Mommy's Epitaph

Director - Joseph Merhi (The Newlydeads, The Killing Game)
Starring - Natasha Pavlovich (Space Warriors, Silk Stalkings), Delores Nascar (Repo Jake, Emperor of the Bronx), and Jimmy Williams (Cockfighter, Ex-Cop)
Release Date - 1987
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The family that slays together stays together"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I have so many Troma films I have to work my way through.  Starting Tromatic Thursday was a great way to check out Troma flicks without interrupting my review schedule.  Since I started this weekly look at Troma I've checked out some awesome films.  Sadly, there has been a few duds scattered throughout as well.  Two weeks ago I checked out Wizards of the Demon Sword and was a little disappointed with what I saw.  I had high hopes for the film once I learned it was directed by Fred Olen Ray.  This week I decided it was time to crack open the Toxie's Blood Bank.  The first film I pulled from the set was the 1987 flick Mommy's Epitaph aka Epitaph.  This was a first time watch for me and I have to say that I enjoyed it.
     The film follows a family that has to move from town to town because the matriarch has a dark obsession with murdering men and claiming rape.  The father of the family tries to clean up her messes but their daughter has had enough.  She is constantly starting over and this time she refuses to move because she has a boyfriend.  One night the mother figure kills the father who was the glue that held the family together.  Now the family is falling apart following his death and she has no one to stop her from killing freely.

   



      A few years ago I watched the movies in the tin Toxie's Top Ten.  Some were fun while others were huge wastes of time.  I know the odds are the same in this set so I didn't know what to expect.  What I got was actually a straight forward little horror film that reminded me a lot of those made for television movies from the time frame.  The acting in this one is laughable at times while other times it is almost embarrassing.  The cast is really into their performances which creates some fun scenes but they lack direction.  It almost feels as if they are stage actors and struggle to find their footing in front of the camera.  The story for this one is fun for what it is.  The budget does restraint it but it is still a very enjoyable story.  The story flow is a little off but the overall story is fun and well written.  Finally, this film is a bloody one.  Not much in the way of gore but the blood flows freely here.  The kills are simple but work for the story using very minimal practical effects.  Overall, Mommy's Epitaph is one of those films that isn't special but is still a fun watch.  You may not remember watching it a few weeks from now but you will still enjoy yourself.  Check it out.