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.

Patty McCormack returns as the evil mother who has been sent to death row since the events of the last film. After a failed escape, she's given an experimental implant to stop her from having her murderous impulses and is sent back out into the world to test it out. Soon, the murders start back up again aimed at anyone who's tried to keep her away from her daughter. Is someone setting her up or is Mommy back to killing again?

Mommy's Day is just as cheap and low budget as the previous film, but that's all part of the charm. It takes a similar approach as Psycho II and gives McCormack's psychotic mother a chance to redeem herself. Some of the murders are creative, especially one with an ice skate and it's not long enough to outstay its welcome.

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...

having seen the bad seed and enjoying it I was glad to see this movie of Rhoda as an adult.This very low budgeted film is entertaining because of the talents of Patricia(Patty)McCormack playing the main character.The poor vhs copy I have can't hide her icy stares or take away anything from her cut through ice comments.The life of anyone getting between her and her little daughter is in danger.It get's to the point where a person tryiny to keep them seperated is told by the little girl " I wouldn't do that if I were you".To my surprise the story did not turn out predictable which was like a bonus.For old timers an extra added attraction was a decent performance by former child star Paul Petersen.

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!!