Beyond the Gates: Blu-Ray Review
Arriving this week on Blu-ray is Jackson Stewart’s love letter to the days of video stores and VHS tapes, “Beyond the Gates”. This is a horror-comedy that wears its heart on its’ sleeve, something that we do not see often enough. Those of you who grew up in the 80’s and spent hundreds of hours in your local video store will feel quite a bit of nostalgia while watching this one
After the disappearance of their father, Gordon (Graham Skipper) and John (Chase Williamson) reunite to pack up their family owned video store. The siblings come across a mysterious VHS board game in their father’s office, which he was clearly playing before he vanished. When they bring it home, Gordon’s girlfriend Margot (Brea Grant) suggests that they play it. It doesn’t take long before they all realize that the seductive siren on screen (Barbara Crampton) has locked them into something much more dangerous that a game.
I have seen “Beyond the Gates” a few times, as we screened it at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival last year and after another viewing, I can honestly say that this is definitely one of the most original genre films I have seen in quite some time. I love the gore elements of course, but I also love the message about family. “Beyond the Gates” might not terrify you, but it will make you think about what is truly important.
Bonus Features
- Audio Commentary With Director/Co-Writer Jackson Stewart, Actors Barbara Crampton And Jesse Merlin, Director Of Photography Brian Sowell, And Co-Writer Stephen Scarlata
- Audio Commentary With Director/Co-Writer Jackson Stewart And Actors Chase Williamson, Brea Grant, And Graham Skipper
- Audio Commentary With Junk Food Dinner Podcast Hosts Kevin Moss, Parker Bowman, And Sean Byron
- Audio Commentary With Director/Co-Writer Jackson Stewart And Production Assistant Dan Fisk
- Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
- Deleted Scenes
- Premiere Q&A – Moderated By Famed Horror Director Stuart Gordon
- Sex Boss Short Film
- Theatrical Trailer
- Retro Beyond The Gates Commercial
By: Marc Ferman