Review: Beyond the Gates

(imdb.com)

There's no shortage of 80s-inspired horror movies. These retro films utilize all of the iconography and cinematography of classics like Nightmare on Elm Street, but when effective, also take on their own form. Movies like The House of the Devil, capitalize on horror fans yearning of a time more recently exchanged for glossed over and bland craftsmanship. The recent addition to Netflix, Beyond the Gates, attempts to further this trend with varied success.

On one hand, Beyond the Gates is a terrific movie with some small scares and a plot that ties movies like Jumanji with films like The Ring. On the other hand, Beyond the Gates is either too long of a film, given its lack of action for the first hour, or too short of a film, given the universe that could easily be expanded into a series. Regardless, there is should be enough content to maintain interest, if not complete intrigue.

Beyond the Gates follows a pair of brothers whose search for their father leads them to a VHS board game with a sinister past. Far too immersive and ultimately deadly, the game soon takes a horrific turn with all the fog and lighting of the 80s leading the way. Beyond the Gates stars horror icon, Barbara Crampton (We Are Still Here) as Evelyn, the video game's narrator, Chase Williamson (SiREN) and Graham Skipper (The Mind's Eye) as estranged brothers, John and the straight-laced Gordon, and Brea Grant as Margot (Halloween II). The acting varies in strength, mostly settling for acceptable if not always great. Skipper seems unsure of how to play his character realistically, sometimes coming across as a caricature, but together all of the cast hold up.

Beyond the Gates exists in a universe that feels much larger than its result. Between confusing demon-ghost grab scenes and a random mystery store, there is definitely a larger story that could have been built to keep the mythology more clear. Frankly, if the film had spent less time on their character's backstories, these issues may have been easily supplemented, but it's hard to tell. It's never actually bad though, so the film's positives easily keep it up to par. The 80s inspiration is clear throughout and there are a few jump scares that are definitely worthwhile. Plus, the use of a VHS board game is entertainment enough to suffice.

Beyond the Gates begins as a movie that seems better suited for a short or a student film fest entry, but slowly becomes an entertaining throwback of a movie with plenty of original storytelling to offer. It's definitely short, which helps move things along, but it does feel like some opportunities are missed in its attempt to maximize on the climax. 6 out 10.

 

Review: SiREN

(imdb.com)

In 2016, a low-budget creature feature can be hard to pull off. Between the CGI-blasted action movies and the quiet visual effects of the fantasy genre, this subgenre has become somewhat of a poster child for mediocrity. Bad graphics simply do not work like they used to. And, if they don't work, you better hope and pray that something else about the movie does. This weird middle space is where we find 2016's SiREN. Lesser known than some of the other indie releases of 2016, but certainly passable, SiREN feels like a horror movie that should be worse than it is. As a feature length adaption to Amateur Night from horror-anthology, V/H/S, SiREN shouldn't work as well as it does.  Expanding a short story or film is a difficult task but one SiREN seems unafraid to take on.

SiREN follows a group of groomsmen and a soon-to-be husband on the night of his bachelor's party. When a night of mediocre strip clubs and drinking takes a turn for the unexpected upon venturing into a unsettling, niche strip club, things quickly unravel. As it turns out, one girl is being held captive, and the friends decide to help her escape. Then- plot twist, maybe she wasn't endangered because she actually was the danger. The film stars Chase Williamson (John Dies at the End) as groom Jonah, Hannah Fierman (V/H/S) as the captured Lily, Hayes Mercure (New Girl) as should've-been best man Rand,  and Justin Welborn (The Final Destination) as creepy club owner, Mr Nyx.

What drives this movie the farthest is its plot. While beginning rather shallow, the transformation of helping Lily escape from Mr. Nyx to finding out that the friends actually needed to escape Lily is definitely entertaining enough. In fact, by the time viewers reach the final climactic moment, they will be drawn into the film, unable to escape. There are definitely weaker parts in the movie; some scenes seemed tossed around to expand the length of the film, but there is enough going on and enough velocity in those going-ons to keep audiences watching.

The biggest problem in SiREN is its actors. While Williamson, Fierman Mercure and Welborn are fine enough, the supporting cast however, is weak at best. The odd, leech-haired woman, most of the other groomsmen and various outsiders all bring this movie down a notch with overacting and cheese. Surely some of this felt intentional, but most of them just felt like a part of a film school project. The movie's other problem is, as noted in the first paragraph, the graphics of the monster. At first, the mysterious Lily seems like a ghostly and terrifying seer, but when her wings spread and her teeth show, the Splice-like creature is less compelling and more meh.

 

SiREN is a great movie to watch on a cold, rainy day when you have the time. While it may not be theater-worthy I will not deny that this movie kept my attention long enough to finish. Its eccentric feel, final scene and entertaining plot line make for an easy watch, even if flaws hold it back. I give this movie 6 out 10 giant, sharp teeth.