Category Archives: Essay

#SundayMusic | Perfection | John Prine’s Remarkable, Eternal 1971 Début Album

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Guitarist Jason Wilbur played on stage with John Prine for 1999’s  Live from Sessions at West 54th

One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of his generation, John Prine was a master storyteller whose work was often witty and always heartfelt, frequently offering a sly but sincere reflection of his Midwestern roots, writing about the lives of ordinary people in a remarkable and perceptive way.

Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and satire, as well as sweet songs and melancholy ballads.

John Prine’s first record, simply titled John Prine (Atlantic, 1971), featured a photograph of the slightly impatient-looking young singer-songwriter seated on a bale of hay, hands cradled in his lap, with his guitar standing upright nearby.

The austerity of the image was a good reflection on the album’s contents: a baker’s dozen songs clocking in at about 43 minutes, performed mostly on acoustic guitar with a spare backing combo, delivered in a straightforward nasal drawl, with titles like Sam Stone, Donald and Lydia, Hello in There, Illegal Smile, and Souvenirs.

Beneath the casual simplicity of the presentation lies a treasure trove of lyrical beauty: detailed portraits of despair and loneliness, interspersed with witty cultural commentary about dimestore patriotism, back-to-nature movements, and the justice system’s obsession with people’s “illegal smiles.”

That first record wasn’t a big seller.

It peaked at #156 in the Billboard charts in 1972, a year after its initial release. But that small splash had big ripples down through the years. John Prine not only set the tone for his half-century career, it influenced several generations of American singer-songwriters working in the rock, country and folk traditions.

1971 was a year of disaffection and ennui. The Beatles had broken up, the hippie dream was over, four kids were shot in Ohio by National Guardsmen and you had Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young singing a protest song that was powerful at the time but who wants to listen now? Prine’s eyeglass was focused on all of the same things but his was an ironic, detached P.O.V. that remains vital and relevant.

The record is of that time but it is somehow of this time too, though Prine’s delivery and from where in his throat he’s singing obviously owes something to Dylan.

All through the 1970s Cathy and I would attend annually at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with a packed audience gathered to appreciate John Prine.


John Prine on stage and singing with Iris DeMent (who we will write about another day)

Some artists are one hit wonders and one album wonders. Not Prine. He kept doing it and gathering up new fans right until the end, even when sickness made a physical mess of him.

John Prine died on April 20, 2020 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), the pandemic coronavirus that became known as COVID-19.

At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, A New Cultural World Order Emerged

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The Boulevard De La Croisette at the Palais des Festivals, during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival  

The Cannes Film Festival has never been the Oscars.

For most of its history, Cannes existed in a parallel cinematic universe: a place where auteurs were celebrated, formal experimentation rewarded, and films destined for repertory cinemas received standing ovations from critics long before mainstream audiences had even heard of them. Winning the Palme d’Or once meant prestige rather than popularity.

Yet the gap between Cannes and Hollywood continues to narrow.

The 79th Cannes Film Festival was, at first glance, a quieter edition than many in recent years. There were fewer major studio titles, fewer headline-grabbing celebrities, and a competition lineup that lacked the immediate excitement of some previous festivals. But beneath that apparent calm, Cannes once again demonstrated its ability to identify the artistic, cultural, and commercial currents that will shape cinema over the coming year.

Three themes emerged from the Croisette in 2026: the continued rise of LGBTQ+ storytelling, the growing strength of Japanese cinema, and the enduring vitality of Spanish-language filmmaking.

Queer cinema was unquestionably the dominant force at this year’s festival.

The most discussed films in competition centered on LGBTQ+ characters and experiences, reflecting an industry increasingly willing to place queer stories at the centre rather than the margins of contemporary filmmaking.

Among the standouts was Ira Sachs’ The Man I Love, starring Rami Malek as a gay performance artist navigating New York’s AIDS crisis during the 1980s. The film earned one of the festival’s most enthusiastic receptions and immediately positioned Malek as a potential awards-season contender. Rather than revisiting familiar tragedy, Sachs crafts an intimate story on love, creativity, desire, and mortality.

Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont continued his remarkable ascent with Coward, a World War I drama exploring forbidden love amid the horrors of trench warfare. Following the success of Girl and Close, Dhont delivered another emotionally devastating examination of identity and human connection.

