Lucas and I already went in-depth in The Monster Pod discussing some of the psychological horror hiding just under the surface in Beyond the Gates, but I love this movie so much that I wanted to do a review of it as well. So, if you've not yet seen Beyond the Gates, enjoy my (primarily) spoiler-free review of this fun, indie horror flick! And if you have seen it, be sure to check out The Monster Pod for a much more detailed analysis.
The IMDB description for Beyond the Gates is: Two estranged brothers reunite at their missing father's video store and find a VCR board game dubbed 'Beyond the Gates' that holds a connection to their father's disappearance.
If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to keep coming back for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!
"Do you have what it takes to go beyond the gates?!!?" Wait...what does it even take to go beyond the gates? I mean, obviously it just takes a vhs board game. But, it will take much more than that if you are going to make it out alive!! On the surface, Beyond the Gates is a fun, indie horror flick about a vhs board game with the amazing Barbara Crampton. However, if you dig just a little bit deeper, some very realistic psychological horror and some layered depth can be found!! As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review." There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast. So, if you have not yet seen Beyond the Gates, go watch it first and then come back to get our analysis of it!
We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of Beyond the Gates and that you keep coming back for more. The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!! If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!
Once again, I was able to return to the Chattanooga Film Festival with Mass Listeria! I love cinema in all of its forms, so the Chattanooga Film Festival is one of my favorite times of year because I spend four days being surrounded by movies and fellow film lovers! To get a sense of why I love the Chattanooga Film Festival so much, read my post from the start of my coverage of the 2016 Chattanooga Film Festival (found here)...every word of it still holds true!
We already did an overview episode on Mass Listeria (found at masslisteriapodcast.com), but for the next several episodes of The Gargyle Podcast, I'll be providing reviews of each of the films that I saw individually. Up next in my coverage of the 2017 Chattanooga Film Festival is: The Monster Squad
I'll be providing the description of the films provided in the Chattanooga Film Festival program and trailers via YouTube, when available. The descriptions and trailers of the movies might let you know what they are about, but if you want to know what I thought of them...well, you are just going to have to give the podcast a listen. The CFF program description for The Monster Squad was:
Among connoisseurs of classic '80s cinema, there's a film many hold so dear that they dare to mention it in the same breath as bona fide classics The Goonies and Gremlins. But unlike The Goonies, who just saved their neighborhood from some evil developers, the Monster Squad saved the world. At CFF, we submit that The Monster Squad, from its classic script by legendary screenwriter Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Nice Guys) to its breezy crowd-pleasing direction by the underrated Fred Dekker, deserves a place in those hallowed cinematic halls. That's why we've invited the film's cast members Andre Gower and Ryan Lambert to join us for a special screening (make sure to catch their live Squad Cast podcast during the festival as well). When you leave the theater and feel compelled to purchase the film's soundtrack, we promise not to say we told you so.
I saw 21 feature films, short films, partial films, or live shows during the Chattanooga Film Festival! So, be sure to check back soon for more of my CFF coverage! And if you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to keep coming back for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!
What do you get when you turn a 7 page H. P. Lovecraft story into an 86 minute movie?? You get From Beyond, an insane slice of 1986 sci-fi horror!! Starring Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, the second feature length film from Stuart Gordon might not be as well-known in the mainstream as Re-Animator, but that doesn't mean that it is any less fun to watch in all of horror ridiculousness!! As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review." There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast. So, if you have not yet seen From Beyond, go watch it first and then come back to get our take on it!
We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of From Beyond and that you keep coming back for more. The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!! If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!
Halloween Movie Month
Toothy Thursday Fright Night (1985)
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It's that time again...time for Halloween Movie Month!! Once again, I will attempt to watch a horror movie every day of October, all in preparation for Halloween! This year, I will have themed days: Musical Monday, Terrible Tuesday, Wicked Wednesday, Toothy Thursday, Foreign Friday, Psycho Saturday, and Silent Sunday. Up next is Toothy Thursday and my review of...Fright Night!!
