Worst Movie Mothers

In the spirit and heart of Mothers Day I thought I would highlight those who shouldn’t be receiving any flowers or cards this year! They can’t all be sweet and innocent like Mrs Gump or as protective and destructive as Uma Thurman in Kill Bill; so here is my list of the top five worst mums in films.

Everybody knows Stifler’s mum (Jennifer Coolidge) in the American Pie franchise.  She isn’t exactly the best role model, sleeping with one of your son’s best friends on a pool table and adding a whole new category to porn, I think its only fair that she’s on the list!

A real classic Sunday afternoon children’s film, Matilda (1996) . Although she ends up having one of the best foster mums, her real mother Mrs Wormwood (Rhea Perlman) is the polar opposite. Cruel, neglectful and having one of the most annoying voices known to man, she’s definitely not mother of the year.

Hitchcock’s 1960 Psycho and Mrs Bates! Controlling and possessive she spirals her son into complete madness, being a constant nag and manipulative woman she is one of films most iconic horrible mothers!

Anne Ramsey or as she might be better known as, Mama Fratelli in The Goonies. Monstrous, dominating and foul she is responsible for the runaway criminal gang’s actions and the imprisonment of her Sloth like son.

The worst mother of all time however, is the crazy, manipulative and evil Margret White better known as the mother of poor Carrie White.  Portrayed on screen by both Piper Laurie and Julianne Moore in Carrie (1967/2013) she is the most horrifying mother created, and its a good job Carrie gets her revenge with some magic knife throwing!

Hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to give your added extras! Enjoy Mother’s Day Mums!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden References in Eli Roth’s Hostel (2005)

Eli Roth wanted to make a big claim to the cinematic community with his 2005 release of Hostel; he wanted to make it known that he is an expert of his genre, a well-knowledge film-maker and an admirer of the all time classics. Hostel very much entertained the typical zeitgeist audience when released with its mass gore and special effects, but for the cineastes and genre fans he played homage to many films and included references to others keeping them occupied and a part of an “in-joke”.

The master that is Quentin Tarantino presented and produced Hostel and his name appearing on the opening credits wasn’t his only involvement within the film. As the three backpackers check into their new Slovak hostel in the background Samuel L Jackson’s iconic speech from Pulp Fiction is being played on the TV. It is also suggested how our antagonists stalked the halls of the slaughter house whistling could be a link to Tarantino’s Kill Bill.

Eli Roth also referenced the Kubrick and horror classic, The Shining. The boys are given room 237 which is the same hotel room which is forbidden in The Shining, something which is obviously not a coincidence. Alongside one classic is another as the film uses the same score from Hitchcock’s Psycho. The closing credits to Hostel plays homage to the opening credits of Psycho using the same style score but slightly giving it a modern twist.

Wanting to state his knowledge and ability to recognise his background, Roth referenced two very small but classic British horror films. The sex scene between Josh and the Slovak roommate is a direct link to the sex scene within The Wicker Man 1973 as our priest gets seduced through a wall by a form of witchcraft. It is referenced by the iconic music played over the top. Film of the same year, Don’t Look Now 1973 is also referenced clearly, the final scene in Don’t Look Now sees our protagonist chase a figure in a red coat, in Hostel Josh and Paxton looking for Oli start to chase a guy wearing the same Orange coat, the two scenes follow the same structure and even have similar settings.

Eli Roth also chooses to have many cameo’s including himself. In a bar scene at the beginning of Hostel, Eli Roth can be seen smoking and smashing a bong whilst laughing. Japanese director Takashi Miike also plays a role as the guy who Paxton asks “what’s it in like in there” too as he stands outside the unknown slaughter house. Extending his knowledge to that of Japanese Film finally the last reference is that to Suicide Club. The end scene which sees a Japanese woman jump in front of a train is a clear homage especially to shots where we see fellow passengers sprayed with blood, it is also the only reason Roth made that very character Japanese.

Did you spot any of these references?