1. All That Heaven Allows (1955)
Jane Wyman stars as Cary Scott, a bored widow who begins a romance with a hunky tree farmer (Rock Hudson). Not only do Cary's friends scoff at her new relationship, her kids also reject the notion of her dating a younger man. Sick of martyring herself, Cary decides she is a woman first and mother second. Heaven is a good movie for those who forget that moms are people too. So if your mom likes giving out a good guilt trip, this is the movie for her.
2. Black Swan (2010)
Oscar winner Natalie Portman and Barbara Hershey play mother and daughter who both descend into violent madness in this psycho-horror ballet melodrama. Living in a cramped Manhattan apartment, Portman's Nina is babied by her mother in a most horrifying fashion (it's arrested development). This is a fun movie to watch with your mom but only if you're comfortable enough to watch things get a little graphic.
3. Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2 (2003-04)
It's easy to forget that the Bride's "Roaring Rampage of Revenge" is really just a manifestation of her immense maternal despair. We often don't think of our moms kicking butt and taking names. So this 2 part film is a terrific reminder of just what a mom is capable of when provoked. Basically the moral of the story is: beware the Mama Bear.
4. Mamma Mia! (2008)
All right, the last two entries on this list are rather, shall we say, unconventional. Mamma Mia!, that gloriously absurd ABBA musical, is probably closer to the kind of movie most kids will have to sit through on Mother's Day. It's a film that's brimming with nostalgic mom-triggers like ABBA, 70s costumes, Greek locales, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan. And "Slipping Through My Fingers" is practically the anthem for empty-nest syndrome.
It's easy to forget that the Bride's "Roaring Rampage of Revenge" is really just a manifestation of her immense maternal despair. We often don't think of our moms kicking butt and taking names. So this 2 part film is a terrific reminder of just what a mom is capable of when provoked. Basically the moral of the story is: beware the Mama Bear.
All right, the last two entries on this list are rather, shall we say, unconventional. Mamma Mia!, that gloriously absurd ABBA musical, is probably closer to the kind of movie most kids will have to sit through on Mother's Day. It's a film that's brimming with nostalgic mom-triggers like ABBA, 70s costumes, Greek locales, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan. And "Slipping Through My Fingers" is practically the anthem for empty-nest syndrome.
5. Mildred Pierce (1945)
Is your mom angry with you? Just pop in Mildred Pierce and remind her that no matter what you've done, you're probably not as bad as Veda Pierce. In this noirish melodrama, Oscar winner Joan Crawford plays the titular Mildred who struggles to make her entitled brat of a daughter Veda happy. Mildred Pierce, which was remade into an HBO miniseries starring Kate Winslet, is a really good movie. It's all about a woman who works hard to make her future better and to do the best for her family.
6. Monster-in-Law (2005)
Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez make an odd but very funny duo in this zany battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. There's really not a lot to say about this movie other than that it's funny, sunny and charming. JLo and JFo have good chemistry together and Wanda Sykes adds in her own sassy brand of humor.
Is your mom angry with you? Just pop in Mildred Pierce and remind her that no matter what you've done, you're probably not as bad as Veda Pierce. In this noirish melodrama, Oscar winner Joan Crawford plays the titular Mildred who struggles to make her entitled brat of a daughter Veda happy. Mildred Pierce, which was remade into an HBO miniseries starring Kate Winslet, is a really good movie. It's all about a woman who works hard to make her future better and to do the best for her family.
Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez make an odd but very funny duo in this zany battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. There's really not a lot to say about this movie other than that it's funny, sunny and charming. JLo and JFo have good chemistry together and Wanda Sykes adds in her own sassy brand of humor.
7. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's horror classic has become known as one of the most iconic mother-son relationships on the screen. The domineering Mother Bates still wields control over the seemingly unassuming Norman. Their rapport is horrifying as she keeps him in stuck in the adolescent phase. Psycho is a film with a lot of twists and Hitchcock's direction doles them with equal parts restraint and glee. If Mom is a horror fan, then I'm sure she will love this.
Alfred Hitchcock's horror classic has become known as one of the most iconic mother-son relationships on the screen. The domineering Mother Bates still wields control over the seemingly unassuming Norman. Their rapport is horrifying as she keeps him in stuck in the adolescent phase. Psycho is a film with a lot of twists and Hitchcock's direction doles them with equal parts restraint and glee. If Mom is a horror fan, then I'm sure she will love this.
8. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
No other film that I can think of really explores the fears and anxieties of pregnancy. Manifested through scheming Satanists next door, Rosemary's fears become full horror as the film goes on. What I love about this movie is that it's really quite funny at times; there's a lot of black comedy to alleviate (and sometimes heighten) the horror. Rosemary's Baby is a great film because it's totally scary but fun.
No other film that I can think of really explores the fears and anxieties of pregnancy. Manifested through scheming Satanists next door, Rosemary's fears become full horror as the film goes on. What I love about this movie is that it's really quite funny at times; there's a lot of black comedy to alleviate (and sometimes heighten) the horror. Rosemary's Baby is a great film because it's totally scary but fun.
9. Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Diane Keaton, one of the coolest ladies in Hollywood, stars as Erica, in this smart, funny romantic-comedy from Nancy Meyers that also stars Jack Nicholson. Keaton and her onscreen daughter Amanda Peet share a lot of heartwarming mother-daughter moments. Their relationship is at that time when you start becoming friends with your mom and can share adult life-chats. And Frances McDormand is in there as a super cool aunt. This movie feels like the cinematic equivalent of Sunday brunch and that's just what Mother's Day is all about.
Happy Mother's Day! What are some of your favorite "mom" movies?
Diane Keaton, one of the coolest ladies in Hollywood, stars as Erica, in this smart, funny romantic-comedy from Nancy Meyers that also stars Jack Nicholson. Keaton and her onscreen daughter Amanda Peet share a lot of heartwarming mother-daughter moments. Their relationship is at that time when you start becoming friends with your mom and can share adult life-chats. And Frances McDormand is in there as a super cool aunt. This movie feels like the cinematic equivalent of Sunday brunch and that's just what Mother's Day is all about.
Happy Mother's Day! What are some of your favorite "mom" movies?
