Tag: Ian McKellen

DVD: Keep, The (1983)

February 22, 2020 | By Mark R. Hasan

After making his feature film debut with the critically acclaimed dramatic thriller Thief (1981), Michael Mann set his sights on the WWII supernatural shocker The Keep…

Shakespeare Transposed: Richard III (1995)

June 16, 2015 | By Mark R. Hasan

Review of Richard Loncraine and Ian McKellen’s superb version of Shakespeare’s Richard III (1995), new on Blu from Twilight Time.

Director Richard Loncraine and star Ian McKellen’s reworking of William Shakespeare’s classic tale of a king ‘offering his kingdom for a horse’ is given a wholly new spin by reducing the epic play (reportedly one of the Bard’s longest) to roughly 100 mins. with surprisingly minimal dialogue…

Tales of Giant Bugs on VHS, a Podcast Interview, and Tape Swapping

In addition to a review of the 3D short film ROACH (2022) on VHS, I’ve an interview with its maker, SCHNUDLBUG, and links to an essay I wrote for the latest issue of BRANDON LIM’s zine, FILM FVCKERS, titled “THE GREAT TAPE SWAP”

January 7, 2025 | By Mark R. Hasan

Now Where Were We? Right. Let’s go back to LAST NIGHT (1998)

Don McKellar’s LAST NIGHT (1998) is the first review after a long pause in activities at KQEK.com

July 25, 2023 | By Mark R. Hasan

Gothic Steele: An Angel for Satan (1966)

Review of AN ANGEL FOR SATAN / UN ANGELO PER SATANA (1966), Barbara Steele’s last Italian Gothic, on Blu-ray from Severin Films

January 28, 2022 | By Mark R. Hasan

Latest Podcasts / Interviews

Tales of Giant Bugs on VHS, a Podcast Interview, and Tape Swapping

January 7, 2025 | By Mark R. Hasan

ArtScopeTO 10: Interview with Abstract Painter Donna Wise

For my occasional podcast series ArtScope TO, Abstract Painter Donna Wise discusses her unique techniques, and working during the 2020-2021 pandemic.

July 11, 2021 | By Mark R. Hasan

Podcast: Jason Pichonsky on Restoring Julian Roffman’s THE BLOODY BROOD (1959) + PHOBIA (1980)

Alongside a podcast with CanCon film historian Jason Pichonsky are revised reviews of Julian Roffman’s THE BLOODY BROOD (1959) + John Huston’s PHOBIA (1980), both from KINO Lorber / Unobstructed View.

April 25, 2020 | By Mark R. Hasan

New Film Reviews

VHS: Roach (2022)

The core story involves a pilot who runs into an available, functional spacecraft, and boots up into the planet’s now-toxic atmosphere, relying on the craft’s occasionally bristling AI navigation system to find a strata safe from dense clouds, and a roving giant bug determined to make a meal of the tiny craft and its pilot.

January 7, 2025 | By Mark R. Hasan