Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 29, 2023

1980’s “Mother’s Day” is part of a surge of horror entertainment from the late-1970s, with small, enterprising young filmmakers trying to cash in on a growing trend kickstarted by the success of 1978’s “Halloween” and turbocharged after the release of “Friday the 13th.” Enter Charles Kaufman, brother of Troma Entertainment’s Lloyd Kaufman, and he has a plan for a screen mess in line with 1978’s “I Spit on Your Grave,” turning to the wilds of New Jersey as a setting for a semi-revenge tale that’s heavy on violence and the general torment of women. “Mother’s Day” is basically the usual stuff when it comes to exploitation, with Kaufman lingering on suffering and wild antics involving unhinged characters. What’s surprising here is the craftsmanship of the B-movie, with Kaufman putting in a little effort with atmosphere and performances, maintaining some control over the endeavor while struggling with the usual issues involved in this type of material, including pacing and resolution.

Bonding as “The Rat Pack” in college, pals Abbey (Nancy Hendrickson), Jackie (Deborah Luce), and Trina (Tiana Pierce) are now living separate lives, trying to remain in touch with yearly trips around the country. Ten years after graduation, the women elect to follow Jackie’s lead into New Jersey’s Deep Baron campground, entering the vast area in search of seclusion to help reignite their bonds. As night falls, the trio engage in catch-up and stoned conversation, but the fun of the great outdoors is crashed by Addley (Michael McCleery) and Ike (Gary Pollard), two backwoods brothers looking to collect the women as prizes, dragging them back home to impress Mother (Beatrice Pons). Maintaining tight control over her boys, Mother keeps fear alive with a story of her sister, Queenie, who stalks the woods, and she allows Ike and Addley to have their way with the victims, with Jackie receiving the first offering of their brutality. Recognizing the dire situation, Abbey and Trina try to work on an escape plan, facing two men looking to destroy them, and their Mother, who watches over the carnage with pride.

For additional information and analysis, please read Martin Liebman’s 2012 Blu-ray review.

Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

Vinegar Syndrome continues their exploration of the Troma catalog with "Mother's Day," which is listed as "newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative." It's a fresh viewing experience for the grungy film, with detail excellent throughout. Filth and decay is easily observed here, along with a general sense of skin particulars. Costuming is also fibrous. Makeup work is appreciable, exploring broken skin. Interiors enjoy the mess of backwoods living, with Mother's home filled with decorative additions and general waste, which is all open for study. Exteriors are deep, surveying both urban and rural living. Colors are alert, with primaries crisp on bloodshed and signage, and costuming also carries vivid hues. Greenery is distinct. Skin tones are natural. Highlights are tasteful. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition, with some very mild wear at times.

Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA delivers a crisp appreciation of dialogue exchanges, with performances distinct throughout. Scoring supports with sharpness, boosting suspense moods. Atmospherics are appreciable. Overall, "Mother's Day" retains surprising freshness, with Vinegar Syndrome returning to the picture's "original mono soundtrack."

Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Charles Kaufman and assistant art director Rex A. Piano.

• Interview (7:55, HD) is a discussion of "Mother's Day" with director Charles Kaufman and his sibling, Lloyd Kaufman, conducted "via satellite."

• "Cutting Mother" (30:17, HD) is an interview with editor Daniel Loewenthal and assistant editor Richard W. Haines. The men discuss their early career interests and initial contact with director Charles Kaufman. The interviewees explore creative influences and their work on "Mother's Day," finding the tone of the movie, learning more about horror in the process.

• "You're a Sick Woman" (32:37, HD) is an interview with actress Nancy Hendrickson, who was actually married to an editor on "Mother's Day," helping her to get the part. Character business is explored, along with location work, with "Friday the 13th" shooting nearby, finding cast and crew sharing the pain of cold night shoots. Technical challenges and production memories are offered, along with thoughts on the "Mother's Day" theatrical release experience.

• "The Book of Mother's Day" (32:55, HD) is an interview with producer Michael Kravitz, who details his initial meeting with director Charles Kaufman and his planning work on "Mother's Day." Memories from the shoot are presented, with the interviewee offering a producer's perspective on scheduling and contracts, and he pulls out his script and inventory book from the shoot, explaining breakdown responsibilities. Theatrical release memories are also shared.

• "Writing to Mother" (37:30, HD) is an interview with co-writer Warren Leight, who's also credited as a boom operator. Leight claims responsibility for the title "Mother's Day," brought in to help director Charles Kaufman generate a quickie horror production in the wake of "Halloween." The interviewee explores the relationship between Charles and Lloyd Kaufman, and admits his role as a boom operator was created due to the production's unwillingness to pay him as a writer. Memories from the shoot are offered, and Leight explores other career experiences.

• "My Brother and Me" (26:54, HD) is an interview with actor Michael McCleery, who describes his early career ambitions and his hiring for "Mother's Day." Thoughts on the locations and co-stars are offered, with Deborah Luce ultimately refusing to work with McCleery during a sexual assault sequence. The interviewee details life on set and his work with stunts, and he's refreshingly hostile about the lack of a "Mother's Day" sequel, dismissing the 2010 remake.

• "Celebrating 'Mother's Day'" (21:52, HD) is an interview with assistant art director Rex A. Piano, who tracks his involvement in "Mother's Day," hired due to his willingness to work for free and provide a car for the production. Piano's inexperience is highlighted, sharing his time on the set, forgoing personal hygiene while dealing with testy crew members. Promotional efforts are celebrated as well.

• "The Last House in the Woods" (21:31, HD) is an interview with production designer Susan Kaufman and costume designer Ellen Lutter. They recall their connection to "Mother's Day" and early career options, with Kaufman Charlie and Lloyd's sister, pulled into filmmaking duties. Memories from the shoot are shared.

• "Messin' Up in the Deep Barons" (19:10, HD) is a tour of "Mother's Day" locations with assistant art director Rex A. Piano and superfan Brandon Hall.

• Interview (6:53, HD) is a conversation with actress Tiana Pierce, who recalls the New Jersey locations and shares her experience on-set, dealing with freezing conditions. The cult longevity of "Mother's Day" is also analyzed.

• Camera Test (10:07, HD) is a look at unused ideas, makeup plans, and actor appearances.

• Intro (2:29, HD) is an official welcome to the Blu-ray experience of "Mother's Day" from director Charles Kaufman.

• Interview (13:07, SD) is a chat with superfan Eli Roth.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:17, HD) is included.

Mother's Day 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Mother's Day" isn't an easy sit, dealing with torture sequences, sexual assault, and general ugliness, with Kaufman working very hard to make something unpleasant. He succeeds in a weird way, but timing still eludes him, as chase sequences run for far too long, making the final act feel endless. There's also pure ridiculousness meeting viewers in the last shot of the picture, with punctures whatever sense of dread Kaufman is aiming for. There are faults, but as low-budget hellraising goes, "Mother's Day" has its merits, finding the acting unusually capable, helping to buy into the central crisis. Kaufman also has plans for his storytelling, getting a sense of the characters before violence kicks in (ideas on consumerism are often highlighted in reviews of the endeavor, but they really don't play much of a part in the tale). Again, this isn't a sharp feature with exceptional creative and technical achievements, but it does what it does with some thought put into the horror, presenting an unusually competent dive into scuzz.