Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, but lacking in DVD version
Review: Let me just start by saying: I LOVE this movie. I've had the VHS version for quite some time now and I never got tired of it.However, I was a little disappinted by the lack of features on this DVD. I thought it would have behind-the-scenes footage (if it did, I would give it 5 stars). After seeing other movies with commentary, I was really surprised that John Waters' commentary was excellent. It really explains a lot about the movie (and some of the lesser known actors). Sometimes it almost compensates for the lack of the other features normally seen on DVD. Okay, back to the movie itself. Like other Waters' films, the plot focuses on a particular social problem (in this case, the fame gained being a serial killer and also about the death penalty). Kathleen Turner is outstanding as an old-fashioned mom with high morals who goes nuts and kills people for very minor infractions (chewing gum, for example). When she is caught, she defends herself in court (with hillarious results!) Again, this is a great movie, but I could only give it four stars because of the features on the DVD version.
Rating: 
Summary: We All Have Our Bad Days...
Review: I am a hardcore Waters fan, but this is not my favorite film of his. I can't really think of anything I would want to change about it, however, other than maybe setting it in the 50's or 60's so Van Smith could have worked his costume magic. But even my least favorite Waters film beats most movies. If another director had filmed this, then based on the subject matter, I probably wouldn't have had any interest in seeing it. But hey, any movie containing the credits "Written and Directed by John Waters" (in this case, the credit is superimposed over an image of a pulverized fly who has just been swatted by the title character...he always picks the best shots for his credit, doesn't he?) I'm there, no matter what the premise is. Waters' films often center on 'troubled' but lovable female characters, and this one is no exception. Kathleen Turner does a great job portraying Beverly Sutphin, a June Cleaver-esque, devoted happy homemaker who doesn't even allow gum in her house, but has a short fuse and keeps a secret scrapbook (I wonder if it was from Waters personal collection) of clippings about serial killers. We don't know how long she's been killing, but the first half of the film follows a week in her life and the various neighbors and acquaintances she dispatches simply because they get on her nerves. Ever momentarily had an urge to kill someone when they stole a parking spot from you, badmouthed a member of your family, or committed an obvious fashion violation? Most women don't act on it, but Serial Mom sure does. Again, only Waters could have pulled this movie and subject matter off. If you're a Waters devotee, then you are well aware that criminal behavior, trials, and serial killers are subjects near and dear to his heart-this is a man who is a self-confessed "trial groupie". With any other filmmaker, it could have been boring. Many probably would have been extremely offended by a movie about a lovable serial killer played for laughs (especially those who knew the victim of a violent crime) but the tone of the movie is so light and over-the-top that only people with no sense of humor could think it might condone murder. Who else but Waters could think of a victim being bludgeoned to death with a slab of pork chop (because she made the mistake of not rewinding a movie before she returns it to the video store) while watching a videotape of "Annie"? This is not the funniest Waters movie I've seen, but it has its moments. Among the funniest are the scenes where Beverly torments her neighbor Mink Stole with hilariously obscene phone calls to drive her over the edge. Also very amusing are scenes where Beverly's whitebread manner ("oh honey, the only "serial" I know anything about is Rice Krispies!") contrasts with the horrified stares of her family and neighbors. I have to admit, I can't help but think how much more fun this movie would have been if Waters' favorite leading lady was still with us. After seeing Divine portray suburban mothers who are sweetnatured in general but can go ballistic when pushed too far, every once in a while I catch myself imagining what could have been...can't you just picture the look on Serial Mom's face as portrayed by Divine when Mink Stole makes the mistake of stealing a parking place from her in the supermarket lot? Sadly, Divine is now making Heaven flashy instead of acting, but casting Kathleen Turner was also a stroke of genius. Turner is best in the moments when she goes from a harmless Donna Reed to Charles Manson within seconds when someone makes the mistake of annoying her- just watch her face. Waters fans should also watch for cameos /small roles by Alan Wendel, Traci Lords, Susan Lowe, Mary Vivian Pearce (I only recognized her from her distinctive voice) and though he doesn't appear in the credits, Waters manages to work in Don Knotts. This is one of the few Waters films that I rent from time to time rather than own, but it's still lots of fun. I'll take one of Waters less memorable films over a teen slasher flick or anything starring Jean-Claude Van Damme any day of the week.
Rating: 
Summary: Great film but... a full screen version??? Ugh!
Review: The film itself is excellent, and John Waters's commentary makes it even better... but *full screen*? Absolutely unacceptable. Where is the proper widescreen release?
Rating:
Summary: Another John Waters classic!
