NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: VCI Blu-ray (March 2020): VCI have transferred Max Allan Collins' Mommy and the sequel Mommy's Day to a lone, dual-layered, Blu-ray. These were stated to have been shot on 35mm (according to IMDb), but in the commentary Max references mastering to AVID (?) which sounds like video then using something called 'Film-Look' which skips frames etc. These 1080P transfers certainly support that appearance. They are akin to analog (video) sources with motion, combing-related, artifacts, and a very soft, hazy image. There is no depth or color richness but these very weak 1.78:1 HD presentations are consistent and, watchable if at the very lower end of the hi-def bumped spectrum.

On their Blu-ray, VCI use linear PCM  tracks in the original English language. It is an advancement on the video but not by a whole lot although there, again, was consistency. There is a  score by Richard Lowry (mostly cited as en editor), sounding reasonable in supporting the films if not dynamically so. VCI offer optional English subtitles, in a small white font, on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The VCI Blu-ray offers commentaries by writer/director Max Allan Collins and cinematographer/editor/co-producer Phillip W. Dingeldein. Max discusses that the budget for the first film was about $500-600,000 and they thought they might be able to do the second film for about $250,000. Max identifies his dad, Max Allan Collins Sr., in Mommy's Day as the choir director. Phillip asks Max what started him in screenwriting - there is reminiscing and friendly banter with a lot of production details brought up. Max states that he was always a fan of THE BAD SEED and Patty McCormack. Mommy was kind of a 'grown-up' version of that film. Max talks about how the other stars got involved, that Mickey Spillane is his mentor, godfather to his son, that Mark Hamill was scheduled to be involved etc. The commentaries were frank and interesting - especially for those seeking encouragement to do their own features. There are two additional discs in the package (both DVDs). The first has both features (with optional commentaries), the second has supplements including Leonard Maltin on Mommy, 20-minutes of Bloopers, a PBS documentary on Mommy, 18-minutes of Patty McCormack being interviewed by Max Allan Collins - which I particularly enjoyed and, lastly, a 1/2 hour "The Making of Mommy" documentary by J. Rigler with behind-the-scenes footage.

Firstly, Max is an online friend of mine - for a couple of decades now. I love a lot of his stuff especially the TV series Quarry, based on his novel. Mommy and Mommy's Day are imperfect but have minor merit considering the paltry budget. We are talking grassroots horror, but intelligently written and cute in their own modest-production way. The VCI Blu-ray has it's obvious weaknesses in the video but the addition of the commentaries and extras provide additional value. If you are keen to see these lower-budget efforts - are recommended. Just make sure you get the VCI Blu-ray at a reasonable price.

Gary Tooze