Mother's Day Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Mother's Day" on Blu-ray is a proficient and commendable 1080p transfer, emphasizing technical stability despite minor imperfections. Utilizing an AVC MPEG-4 encode, the transfer exhibits a natural light grain structure that preserves a film-like texture, enhancing fine details in facial features, clothing, and household objects. Although the image is not razor sharp and occasionally veers towards softness, it successfully maintains a level of detail that is both satisfactory and film-accurate. Colors remain well-balanced throughout, supporting the film’s slightly dark and warm tone, although they do not achieve high definition brilliance. Notably, De Mornay's blue eyes consistently stand out, providing a striking visual element.

From a color standpoint, while the transfer manages to capture a solid range, it struggles slightly with undersaturated exterior shots and over-warmed interior scenes. Black levels are robust, reflecting light sources accurately, but minor issues such as slight noise, hefty grain, occasional bands visible on walls, and a dabble of crush do appear. Despite these drawbacks, the detail levels are impressive, showcasing intricate hair details and facial features convincingly. Blood effects are particularly noteworthy, echoing Bousman's distinct style with a rich, gooey red appearance. Altogether, while "Mother's Day" may not be a reference-quality transfer, it delivers a reliable, visually accurate presentation that will satisfy both casual viewers and videophiles.

Anchor Bay’s audio presentation of "Mother's Day" on Blu-ray employs a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While it doesn't distinguish itself from the top-tier offerings, it provides a proficient and aurally satisfying experience. The track's precision in replicating hospital alarms is noteworthy, delivering clear and realistic penetration through the listening area. Early scenes of basement revelry effectively immerse the listener, filling the soundstage with chatter, laughter, and period-specific music. The overall music presence is notably fine, offering good spacing, clarity, and a capable low end. However, the bass response at the very bottom end is disappointingly rattly and unkempt.

The audio mix adeptly utilizes rear channels to create full-room ambient effects, particularly evident in the opening sequence. Yet, this immersive presence disappointingly wanes as the film progresses, with the rears occasionally neglecting off-camera dialogue that would benefit tighter shots. Engine noises lack depth, offering minimal roar. Gunshots, while loud, fail to achieve real-life accuracy, especially within enclosed environments. Dialogue delivery remains steady and clear through the center channel, anchoring the sound experience reliably. Despite its intermittent channel engagement and subpar bass handling, the track maintains a solid audio performance overall.

The Blu-ray of "Mother's Day" features a single extra, an engaging audio commentary track by Director Darren Lynn Bousman and Actor Shawn Ashmore. Bousman provides the majority of insights, delving into various topics such as the history of the project, influenced by Brett Ratner, and vivid behind-the-scenes stories, including a SWAT team intervention due to a mistaken identity during filming. The commentary also covers cast dynamics, shooting challenges, and actor performances, offering a detailed rundown of edits and script changes. Ashmore contributes less extensively, but his input complements Bousman’s detailed narrative. Despite the rather minimalistic offering, fans will find value in the anecdotal and technical details provided.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights on shooting locales, cast chemistry, set stories, script changes, and production challenges.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman's remake of the 1980 Troma film, "Mother's Day," not only revisits a largely forgotten horror classic but also adds polish and a moderate budget to a grim tale. Set against a backdrop of foreclosures, this movie pivots around three bank-robber brothers, Ike (Patrick Flueger), Addley (Warren Kole), and Johnny (Matt O'Leary), who find themselves back in their family home only to realize it’s been sold. When they inadvertently take new homeowners and party guests hostage, chaos escalates with their Mother (Rebecca De Mornay) and sister (Deborah Ann Woll) entering the fray. De Mornay's chillingly versatile performance as the sadistic yet disturbingly nurturing Mother stands out, creating an off-kilter tension that penetrates the narrative. However, despite its visceral edge, the storyline remains frustratingly generic and scattered, its numerous backstories ultimately leading to convoluted developments that hinder more than enhance.

The film’s primary strength lies in Bousman's seamless execution of extreme violence juxtaposed with De Mornay's duplicitous charm. The raw brutality is undeniably effective, showcasing everything from shootings to torturous psychological and physical manipulations. Still, its intensity may overwhelm viewers seeking more sophisticated thrills, as the plot leans heavily on shock rather than substance. The character development often falters under this heavy-handed approach; the influx of party-goers with shallow preliminary introductions does little to foster substantial connections or empathy. Consequently, the audience might find themselves inadvertently rooting for the antagonistic Koffin brothers over their captives. This flawed character dynamic diminishes the tension one expects from a high-caliber home-invasion thriller.

Despite its rough edges and pacing issues, "Mother's Day" finds sporadic success as a serviceable horror-thriller. Key sequences, such as an anxiety-inducing ATM scene and a disturbing virginity lottery, effectively push boundaries yet can tip into gratuitousness for some viewers. The juxtaposition of sustained tension and erratic narrative tempo makes it feel lengthier than necessary, potentially disengaging audiences before its climax. With a generally strong cast and some standout scenes, "Mother's Day" delivers on gore yet falls short on compelling storytelling and consistent pacing.

The remake of "Mother's Day" delivers a blend of intense violence and psychological tension, yet it falls short of the mark set by superior thrillers in the genre. The film leans heavily into graphic brutality, sometimes overshadowing character development and narrative cohesion. Rebecca De Mornay's performance is a highlight, capturing the dichotomy of outward pleasantry and inward malevolence with chilling effectiveness. While the film fails to redefine its genre, it comfortably settles as a mid-tier option filled with gore and chaos.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "Mother's Day" is notable for its solid video and audio quality, though supplemented by only a single extra feature. The visual presentation is clear and detailed, while the audio track effectively captures the film's tense atmosphere. The Blu-ray may be an attractive option for die-hard fans and genre enthusiasts, but casual viewers might find it more prudent to opt for a rental.

In conclusion, "Mother's Day" manages to cut deep into the core of thriller elements but lacks the taut tension and character depth seen in genre exemplars. The film feels stretched in its runtime, which could deter some viewers from fully engaging. However, for those venturing in with tempered expectations, there is enough in this offering—particularly in De Mornay’s sinister portrayal—to warrant a watch.