Mommy's Day

If the first "Mommy" film wasn't bad enough, the sequel "Mommy's Day" is...just the same. Just as absurd, just as try-hard and just as cheap. Although, it looks like the director went and bought himself a new handi-cam, as the quality is a tad superior to the first film.

But really, although it was a nice idea over all, no one really seems like they wanted to participate in this film. Rachel Lemieux's Jessica Ann has turned into a right little brat, Brinke Stevens' Beth is still as spineless as she was in the first film (though Brinke is a good actress, she just looked rather bored here) and Patty McCormack's Mommy is as insane as ever - or is she? Seriously though, this crazed Mommy manages to convince a couple of incompetent security staff to let her have her hands free when she is going to be given her life-ending injection - what's with that? A year later, Mommy is on some experimental new mood controlling drug, yet all these strange murders begin to happen, and of course Mommy is at it again - or is she??? Poor Marian Wald has a great scene reprising her role from the first film, though that's all she gets to do. Sarah Jane Miller also from the first film returns playing the sister of her original now deceased character, and is once again one of th main reasons for watching the film, she's a riot. Paul Peterson is okay as Paul Conway's, Beth's scheming husband, and Paula Sands is rather good playing herself, a supposedly famous talk show host. Interesting.

Unless you have some dire compulsion to watch poor-quality films, or were so obsessed with the first film, stay away from this one, you won't get anything out of it except a few unprovoked laughs.

The daughter is now living with her aunty and her husband, while mommy is awaiting the death penalty by lethal injection. During the execution she manages to escape, but is shortly shot in a standoff outside the execution room. So, we move into the story one year later where we learn that instead of the death penalty, mommy is a guinea pig for a device that's implanted in her arm that stops her aggressive temptation. Now she's living in a halfway house and she learns that her sister has got a restraining order against her staying away from her daughter. Naturally that doesn't stop mommy. But it's not running smoothly as anyone who she gets in a confrontation with, ends up being killed and so mommy becomes the number one suspect.

After just sitting through the first flick, I wasn't holding my breath that this was going to be better. Actually I was expecting worse. When I decided to watch the sequel back-to-back with original, I was thinking I might as well get it out of my way now then later. Wow, it was better (though there's no big emphasis on that). Just like the first it's pretty much a shoestring indie flick, though it went a 'little' bigger for this occasion with their impressive opening… well kinda. This time around the story seems to focus more around mommy then that of her daughter. Even the structure has changed with the film taking a more American style Gillao approach and adding a mystery vibe with a lot effective red herrings continuously coming and going. Where we only see glimpses of the killer in high heels and that of back view. But what really came to mind though, were the first two 'Scream' flicks. Due to the success of those films it follows the same sort of pattern. In certain aspects it rips-off 'Scream 2' is the self-knowing attitude and wit and also that of a book 'Mommy's murders' written about the murders in the first film. Hey, it might be highly derivative but it had fun with itself, which made it all the more involving and entertaining. Some cunning humour was a welcome change too. I'm just so glad that it didn't become a carbon copy of the original film.

The plot is a bit of fun and cleverly played out. The films climax is rather ingenious, but doesn't stop it from being trashy and rather silly overall. I tell you it's not no easy to pick up on the killer. I thought I had it figured with a sound motive, but I was caught short. The outcome is really out-there that you considered it something quite far-fetched. Along the way it likes to mock itself and that of the media. That goes for a segment involving a Jerry Springer send-up. The story isn't perfect as at the beginning it has some unconvincing character reactions and developments. Also the moralistic drama element about family that the film starts off with gladly vanishes further along into the story. There was just too much of that throughout the first flick.

The performances are rather expressionless. Patty McCormick returns as mommy, but seems to be little more steely than hammy. I thought it worked out the better that way with her sharp comments. Others to return are Rachel Lemieux as Jessica Ann who seems to get less time, though she wasn't as convincing this time and Brinke Stevens as Beth gets very little to do, but be mostly grumpy. Jason Miller doesn't return as Lt. March, but his replaced. Paul Peterson as the author and husband of Beth plays Paul Conway and Gary Sandy plays the cop Sgt. Anderson, who thinks that mommy will never change. The dialog we hear is rather stiff and damn they like to waffle on at times, but mostly it was more then bearable because of the ironic wit.

