In 1975 a destitute and abused housemaid of 16 lies on the Korean roadside covered with snow and close to death. A passing motorist, Ryu, picks her up taking her to his restaurant he runs with his wife where she is hired as a helper. Ryu claims to be in pest management and extermination andContinue reading “RKS 2025 Film: “The Old Woman with the Knife”: Dense, Engrossing and Impeccably Choregraphed Korean Assassin Thriller with a Social Message of Sorts”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen
The 12th Annual Korean Film Festival Canada: “Hole”
The 12th Korean Film Festival Canada held in Montreal will be wrapping up 7June2025. “Hole”, a 2023 K Short by Hyein Hwang, screened on 24May2025 but it surely and deservedly must pop-up in the festival circuit. Kafkaesque initially gradually transcending into absolute horror and I am not referencing the Borror genre of horror with slashing,Continue reading “The 12th Annual Korean Film Festival Canada: “Hole””
RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot
If you are going to “make it” with Syrah and Merlot in Ontario generous oak treatment and pristine quality grapes are required. This is a single vineyard dual variety wine that has spent thirty months in used French oak. 50% each of Syrah and Merlot. Aroma: Definite Merlot on the nose not lush and plushContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot”
RKS 2025 Film: “The Legacy of Cloudy Falls”: Quasi Infinite Parade of Oddities
“The Legacy of Cloudy Falls” is set in Niagara Falls, Canada, you know the “better side” of the Falls! They say the best part of Las Vegas is leaving it. The same may be said, but in a more compelling fashion, about the town Niagara Falls, Ontario. Tacky and seedy may be a polite descriptionContinue reading “RKS 2025 Film: “The Legacy of Cloudy Falls”: Quasi Infinite Parade of Oddities”
The Korean Film Festival of Canada: “Moving Water”
In this Quebec film short directed by Kaia Singh screening on 7June2025 at the Korean Film Festival of Canada in Montreal bi-racial teen Mira (Manna Singh) deals with the death of her Baba (grandfather). Baba’s last words were his desire to go to the water, most likely realizing his impending death and the resulting HindiContinue reading “The Korean Film Festival of Canada: “Moving Water””
The 12th Korean Film Festival of Canada: “Variation”
“Variation” is a K-Short directed by Ji-hoon Park screening at the 12th Korean Film Festival of Canada in Montreal 22May-7June2025. “Variation” can be interpreted as an innocuous 24-hour snapshot of a relationship between a young Korean couple reuniting after previously ending their relationship. Alternatively, it may have a deeper meaning. In film multiple interpretations frequentlyContinue reading “The 12th Korean Film Festival of Canada: “Variation””
RKS 2025 Wine: A Nero Carbone from Basilicata in Italy
The Carbone family, based in Melfi near Mount Vulture in the heart of Basilicata, values their unique terroir which is rich in volcanic soil. Situated on the slopes of the ancient volcano, their vineyards benefit from an ideal aspect. Coupled with an optimal microclimate that’s marked by significant temperature variations, this setting imbues Aglianico withContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: A Nero Carbone from Basilicata in Italy”
RKS 2025 Film: “BA”: Ba Ba Black Sheep for the Grim Reaper
Daniel (Lawrence Kao) is down on his luck. In Manadarin “ba” can refer to both father and dad and that he is for his 8-year-old daughter Collette (Kai Cech). Daniel and Collette are living an extremely penurious “living in his car” existence. During this “camping car adventure” Daniel discovers a wooden box in a bagContinue reading “RKS 2025 Film: “BA”: Ba Ba Black Sheep for the Grim Reaper”
RKS Literature: A Governmental Addiction to Gambling (Brad Smith)
“I can’t bet here? What the hell happened to this place?” She looked at him as if he’d just stumbled down from the hills. “What happened was, they either had to put in the slots or close the doors. I don’t know where you’ve been, but the province has gone casino crazy. The government hasContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Governmental Addiction to Gambling (Brad Smith)”
RKS Literature: Inside Jail Thinking About Getting Out (Brad Smith)
“On the inside, all a man thinks about is getting out. Night and day, it’s always there, like an unfulfilled promise-that always indistinct point of time somewhere in the distance when he is no longer in stir. It occupies a man’s head when he is thinking about it, and it occupies his head when itContinue reading “RKS Literature: Inside Jail Thinking About Getting Out (Brad Smith)”
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