The Pit/Hellgate

Rating:
Summary: Great double-feature of two cult horror movies!
Review:
"The Pit" is a 1981 Canadian-American horror drama about an odd 12 year old boy named "Jamie" whom is picked on at school, has a obessesion with women including nude ones, he has a collection of reptiles and his only buddy is a teddy bear that speaks to him telepathically. He is also the only one who knows about a hole in the forest that contains prehistoric hairy monsters called " Trologs" that only feed on flesh, he is a friend to the creatures but doesn't have enough money on buying more meat for them, Teddy does tell him to feed them only the bad people that tormented him yet he does as people are mysteriously disappearing and the Tralalogs are getting out to feast on people. It's a strange David Lynch-like thriller with morals, interesting ideas, cool monsters, a demonic teddy bear and it's a great underrated revenge movie in the vein of " The Shining" and 1978's "Magic".

Then secondly " Hellgate" which is not bad actually but an enjoyable low-budget supernatural horror romp about an old ghost town inhabited by a evil spirits and zombies including a beautiful young lady that lures traveling males to the town only to suffer death. It does have some cool zombies, Dead Heat( 1988) style zombie animals, explosions, and nudity abound.

This double-feature from Anchor Bay is quite great with nice picture and sound quality, even though the only extra is the "poster and still gallery" for " The Pit".

Highly recommended movies to horror fans!

Rating:
Summary: The Pit, on DVD at last
Review: "The Pit" is an ambitious idea gone awry. What's this film supposed to be about anyway? Is it about a perverted peeping tom, a boy obsessed with his babysitter, a teddy bear that can talk, or about a pit full of monsters? This is all crammed into the roughly 90 minute horror film "The Pit." Made by Canadians, but shot in Wisconsin, this film successfully melds contrasting plots into one enjoyable B movie. And by successfully, I mean hilariously awful.

There is a small but strong cult following of "The Pit," so something about this movie has apealed to many people. I don't want to get into how I feel about the movie, but let's just say the movie poster is hanging on my wall as I type this.

It would have been nice to see commentary or some deleted footage, but I understand that a small release like this usually comes out "as is." I was pleased with the picture/sound quality, so don't expect a poor digital transfer.

"Hellgate" is also entertaining and a little more lighthearted. Great movie to go side by side with "The Pit."

All in all, these two movies are probably only going to be enjoyed by people who don't take their B-movies very seriously. It's entertainment people, don't expect anything more.

Some interesting Pit facts:
1: The screenwriter originally wrote a serious psychological thriller about an autistic boy who imagines the monsters and is stuck in his own world (A theme lightly touched on in the final film). The director decided to completely overhaul the idea and have the monsters kill everybody.

2: The actress who played the baby sitter went on to a career in moslty voice acting, whereas the actor who plays the autistic boy went on to teach dance in Canada

3: The director's wife wouldn't let him shoot any of the nudity, except the scene where the director's actual daughter goes skinny dipping. That was ok.

Rating:
Summary: Pit revisted on dvd!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: ok, seen the pit back in the 80's on regular t.v. cut. didnt really care for it then. Now i got the new dvd and gave it another mature chance, and the result is intresting.
First off, the pit was filmed in september thru october of 1979, and it shows. The film also deals with some realistic issues such as, bad parenting, mean adults, bullying, and a hint of child molestation. The film is intresting. The movie goes bad once the babysitter dies. then it goes in another goofy direction and flat out sucks. But the first hour is cool. Now on the transfer of the dvd is pretty good, colors look a little washed. but the picture is clean .. the audio is good enough.. check it out.
there is however one phony thing, everytime someone is thrown into the pit and devoured by the little monsters , no one screams!!!! except the babysitter. but 4 people before her dont scream, at least scream, the director needed to fix this and it would be more frightening and real.. Also, the babysitter has a boyfriend but she two times with his friend, which makes her look shady, after acting to goodie goodie. But this shows she isnt perfect and has a little sneaky side..


Rating:
Summary: HELLGATE on DVD!
Review: WOW
I loved this movie as a kid saw it again in college and now it's finally on DVD!
I know people hate this but what's not to love?
It's a zombie flick with awesome make up effects (the guys from hellraiser did 'em)
The plot is screwy but funny as hell!
The picture quality is good too!
The Pit is not too bad either (the first time I saw it)
If you like either one of these films you won't be disappointed-like I said the image quality is superb!
Buy this and have some fun!

Rating:
Summary: 5 STARS FOR THE PIT! 1 STAR FOR HELLGATE!
Review: WOW! Where to begin, where to begin? The Pit has finally seen the light of Day on DVD! I came across it at a local retailer and it immediately JOLTED my memories of this HORROR GEM from my childhood! I was hesitant, at first to buy it because I thought I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did as a child! Man was I wrong! It is
a strange little forgotten movie that is just plain creepy! It will make you laugh at the campiness but IT WILL ENTERTAIN YOU! It you are a fan of late 70's to early 80's Horror Camp you must BUY this MOVIE now! You will NOT be disapointed! It is well worth the Rock bottom price for THE PIT alone! So buy it already! Oh yeah, Hellgate is pure GARBAGE that features HORSHACK from Welocme Back Kotter, the only Classic moment from Hellgate features a ZOMBIE turtle that will have you Rolling on the floor with Laughter! It
is a MUST-SEE moment in this UTTERLY AWFUL attempt at a horror! BUT REMEMBER THE PIT IS AWESOME!