White Boy Rick might be based upon a true story but it should be mentioned that it is largely based upon subjective claims that cannot be fully verified. The movie tells a story that might or might not be fully or partially true about a teenage boy from a broken neighbourhood in the decrepit city of Detroit, symbol for the downfall of the American Dream, who gets involved in criminal gangs at the tender age of fourteen. He becomes an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation which almost costs him his life. Even after being dropped by the intelligence and security service, the tough protagonist with a soft core remains involved in criminal activities and exposes himself and those around him to great danger.

On the positive side, the movie oozes with atmosphere and has a quite realistic touch. White Boy Rick efficiently works with contrasts. The decrepit settings of Detroit as opposed to the world of steel and glass in Las Vegas, the poor neighbourhoods as opposed to shiny clubs, the innocent children getting in touch with pitiless gangster bosses and their ruthless associates evoke strong emotions, ideas and images. The film obviously offers some social criticism related to drugs, family and even governmental institutions. The acting performances are brilliant and the story is at times heart-breaking, especially Bel Powley playing the protagonist's drug-addicted runaway sister is very convincing.

On the negative side, the film's pace is quite plodding. It doesn't help that the story is somewhat unfocused. It starts at a certain point in the protagonist's life, accompanies him for a few years and ends with a boring text about his future fate. With a few more scenes, such as his birth into a broken family and the departure of his mother at the beginning or his release from jail and reunion with his family at the end would have made for a more complete movie.

If you like dramatic gangster movies that offer some social criticism instead of action sequences, you should give White Boy Rick a try. It has enough redeeming qualities to be one of the better gangster movies in recent memory. However, it could have been even better with a better pace and more precise script.

 Ladies and gentlemen!

Ladies and gentlemen! 

On my twenty-fifth and last day of my trip through Atlantic Canada, I finally arrived in Montreal aboard The Ocean in the late hours of the morning. I spent the day in Montreal and took a train to Ottawa in the early hours of the evening. I took a taxi to get back to Gatineau where I had only spent two days of my entire summer holiday.

Highlights: I managed to discover two places I had never visited in Montreal even though I have been to this city on numerous occasions. I visited Observatoire Place Ville Marie right next to the train station and drove all the way to the Olympic Stadium to visit its lookout as well. Even though the latter was older and smaller, I offered a better and clearer view and had its own unique atmosphere.

Curiosities: I wanted to grab a snack for dinner at the Central Train Station but almost all restaurants had already closed in the early hours of the evening. A particularly helpful person decided to prepare something to eat for me even though he was already in the process of closing the restaurant. Thanks to his help, I managed to have a tasty Lebanese meal as final dinner on my epic voyage.

Conclusion: This twenty-five day trip through Atlantic Canada was probably the greatest voyage I have ever experienced so far in my life. Every day was perfectly enjoyable and memorable. I'm already actively planning my next summer vacation as I want to visit Central Canada in June and July 2019. 

 Arriving in Levis, Quebec, aboard The Ocean in the early hours of the morning 

 A view of downtown Montreal

 Montreal train station

 Looking north from Observatoire Place Ville Marie

  Looking east from Observatoire Place Ville Marie

 Looking south from Observatoire Place Ville Marie 

 Atop Observatoire Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal

  Looking west from Observatoire Place Ville Marie

 Basilique Reine du Monde in Montreal

 Saint George's Anglican Church

 Monument dedicated to honour Canada's controversial first Prime Minister John A. Macdonald

 Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal

 Saint James United Church in Montreal

 Chapel Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes of Montreal

 Looking north from the Olympic Stadium

 Looking east from the Olympic Stadium

 Looking south from the Olympic Stadium

Montreal Olympic Park 

 Nicolaus Copernicus monument in Montreal

 Lachine Canal on the way out of Montreal to Ottawa

Ladies and gentlemen!

On the twenty-fourth day of my trip through Atlantic Canada, I took The Ocean from Halifax to Montreal. The ride took about twenty-two hours and I slept on the train again. The train made it to the border of New Brunswick and Quebec at night and arrived in Montreal on time for a late breakfast.

Highlights: I really enjoy these train rides. Everything is cool, cozy and relaxing and one can admire wonderful landscapes. I'm looking forward to travelling by train again in the future.

Curiosities: On that day, I discovered the awkward brand new song and video of Grave Digger's Zombie Dance. That's a curiosity indeed! 

 Leaving Halifax Harbour and the Port of Halifax in the early afternoon

Bedford Basin with downtown Halifax and Dartmouth in the background 

 A military vessel on Bedford Basin

 Arriving in Moncton, New Brunswick

 A view of Rogersville in New Brunswick and its Acadian heritage

Ladies and gentlemen!

On the twenty-third day of my trip through Atlantic Canada, I drove the short distance from Truro to Halifax. I stayed in Truro in the morning and drove back to Halifax in the early afternoon. It was then time to bring back my car and spend one last night in Halifax before taking the train back to Montreal the next day.

Highlights: Victoria Park in Truro was stunning with its gorgeous landscapes and diversified trails. Returning to Halifax was enjoyable as I came to realize that this might be Canada's most beautiful city after all.

Curiosities: A stranger asked me to help him repair two tablets at Halifax Harbour. I just wanted to relax. I thought the guy looked suspicious. I don't know too much about such technological tools in order to repair them. That's why I kindly declined to help. The stranger was completely stunned and criticized my lack of common sense. I didn't care. I just wanted to enjoy my last night in Halifax without caring about anyone else's business. Sometimes we have too be a little selfish to enjoy ourselves. I don't mind that. 

Tidal Bore Inn in Truro which was by far the cheapest but not the worst motel I have stayed in on my whole trip 

 Kiwanis Park in downtown Truro

 Jacob's Ladder in Victoria Park in Truro

 Maintenance work in Victoria Park

 One of the numerous stairs and ladders in Victoria Park

 Joseph Howe Falls

 Waddell Falls

  A trail above Lepper Brook in Victoria Park

 A return to Halifax Harbour with its gorgeous Georges Island