KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

Steineded How sad is this?

MusicChat It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

crystallogic There's no point in spending a lot of time analysing this movie. It's an incredible, over-the-top, very 80s horror experience that is also gloriously childish and exuberant. I loved the performances of the two lead child actors, and I really don't say this often. They were both terrific, and something here in the direction or performances just worked so well that these nearly-pubescent children never put a foot wrong -- a rare thing to see. The paeans to heavy metal were great, even if none of the music featured in the film is as heavy or dark as Venom or Sacrifice! Terry has great taste.This movie has a thin story, but it has loads of memorable scenes, some sympathetic performances, and a feeling of ecstatic freedom and paradoxical joy in horror and weirdness. It was shot in my home province of Ontario and I enjoyed the little references and cameos from local establishments and such. The movie is 80s-as-hell and can be put alongside some other films of the period that are ostensibly directed at children but dabble in strange morbidity and delight in being somewhat twisted. never once does the movie try to preach morals or ruin the fun. Terry is so over-the-top sometimes it's just glorious. If you want a great movie night with some friends, this would be a nice choice. Even if you're one of those people who finds these projects (the styles, the music, the monsters, the stop-motion, etc) "cheesy" I don't think you'll be able to resist falling under its spell and kind of liking the thing.

jellopuke They don't make 'em like this anymore. Horror that's focused on kids and just ramping up the weird and putting kids in situations that would terrify them. Great effects, solid acting, believable characters, and super nice model work all add up to a solid time. If you like Gremlins or Monster Squad, this should be up your alley.

Bezenby I hadn't watched this film in well over twenty years! Now I've got more hair coming out my nose than on my head, but one thing hasn't changed: This film still take ages to get to the good stuff. Then again, I enjoyed it more this time around because The Gate is pure eighties goodness, and is nice, light hearted stuff. With zombies and demons.Two kids find that a hole in their back garden is a gateway to hell, and there's demons trying to get through to our world. Following instructions they find in a heavy metal album, they discover that there's certain rituals to be followed to open up the game, but unlucky those rituals have already taken place (accidentally), and the demons are about to push through. The demons are great. Small, capering imps that attack the kids, form into a zombie, and generally cause havoc before a huge stop motion demon attacks the household. Add into that bits and pieces of gore and those great eighties fashions, and you've got a film that's slow to start, but pays off in the end. I must admit I'm getting soft and easier to please in my old age, however.

merklekranz "The Gate" certainly plays like a nightmare from hell gone terribly wrong. Eventually you would hope to wake up, but "The Gate" just goes on and on piling nonsense on nonsense. The big question is, who is the intended audience? This is certainly too scary for children, teenagers will abhor the lack of sex and gore, and adults are not likely to enjoy a movie that has virtually no adults. In addition it takes forever to get going after the hole initially appears. Plus, the whole thing is extremely claustrophobic, taking place entirely in and around one house. Of course another question is, why didn't the kids just run out of the house, and away from all this nonsense? I give up, and so will you. Not recommended. - MERK