Here's To All The "Bad Moms" Out There!

Bad Moms  (2016)

Rated R

Starring Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith,

Written and Directed by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

The Story:

Amy (Kunis) has finally had enough. She's been trying to juggle all the demands that come with having a job and kids, but she's always late for something and letting someone down. So when the head of the PTA (Applegate) adds one more task to Amy's never-ending to-do list, Amy offers up a big "F.U."to the world and quickly realizes that being a bad mom might actually do her some good.

On paper, the premise for this movie is hysterical.

In practice, it is very scattershot.

Some jokes land like a guided missile and just destroy with laughter.

Others fizzle out and arrive as a dud on impact.

That's the risk you take when you dial up the stakes on R-rated raunchy comedies.

I say it every time, if you've got to be profane, so be it, but you've got to be funny, first.

If the joke doesn't make you laugh before you add all the profanity, it's rarely going to work as the finished product.

The cast though, is immensely likable and keeps you invested in the movie.

Kunis does her best to carry the whole thing on her shoulders, and she does a great job.

The hardest part is accepting Kunis as a 30-something year old with pre-teens.

I've always seen her in the flirty romantic comedies or what-not, but never as a mom before.

That said, she channels the frustration and annoyance at a life that is so dictated by everyone else, you believe her when she snaps, and you're actually happy for her.

That they dialed a few too many situations up to 11, well, that's on the writing and directing tandem of Lucas and Moore.

Hahn works as the aggressive, over-the-top new best friend, and Bell makes the most of her timid, mousy friend who is just excited to be accepted by anyone, and that becomes empowering all on its own.

Applegate also does a great job as the villain of the film. Her comeuppance at the end is both satisfying and heartbreaking in equal measure.

I'm not sure where they'll go next with the inevitable sequel, but I'll come back and see how they're doing.

Final Grade: C+

Guaranteed To Drive You Batty..."Gotham"

Gotham (2014)

TV-14

Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee, David Mazouz, Jada Pinkett Smith

The Story:

Perhaps you've heard of a young man named Bruce Wayne (Mazouz) whose parents are gunned down one night. Now learn the dirty details about what happened in Gotham years before Batman showed up on the scene.

Being able to expand and expound on the rich history of Gotham is something that could never truly be shown in a movie.

A slow, dramatic series on Fox is just what DC needs to tell this story.

Wisely, they've picked the best bits and  pieces of comic book lore to fill up Gotham with dirty crooks, dirty cops and a brand new detective named James Gordon (McKenzie) who someday will rise to the position of Commissioner.

However, that's not coming for some time. Like, never, at least in this series.

Instead, enjoy the ride as Gordon teams up with crusty detective Harvey Bullock (Logue) as the two begin to track down the Wayne murderer, and enjoy seeing Batman's rogues gallery before they don their own costumes and embark on the criminal career the are known and loathed for.

Needless to say, I'm thrilled that they included the Falcone crime family from the excellent issues by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.

One big negative... Alfred's (Pertwee) accent.

Not. A. Fan.

It's minor thing, but a thing nonetheless. 

So far, so good. I'll be back next week!

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: It's the first series from DC that I've watched, so that's a huge plus.