If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
In tonight's episode of Sci-Fighters, our nostalgia goes up against Michael Bay! With the upcoming release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Ashley and I discuss how modern movies stack up to the source material of our childhood. Also, we discuss whether modern movies from 80's source material is meant for kids now, or adults who remember the material from when they were kids.
Sci-Fighters is a podcast where we will be talking about movies, technology, books, science fiction, fantasy...and pretty much any other aspect of pop-culture that we all loved growing up (and continue to love still)!! It is part history, part future, part nostalgia, part geekery, an part nerd-rage!
Check back soon for more of our rants and ramblings! In the meantime, catch up on all of our previous episodes at scifighters.podomatic.com.
If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
The Wraith (1986)
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Chattanooga Film Festival 2016
A few weeks ago, I was able to go to the Chattanooga Film Festival with Mass Listeria (thanks again, Daniel and Tim, for bringing me on board...puns and all). For four days, the Majestic Theater in Chattanooga was filled with movie lovers of all shapes and sizes. Comedy, horror, drama, documentaries, short films, animated films, independent films...the festival had movies for everyone, regardless of tastes. Over the next several days, I will be posting my reviews of the movies that I saw there (in the order that I saw them), starting with The Wraith.
The CFF program description for The Wraith was: "This 1986 cult classic tells the story of a murdered teenager (Charlie Sheen) who returns to extract revenge on a gang of car thieves and its leader (Nick Cassavetes). To say more wouldn't be fair to the uninitiated, but the film also stars Sherilyn Fenn, Randy Quaid and legendary character actor Clint Howard, who makes his CFF debut to introduce the film and answer questions afterward. Don't miss this special event!"
For as much as I love movies, I have to admit that I was one of the "uninitiated" watching the film and my only exposure to The Wraith prior to seeing the movie was watching the preview a few days prior. The CFF program description says that it "wouldn't be fair" to say much more about the film than what it does. But, the program description and the preview pretty much tell you everything you need to know about the story.
But, just knowing the story does not tell you how enjoyable The Wraith was to watch!! It was full of unintentionally hilarious lines (one of my personal favorites being "He's weird and he's pissed off!!") and 80's awesomeness!! There are fast cars, lovable characters, and a bit of the supernatural. It might not seem like there is anything that makes this movie especially great, but I cannot think of a better film to have started off my weekend at CFF!!
One of the things that made the viewing of The Wraith at CFF so memorable was that Clint Howard was there to talk about the film and do a brief Q&A afterwards. One of the more interesting things that Clint Howard said about the film was that it was meant to be a serious film. It was not meant to be a cheesy, schlocky, campy action/comedy. My enjoyment of the film was definitely due to the 80's awesomeness of it and not the seriousness of it. So, when Clint Howard said that, I started to feel a little guilt thinking that he was going to feel like the film had not received the respect it deserved.
But then he said something else that not only alleviated the guilt, but also caused my respect and appreciation of him to grow. Clint Howard said that the point of movies is to entertain. So, who cares if The Wraith did not entertain the way that it was meant to...the laughter and applause throughout the movie showed that everyone there was definitely entertained! Rather than being pretentious and shaming people for not watching a movie "the way it's supposed to be watched," he was very down to earth and grateful for the fans that showed their love.
Me, Clint Howard, Daniel (of Mass Listeria)
Thankfully, I was able to meet Clint Howard that night and talk to him a bit more and express my appreciation for all that he has contributed to cinema. So, while the movie itself was not the best movie that I saw all weekend, it definitely was the perfect opening to encapsulate what film means to me.
Recommendation: For me, The Wraith is a buy. Granted, one of the main reasons that I would buy the movie is because of the experience surrounding my initial viewing, which would not be your experience if the first time watching it is in your home. However, it was still a hell of a lot of fun to watch. So go pick up The Wraith, invite some friends over, make some popcorn, and get ready for some 80's awesomeness!!
If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!! In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
