FilmBum Independent films need to push boundaries. With limited budgets, often times little known lead actors and a small chance of distribution, these are the films - of any - that need to 'stand up and be seen', by delivering to the audience something exciting and exceptional. When it comes down to it, the domain of the independent film is one that is ripe with boundary pushing potential; we expect the independents to come in armed with an edge, much more so than their big budget Hollywood Cousins.The central issue with The Entrance is that it's an independent film which wants to have an edge, and wants to present us with something we haven't seen before -- but in spite of its ambitions, it essentially falls flat. In spite of a somewhat original story, the potential for a good scare or two, an attractive and appealing lead actress and the promise of supernatural horror, we're left with no pay off, even after all of these elements are introduced into the film.As a prime example of the film's difficulties in translating horror into terror for the audience, we're presented with a number of scenes --a strange woman alone and crying in a creepy, abandoned parking garage, a weird, freaky, wide-eyed old man speaking in strange tones, even people being snatched up and dragged away by an unseen demonic force... But none of these elicit anything from the audience, as there is no edge (little blood, little real suspense and virtually no mood) in each. The audience is left waiting for an eye popping moment, but will likely be unable to do much but shrug as the films slowly progresses.Another issue lies in the use of the lead actress, Sarah Jane Redmond. While Sarah Jane is a more than competent actress, and delivers the only watchable performance of the film, she is not used to her full potential. There is a certain sensuousness emanating from Sarah's character, a certain sexuality which, as the film alludes to, has been shaped by past events. But this is never explored, and the film largely plays the character as a straight cop, with no deviations. This is not to suggest that Sarah's character needed to get nude, but that different aspects of her physical self and mental self should have been explored - they should have given her character an edge, which she lacked throughout.More than anything, what really stands out for me was the lack of focus in this picture. In a film with an edge, you'd expect much more of a narrow focus, a certain direction. As this film seems to wander from one scene to the next, and leaves scenes open ended, you never get that razor focus you'd expect in a competent horror film, such as Saw.Ultimately, the indies need that edge - and this film, though coming with seemingly all the right elements, fails to deliver with any kind of edge at all. It's a shame, considering the energy and work that went into it.

bink-8 Oh man.....I just read someone's positive review of this abomination, and I'm not the least bit surprised it came from Canada. (where the film was made) No doubt still laughing their way to the bank because suckers like me rent this drivel. This film blackens radiation level buttons. I have no doubt that if you turned on the Beatles White Album, drank a bottle of wine, put this movie on, and then did a crossword puzzle or something, this film could be entertaining. What is anyone's name in this movie? Detective Porhowski? Why should we care or identify with this woman if we don't know her name? No character development means I am actually rooting for her to get vacuumed up by the crazy demon...or the invisible tooth lady that snuggles people to death. Man, was this bad.... What is the damn deal with the parking garage...of death? I will give slight props to the janitor/parking lot guy, his acting is a clinic on acting from the eyebrows you cannot miss!! But what the hell were these people thinking? The most interesting part of the story is the historical link with the nun's exorcism that we see in the beginning, then is ignored, save one line in the middle, until the post-climax 25 minutes of sloppy wrap-up with a character and her dad that we don't give a crap about anyway....Bottom line, SAVE YOURSELF....RUN FROM THIS MOVIE!!!

sol ***SPOILERS*** Tales from the crypt like anthology that has to do with this 17th century exorcism preformed by French priest Sabstien Michalis on a nun from his church.Were then brought into the present with drug pusher Ryan James being directed by forces beyond his control-the Devil?-to get lady police detective Jen Porhowski to this underground basement. It's there where a number of people are playing cards bingo and just with themselves in order for them to stay alive.We soon get to see that theses persons including James are to pay for things that did in their past that was in league with the Devil's wishes. The person who seems to be running this operation is this creepy looking janitor who calls himself Joe, even though he's later refereed to as Frank by a fellow employee. Joe's in charge of cleaning up the place that these sinners, against their will, are being held hostage in.Bsides James the drug dealer we get to see a rapist a card shark and child molester held prisoner by Joe the Janitor who has this strange tattoo on his right hand branding him as being an agent of the Devil.It takes the entire movie to get a grip of just what's happening and the biggest obstacle to everything in it is non other then Jen herself! What the hell is she doing in this den of sinners when she even in her past indiscretions, that we see replayed by a 1950's like movie projector, did nothing at all to deserve to be there! We also get to see Jen's father Stan Porhowski, who gave her the address to the place, who from what we see, from the movie projector, has a deep dark secret that he eventually is to pay for with his life.***SPOILER ALERT***The movie does in fact hold you interest even though you have trouble following it hoping that in the end all the loose ends will finally be tied together. You come to some kind of conclusion that Jen in fact is being manipulated by the Devil into commit an act of violence, or murder, just to put her in the same category as those she's with. Try as she does Jen in fact keeps her emotions, especially towards both the rapist and James the drug dealer, from causing her to lose her innocence! That's until the very last moment of the film that abruptly keeps it's audience from seeing what exactly Jen did!

nathjam I saw this one today at the premiere and was pleasantly surprised by it. Mr. Ecklund definitely deserved the award he won for his part in this one and the directing was great to take advantage of the actors individual spirits and talents.If you have the chance to see this one at a theatre near you go for it, there are enough moments to keep you paying attention and wondering what's going to happen next.I definitely look forward to seeing more from this talented cast and director and would definitely like to see more even about these characters and where the may go from the events in this film as well. Well done.If you can see it, go see it, plus it's shot local to Vancouver which is a plus for sure. You can see what places you know...