Now where did those jumper cables go?

What can I say? THE GATEWAY MEAT is another independent production that delivers a brutal slap to the face of commercial cinema. It is a shattering and visceral horror film, that doesn't give a fuck that it upsets. The violence is casually realistic and immediate. It is presented in such a matter-of-fact way that it makes the film more stunning; simply a day in the life of a family of lunatics.

The film just begins, leaving the viewer to find out the hows and whys through voice-over from the film's lead 'Markus' (Ron DeCaro). Markus comes from the granddaddy of dysfunctional families and is carrying on the family tradition of insanity and murder for power and amusement. Believing he can open a portal to hell, he rapes and tortures for fun with his buddy 'Roland' (D.Whitney). Apparently, if you give the devil his due the portal will open and you'll be granted immense power for your service.

The DVD comes with a disclaimer and it delivers on its promise, as we follow Markus, his girlfriend 'Lizzy' (Turibia Fradoca) and their very young daughter down a path into hell, following a course laid out by Markus's fucked up daddy! Never flinching in its depictions of atrocities, this film defines hell on earth in a neat little familial package. It will run the gamut from bloody necrophilia and sharing a sandwich with the dead to extreme torture with a car battery and jumper cables! How about a big steaming plate of burnt nipples and overcooked sausage?! Yum!

The casual shots of home life really pull this film up; it's not just an exercise in extremes. Markus and his family don't live in a charnel pit, par for the course with cinema psychos. They have a nice home and in many ways represent your average neighbors. As in real life, you have to wonder just what goes on in the basement next door, if you're lucky you won't ever find out. Aiming higher than many independents that place shock-value over production value, Director DeCaro grasps the need of balance between story and money-shots of evisceration. He also understands the need for competent acting to achieve realism. There is a surprising amount of depth to the depravity on display here, which is what makes it so endearing.

Ron DeCaro is a filmmaker with the vision to achieve what he sets out to do, despite lack of proper funding. He obviously possesses a gift for his craft; it oozes out of the film, like the life oozing out of an unlucky pizza delivery guy. I can't say I would recommend THE GATEWAY MEAT to everybody by any means, however if extremes are to your taste, this film has bathtubs full of it! If you think you're up to it, I recommend checking out www.ftbomp.com and getting yourself a copy of THE GATEWAY MEAT or one of Ron's other little self-mutilating opuses. Watch for his name, because I have no doubt you will be hearing it again.