Cheap Mommy (DVD) (Max Allan Collins) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Mommy

The "Drama" section
Hearing about this movie, I looked for it first in the horror section of blockbuster. At first I was confused as to why it would be in drama, but i picked it up anyway. The tape was old, and well warn, but I looked past the fuzzy lines to the movie itself. Enjoyable and amusing, it was an overall good movie. Where lack of funds might have left the movie a bit shaky, the acting made up quite well. The cop and daughter were the most admirable of the cast. You have my permission to view this movie. It's a good rent/bye. Have fun, and take a drink for every time they say "mommy" during the movie.

---

Patty McCormack heads a dream cast in "Mommy"
Patty McCormack proves that she is an outstanding and extremely versatile actress. Those who have only seen her in "The Bad Seed" and in more recent years as the docile housewife on "The Ropers" are in for a great surprise and a treat as they watch this film and it's sequel. She excels in the lead role of "Mommy". What a supporting cast she has to play opposite her!! The legendary Mickey Spillane in a rare acting role as her attorney!! Scream queen Brinke Stevens as her half-sister!! Jason Miller (Father Karras from "The Exorcist") as the police detective investigating the sinister goings-on and Majel ("Star Trek"'s Nurse Christine Chapel) Barrett as an unfortunate schoolteacher. The film also has a very wicked sense of humor and could certainly be considered as a very black comedy much more than as a horror film. It benefits tremendously from it's use of on-location filming and authentic details such as the inclusion of actual local businesses in writer/executive producer/director Max Allan Collins's hometown of Muscatine, Iowa. It is a real pity that it was never even considered for a theatrical release, but was primarily made for the home video/cable markets. The film makes great use of it's low-budget and exceptionally talented cast and very rarely has the look or feel of a low-budget film. Kudos to both Max Allan Collins and Patty McCormack as they combined their exceptional talents to make this film and it's equally good (and maybe even better!!) sequel true classics. Don't miss either one of them!!

---

Good movie; well-produced DVD
The straight-forward, no-nonsense approach that serves Mr. Collins so well in his novels works just as effectively for his movie work, at least as demonstrated in "Mommy". This modest thriller doesn't try to wow you with flashy cutting, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and other gimmicks, but rather draws you in with extremely solid acting, photography, and direction, as well as a decent story. Much care was also lavished on the DVD release, as it is clear Mr. Collins wanted to take advantage of the capabilities of this soon-to-be-dominant home-viewing medium. I especially liked the running commentary, where writer/director Collins seemed to re-assemble everyone except the on-site caterer to share anecdotes about the fun and challenges of putting together a movie in a rural Iowa setting not used to hosting many such productions. I also enjoyed the fact that the folks featured in the commentary were clearly all capable professionals, yet at the same time had almost a childlike giddiness about how they pulled off a particular shot, how an actor got an expression just right, where they got the new Cadillac to use as "Mommy's" car, and endless other little details. So, in short, this a both a fun movie and a fun DVD. I'm looking forward to checking out the sequel, which I understand is more of a straight mystery story than the thriller/character study/black comedy that is this first entertaining installment.