The Doorway

B-film? Yes.

Cheesy style homage to yesteryear horror films? well, sort of.

At times intriguing and other times laughable but the most haunting thing about it was I felt as if I had seen it all before...and I had. Slightly updated effects (which certainly didnt enhance the film) and a couple slightly re-arranged plot lines but this was definately a thinly-masked remake of the 1981 The Evil starring Richard Crenna. For those who enjoyed this film find a copy of the original and compare. For those thinking of watching The Doorway, find the Evil and enjoy a slightly more interesting (and original) b-horror film.

Writer/director Druxman draws from previous films of his producer Roger Corman (such as "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Dunwich Horror") to deliver a well-done ensemble piece about the doorway to hell.

Filmed in Ireland, but presumably set in Massachusetts or New England, a group of four teenagers and their lecturer dare to uncover the dreaded doorway despite their horrific encounters with a demon. It is not clear whether they are brave or stupid.

Scheider's role is lamentably too small to have an impact despite top-billing. It's the kids we care about despite their immaturity.

The writer/director knows we've seen it all before, so while the film is played straight, the tongue is firmly in his cheek. The humour is not out of place, but the frights are genuine.

Stay tuned for the wrap-up, it's satisfying though you will feel like a victim of a practical joke. The fate of the surviving two teenagers might have made a great sequel.

Really, what does happen to characters in horror movies when the "horror" is over?

A rather mild horror movie; if not for a couple of sex scenes, it could easily have been a TV movie. Plot holes abound (one example: why would there be a secret passage from the 18th century leading from the upper floor of a house that was burned to the ground and a new building put ther 200 years later?), cardboard acting, characters doing things that anyone with an IQ bigger than their shoe size wouldn't do...

It's got a few fun moments, but overall it's a sub-par film that managed to get Roy Scheider because his bills were due. If you're looking for an extremely formulaic, predictable film that might provide a few laughs, it might be worth watching. If not, then this one's not for you.

I can't believe this was released in theaters. It should came straight to video. Anyways, this is a very bad horror movie. In fact, it can't be horror as it lacks of gore, scary scenes, creepy direction and settings, etc. It features 4 teens that spend some days trying to fix a house in order to receive some bucks. For their bad luck, there's a doorway in the house that leads to hell. Yes, hell in a very cheesy way. When they find out that they found hell, they immediately look for help... I won't get into details about the plot as the explanation of hell and some strange events that occur inside are very stupid. And guess what? Roy Scheider is on the rescue... What does that mean? Is it something good or bad? There's no reasonable answer.

This movie has only one good aspect : both girls are somewhat attractive, and the ghost girl (when not possessed) can be very attractive.

Avoid this one! Fans of the horror genre will find this a very boring, and no potential movie. Don't even give it a try.

Take a chance to watch this one. THE DOORWAY is the average slasher of the new century. It takes some ideas from 80's and 90's slashers. It fails miserably to scare or even to get your attention.

Rick has a chance to get for free an old mansion if he fixes it. With the aid of 3 friends, Rick and companny accept the challenge. Soon after they arrive to the house, they notice that something evil is in the atmosphere.

A demonic ghost of a woman makes an apparition just to scare them and in the same time manifest that she needs rest for her soul. The doorway in the attic leads to hell and these guys need to close it... sounds easy, but they don't know that before doing it they have to face the devil in a monstrous disguise. These friends look for help with their school history teacher (Roy Scheider)that apparently knows a terrible secret about the mansion.

Try to watch this movie without losing patience. The highlights of the movie are Susan and Tammy. The ghost girl is somewhat attractive even when she's possessed. Average horror movie from the 2000, the year that marked a return to slasherS. A lame attempt to return the dead genre, but at least the intention is there waiting for better chances.

3/10