Micro-Shock Cinema

Cemetery Gates

A review by Michael O'May

2006 Director: Roy Knyrim

“Cemetery Gates” is director Roy Knyrim’s second feature and defiantly his best work. It’s a fun gory romp that not once forgets its 80’s roots and is a blast every step of the way.

The insane plot concerns a genetically altered gigantic Tasmanian devil that looks the offspring of the Prophecy mutant bear and Mickey Rooney that is set free by some idiot animal rights activists. Said monster goes on a rampage and ends up in a cemetery where some pretty teens are shooting a movie, fucking and smoking lots of pot. The only man who can save the day is Reggie Banister (doesn’t shoot dwarfs this time, he’s a scientist).

This is a really fun movie that never removes its tongue from its cheek. The effects are cartoon-ish and over the top. Hell the characters are cartoons themselves with everyone playing an exaggerated stereo type, a perfect example of this being Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero playing two stoners who start to see cartoons before they get chewed to pieces. These two never get enough love and it’s always been my opinion that Nicotero is a pretty good actor when playing stoners. Beyond stoners we also have hillbillies, sluts and mad scientists (played pretty well by Reggie Banister).

The real star of this film though is the monster Tasmanian devil that gets a huge back story to make it as scary as

possible, you may have actually bought it too if you didn’t see the creature, which looks pretty fucking funny. You can defiantly see stylistic ques to the prophecy bear as half its fur is missing and it fucks everything it sees up. Too bad however that it’s very clearly a guy in a suit on all fours, but really if you didn’t turn it off by that point you’re into the flick and having a good time like you’re supposed to.

The gore is over the top and well done, and thankfully there is not a drop of CG. This is thanks in part to FX man turned director Roy Knyrim who very comfortably makes an effects movie and shots it right. Really I wish more effects guys took a stab at making movies they have the passion for cheese and gore that most directors don’t. Roy K really did a great job in this area.

You can also defiantly see Roy Knyrim was more comfortable and grew a lot between his first film, Demons At the Door , and his second, Cemetery gates. The movie is solid on all fronts and very fun. I hope that he continues to improve from movie to movie and stick with his strength, horror/comedy.

I highly recommend Cemetery Gates, especially in a party setting.

4 Z’Dars out of 5

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		Cemetery Gates A review by Michael O'May 2006 Director: Roy Knyrim “Cemetery Gates” is director Roy Knyrim’s second feature and defiantly his best work. It’s a fun gory romp that not once forgets its 80’s roots and is a blast every step of the way. The insane plot concerns a genetically altered gigantic Tasmanian devil that looks the offspring of the Prophecy mutant bear and Mickey Rooney that is set free by some idiot animal rights activists. Said monster goes on a rampage and ends up in a cemetery where some pretty teens are shooting a movie, fucking and smoking lots of pot. The only man who can save the day is Reggie Banister (doesn’t shoot dwarfs this time, he’s a scientist). This is a really fun movie that never removes its tongue from its cheek. The effects are cartoon-ish and over the top. Hell the characters are cartoons themselves with everyone playing an exaggerated stereo type, a perfect example of this being Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero playing two stoners who start to see cartoons before they get chewed to pieces. These two never get enough love and it’s always been my opinion that Nicotero is a pretty good actor when playing stoners. Beyond stoners we also have hillbillies, sluts and mad scientists (played pretty well by Reggie Banister). The real star of this film though is the monster Tasmanian devil that gets a huge back story to make it as scary as possible, you may have actually bought it too if you didn’t see the creature, which looks pretty fucking funny. You can defiantly see stylistic ques to the prophecy bear as half its fur is missing and it fucks everything it sees up. Too bad however that it’s very clearly a guy in a suit on all fours, but really if you didn’t turn it off by that point you’re into the flick and having a good time like you’re supposed to. The gore is over the top and well done, and thankfully there is not a drop of CG. This is thanks in part to FX man turned director Roy Knyrim who very comfortably makes an effects movie and shots it right. Really I wish more effects guys took a stab at making movies they have the passion for cheese and gore that most directors don’t. Roy K really did a great job in this area. You can also defiantly see Roy Knyrim was more comfortable and grew a lot between his first film, Demons At the Door , and his second, Cemetery gates. The movie is solid on all fronts and very fun. I hope that he continues to improve from movie to movie and stick with his strength, horror/comedy. I highly recommend Cemetery Gates, especially in a party setting. 4 Z’Dars out of 5 Go Back
		Most Items We Have Reviewed and Commented On Are Available Through Amazon.com. If you want to pick them up for yourself, please don't hesitate to do so through this link below, proceeds on any sales will go towards the operation of this website: