Beyond The Gates

When i was a kid in the 80´s, i used to play board games. Mostly Fia Med Knuff, a board game that was popular among kids. Monopoly was also one of the standard games, when i was a little bit older, i was simply too busy playing Nintendo most of the time. I can still see that board games are popular even today, maybe not on the same scale as back in the 80´s and 90´s, but they keep making new ones. One of the great things about board games, is that you can play with your family, spend some time together. There are of course films that have brought in board games into the world of cinema, and one of the best classics is perhaps Jumanji from 1995. The film had a very different image, of the traditional board game concept. The idea is that, once you play Jumanji, you have to finish the game, or all hell breaks loose. It is a fun movie, and of course Robin Williams did a great performance as Alan Parrish. I know that a remake is on the way, set to be released this summer where Dwayne Johnson is involved in the project. Let´s turn the clock back again, and see if some of you remember this. Did anyone of you play board games, with a VHS cassette was included ? I have only seen some of them, and i remember watching how some of them worked. To be honest, they were not really good. But looking back, the 80´s and 90´s had some crazy ideas, and i suppose they tried to do something different. In those days, especially in the horror genre, board games was supposed to make you frightened. I can´t say i was personally, but a fun concept, that eventually failed. So what if you founf a VHS board game, that would change your life completely, in a VHS store ? This is a part of the story, of the horror film Beyond The Gates. This is a film i discovered thanks to IFC Midnight, since they are known for releasing quality horror B movies. One thing i noticed instantly was that actor Barbara Crampton is here, from classic B movie classics such as Re-Animator, Chopping Mall, From Beyond and Trancers II. Of course she have been in plenty of more films, but it is clear that she is a legend. Beyond The Gates seems to bring back the VHS era, through a board game concept. Those of you who knows me, can confirm my passion for movies that have influences of the 80's and the 90's. When i finally found out that Njutafilms have released the film on dvd in Sweden, i had to get myself a copy. Is Beyond The Gates a feast for horror fans, or is this a straight to dvd release that you probably should avoid ?

Gordon Hardesty ( Graham Skipper ) and his brother John Hardesty ( Chase Williamson ) meet up in their father´s old VHS and dvd store. Their father have been missing for 7 months, so they need to pack everything down from the closed store. Gordon´s girlfriend Margot McKenzie ( Brea Grant ) tries to support her boyfriend, even though they have been through a rough time. While unlocking the office in the video store, they find a board game called Beyond The Gates, where a VHS tape is included. The video is connected to the game, and a woman named Evelyn ( Barbara Crampton ) appear on the tv screen, and tell them how the game works. Once they start playing, they soon realise that they are a part of the game in reality.

One of the things i find charming about the film Beyond The Gates, is that a actual board game is used in the film, with the VHS tape. The board game design by Brendan Wiuff looks really good, and he manage to capture the right feeling of a classic board game look. But there is plenty more to be happy about. The original music written by Wojciech Golczewski is absolutely wonderful, especially the brilliant theme song. A real cheesy 80´s vibe tune, that you might want to put your snow boots on, headbang and bring on a air guitar solo, while listening to it. We also have the legendary actor Barbara Crampton in here, as the board game presenter. Let´s be honest here guys worldwide, we all want Barbara, she looks fantastic, and she is also really good in this film. The other actors also do a good job. Brea Grant, perhaps known from tv show Heroes and in Rob Zombies film Halloween II, nice to see her back in a feature film. We also have Chase Williamson here, from the lovely films John Dies At The End and The Guest. Let´s not forget Graham Skipper, who have also been in some good films such as The Mind´s Eye and Carnage Park. Nice to see all these lovely actors combined, and i have to say i enjoy their characters. Even if Beyond The Gates does not bring anything fresh to the surface, it still proves that we appreciate the past of the video violence days of VHS. Just the fact that the film is based on a board game, makes this a fun tale. Barbara Crampton´s character Evelyn is both creepy, and simply gorgeous to look at. The story surrounding a missing father is not very interesting, to be honest. So it is basically the game itself that becomes the main reason why you enjoy this film, including the cast. Beyond The Gates is director Jackson Stewart directorial debut film, and i have to say that he have proved himself. He clearly have a passion for old school horror, and does not need a slasher theme, or lots of blood. Instead, he give us a nice treat of nostalgia, and i do appreciate his vision. Could the film have been stronger ? Perhaps, but i don´t feel like looking for faults, because i still enjoy this film. If you enjoyed the 1986 classic film Witchboard, and want to see something different with a board game included, then this is the film for you. Beyond The Gates both bring back the good old days of VHS and manage to please fans of VHS horror. I wonder if you can buy a copy of the actual game Beyond The Gates ? I feel like playing the game now, especially for watching Barbara Crampton ( but don´t tell her that though, i am a true gentleman you know ). 

Rating: DDD

By the way, here is the link to the swedish dvd release of the film, so you know that you should buy it ( for the whole family of course ) ;)

http://www.njutafilms.com/beyond-the-gates/