80s Rewatch: 1987's The Gate and Our Favorite Gateway Horror Films

80s Rewatch: 1987's The Gate and Our Favorite Gateway Horror Films

Mike and Angel revisit the 1987 cult horror gem The Gate, a movie that feels like a perfect snapshot of ’80s childhood fears: parents out of town, a mysterious hole in the backyard, heavy-metal Satanic Panic, backwards records, dead pets, teen parties, and tiny stop-motion demons crawling out of hell. The episode digs into why The Gate still works as a gateway horror film, especially for kids who discovered scary movies through VHS covers, late-night cable, and local video stores. From Stephen Dorff’s snarky child-actor debut to the movie’s scrappy practical effects, Mike and Angel talk about how the film captures that specific childhood feeling where a backyard hole, a spooky record, or an empty house could become the start of a supernatural nightmare. They also branch out into the gateway horror movies that shaped them, and other horror-adjacent favorites that helped turn fear into their lifelong love of horror.

EP.39 Thrash, Primate and Send Help: Defending Movies that Critics Dismiss but We Love

This new episode of Terrortinos, hosts Mike and Angel make the case for movies that critics love to trash but audiences can’t help enjoying. From Thrash, Netflix’s shark-fueled disaster flick, to Primate, a ridiculously silly killer-chimp horror thriller, and Send Help, a twisted Sam Raimi survival story starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the guys break down why some films work, not because they’re perfect, but because they know exactly what they are. It’s a conversation about self-aware filmmaking, guilty pleasures, and the simple joy of being entertained without overthinking it. Along the way, they swap stories, call out ridiculous tropes, and dig into what makes these kinds of movies stick... even when they probably shouldn’t.

EP.38 Diving Into This Year’s Oscar-Nominated Films

Mike and Angel dive headfirst into a loose, passionate conversation about this year’s off-kilter Oscar nominations and the films they can’t stop thinking about. From horror’s long-overdue mainstream breakthrough to heated takes on Sinners, Weapons, Frankenstein, Begonia, Train Dreams, and the surprise joy of F1, the guys unpack what works and what doesn’t. Along the way, they shout out under-seen gems like Rental Family, debate what makes a great Oscar movie, and dig into why genre films and international cinema are more alive than ever. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Catherine O’Hara, celebrating her unmatched comedic brilliance, iconic performances, and lasting influence on movies and pop culture.

EP.37 Rob Reiner Legacy and the Thin Line Between Remakes and Rip-Offs!

Mike and Angel are back to talk about the tragic news of iconic actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner. They honor his incredible ’80s and ’90s run, from directing the mockumentary genius of This Is Spinal Tap to the courtroom tension of A Few Good Men. Reiner mastered every genre, defining our nostalgia through films that still resonate to this day. Then, Mike and Angel dive into the thin line between remakes, carbon copies, and glaring rip-offs. They debate if The Hunger Games is a blatant copy of Battle Royale, while exposing secret remakes that might be too close for comfort. It’s about who wraps the gift better as we look toward a massive 2026. Enjoy!

EP36. Reviews of Alien: Earth & Stephen King’s The Long Walk, and the Best (and Worst) Horror Remakes — A Halloween Special

It’s Halloween season on Terrotinos, and Mike and Angel are diving deep into the dark corners of sci-fi and horror. First up, they dissect Alien: Earth, the new FX series that brings fresh terror to the iconic Alien franchise — chestbursters, corporate greed, and all. Then they shift gears to The Long Walk, the new Stephen King film adaptation that takes endurance to a deadly level. Finally, the duo goes all-in on horror remakes — debating which ones nailed it, which ones butchered it, and why Hollywood just can’t stop resurrecting these remakes.