieties but all we can read on the label is that it is made from “typical grape varieties planted in the region”.  A trip to the Casa Santos Lima website reveals the grapesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisbon: Big Name but What Quality?”

RKS Toronto 2023 Hot Docs Festival: “Eat Flowers”

Once upon a time long ago when you could take rocker Rod Stewart seriously there was his song “Every Picture Tells a Story”. In the short documentary “Eat Flowers” every picture of flowers taken by photographer Cig Harvey tells a story. The photos are lush and gorgeous as well as the cinematography by River FinlayContinue reading “RKS Toronto 2023 Hot Docs Festival: “Eat Flowers””

RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Undertaker for Life!”: More About the Living than the Dead

The National Film Board of Canada presents a gem of a documentary “Undertaker for Life!” at the Toronto Hot Docs Festival. Yes there is a focus on several undertakers and mourners but the documentary is more about how the living navigate death of loved ones through the grieving process. As one undertaker quips about theContinue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Undertaker for Life!”: More About the Living than the Dead”

RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Twice Colonized”: A Familiar Story for Many but not All

“Twice Colonized” will have its Canadian premiere as the opening night film at Toronto Hot Docs. It is a documentary focusing on renowned Inuit activist lawyer Aaju Peter living in Iqaluit in Nunavut. Peter was born in the Danish colony of Greenland and at the wish of her father was sent to Denmark to beContinue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Twice Colonized”: A Familiar Story for Many but not All”