Otis

source: Otis

It is perfectly natural for the friends and relatives of the victims of violent crime, whether state-sponsored or as a form of private enterprise, to feel a need for revenge. This movie could have offered us an interesting take on this theme, as the parents and brother of a kidnap victim decide to take 'justice' into their own hands. What this movie should have done, is explore the difference between 'justice' and 'revenge.' For a while it looks like it does, as our bad guy isn't portrayed as a total monster. The first sign that there's something wrong with the movie is the cop who's in charge of solving the case. Any cop with his lack of pr talent would have been assigned to a desk job long before he would have had the chance to trample all over the feelings of any violent crime victims. It's a character that's so improbable that it can only be viewed as a complete parody. The actor playing him looks a bit too much like Owen Wilson to take seriously, anyway. The 'act of revenge' perpetrated on the brother of the actual criminal by the family of the kidnapped girl soon deteriorates into a totally unnecessary orgy of brutal and absolutely pointless sadism which serves no purpose other than to satisfy the rather base needs of a largely uneducated audience, mostly of a pubescent and adolescent nature, I'd assume. Movies like this do not really contribute to their education either. Quite the contrary, I'd say. But then, who cares, when you can make a quick buck? It's only 'entertainment', isn't it? I suppose the intended audience is supposed to howl with laughter when the irate mother threatens to put the toes of her own helpless and by and large innocent victim in the blender. I don't really see what's so entertaining about that, although it goes a long way to explaining why many Americans, some in very high places, seem to have no problem with torturing their POW's. They have been sort of programmed by 'entertainment' like this. I do wish the kids would stop believing that something's cool just because an older person thinks it isn't. I mean, I'm an older person and I don't eat crap (as in excrement, but I couldn't use the obvious word because it's prohibited, much like this movie should be) because I don't think it's cool and I suspect it wouldn't taste good. By the logic which our youngsters apply in approving a movie like this, they would now have to start eating crap. Enjoy, kids.

This movie was a had a seriously good twist that just kept punching! I loved it! A little slow at first, sort of demented and made you a bit uneasy, but then as the drama plays out and the twist comes along, the laughs started and I think I had to cover my mouth at least twice to say "Oh My God", then sort of chuckle at the awkwardness. I definitely recommend this film to anyone and everyone! Reminded me a little of "Very bad things" but with a more morbid twist. I also want to say in response to "robin's comment" Kim was the name of his brothers wife, the one who had to replace her brand of panties :P Thanks for helping me decide to watch this one!!!!!

Pizza boy (Bostin Christopher) takes a dollar from Riley (Ashley Johnson) and knows he has found heaven. He smells it. he licks it, it came from "her" jeans. He knows who his queen will be. I cannot imagine a better person to play a jerk FBI agent than Jere Burns. He was perfectly type-cast for the role. Illeana Douglas (Grace of My Heart, Happy Texas) was also perfect in the role of mom in Riley's dysfunctional family. "I will feed your entrails to our neighbor's Shih Tzu." Kevin Pollak was just the brother that every serial killer probably has. The movie is full of great, dark, and funny lines. They just keep coming at you. It really get hilarious when they decide to take matters into their own hands. At any rate, it brought them together. The family that slays together, stays together.

It was great seeing Daniel Stern & Illeana Douglas back at work. They are both great actors who deserve to be working more. The story starts playing out and you are unsure as to what type of film it's going to be. Torture *? FBI profiler idolatry? Cat & mouse psychological thriller? ... Comedy? There are a number of nice turns done by the actors here. The head up his ass FBI profiler. Riley, the daughter. Reed, the more than a little disturbing younger brother. Kevin Pollak's Elmo Broth, brother to the antagonist. And finally the nut-job kidnapper/killer Otis Broth who amongst all the different dramatic currents still is able to imbue his character with a bit of poignancy. You'll notice a few holes in the story but, again, this isn't a police procedural that you are watching. Counter to that there are some surprises as to the paths that the characters eventually end up taking. Nothing especially distinctive cinematographically, stylistically or in editing. But it is a good film, and that is enough.