Review: A deliciously dark comedy from John Waters who also directed other great films such as Cry Baby (1990) and Hairspray (1988). The crazy plot is centered around a surburban housewife, Beverley Surphin (marvelously played by Kathleen Turner), who lives with her husband (Sam Waterston) and her two fine teenage kids (including Ricki Lake) in a beautiful Baltimore home. However if anybody annoys her, even for the most trivial of matters, she kills them. Such hilariously over the top incidents include her childs tutor telling her that her son is not as academically clever as other students - for this she runs him over. An arrogant middle aged woman that is always continually rude to her son at his workplace in a video shop -for this she again kills her. Sounds absolutley preposterous to read about but this crazy black comedy actually is very funny throughout, thanks to a fast and furious dialogue and an excellent performance from Kathleen Turner. Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Beverly Sutphin- a portrait of a SERIAL MOM
Review: Kathleen Turner just astounded me with her portrayel of Beverly Sutphin, a "Beaver Cleaver-esque" mom, (I mean cleaver, literally!) who just is having a bad couple of days, Or weeks, or months, or, well, let's just say everybody has their quirks.
Based on a, "true story," Beverly Sutphin mudered: an elderly couple just because they interupted her Saturday with her husband, (watching birds, "wee, wee, wee.") and ate with their mouths open, "all that chomping and chewing!", with a pair of scisors and a stay air-conditioner, her son Chip's (Matt Lliard)best friend, Scotty, for not wearing hi seatbelt, she set him on fire and a "camel lips" concert, an elderly woman with a leg of lamb for not rewinding her video rentals, and a woman who wore white shoes AFTER LABOR DAY!!!
this movie is full of laughs and can be downright gross, (the fireplace poker.) but is NOT intended for virgin ears, the phone conversation with dottie had me rolling with laughter and I had to rewind it a couple of times just to realize that it was just her harassing poor dottie,(yeah, right!)
her trial was one of the more funny parts and was a great way to end the movie, even if she did get sent to prison because of that woman
The way I would summarize this movie is; DON"T [ANGER] A HOME-MAKING MOTHER, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN MOMS ATTACK!!!
Rating:
Summary: Turner and Waterson in rare form
Review: Sam Waterston from NBC's LAW AND ORDER and television talk show host and Ricki Lake appear with Kathleen Turner in this hilarious movie about the perfect suburban wife and mother who is a td off her rocker. And I loved seeing Patty Hearst as a caring and compassionate and trusting of Turners character, Juror who is so damn funny and dead pan serious. The end scene involving the argument she a Turner have over white shoes is worth the price of the movie. But I LOVED Sam Waterson and would love to see him play more comedy roles since his facial features are priceless. Have never seen perplexity played so well or sincere concern. Anyone who has only seen him on Law and Order will be pleasantly surprised. And the way Turners character defends herself and turns the table on those being questioned is so damn funny. I even forgot the killing parts because it is a movie where you have to pay attention or you risk missing a piece of the comedy puzzle.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Comedies Ever!
Review: I've loved this movie since the first time I ever saw it! It's pure comedy and genious! Be prepared for language and gore, and the wildest movie of your life!
Rating:
Summary: John Waters does it again !
Review: Kathleen Turner chews up the scenery as Beverly Sutphin , A June Cleaver type mom who cooks , cleans , and kills . Her Loving family is made up of Sam Waterson ,Ricki Lake , and Matthew Lillard .
Water's regular Mink Stole is on hand as harrased victim , Dottie Hinkle .
Patty ( Patricia ) Hearst , Traci Lords , Suzanne Somers , and Joan Rivers make up the cast .
Beverly Kills her victim's with a Fire Poker , a Air Conditioner , even a Turkey Leg , all with a Smile and all her Hair in place .
My oldest son's favorite scene is the Sneeze in Church .
This is John Waters at his most Demented Best !
If you've not seen " Serial Mom " you are in for a Twisted Treat !
Rating:
Summary: so funny
Review: This movie is hilarious. A crazy mom who goes nuts and anyone who gets in her way gets killed. I know it sounds gross, but this movie is too funny to miss.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I can not believe how well Kathleen Turner played her role in this movie. The story of a very charming, sweet, and easy going housewife and mom to those all around her has a little dark side..She's a Serial killer. She sets her revenge on those who either are hurting the environment, her family, or those who simply steal her parking spot at the local grocery store. (keep in mind this movie is a comedy) definitely worth renting or Purchasing. Kathleen Turner is Magnificient, and so is the rest of the cast!
|
