Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

I wasn't expecting much from this direct-to-video/shot-on-tape movie when I popped it into the dvd player. I was all set for yet one more dreadful disaster. Well, I got quite a surprise! This is a well done effort, especially considering it's budget constraints. Patty McCormack (Rhoda from the Bad Seed!) is perrrfectly eeevil as MOMMY. She has finally found the right follow-up to her original sociopathic kid role. Here we have Ms. McCormack seething, plotting, and ultimately killing anyone who dares to cross her! Rachel Lemieux plays her young daughter with innocence and realism. Jason Miller (Father Karas from The Exorcist!) is the cop who believes he knows what MOMMY is up to. Even Majel Barrett (Mrs. Star Trek herself!) plays a teacher, and Mickey Spillane is MOMMY's attorney! Oh yeah, and Brinke Stevens is more than just a pretty face as MOMMY's sister! MOMMY is a nice chiller / thriller w/ enough dark humor to raise a wicked smile on my face. Highly recommended...

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!!