Watch This Movie: OTIS

I'm an acclaimed feature writer/director in Hollywood who has studied over 6,000 films. Since 2007, millions of Netflix members have ranked me as a Top 10 reviewer. Here is a movie I think is worth your time and money, and will enrich your life.

- Elisabeth Fies

OTIS
(2008) minutes
Genres: Family, Comedy, Horror, Thriller, Satire, Family, Gender Issues
Feels: Funny, Empowering
Directed by: Tony Krantz
Written by: Erik Jendresen, Thomas Schauz
Starring: Bostin Christopher, Ashley Johnson, Daniel Stern, Illeana Douglas, and Kevin Pollack

LOGLINE: When their bright daughter is kidnapped by a loser serial killer, a dysfunctional family pulls together to bring her home and avenge her honor, American-style.

REVIEW: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Watch it now!

Sooooo funny. Has a terrific horror-comedy tone, which I didn't not realize from the main poster and trailer (I much prefer the ones I've posted here, though the trailer still doesn't capture OTIS's excellent mood). Guess I should have paid more attention to the cast, as Illeana Douglas and Kevin Pollack are their usual badass selves. All the actors are top notch including the wonderful Ashley Johnson who makes mincemeat of the prototypical victim role.

The screenplay is brilliant. I'm incredibly proud to report that this is not another torture porn against teen girls, but rather a dysfunctional family comedy about a smart teen who gets kidnapped, and what the family does to the serial killer (yes, with a lot of blood). Just typing that description makes me want to go watch the movie again. Director Tony Krantz knocks this one out of the park. Add it to the top of your queue!

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Watch This Movie: PEACOCK

I'm an acclaimed feature writer/director in Hollywood who has studied over 6,000 films. Since 2007, millions of Netflix members have ranked me as a Top 10 reviewer. Here is a movie I think is worth your time and money, and will enrich your life.
- Elisabeth Fies

PEACOCK
(2010) 90 minutes.
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Gender Issues, Period Piece, Psychological Thriller
Feels: Creepy, Cerebral, Hitchcockian, Satisfying, Empowering
Directed by: Michael Lander
Written by: Michael Lander, Ryan O Roy
Starring: Cillian Murphay, Ellen Page, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pullman

LOGLINE: In a small 1950s town, a train crash thrusts a recluse into scrutiny that dangerously unravels the false persona he has protected all his life.

REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended, and something I would watch again.

Gorgeous! A fresh take that does justice both to Hitchcock and disassociative identity disorder. A lot of love went into this film, from the tight screenplay to the lovely cast and period touches. Cillian is again superb, and the other characters surround him in a warm web of intimacy John/Emma are not built to handle. They really care about "him", and we really care about all of them...which makes the suspense build to an unbearable level. Is John/Emma a killer? Will the abused become an abuser? Can someone this outside of society survive it? A delicate, mindful, and disturbing film.

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