Five Quirky "Mom" Movies for Mother's Day

Moms and movies go perfectly together. Whether it's taking your own sweet mother out to see a new popular movie, or watching an oldie, but goodie on cable TV or DVD, there's something really fun and family oriented about sharing movies with Mom.

Of course, not all mom movies are created alike. Some are way too hokey, too syrupy sweet, or even deadly dull. Here are five which may not be considered traditional, but they're never boring.

Mr. Mom (1983)

Michael Keaton was the caped crusader Batman (Tim Burton) in 1989, but before fighting bad guys in cape and cowl, he washed laundry, swept floors and cooked dinner. He juggled it all while wife Terri Garr brought home the bacon.

This film swaps traditional gender roles - at least what they were back then - when Keaton as a recently laid off engineer, must hold down the fort at home, while Garry fulfills the bread winning duties. Though a bit dated by today's standards, the film still delivers chuckles, surprises and even more than a little pathos, as the struggling couple try their best to adjust to the changing roles of men and women in the modern workplace.

Serial Mom (1994)

Could your Mom do anything remotely wrong, or even - gasp - criminal!? Most people couldn't imagine their mom being wanted by the FBI, which is why this John Water's comedy is so hilarious.

Kathleen Turner is the matriarch, Sam Waterson (Law & Order) is the patriarch, and Rikkie Lake and Matthew Lillard (Scooby Do) the bewildered kids. Waters always handles his subject matter with great humor, but with a kind of weird realism only he can cook up. It's no different here, as Turner goes on a grisly rampage of murder and mayhem. Look for side splitting cameos by Suzanne Somers, Joan Rivers and Patty Hearst as a juror who really angers Serial Mom!

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

Imagine being Sylvester Stallone - Rambo's mom? Estelle Getty didn't have to fantasize, after co-starring with Stallone in this comedy crime caper.

The producers were no doubt trying to capitalize on Estelle Getty in The Golden Girls, which just ended when this flick was released. Although it's been pretty badly reviewed, and even Stallone himself calls it the worst film he's ever made, there's something quirky about a mom packing heat alongside her son. The film now has something of a cult following, and most agree that the chemistry between Getty and Stallone is worth at least a look.

Mother (1996)

Albert Brooks plays a science fiction writer who returns home to his mom. No, Brooks hasn't traveled to a galaxy far far away ala Star Wars, nor sought out new lifeforms via Star Trek - he's gone to the real exploration - back home to dear old mom.

Debbie Reynolds (Singin In The Rain) plays his wacky mother, to whom Brooks returns to live with for some research. It seems he can't write himself a happy ending in the romance department. He feels he must work through all this psychological angst by going back to his roots and boarding with mom. Look for great supporting roles by Lisa Kudrow (Friends) and Rob Morrow from the TV classic Northern Exposure.

Mom and Dad Save The World (1992)

Jon Lovitz plays an evil space emperor out to destroy Earth. Aren't they always wanting that?

Terri Garr (Tootsie) plays a normal American housewife whom Lovitz falls in love with and decides to capture, before his dastardly Earth destroying plan is put in full effect. The whole thing is pretty silly, but it's meant to be, but the title alone and basic premise certainly qualifies for a quirky mom movie. Look for Eric Idle (Monty Python) as a hapless man, who's the rightful leader of the alien world, which Lovitz imprisoned to go on his power mad trip.