Caesar and Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre (2009)
Reviewed by Scott A. Johnson
Starring Dave Campfield, Paul Chomicki, Felissa Rose, Deron Miller, Brinke Stevens, Joe Estevez
Directed by Dave Campfield
As horror fans, we know when to take things seriously. We also know when not to. Let me just begin this review by stating clearly for all to read: Caesar and Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre is one of those films that is not to be taken seriously and is, therefore, fun to watch. If you’re looking for serious horror, look elsewhere. If you are looking for low (or non-existent) budget filmmaking that is more interested in enjoying itself than it is making a serious horror film, this is a good one to watch.
The film centers around Caesar (Campfield), a swishy pathological liar and wannabe tough guy, and his half-brother, Otto (Chomicki), a hapless oaf who keeps getting caught up in his brother’s hair-brained schemes. After beating up a large man who turns out to be the chief of police’s retarded brother, the two high-tail it out to hide as summer camp counselors. Completely devoid of campers, the camp is staffed by a weird assortment of rejects with secrets. When counselors begin disappearing (dun-dun-duuuuuuuuun!), the pair discover that there’s a killer on the loose.
This movie gets points for its unlikely set of star cameos, including Joe Estevez (playing Joe Estevez), Brinke Stevens (as Otto’s former girlfriend), and Felissa Rose, who spends the majority of the movie giving her best Sleepaway Camp stare and creeping the hell out of the other characters. It also gets points because, instead of trying to hide the low budget, the filmmakers revel in it. Using gags like rocking the car to show movement, fast cut-aways, and buckets of blood, the film manages to pull off some really interesting moments that larger budget films couldn’t manage. And the special make-up effects are as cheesy as they come, but in the best way possible.
Caesar and Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre has some genuinely funny moments coupled with some real “groaner” style humor that makes it great to watch if there’s plenty of alcohol. Funny and unashamed, it’s a movie that is worth watching at least once.
3 out of 5
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