Gore Vidal (1925-2012)

Mother's Day

From last year: Of all the mother-themed films that I could have watched for Mother's Day, MOTHER'S DAY (directed by Charles Kaufman) was chosen by proxy.  Never having been a fan of misogynistic slasher films or torture porn, this 1980 Troma release has always intrigued and repelled me at the same time.

The story goes like this: former college roommates Abbey (Nancy Hendrickson), Jackie (Deborah Luce) and Trina (Tiana Pierce) have gone their own ways in the world, but manage to meet once a year for a surprise getaway. Abbey's got a bed-ridden mother, Jackie is trapped in an unloving relationship and Trina's a Beverly Hills blonde, so they look forward to seeing each other and escaping their lives for a bit. Jackie decides this year's surprise trip will be camping in New Jersey! Yay! 

Meanwhile, we meet Mother (1950s TV sitcom actress Beatrice Pons) and her two unattractive and mentally challenged sons Ike (Holden McGuire) and Addley (Billy Ray McQuade) – a white trash trio who get off on torturing and killing random strangers. Fun!

Mother attends a motivational seminar by a group called E.G.O. where she ensnares two group members and takes them back to her cabin where her boys have their way with them. Pretty gruesome stuff. Mother's house is a redneck GREY GARDENS, filled with garbage, junk food and lots of dirty graffiti on the walls. 

After some fun and games (and a charming college flashback of the girls) Ike and Addley kidnap our three heroines and take them home to visit Mother. They decide to tie them up in their weight room and enact demented role-playing games with them for Mother's amusement. While the movie has its share of light and satirical moments, the brutal assualt and murder of Jackie is hard to watch. The film gets much better when Abbey and Trina exact their well-deserved revenge on Mother and her lunkhead sons.

Beatrice Pons' spirited performance is quite enjoyable, but you have to imagine what made her take on this role - since she probably did not get paid much. I guess that's why she's credited as "Rose Ross". The rest of the cast is watchable, and likeable - only I kept wishing they were in a different movie - more MOMMIE DEAREST and less I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE.

As far as recommending MOTHER'S DAY, I would say only if you are a fan of this genre, otherwise stay clear. I'd give it a 7 outta 10. Any ideas for Father's Day???

DRAG ME TO HELL

Regular readers know I usually don't blog about current or recent releases because you can find that kind of stuff all over the internet. But I just finished watching Sam Raimi's 2009 return to horror and just had to say I could not be any more pleasantly surprised.First of all, DRAG ME TO HELL is that rare "box office hit" which actually lives up to it's hype. It's so much fun, and so original and flawless it's hard to believe that it came from today's Hollywood.
The gifted young actress Alison Lohman (from the short-lived FOX soap PASADENA–which died way before it's time) is terrific in the lead and I can't say enough about the wonderful Lorna Raver who plays gypsy madwoman Mrs. Ganush. It's great to see a hard-working character actor get a meaty, memorable role, albeit a grotesque one.
While not bloody, the film hits a 10 on the gross-o-meter with several "ewwwwwww" moments, but it's all in good fun. You may not want to eat while watching this. DRAG ME TO HELL is a twisted, spooky roller coaster ride of a film, just perfect for the Halloween season. 10 outta 10.
The vintage Universal opening logo and end tag are an added bonus for lovers of 1970s flicks.