Perhaps no film generated more passion than La Bola Negra from Spanish directing duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Spanning generations of queer men from the Spanish Civil War to the present day, the film received the festival’s longest standing ovation, emerging as one of the festival’s most acclaimed titles.

The prominence of these films suggests something larger than a passing trend. Queer stories are no longer being treated as niche programming. They have become central to contemporary cinema’s understanding of history, memory, identity, and social change.

Equally notable was the extraordinary presence of Japanese cinema.

Few national film industries are currently operating with the artistic confidence and commercial momentum found in Japan. The country’s box office revenues reached record levels in 2025, while production volume climbed to historic highs. That energy was clearly visible at Cannes.

Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda returned to competition with Sheep in the Box, another nuanced exploration of family relationships.

Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, whose Drive My Car became a global phenomenon, presented All of a Sudden, a thoughtful examination of friendship and emotional intimacy.

Meanwhile, Koji Fukada competed with Nagi Notes, continuing his reputation as one of Japan’s most perceptive contemporary directors.

Although stylistically distinct, all three films explored themes of family, loneliness, companionship, and human connection. Their collective presence underscored Japan’s position as one of the most important creative centres in world cinema.

Three Films in Competition, a Thriving Box Office and the Envy of Europe: Spain Is Having Its Moment

Spanish cinema also enjoyed an exceptionally strong year.

From Almodóvar to a new generation of auteurs, Spain arrived at Cannes 2026 in historic fashion — and the industry behind it has never been in better shape: “Spanish cinema is in a very exceptional situation right now.”

Beyond the acclaim received by La Bola Negra, Spanish-language filmmaking demonstrated a remarkable ability to combine artistic ambition with emotional accessibility. The result was a slate of films that connected with critics while remaining accessible to broader audiences.

Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s new film, The Beloved (El Ser Querido), joined Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas (Amarga Navidad) and Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s La Bola Negra in an unprecedented three-film representation of Spain in this year’s Official Competition at Cannes.

That balance increasingly defines the modern Cannes success story.

The Cannes Film Festival is no longer merely a launching pad for challenging art-house films. It has become a marketplace where prestige, commercial potential, and awards-season momentum intersect.

Several titles emerged from Cannes as serious Oscar contenders.

One of the festival’s biggest acquisitions came when independent distributor A24 purchased Club Kid for a reported $17 million. Directed by and starring Jordan Firstman, the film follows a gay nightclub promoter who unexpectedly discovers he has a son. What might have sounded like a modest independent comedy became one of the festival’s biggest crowd-pleasers, demonstrating once again that audiences remain hungry for character-driven storytelling.


Scenes from James Gray’s Paper Tiger, starring Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller

Scarlett Johansson generated strong reviews for James Gray’s Paper Tiger, while Léa Seydoux enjoyed a particularly successful festival with appearances in both The Unknown and Gentle Monster. Each performance strengthened their standing as potential awards-season players.

Elsewhere, veteran auteurs returned with films that may finally bridge the gap between Cannes prestige and Academy recognition.


Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes last month. Certain to feature in the upcoming Oscar race.

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu captured the Palme d’Or with Fjord, a provocative examination of religious intolerance featuring acclaimed performances from Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.

Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev earned the Grand Prix for Minotaur, while Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski returned with Fatherland, a postwar road movie featuring another standout performance from Sandra Hüller.

Together, these films reinforced Cannes’ unique role in the cinematic ecosystem. The festival remains a place where future Oscar nominees are discovered, where international auteurs launch their next projects, and where global film culture takes stock of itself.

As the lights dimmed along the Croisette and the crowds drifted away from the Palais, what lingered was not the memory of celebrity sightings or red-carpet spectacle. It was the sense of cinema looking outward once again — toward different cultures, different identities, different ways of seeing the world.

The strongest films at Cannes this year were united not by style or genre, but by curiosity. They crossed borders of language, history, sexuality, and geography in search of common human experience.

And perhaps that is the enduring lesson of Cannes.

Every May, the festival gathers stories from every corner of the world and projects them onto a single screen facing the Mediterranean Sea.

