THE GATE (1987)

"We accidentally summoned demons, who used to rule the universe, to come and take over the world."

For millions of dozens of thousands of millennia, way back before even the birth of Humanity, film historians have quipped that THE GATE could have be called “The Son of Poltergeist”. And I definitely see what they’re talking about cause I thought the same thing back in ye olde 1987. It could also even be called a bridge between POLTERGEIST and HOME ALONE if you’re really stoned.

A pre-teen boy and his teenage sister are left alone for a few days. A tree recently fell down in their backyard after being struck by lightning. The stump removal crew filled in the hole, but the boy and his buddy dig the hole back up to look for geodes. Bad idea, cuz the hole is actually an opening to a nest full of demons. The demons must have been snoozing pretty hard cause it takes them quite a while to bring a ruckus. That said, THE GATE is actually more enjoyable now than it was back in 1987. Back then I thought the shit was too light-weight cause I was looking for something more hardcore like the recent THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Nowadays though I find the film to be a nostalgic time-capsule back to an age when I had more time to watch movies.

Good pace, memorable creature effects (especially the falling zombie), zero nudity, zero gore, a weird dream-like feel to the entire movie, solid acting, a bad ass Masters of the Universe t-shirt, a few random heavy metal posters (Iron Maiden, Ozzy, etc.), an ending that kinda reminded me of TIME BANDITS. Overall THE GATE is a fun lazy afternoon time-waster that's worth checking out.

Part 2 - Gate 2: The Trespassers (1990)

D.O.A. (1950)

Frank Bigelow (Edmond O'Brien) is just a regular Joe, a mild-mannered accountant who steps out to San Francisco for a few days of fun to get away from his smothering girlfriend. She never gives the guy a break! Once in SF things gets a little campy with the strange wolfish whistling sound every time a foxy dame walks by and the completely whacked out jive club scene, but then things take a serious turn when somebody slips some "luminous" poison in Bigelow's drink.

The next morning he feels sick and goes to the hospital. When they tell him he's been poisoned and is gonna die in a few days he freaks out and before you can say “I glued my balls to my butthole and now I can’t fart.” Big Frank goes running down the street like a madman. Once he calms down he gets pissed and goes out in search of his killer.

Not quite as hard-boiled as you would hope but still an awesome movie from beginning to end without a minute wasted.  Highly recommended.

Notice the names: Ernest Laszlo (Cinematographer), Marty Moss (Assistant Director) and Russell Rouse (Writer).