The Gate

This surprisingly effective low-budget effort from Canada plays on universal childhood fears, and manages to be scary without resorting to scenes of sadism or graphic bloodletting. Instead, the film relies on its likable cast of young actors and some truly imaginative special effects. Set in a Spielbergian suburb, the film centers on young Glen (Stephen Dorff) and his older sister, Al (Christa Denton), who, for the first time, have been left in charge of the house while their parents go away for the weekend. After Al goes off to the mall with a friend, the bored Glen and his bespectacled buddy, Terry (Louis Tripp), investigate a hole in the backyard that was left b...