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Don't Tell Mom...The Babysitter's Dead
Warner Bros. // PG-13
List Price: $19.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Is it merely a coincidence that on the same day I'm submitting a review for "Don't Mess With My Sister", I'm also posting a review for the similarly-commandingly-titled "Don't Tell Mom...The Babysitter's Dead"? Yeah, it is a coincidence, I guess, and I don't know if I need to put the ellipse in the middle of the title, but you know..."Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead" doesn't look quite right, and neither does "Don't Tell Mom, The Babysitter's Dead". The box art uses a line break between the two. Oh, the trials and tribulations of being a reviewer. In situations like this, the ellipse never fails. At least, I hope it's called an 'ellipse', or I'm going to look pretty stupid using the wrong spelling or the incorrect word entirely so often in this opening paragraph. The prudent thing to do in a case like this would seem to be moving on to the plot.
Between the title and the cover art, I think the general plot should be pretty evident. Five kids are supposed to be babysat, but their sitter dies. Zaniness ensues, and the kids, led by Christina Applegate, have to fend for themselves over the summer till their mother returns.
For some reason, I thought this movie was a few years older than it really is. I still sort of get that impression watching it, as "Don't Tell Mom..." seems to have its feet firmly planted in the '80s. Although I tend to tell people that my interest in film is centered around horror, the truth is that I have a deep, dark, unspoken adoration for stupid teen movies, especially those with an '80s twist to them. "Don't Tell Mom..." has that feel to it, and...yeah, it's definitely stupid. I liked it, and although it's probably not one to buy sight-unseen, I don't have any problem recommending it to anyone with similar interests.
Video: The buzz floating around before this disc was released seemed to indicate that "Don't Tell Mom...The Babysitter's Dead" would be full-frame. Not only is "Don't Tell Mom..." presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, but it's enhanced for widescreen televisions. And...it actually looks fairly decent. Dust and specks pop up occassionally, though not frequently enough to become a real irritation. Blacks and shadow detail are pretty impressive, and the beautiful, subtle hues of Applegate's faux-Madonna-circa-1988 neon clothing are flawlessly represented. Sharpness is a little lacking, though. Nothing overly impressive, but still treated better than I'd expect.
Audio: "Don't Tell Mom..." sounds like a mono track remixed to stereo. That, there were some amateurish foley artists whose recordings didn't quite match up. I don't know, but there's something not quite right about the way some effects come through...awkward and forced. Those aside, "Don't Tell Mom..." sounds fine. Subtitles in a variety of languages are available, along with a French stereo track. I had some zany, madcap fun listening to the movie in French. Oh, what enjoyment on-the-fly-audio-selection can bring...
Extras: Just some trailers/TV spots and cast/crew bios.
Conclusion: I'd guess that pretty much anyone interested in "Don't Tell Mom..." has seen it on HBO, where it was shown about as often as "Just One Of The Guys" airs on Comedy Central. Sure, "Don't Tell Mom..." isn't that great, and it's not really one of those "so bad, it's good" sort of flicks. I dunno...I find something oddly appealing about it, and for anyone else who feels the same way, this disc is worth getting. Recommended.
Between the title and the cover art, I think the general plot should be pretty evident. Five kids are supposed to be babysat, but their sitter dies. Zaniness ensues, and the kids, led by Christina Applegate, have to fend for themselves over the summer till their mother returns.
For some reason, I thought this movie was a few years older than it really is. I still sort of get that impression watching it, as "Don't Tell Mom..." seems to have its feet firmly planted in the '80s. Although I tend to tell people that my interest in film is centered around horror, the truth is that I have a deep, dark, unspoken adoration for stupid teen movies, especially those with an '80s twist to them. "Don't Tell Mom..." has that feel to it, and...yeah, it's definitely stupid. I liked it, and although it's probably not one to buy sight-unseen, I don't have any problem recommending it to anyone with similar interests.
Video: The buzz floating around before this disc was released seemed to indicate that "Don't Tell Mom...The Babysitter's Dead" would be full-frame. Not only is "Don't Tell Mom..." presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, but it's enhanced for widescreen televisions. And...it actually looks fairly decent. Dust and specks pop up occassionally, though not frequently enough to become a real irritation. Blacks and shadow detail are pretty impressive, and the beautiful, subtle hues of Applegate's faux-Madonna-circa-1988 neon clothing are flawlessly represented. Sharpness is a little lacking, though. Nothing overly impressive, but still treated better than I'd expect.
Audio: "Don't Tell Mom..." sounds like a mono track remixed to stereo. That, there were some amateurish foley artists whose recordings didn't quite match up. I don't know, but there's something not quite right about the way some effects come through...awkward and forced. Those aside, "Don't Tell Mom..." sounds fine. Subtitles in a variety of languages are available, along with a French stereo track. I had some zany, madcap fun listening to the movie in French. Oh, what enjoyment on-the-fly-audio-selection can bring...
Extras: Just some trailers/TV spots and cast/crew bios.
Conclusion: I'd guess that pretty much anyone interested in "Don't Tell Mom..." has seen it on HBO, where it was shown about as often as "Just One Of The Guys" airs on Comedy Central. Sure, "Don't Tell Mom..." isn't that great, and it's not really one of those "so bad, it's good" sort of flicks. I dunno...I find something oddly appealing about it, and for anyone else who feels the same way, this disc is worth getting. Recommended.
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