Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre

In a wasteland filled with lame remakes, horrible CGI messes, and Direct-to-DVD films that fail to impress, here is a perfectly acceptable low budget horror/comedy introducing two buddies that just might become the new talk of the horror community. Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre is bloody, delightful, and bloody delightful in its efforts to create a fun ride through the formula of slashers while at the same time mocking them.

Yes, this is another horror/comedy film. And no, it's not as good as Scream as one would expect. It's nothing incredibly unique or new, but it stands better and stronger than other low budget horror films I've seen such as Albino Farm and Killer Bees. This reminds me greatly of Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, another horror/comedy flick I saw, for a number of reasons. Both feature two buddies; one "smart," the other slow and not a big ladies man, in a desolate, woodsy area away from all civilization and are both involved in one deadly predicament. At the same time, both films have fun pointing out the clichés and predictability in other horror films.

This one is fairly basic. Caesar and Otto (Campfield and Chomicki) are two half-brothers. Caesar is flamboyant and openly egotistic and Otto is goofy but charming. One day, when taxiing a pregnant woman to the hospital, Caesar unwillingly instigates a mentally handicapped person who just so happens to be the son of a police officer. To avoid trouble, both of the brothers scram out to the woods where they apply to be camp counselors till the whole thing blows over.

Need I say anymore? Once a mysterious woman named Carrie, played by the horror icon Felissa Rose, shows up at camp counselors begin to disappear and be found hacked to bits in the woods. Just by saying that, it's clear that this is paying homage to Friday the 13th by giving us a familiar setting and plot. But that's okay. All the counselors at least have some distinction and aren't all the same person. So at least we can say the film cares about the characters.

Horror fans will have a good time recognizing the faces of not only Felissa Rose, but Brinke Stevens, another famous horror actress. Not to mention cameos from CKY band-member Deron Miller and Martin Sheen's own brother Joe Estevez.

There are so many shots of the woodsy scenery in the film that it actually took me back to when my friend and I made our short film together, shooting some scenes in the middle of the woods. I love the setting of the woods, and feel it's utilized best in low budget pictures. It gives it a more authentic and realistic appearance rather than showing it in a multi-million dollar film. Usually if it is included in a film with a high budget, it doesn't serve much of a purpose. It's more about the events taking place than the unsettling scenery. Unless you travel back to the seventies and the eighties, the woods setting is just used as a backdrop. Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre reminds us that it has more use than that of a postcard.

So it's clear that Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre is a mixture of genre satire and homage as well as being a study on two eclectic brothers. Though the film is funny and cute, it gets a little heavy-handed with the homosexual jokes. Frequently, we get the easy punches, but it manages to re-cooperate more around the third act.

Going back to my reference to Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, let's not forget the best thing of all about both films; good old practical effects. Not a sign of CGI. All the gizzards and intestines are in bright red colors, real fake blood, and none of the digital breed. There's nothing worse than watching a good horror film than realizing that the effects are in appalling CG. It's nice to see true, Troma-style filmmaking still exists. You just have to look harder for it.

At the end of the film, it firmly tells you another is on the way. We're told that Caesar and Otto's Deadly XMas is coming soon. From what I've read, it will feature Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman and most of the cast from this film as well which is all perfectly fine with me. Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre only scratches the surface of what these characters can do in a full-length film. Perhaps a "deadly Xmas" is necessary.

Starring: Dave Campfield, Paul Chomicki, Felissa Rose, Deron Miller, Joe Estevez, and Brinke Stevens. Directed by: Dave Campfield.

This film is really bonkers, bit in a good way. It's like a modern day MEATBALLS of Abbott & Costello were in it. I have to admit that Caesar & Otto are an acquired taste, but once you spend too much time watching them, you will become a fan, like me. They grow on you like mold on cheese. These guys are fantastic. They are like the Laurel & Hardy of this century. When I first seen them in their first film, I thought they were straight up super stupid, but for some reason I continued watching the film, and they grew on me. I am now a big fan of theirs and can't wait till get them in my next film KRAZY KLOWNY.

Pretty decent movie, some funny moments worth a watch. Good job by all involved.

Taxi driver and bit actor, Caesar lives with his brother Otto. After a road rage incident at work involving the local police chiefs mentally handicapped brother Caesar gets fired and decides to skip town before the police chief gets a hold of him. He and his brother Otto hit the road and decide to stop once they can find jobs. They are able to find jobs as counselors at a summer camp. All of the counselors seem to be pretty odd. Summer Camp Massacre features horror icons Brinke Stevens and Felissa Rose. There are multiple inside jokes that pay tribute to "Sleepaway Camp", one of Felissa Rose's most popular films. Summer Camp Massacre is a mix of horror and humor.

Sometimes you come across these movies that you expect the worst of but actually blow your expectations out of the water, this is one of those films.

Reminding me greatly of Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010) this odd little comedy horror makes up for it's lack of budget with fantastic writing.

Genuinely funny with quick fire jokes and entertaining characters I immediately found myself warming to our two leads.

This right here is evidence that a budget does not make a movie, all you need is a bit of talent both in front and behind the camera and you can make magic.

Caesar & Otto a pair of misfit brothers take jobs as camp councillors but a serial killer is on the loose and people start getting picked off one by one.

Truly funny stuff, I can't believe this actually has a few sequels/spin offs and can't wait to watch them.

The Good:

Back to back jokes which mostly hit their mark

Excellent lead characters

Very well written

Quirky, charming vibe

Brinke Stevens

The Bad:

Felissa Rose, this girl is just terrible

Things I learnt from this movie: That I can still be surprised by these tiny little indie films

If someone upsets you just jump out of the moving car, that'll show em!