For a brief moment, cinema becomes a conversation between strangers. Japanese families, Spanish lovers, queer artists, wartime dreamers, and lonely souls all share the same flickering light. The waves continue to lap against the shoreline, the projectors fall silent, and the stars eventually depart.

But the stories remain, carried home across oceans and continents, waiting for audiences everywhere to discover them.

The Job of a Journalist, to Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable

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For journalists covering politics, and this very much includes VanRamblings, few tasks are more fraught than writing critically about political figures they have come to know well, respect, or even like.

In recent days, VanRamblings has been critical of Mayor Ken Sim, who we know and — to be perfectly frank, we — like (in the days to come, we will publish a supportive story of Mayor Sim). VanRamblings take no great pleasure in writing critically, or negatively, about a political figure, be it Mayor Sim, or Premier David Eby.

The above said, we acknowledge that the craft of political journalism demands objectivity, independence, and an unwavering commitment to the public interest.

Yet, the human element of this work cannot be denied. Political reporters often spend years in the company of the same politicians — interviewing them in hallways and offices, sharing off-the-record conversations, and at times even developing bonds of mutual trust. Against this backdrop, when a journalist is faced with reporting something unflattering, or deeply critical about a politician with whom they have built a rapport, the weight of the responsibility can feel crushing.

The essence of the journalist’s dilemma is a tension between personal loyalty and professional duty. On one hand, the journalist is human, and to knowingly cause another person pain — especially a hard working public figure who has chosen a career in public office — can feel cruel. On the other hand, journalism’s higher calling is to serve democracy by ensuring that those in power are held accountable.

As Finley Peter Dunne memorably wrote in his 1902 book Observations by Mr. Dooley, the role of the press is “to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” That phrase has endured because it distills the moral purpose of journalism: to give voice to the powerless while scrutinizing the powerful. Political figures, by definition, fall into the category of the comfortable.

This mission often collides with the personal relationships that naturally develop between journalists and politicians. When a journalist covers a politician for years, the proximity can foster understanding and even admiration. A journalist may see the long hours, the sacrifices of family life, and the sincere desire by the political figure to substantively improve the lives of constituents who placed them in office.

Such observations humanize politicians, stripping away the caricatures often presented in the media. In turn, politicians may confide in journalists, trusting them with context, nuance, and moments of vulnerability that rarely make it into print, or onto your screen. Out of this closeness, empathy grows. And empathy, while essential in making reporting fair and textured, can also — from time to time — soften a journalist’s willingness to strike hard when the facts demand it.

To manage this tension, ethical journalists rely on principles that act as guardrails.

The first is the unwavering primacy of the public interest. However difficult, the journalist (and that includes VanRamblings) must remember that their ultimate loyalty is not to politicians, but to readers, viewers, and the democratic system itself. The second is transparency: by disclosing potential conflicts of interest and being open about their methods, journalists reinforce their credibility. The third is fairness. Criticism need not be cruel; it must be grounded in facts, and contextualized with nuance. In this way, the journalist can both honour their human empathy and fulfill their professional obligation.

Still, even within ethical frameworks, the emotional toll for the journalist is real.

Journalists who publish critical stories about politicians they respect may face strained relationships, loss of access, or even feelings of guilt. Yet this hardship is part of the profession. Indeed, it is in navigating these very difficulties that journalism earns its claim to being a cornerstone of democracy. If members of the press flinch from their duty, those in power would operate with impunity, and the public would be left in the dark.

The adage attributed to Dunne — “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” — serves as a guiding light precisely because it acknowledges the discomfort inherent in journalism. It is easier to flatter than to confront, easier to protect relationships than to risk them. But journalism is not meant to be easy. It is meant to be honest, courageous, and unyielding in the face of power.

For the journalist who must write critically about a political figure they admire, the pain is real, but the obligation is greater. In choosing to afflict the comfortable, even when it means hurting someone they know and admire, the journalist ultimately fulfills the noblest promise of their profession.

#BCPoli | Who Will Eby Appoint to His Cabinet?

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As Premier David Eby prepares to announce his new Cabinet on November 18th, the selection process is particularly dynamic, especially pending judicial recounts in three British Columbia ridings that will take place this upcoming weekend.

With a significant reshuffle required due to retirements, re-election losses, and a pressing need to address evolving provincial issues, David Eby’s appointments will shape the next phase of the B.C. New Democratic Party’s (NDP) governance.