The production is what you expect from a cheaply produced film. It's shot very much like the first and does come across like someone's home movie. The editing is sharper and it doesn't seem to drag as much. Bravo! Decent lighting! Well actually most of the flick was during daylight but when it was dark we could clearly see what's happening. I'm grateful for that. The setting too had a hypnotic pull over you, especially the sequence involving the final showdown. There just seemed to be a bit more oomph to the pacing and there's some mildly sustained tension and lively moments. Maybe I'm being generous, but I thought it was well done for what they had to work with. This time the deaths are a bit unpleasant and have little more blood involved, but they are far from graphic. Some of the kills were rather clumsily staged, though. One of them mimics Hitchcock's well-known shower scene from 'Psycho' with a twist to how the victim gets it. Overall, this film is a vast improvement over its predecessor, but doesn't actually mean the film is good. I say it's a harmless who-done-it that adds in a small twinkle of fun.

Simply, it didn't have trouble keeping my full attention like the original did.

"Don't you know the sequel is never as good as the original". Oh no, this one is way bet-ttter!

I first read the short story Mommy by Max Allan Collins in a compilation called Fears, and was eager to see the film when it was first released on home video. While Mommy was a fine enough film, Mommy's Day really shines as an extension of the first film yet holding its own well enough. This is actually a superior thriller to Mommy, though needing that first film to base this continuing story on. And a nice DVD treatment as well, I snatched both Mommy and Mommy's Day up at the same time.

After escaping a lethal injection for the murders Mommy (Patty McCormack) had committed, she is given a special implant in her arm that will keep her from having homicidal urges. However, since she still tries to see her daughter and other murders are continuing, it doesn't look very good for Mommy. What ensues is a nicely paced, clever mystery that really will draw you in. Considering the budget and only a few weeks to shoot, this is a great example of how you can make a good film with little money. This film proves that Muscatine, Iowa is just as good of a place for a film as anywhere!

An exceptionally good cast, brisk story and nicely placed surprises make Mommy's Day a refreshing mystery. Seeing Patty McCormack, Rachel Lemieux, Paul Petersen, Gary Sandy, Brinke Stevens, Mickey Spillane and even other actors from the first film disguised a little to play different ones in this one -- it's a nice surprise how it all just works so well. I'm a mystery buff and have seen many Italian giallo films so that I can usually figure a mystery out rather quickly, but Mommy's Day has a witty tone that even had me wondering up to the end what was really going on.

Those that pick this film apart are most likely spoiled from having seen many mega-million dollar Hollywood productions. For the rest that are open-minded and are willing to give the underdogs a chance, Mommy's Day is a fun time and worth seeking out. If you love a good mystery, this will not disappoint!

And the country song spoof "If Life Was Fair" sung by Patty McCormack is a total HOOT!!

While this movie has a freakin' tidal wave of murders. It still does not live up to the original. This type of movie wasn't made to have countless, senseless murders. It was made to be atmospheric and keep you guessing. And this time around it did not do that for me. Also, Brinke's acting went downhill in this one and the little girl turned into a little brat. This movie just sucks. 1 out of 10.

MOMMY'S DAY picks up right where the first film left off, with Patty McCormack's character about to meet her maker in the death house. Since this would have been an extremely short sequel otherwise, she miraculously escapes her fate.

Thankfully, Mommy is given an implant to keep a steady supply of antipsychotic drugs flowing, allowing her to function normally. The end.

Well, not really.

It seems that Mommy's enemies are being bumped off, and it's either Mommy or a copycat.

Ms. McCormack is stellar in the reprisal of her role. Brinke Stevens returns as Mommy's loveable -now wiser- sister. Rachel Lemieux is back as Jessica, and Mickey Spillane takes another swing at being Mommy's attorney. This time, the intrepid cop role is played by Gary Sandy.

A decent sequel that fits perfectly as a double feature with the original...