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+

It's "Jupiter Ascending" Quickly To The List Of Worst Movies Of 2015.

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean

Written and Directed by Andy & Lana Wachowski

The Story:

Jupiter Jones (Kunis) is an illegal alien who cleans bathrooms for a living. No, not that kind of alien, the kind from outer space. However she doesn't realize this until aliens come to get her and she is saved by intergalactic space hero, Caine Wise (Tatum).

That sums up about the 20 minutes, that felt just shy of an hour, that I endured this film.

I looked around the room at all of the faces not watching, or caring what was happening in this film.

I then looked at the clock on the wall and realized I still had just a hair under 2 hours still to go, and I didn't really care for the characters or the plot (if there truly was one yet) of this film.

Eject.

Return.

Note to self, add the Wachowskis as directors (and writers) whose work, overall, is stuff that I don't care for. Never cared for The Matrix, never bothered with the sequels. Cloud Atlas had some interesting ideas, but the overlong run time saps your energy.

Again, I have to wonder if you keep allowing some directors to write/direct/produce their own movies, who is the filter to tell them, hey, this kind of sucks?

Seems that there isn't one.

I can only tell them after the fact.

Hey, this movie kind of sucked.

The visuals were nice though.

: /

Final Grade: D

'Cause You've Had A Bad Day... "The Angriest Man In Brooklyn"

The Angriest Man In Brooklyn (2014)

Rated R

Starring Robin Williams, Mila Kunis, Peter Dinklage, Melissa Leo, Hamish Linklater

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson

The Story:

Henry (Williams) is having a bad day. When he is finally seen by Dr. Gill (Kunis), it's not even his doctor, but someone covering for the doctor so he could start his weekend early. Naturally, Henry lets the doctor have it verbally chastising her up one side and down the other. She doesn't want to release the news to Henry that he's got a brain aneurism, but when push comes to shove she blurts out that he's only got 90 minutes to live.

So begins Henry's last day in New York.

Facing that news, Henry decides that all that truly matters is making amends with his family.

Naturally, with each reconciliation, he is thwarted at every turn as the countdown to the end of his life draws ever closer.

Can he reconnect with his wife (Leo) and son (Linklater) before it's too late?

Meanwhile, Dr. Gill is chasing all over New York to find him, even enlisting Henry's brother (Dinklage) on the chase.

This is another one of those films that is both endearing and heartbreaking to watch, so soon after the passing of Robin Williams.

It's one that has a few too many parallels, and I'm not sure if the viewing so close to his death provides extra emotional impact or not.

Either way, it's a film you may not have heard about, but one that is well worth your time.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Too dramatic to be a crowd pleasing multiple viewings. However, it's one that a few years down the road could be watched again for some laughs and tears.

The Buddy Comedy Redux... "Ted"

Naughty little bear...


The Story:

John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) makes a wish when he's a little boy that his little bear, Ted (Seth Macfarlane), could be his bestest friend forever.  And magically, it happens.  Ted becomes famous for a bit, but fame for a stuffed talking bear is fleeting, and 20+ years later, both are still not growing up, much to the dismay of John's girlfriend (Mila Kunis).

Your mileage may vary...

Chalk me up as not a Seth Macfarlane fan.  Nope, I don't watch Family Guy, or any of the other funny cartoons aimed at grown ups.  Yes, I've seen some before, yes, they can be both hysterical, and awful, sometimes at the same time.

Now instead of being animated, it's a live action buddy comedy with a CGI bear.

It is funny, but again, many of the jokes/situations simply try too hard to push the envelope and really go nowhere for me.  It's like the joke is funny... so let's add another and try and make it funnier...and another...and let's keep pushing...

And at that point, you've lost me for humor and are going for cheap laughs.

I'm willing to laugh, but I'm not cheap.

Nor am I easy.

: )

The funnier moments were all centered around John.  Mark Wahlberg plays great in comic roles, and I think a lot of people forget that as he often gets typecast in the action flicks.

In the end, it's a really charming story buried under crude humor, for the sake of being crude.

That kills any hope of being enjoyed around these parts.

In other words, I'm not sticking my hand in a steaming pile of crap to attempt to find a jewel.  I'll take your word that it's there.


Final Grade: C+

Would I Own It: Nope, but I'm sure a lot of folks will disagree with me.