Premier Eby must balance geographic and gender considerations following an election in which a record number of women were elected — but the government lost considerable ground outside of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The Premier must also find MLAs to replace Cabinet ministers who either retired before the election or were defeated.

Education Minister Rachna Singh; Minister of Water, Land and Resources and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, Nathan Cullen; Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis; Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, Dan Coulter; and Minister of State for Sustainable Forestry Innovation, Andrew Mercier, lost their re-election bids.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy; Forests Minister Bruce Ralston; Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin; Transportation Minister Rob Fleming; Minister of State for Child Care, Mitzi Dean; Labour Minister Harry Bains; and Environment Minister George Heyman are the big names to retire at the end of the past term.

Nearly half of the 27 Cabinet members Eby had before the election are not returning to government.


Former NDP Premier Glen Clark says he’s concerned that Premier David Eby will struggle to give rural B.C. a voice because the party won only five seats outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Photo by Jason Payne / PostMedia Group

Glen Clark, NDP Premier from 1996 to 1999, told PostMedia’s Alec Lazenby that he’s concerned that Eby will struggle to give rural B.C. a voice because the party won only five seats outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. All 15 returning ministers are from those two regions.

Clark said at least two or three of the five NDP MLAs outside the major urban centres will need to be given a role in Cabinet. The five are Steve Morissette of Kootenay-Monashee, Harwinder Sandhu of Vernon-Lumby, Brittny Anderson of Kootenay Central, Tamara Davidson of North Coast-Haida Gwaii, and Randene Neill of Powell River-Sunshine Coast.


Former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt expects Premier David Eby’s Cabinet will be much smaller than his last one. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PostMedia Group

Another consideration has to be the reduced size of the NDP majority, says former NDP Premier, Mike Harcourt, giving Eby a smaller number of MLAs to work with.

Mike Harcourt, who was Premier of British Columbia from 1991 to 1996, said it will be important to place the experienced ministers in key portfolios such as finance, health, public safety and the attorney general’s office.

Harcourt cited Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth as a prime example and believes Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey would make a “very capable finance minister.”

Based on political signals and Eby’s policy priorities, here’s a look at some of the most likely and impactful Cabinet appointees.

Key Appointments in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

David Eby’s Cabinet will likely reflect Vancouver’s strong support for the B.C. NDP, where they won 12 out of 13 seats.

A probable first-time appointee is Christine Boyle, who captured a decisive 62% of the vote in Vancouver-Little Mountain. Boyle, with deep ties to the Eby family and significant experience in climate advocacy, is poised to become Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. This would align her environmental background with the B.C. NDP’s efforts to address climate-related challenges.

In Vancouver-Yaletown, retired Vancouver Police Department Inspector Terry Yung secured his seat and is an anticipated addition to the Cabinet as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Yung’s experience in law enforcement is likely to align well with Eby’s agenda on community safety and public order. Veteran MLA Mike Farnworth, who previously held this role, may take over as Minister of Finance, a shift that would leverage his decades of experience in government.

In Vancouver-South Granville, incumbent Brenda Bailey has proven herself as an effective Minister in Eby’s prior government and is likely to retain her Cabinet position, or become the NDP’s new Finance Minister, as Mr. Harcourt suggests.

Health, a demanding and highly scrutinized Ministry, is expected to see a shift, with longtime Health Minister Adrian Dix moving to another post after overseeing the Ministry since 2017. Bowinn Ma, who has significantly bolstered the B.C. NDP’s presence in North Vancouver, is widely anticipated to take over Health, bringing fresh energy to a complex portfolio.

Regional Diversity and Inclusion of Rising Stars

Beyond the immediate Vancouver area, Eby’s Cabinet will reflect strategic regional representation. In the Interior, Harwinder Sandhu, one of the five BC NDP MLAs to be elected outside the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast, is almost guaranteed a Cabinet role. Her appointment would emphasize the BC NDP’s commitment to rural regions, showcasing representation in government.