Otis revolves around a abused, 40 year old pizza delivery guy, who's suffers from probably a slew of mental disorders, but most of all he suffers from a state of mind that I'm very familiar with, loneliness. Otis kidnaps hot blondes and makes them play "high-school" until the big day of the prom. Through, physical abuse and chains he keeps his victim tied up to his little escape-proof room and just simply prays and hopes the chick he kidnapped plays along. Well, his next victim is up, and he's up for another round of "high-school". With a whole new victim, he's bound to get a little ass outta this. But Otis doesn't know about his latest victim's family. They're almost as strange as him. Watch OTIS to see how it all plays out. Otis, for myself, unlike most the majority (it seems) who've seen it, was a pretty big let-down. There is zero tension, zero scares, barely any grue, zero nudity, and lots of humor that does not hit the mark. Though we do have some good acting, but mix that with less than stellar writing, the performances seem to lack. The son and mother are fed these way over-the-top lines that didn't even slightly begin to crack my smile. Just because the kid swears and the mother has a thing for violence....sorry, gotta be better than that. But for most people, it seems to be doing the trick. The Dad who constantly blamed the mother for everything that occurred was a nice touch and him and the head detective give by far the best performances. Otis and the chick, were alright, but nothing really outstanding. I also didn't even care for the story. I'm not a fan of kidnap movies, unless of course there's some serious torture or rape going on, cause that's what really happens, right? Well, nothing great occurs, and nothing funny really happens either. Oh by the by, the last scene of the movie, I f@ckin hated. Awful, predictable crap that made me seriously think about how weak the writing in this flick was. Funny thing happened while watching this flick. I had Deja Vu, during the church scene, and it completely ruined the surprise. Wouldya believe that. Ha! Nevertheless, it was a slightly predictable scene anyways. Overall, Otis delivers a constant average-feeling source of entertainment, but without anything truly remarkable it misses the bill. Average acting, average writing and well, average everything. But it is better than most crap being churned out these days. If you're looking for a better, sicker modern flick, check out Neighborhood Watch.

I enjoyed this movie greatly. There were times I wanted to cringe and laugh at the same time. A humorous and disturbing look at kidnapping, torture, murder and the family. All overlapping at various part of the movie. Don't expect the movie to make great leaps and bounds in plot and you will enjoy it. If you like some laughs with your gruesome visuals, you just might find this movie fun. Many of the actors you will know and appreciate from other works. All turn in a solid and fun performance. All want to play their part in the movie. They all seem to be having fun along the way. I saw the UN-cut version and it is not for the squeamish. Nothing like "Saw", but pretty graphic. What really sets this movie apart is the antics surrounding the production of gore on screen. Think "The Three Stooges meet Jason" and you might have an idea of what is going on in this little bloody, funny gem of a movie.

This film simply "worked." I'm not keen on horror fare shows that are what I refer to as "survivor movies (meaning who is gonna survive at the end)." This one breaks the rules for that fare. It had moments with Otis and his creepiness that was all too "there" for me, but was done so well, I was kept in my seat. Then, when the story angle changed with the twist in the movie, I guffawed so hard I had tears streaming down my face laughing so hard. The way the ending was done ... which, I would like to add, was a very good way to end the movie ... it gave a good opening for a 2nd movie. The ending (without giving it away), leaves something a bit obscure to the sight, so it is very possible another film may be done. I am, also, glad that they chose this ending rather than the alternative ending they have in the Special Features on the DVD. One question kept bugging me, who was Kim? I got an idea, but nothing stated or perhaps I missed that part from my phone ringing or something. Casting was one of the best parts here ... each character played their role great and cohesively .. they gelled. Needless to say, if you aren't a total squeamish sort, or at least if you are a movie sampler like me, I would say to give this movie a look-see.

I don't even have words for how painfully terrible this movie is. The dialogue is a joke. It seems that the whole budget went to securing rights to great songs and hiring a writer for free. The characters interact in such fake and forced ways. WTF was one good thing about this movie? I'm not a troll, I just hated this movie. example: "F*** the FBI, let's call the cops!" The camera angles/editing added nothing to the story. The music and lyrics carried every emotion because the actors and dialogue didn't even come close do doing their jobs. What was with the parents cracking jokes and acting nonchalant when their daughter goes missing? I am now dumber for having watched this waste of time. One saving grace: the spoof on Nancy Grace when being all cold and factual when talking with parents. This movie took itself way too seriously and was a terrible miss. Spoilers don't exist because nothing was a twist or unpredictable.

The twisted forty year old idiot Otis Broth (Bostin Christopher) delivers pizzas and is a pedophile serial killer. When he abducts a teenager, he calls her Kim and fantasizes that she is his sweetheart and date of the high school prom. After killing his last victim, Otis kidnaps the smart suburban teenager Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson) and brings her to the basement of his house, hiding the girl from his brother Elmo Broth (Kevin Pollak). Their desperate parents Kate (Illeana Douglas) and Will Lawson (Daniel Stern) have friction with the arrogant and silly FBI Agent Hotchkiss (Jere Burns) that is in charge of the investigation. When Riley escapes from Otis's house and calls her family, Kate convinces Will and their son Reed (Jared Kusnitz) to seek revenge and punish Otis. However, the vigilantes confuse Elmo with Otis in their rampage getting into trouble. "Otis" is almost a masterpiece of sick dark humor, with magnificent performances of the unknown Bostin Christopher and Illeana Douglas, very well supported by the great cast. The plot makes jokes with dramatic situations and is a sort of parody of the countless movies of torture that have been recently released. Unfortunately the weak open conclusion is not satisfactory and is disappointing. For my surprise, in the Extras of the DVD, there is an excellent alternate ending called "The Birthday Party" and in accordance with the explanation of the director, this would be the original conclusion of this movie. I really did not understand why this brilliant ending was not used. My vote is six. Note: With the original "The Birthday Party Alternate Ending", my vote would be eight. Title (Brazil): "Otis, o Ninfomaníaco" ("Otis, the Nymphomaniac")