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 15… Read More 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 Ten… Read More RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Qoryqpa” (Streets Loud with Echoes)

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 have… Read More 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 Evangelical… Read More 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 and that includes… Read More Opera Revue: Pesky Operatic Danger Attacks the Sanctity of Opera

RKS 2024 Film: “Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor”: Artistic Exploration Sputters to Nostalgia Act

Carol Doda (1937-2015) has been recognized as the first “legal” topless dancer in the United States. Using archival footage including press interviews we trace the history of Carol Doda and perhaps of more interest the evolution of American attitudes towards sexuality and the feminist movement. The film also delves into (although not expressly) the American… Read More RKS 2024 Film: “Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor”: Artistic Exploration Sputters to Nostalgia Act

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 care… Read More 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.… Read More “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”: Off to Hollywood for the Academy Awards! Stopping off to See President Biden First! Joe Grateful We Avenged His Trumpian Nickname of “Sleepy Joe”: New Chain “Noodles for Peace” to launch in North Korea: Chapter Seventy Two (72)

Nicole Kidman Productions Ltd. has sent a corporate jet to take Bob, Fay, Dylan the Westie, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot with our friend Bosco and Martin Malivoire to Los Angeles but our friend President Biden has asked us to stop at Dulles International in Washington to take a quick tour to the White House and to… Read More “Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: Off to Hollywood for the Academy Awards! Stopping off to See President Biden First! Joe Grateful We Avenged His Trumpian Nickname of “Sleepy Joe”: New Chain “Noodles for Peace” to launch in North Korea: Chapter Seventy Two (72)