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+

Potty Mouth... "Bad Words"

Bad Words (2013)

Rated R for language

Starring Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Phillip baker Hall, Allison Janney

Directed by Jason Bateman

The Story:

Guy Trilby (Bateman) has a photographic memory and an 8th grade education.  When he discovers a loophole in the rules for The Golden Quill, the largest spelling bee in the nation, he sets out on his quest to win.

By any means necessary.

It's rude, it's crude, it's amusing and occasionally finds a heart and some sentiment in the proceedings.

Trilby's intentions are never fully revealed as the voiceover to narrate the tale unfolds.

However, he is out for some sort of revenge which becomes clear as the movie rolls along.

He's vicious and cruel to the other kids he shuts down as he advances ever closer to the final round.

So too are the officials who attempt to stop him.

Naturally, along the way, Guy runs into a kid, Chaitanya (Chand) and the two begin to bond and become unlikely friends.

Of course, as with everything else in this movie, that's not a very healthy relationship either, and the two are going to form an unlikely bond with one another.

Pretty good, but given the rating, this was a one-trick pony at my house.

Final Grade: C+/B- range.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Sorry, once was plenty for this film.