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Title: Otis: Uncut [Blu-ray] (2008) Starring: Jere Burns, Illeana Douglas, Ashley Johnson, Kevin Pollak, and Daniel Stern Director: Tony Krantz Rating: Unrated Runtime: 100 minutes Avg. Score: 4 Submit Comment Hits: 10

Review of Otis: Uncut [Blu-ray]

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Comments for Otis: Uncut [Blu-ray]

• Posted on 2008-07-12
  A perverse and hilarious modern exploitation film
  
  In recent years, there have been few horror films that could be considered great, and sadly, most of those great horrors come from outside the United States, the nation which once ruled horror. 'Otis,' however, comes to change that up, and change it up well.
  
  Otis Broth is obsessive. Otis Broth is disgusting. Otis Broth is psychotic. But Otis Broth is also a romantic. He wants the perfect girl to bring to the Prom. The perfect girl to enjoy the front seat of his Trans Am with on the 'bluff.' For Otis, this perfect girl is (after five other attempts) is Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson of 'Growing Pains'). . . though he likes to call her Kim. After capturing Riley, Otis takes her back to the hovel that is the Broth household and treats her like the lady she is. . . only, in his mind, blinding lights and shackles are the chivalrous ways to treat his lady. After efforts by the police fail to find Riley, the parents (Illeana Douglas and Daniel Stern) bring their son (Jared Kusnitz) along to do what the cops are failing to do: Take care of the murderous Otis themselves.
  
  Playing out like a comedic 'Last House on the Left,' 'Otis' turns the family-revenge tale into a near-slapstick horror-comedy, but it never goes TOO far over the edge of comedy and, thankfully, remains well in the realm of brutal exploit thriller/horror. While it's not overly disgusting or gory, the violence and subject matter will appeal to fans of exploitation cinema looking for a good modern flick that surpasses the normal 'Hostel'-type Hollywood torture film. The writing is sharp, the direction is well done, and the acting is superb. There are enough one-liners and constant comedy to keep us laughing throughout and the characters will make anyone from a dysfunctional suburban family reminisce. . . I know I did. And a great, ballsy, open-ended conclusion left us drooling for 'Otis 2.' Overall, 'Otis' is a hilariously fresh new horror-comedy that is set for cult fame.
  
  Final Verdict: A worthy 8.5/10. Brilliant.
  Score: 5
• Posted on 2008-07-11
  The Hysterical House on the Left
  
  There's nothing quite like family bonding is there??
  Especially when it's over someone whose bound, gagged, and beaten.
  Afterall, the family that violently interrogates would-be murderers together,
  stays together.
  
  "Otis" is 1 twisted teaspoon of "Captivity"
  mixed with 2 hysterical cups of "Last House on the Left"
  Here's the skinny:
  A lonely madman kidnaps a local girl and keeps her captive in his basement,
  all while preparing her for his bizarro, makeshift prom.
  Her distraught family however, has plans to crash said prom
  with blood-thirsty, vengeful intentions....and of course power-tools!!
  
  Every character was unforgettable!!!
  The star-studded cast really made the most of their parts.
  (Kevin Pollack, Daniel Stern,
  the gorgeous Ileyana Dougals & the angelic Ashley Johnson)
  Every character was lovably quirky & outrageously phenominal!!!
  Each one a little more over-the-top than the last,
  but the whole movie was more than a little over-the-top,
  so it's seems fitting.
  Jere Burns as the FBI investigator proves this point in spades.
  He was soooooo silly with his ridiculous laser pointer,
  I actually felt compelled to go out and buy one myself!!!
  Daniel Stern had me rolling once the violence started,
  his regression into a bumbling, hilarious wreck was undeniably excellent!!
  I love Iylana Douglas,
  Everytime I see her on the screen I feel like a silly, love-struck teenager.
  She was awesome .....as always!!
  And Kevin Pollack was downright amazing!!!
  He wasn't even trying to be funny,
  and yet he was had me in puddles of mirthful tears.
  I'm under the impression he can assume any role on the planet.
  
  My hat goes off to Tony Krantz & Eric Jendressen,
  (the writer/director team behind the Twilight-Zone-esque masterpiece "Sublime")
  The plot was as dementedly hysterical as a stand-up comedian with one leg,
  and the direction was as tight as sardines in spandex.
  The scene where the family was standing around covered in blood,
  brave-heart-style,
  is a neo-classic, and one for the books.
  
  I thought it was great and would highly recommend it.
  Especially If you liked:
  "Last House on the Left",
  "House Arrest", (yeah why not)
  "Captivity",
  "The Cottage",
  "Bothched",
  "Behind the Mask",
  "Shaun of the Dead", or
  "Severance"
  I would seriously pick this film up like tomorrow if I were you.
  
  MORAL OF THE STORY:
  The institution of family is sacred.....albeit totally mental!!!
  Score: 5
• Posted on 2008-07-07
  Bush?
  
  A hilarious look at the consequences of "aggressive iterrogation." A film that might actually make moronic slasher fans think. abu ghraib comes to suburbia. SEE THIS!!
  
  
  Score: 4
• Posted on 2008-06-30
  Very original black comedy
  
  I'm surprised there aren't more and higher reviews. This film definitely isn't for everyone but what movie is? Since you've probably already read what the movie is about let me just add that this is a well acted and ORIGINAL (imagine that!) film. I don't believe this could ever be made in Hollywood it's just too good.
  
  If you like dark humour. If you are tired of typical American films with losers like Tom Cruise and other Hollywood superstars shoveling the same old tired, hyped up schlock then you will love this one. I can't give out any spoilers but in this film there is suspense, anger and beautiful retribution (if somewhat spread out). Watch this movie. You'll be happy you did.
  Score: 4
• Posted on 2008-06-18
  Two movies in one
  
  I'm a horror buff in the making, catching up on classics and cults and devouring what's new (with exception of brainless torture porn).
  
  Otis falls prey to a young director (Tony Krantz) having too many ideas for one movie, which takes a top-notch premise and clouds it with bells and whistles.
  
  Otis' character is fleshed-out, sympathetic, and wonderfully acted by Bostin Christopher. I went back and forth between hating and loving him. Also, a bravo to Ashley Johnson (What Women Want and others) for an overall wonderful performance.
  
  Where this movie fails is:
  - the score, which is near constant and distracting. I understand to homage it makes, but it should never overlap key dialogue.
  - Edits skip from the exquisitely handled basement scenes to the family, which is cut like a sitcom at best and weak kitsch at worst.
  - the twist at the end. Not so much a negative as a missed opportunity. Yes, unpredictable. Yes, lots of better opportunities with these great characters.
  -Some characters sucked the life out of the film. Jere Burns as Agent Hotchkiss. Yes, he was intended (I hope) to be a caricature for inept and useless cops in a visceral situation beyond what the law could do, but does he always have to be chewing gum? Being insensitive? Overt characters have a purpose, but if you lose the subtley there you have to make it up somewhere else.
  
  Some positives
  + GREAT basement scenes and use of filters
  + original concept in a wash of the same
  + some great characters and relationships
  + Kevin Pollak with the convincing supporting role??? wow.
  
  In short:
  Well worth a rental for horror junkies and enthusiasts. You owe it to yourself to see how Otis and Riley play off each other. The ending twist, schizophrenic production and overpowering score confuse an otherwise good film.
  
  Parents: Not too much gore in this movie beyond an intense scene at the end. Nothing above what a mature teen could handle. Some drug references and mild sexual situations and an expected amount of violence.
  
  
  Score: 3