Crisp Criticism - "Bad Moms", "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping", "Weiner"

by

Julien Faddoul

Bad Moms

When three under-appreciated moms are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities.

Loud comedy about characters that never seem to be as bad as they claim. Fairly incessant.

wd – Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

ph – Jim Denault

pd – Marcia Hinds

m – Christopher Lennertz

ed – Emma E. Hickox, James Thomas

cos – Julia Caston

p – Bill Block, Suzanne Todd

Cast: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Annie Mumolo, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Oona Laurence

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping **

When it becomes clear that his solo album is a failure, a former boy band member does everything in his power to maintain his celebrity status.

Admirable but never wholly successful satire on the absurdity of popstars; it is funny though, coming alive mostly during its musical numbers.

d – Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone

w – Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone

ph – Brandon Tost

pd – Jon Billington

m – Matthew Compton

ed – Craig Alpert, Jamie Gros, Stacey Schroeder 

p – Judd Apatow, Rodney Rothman, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone

Cast: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Imogen Poots, Sarah Silverman, Mike Birbiglia, James Buckley, Sandra Rosko, Tim Meadows, Lili Sepe

Weiner ***

An examination of disgraced New York Congressman Anthony Weiner's mayoral campaign.

Juicy and altogether deftly assembled documentary which, rather than striving to portray its controversial subject as either hero or moron, instead endeavors to summon some kind of explanation as to why the public citizenry cant help but entangle the political with the personal. Its distinctly candid footage makes it full of great moments.

d – Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg   

ph – Josh Kriegman

m – Jeff Beal

ed – Eli B. Despres

p – Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg   

Cast: Anthony Weiner