Of course, as Glen Clark suggests, consideration must also be given to Steve Morissette (Kootenay-Monashee); two-term MLA for Kootenay Central, Brittny Anderson, who we think may have an inside track to becoming a junior Minister, or Minister of State; newly-elected B.C. NDP MLA, Tamara Davidson, who represents the riding of North Coast-Haida Gwaii; not to mention, retired, high profile broadcaster Randene Neill (Powell River-Sunshine Coast), who we think is a lock for an important portfolio in the first full-term of a David Eby government.

Burnaby, a steadfast NDP stronghold, will likely see several (re)appointments.

Anne Kang, re-elected in Burnaby Centre, could remain as Minister of Municipal Affairs. In Burnaby North, Janet Routledge has a chance to join the Cabinet, while Paul Choi, newly-elected in Burnaby South-Metrotown, could also be considered as Premier Eby aims to add fresh perspectives.

In Delta North, Ravi Kahlon will almost certainly continue as Housing Minister, an area of critical focus for the Eby government given the housing crisis across British Columbia. Housing remains a top issue for Eby, who himself made housing reforms a central part of his platform. A stable and experienced presence like Kahlon will be crucial to advancing these policies, especially in urban centres.

Focusing on Surrey and the Broader Metro Vancouver Region

Surrey, a key battleground in the recent election, remains strategically important to Premier David Eby, especially given the loss of some NDP seats there.

Should Garry Begg retain his seat following the judicial recount in Surrey-Guildford this weekend, he is expected to be a top pick for Cabinet to strengthen representation in this fast growing city. Additionally, newly-elected MLAs Amna Shah in Surrey City Centre and Jessie Sunner in Surrey Newton are strong contenders for Cabinet appointments. Eby’s attention to Surrey signals an understanding of the city’s growing political and economic influence in the province.

Reappointments and Strategic Shifts on Vancouver Island

On Vancouver Island, Grace Lore, who held the Minister of Children and Family Development portfolio, is highly likely to be reappointed given her success in Victoria-Beacon Hill and experience in child welfare issues. Lana Popham, a veteran minister, is also expected to retain a Cabinet position, either continuing in her tourism and cultural portfolio or perhaps taking on a new challenge.

Sheila Malcolmson, who has effectively led the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, is another probable reappointment following her victory in Nanaimo-Gabriola Island. Jodie Osborne, in the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding, will likely be reappointed to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, continuing her work on sustainable energy initiatives in British Columbia.

Gender Parity and Representation in Eby’s New Cabinet

With 31 out of 47 elected B.C. NDP members being women, there is a strong case for gender parity within the new Cabinet — with the possibility that two-thirds of the members of his new Cabinet will be women, reflecting their strength within the B.C. NDP caucus — a principle Eby has consistently championed. If the projected appointments proceed, Eby’s Cabinet will reflect a representative cross-section of the province, with an emphasis on female leaders in key ministries.

This commitment to gender parity aligns with Eby’s broader goal of promoting inclusivity within his government, thereby setting a standard for future Cabinets.

Notable Exclusions and Potential Surprises

While Vancouver-based MLAs dominate many of the Cabinet roles, some veterans may be left out. Spencer Chandra Herbert, who has represented Vancouver’s West End since 2009, and veteran B.C. NDP MLA Mable Elmore, representing Vancouver-Kensington, may not secure Cabinet spots due to the high concentration of Vancouver representatives. These omissions may underscore the difficult balancing act Eby faces as he strives to achieve both gender and regional representation.

Langford-Highlands’ Ravi Parmar, a relatively newcomer into the MLA ranks, elected from John Horgan’s former riding, might also be considered for Cabinet. Parmar’s inclusion would help strengthen Vancouver Island’s representation and honour Horgan’s legacy, which remains influential within the BC NDP.

A Cabinet for a New Political Era

In crafting his new Cabinet, Premier Eby aims to assemble a team that can tackle B.C.’s most pressing issues, from housing and health care to environmental sustainability and public safety. The mix of experienced veterans like Farnworth and Popham with rising stars such as Boyle and Ma reflects Eby’s commitment to balancing continuity with innovation.

The emphasis on regional and gender representation, coupled with a focus on critical ministries, positions this Cabinet to address the complexities of governing a diverse province. Moreover, by incorporating leaders from various backgrounds — public safety, municipal governance, environmental activism — Premier Eby’s Cabinet can approach these issues from fresh perspectives, creating policy solutions his government aims to resonate with a broad swath British Columbians.