Die Mommie Die!
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.38 You Save: $7.60 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.65 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Die Mommie Die!
Movie Review: Loads of campy fun
Summary: 5 Stars
A witty homage to women's films of yesteryear, all tied up with a big gender-bending bow.Movie Review: hilarious homage to the glossy Hollywood of the 1960s
Summary: 4 Stars
DIE MOMMIE DIE is another fabulous feature film foray for Charles Busch, playwright and actor-in-drag extraordinaire. I've been an admirer of his work for a while, and "Psycho Beach Party" remains one of my favourite movies. DIE MOMMIE DIE is based on one of Busch's recent plays, taking as it's inspiration the florid, lush Hollywood melodramas of the 1960s (in particular the underrated Bette Davis murder melodrama "Dead Ringer"; as well as "Portrait in Black" with Lana Turner).
DIE MOMMIE DIE is the story of washed-up, has-been singing star Angela Arden (Charles Busch). She lives under the thumb of her embittered husband-manager Sol (Philip Baker Hall) and feels alienated by her barb-wielding daughter (Natasha Lyonne). Her only comfort lies in her son (Stark Sands) who is prone to strange psychotic episodes and uses his boyish good looks to entice older men. Angela also delights in the company of high-brow society gigolo Tony (Jason Priestley). Things begin to look up for Angela when she starts making plans for a grand comeback, performing at a Catskills resort. But Sol soon excerts his authority and cancels the booking. When Angela finally does away with Sol, thanks to a rat-poisoned suppository, her mysterious past slowly unravels. Just what happened to her twin sister Barbara? And is Sol really dead?...
The entire film is a pure joy. Charles Busch delivers a fantastic performance as Angela. Busch is careful in that his performance is restrained when it needs to be, but completely over-the-top with diva histrionics when that is called for, too. Busch finds the heart in Angela and plays the role sincerely. The rest of the cast is sensational. In his first big film role, Stark Sands is a revelation as the sexually-ambivalent son. His scenes with Priestley are wonderful. Natasha Lyonne has a comedic charm which is delightful and Philip Baker Hall admirably plays the heavy with a relish. Jason Priestley, in probably the most difficult role in the film, comes off perfectly. And one must not forget Frances Conroy as the faithful housekeeper Bootsie, which she turns into a scene-stealing role.
The DVD is loaded with extra material: audio commentary with Busch, Priestley and director Mark Rucker; "Anatomy of a Scene" featurette; a deleted scene; a music video for "Why Not Me?", trailers and screen tests.
DIE MOMMIE DIE is a well-made and acted homage to the films of directors like Douglas Sirk and Mark Robson, completely charming with a sharp comic edge and modern sensibility.
Movie Review: Oddly Entertaining....
Summary: 4 Stars
Angela Arden (Charles Busch) is just another washed up singing sensation of yesteryear.
Although still quite a Diva in her own mind, she lives with her unloving husband Sol (Philip Baker Hall), her metally challenged and emerging homosexual son Lance (Stark Sands), and her prententous Daddy's girl of a daughter Edith (Natasha Lyonne).
The marriage and family are quite a sham, with mother and daughter bitter rivals, as well as father and son. Father and daughter couldn't be happier, and mother and son get along pretty splendidly as well. Angela appears to live the spoiled society housewife life- complete with well-endowed gigolo lover Tony P (Jason Priestley).
When some explicit and nasty pictures surface of the Angela/Tony love tryst- Sol decides to take the marriage into his own hands by announcing that Angela will now be cut-off financially, and that's when the fun starts.
Angela plots to kill Sol by shoving an arsenic filled suppository up his ol' woo-ha.
Mother and son soon rejoice once Sol kicks the bucket, but poor Edith is left alone to her own devices. In steps Tony P to relieve some of the much needed pressure. And of course, keeping it strictly a `family affair", Tony P also takes a shot at poor misunderstood Lance the first chance he gets.
Of course Angela has had more than enough of being a role model and mother, but after being cut out of Sol's will entirely - decides it best to stick around for a while.
There's lots of sub-plots and lot's of comedy throughout....but the real winner in "Die Mommie Die" is the performance of Charles Busch as the aging starlet Angela.
At times outrageous but mostly subtle, Angela is a contradiction of love, motherhood, marriage, and sexuality!!
"Die Mommie Die" isn't slapstick comedy, and the dialogue of the actors is somewhat "over-enunciated", as if they were acting in a play and not a film (the movie is based on the stage play).
But, the comedy and movie is quite original and refreshing, and is definitely recommended for more mature audiences.
Movie Review: A Drag Queen Extravaganza!
Summary: 4 Stars
Charles Busch, who wrote the script for this film as well as plays the lead, has produced an odd soap opera with appeal to gay audiences. I had never heard of Charles Busch but he obviously is the penultimate drag queen in his outlandish flowing gowns, wigs, and dalmation pantsuits.
The story is actually based on Greek tragedy but in the hands of Charles Busch, it becomes a camp classic. The story is based on the Greek myth of the twin sisters, Helen of Troy and Clytaemnestra. Clyteamenestra is married to Agamemnon. Agamemnon has sacrificed his oldest daughter in an effort to change the course of the Trojan War, which he wins. However his wife Clyteamenestra has taken a lover, Aegisthus. He has another daughter, Electra, and a son, Orestes. In the hands of Charles Busch, these Greek mythology characters come to life in a sordid tale of Hollywood murder, incest, and all kinds of other sexual oddities.
Jason Priestly plays the bisexual gigolo lover who seduces both the son and the daughter in the story. One well acted character is the maid, played by Francis Conroy, the mother from "Six Feet Under". Natasha Lyonne plays the role of Electra seeking revenge on her mother. Phillip Baker Hall plays the role of Agamemnon, the Hollywood producer.
Charles Busch, playing actress/singer/dancer Angela Arden, is on camera about 90% of the time and carries the film with his costumes and hairstyles. The clothes he wears are outlandish but entertaining. After I saw the DVD with a group of guys, it was interesting how they described all the outfits you will see in this film.
Some parts of the film move more smoothly than others but overall it is entertaining and a bit over the top.
Movie Review: Mega Camp a la Almodovar!
Summary: 4 Stars
Charles Busch is FANTASTIC! Lana turner , move over. I believe there is not one female actress in Holywood today thant can ACT! Charles can act at being all these awesome women in a drop of a pin. The movie has some flaws but they makeup with all the great talent and the FUN. This movie is Fun and if your in for laughs and DRAMA check it out. Great to see at a dinner party.