Mila Kunis plays an over-worked, over-committed and exhausted mother who joins forces with two other over-stressed moms (Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell) on a quest to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities – going on a wild, un-mom-like binge of long overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence putting them on a collision course with the PTA president (Christina Applegate) and her clique of devoted perfect moms (Jada Pinkett Smith and Annie Mumolo). (R – 101 minutes)

“Bad Moms” is so concerned with being “bad” that it forgets to actually be funny. That is to say that the new comedy certainly showcases what would happen if moms were to shed all of their inhibitions but there are very laughs that are produced as a result. There is perhaps some entertainment value in seeing these women go wild, but it is so unrealistic that it loses all levity and therefore ability to authentically amuse much less affect. Kathryn Hahn is certainly the shining star on the cast whereas everyone else’s performance fizzles with mediocrity. (2 Stars)

Jesse Eisenberg plays a young Bronx native who, in the 1930’s, moves to Hollywood where he falls in love with the secretary (Kristen Stewart) of his powerful uncle (Steve Carell), an agent to the stars. After returning to New York he is swept up in the vibrant world of high society nightclub life. Blake Lively also stars. (PG-13 – 85 minutes)

“Cafe Society” harkens back to both a time of golden romanticism and a time when Woody Allen movies were actually worth seeing. The new dramedy is one of the writer/director’s best projects in years as it delivers breathtakingly beautiful set pieces and some exceptionally snappy dialogue. Allen has infused his script with a vast number of clever lines that are certain to be quotable for years to come. A tremendously talented ensemble cast and a “sadistically comical” love story make for a golden-era-like motion picture that is amusing as it is affecting. (4 Stars)

Come visit us on Saturday, July 23rd, as well be broadcasting from 1p – 4p at Tailgaters (10146 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy in Peoria). The prize wheel is going to be on hand with Santa’s Sack full of toys for the kids. (We have the grown ups covered too). See you there!

Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy play paranormal enthusiasts who, following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, band together with a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and subway worker (Leslie Jones) to stop an otherworldly threat. (PG-13 – 105 minutes)

“Ghostbusters” could have been a lot worse but should have been a lot better. That is fairly faint praise for a film that was widely considered to be one of the year’s most highly anticipated releases. There is no doubt that it makes for an amusing couple of hours but it never comes close to the heights in creativity and sheer entertainment value achieved by the two classic flicks that it reimagines. Nor is it particularly hilarious in a way that makes you forget that fact. Having said that, the grand finale is one fantastic spectacle while Kate McKinnon being the best at creating a unique character and Chris Hemsworth stealing the show with many memorable one-liners. (3 Stars)

We’ll be broadcasting this Saturday, July 16th from 1-4pm at The Moon Saloon (16554 N 83rd ave in Peoria). We’ll be talking hockey, baseball, other sports & of course our prize wheel is going to be there waiting for your spin. You can also meet 2016 Rio Olympic swimmer and ASU Junior, Katarina Simonovic, who will be joining us at The Moon Saloon. Hope to see you there!

Louis C.K. voices a terrier who regularly invites his friends to hang out at his place while his owner is gone. But his quiet life is upended when said owner also takes in a stray mutt (Eric Stonestreet) who he instantly dislikes. Other voice talents include Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Bobby Moynihan and Steve Coogan. (PG – 90 minutes)

The beginning and ending of “The Secret Life of Pets” will touch the hearts of anyone who has ever experienced the overwhelming, undying, overpowering, unconditional, all-encompassing, heart-enriching, mind-expanding, on-going, never-ending love of a pet. After all, who does not know how hard it is to leave your best friend for the day or how joyful it feels to return to them at the end of it. However, everything in between is too chaotic, lacking any genuine emotion or clever ingenuity and instead relying simply on colorful action to keep audiences engaged. It is a lot of fun but it fails to reach the depth it could have achieved with a more grounded approach. (3 Stars)

A dachshund is taken in by a veterinary technician (Greta Gerwig), who soon sets off on a road trip. The lovable dog also encounters a young boy, a film professor, and a troubled grandmother and granddaughter. Other stars include Ellen Burstyn, Kieran Culkin, Julie Delpy and Danny DeVito. (R – 90 minutes)

There are undoubtedly going be a few vehemently angry moviegoers who see “Wiener-Dog.” Even those who are familiar with writer/director Todd Solondz’s approach may be a bit shocked before all is said and done. However, just because it is not your typical touchy-feely dog movie (it is not actually about the dog so much as it is about the various eccentric humans it encounters) does not necessarily mean it is not a good movie. The new dramedy loses a bit of its footing in the second act but its bitter sense of humor and tragic tone is certain to stay with you long after the end credits have rolled. (3 Stars)

Julian Dennison plays a defiant city kid who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside with a new foster family. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship him to another home, he and his uncle (Sam Neill) go on the run. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family. (PG-13 – 101 minutes)

Writer/director Taika Waititi plays it a bit too safe with “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” but that perhaps only helps it be an appropriate source of entertainment for younger audiences while also being edgy enough to appeal to older audiences. The new comedic adventure also has a lot of heart going for it, mainly due to the charismatic performances from stars Julian Dennison and Sam Neill but also courtesy of a story that promotes friendship and teamwork. It is quite the quirky comedy that earns its fair share of laughs, thrills and emotion from those who decide to go on the run with this dynamic duo. (3 Stars)

Ruby Barnhill plays a young girl named who encounters a Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul that is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. (PG – 115 minutes)

“The BFG” may appeal to some audiences – specifically those with an immature sense of humor and tolerance for pretentiousness – but most will find it difficult to believe that the mediocre new family flick is the product of director Steven Spielberg and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” author Roald Dahl. Star Mark Rylance is charming as the title character but the non-giant characters – especially the one played by Ruby Barnhill – are too readily accepting of the film’s fantasy elements. Moreover, the story is slow-moving and reliant on cutesy dialogue and juvenile jokes about flatulence and the like to retain our attention. (2 Stars)

Frank Grillo reprises his role as a former police sergeant who, two years after choosing not to kill the man who killed his son, has become head of security for Senator Charlene Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) – the front runner in the next presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge. (R – 105 minutes)

“The Purge: Election Year” may be a relatively decent action flick but it fails fairly miserably at being a horror flick. Moreover, it is certainly a far cry from the direction that most fans of “The Purge” franchise likely had hoped the story would go. Granted, it is thought-provoking and will likely lead to a lot of discussion with whoever you choose to accompany to the movie theater but what was once gruesome and suspenseful is now busy and blunt. Writer/director James DeMonaco goes off in too many directions while relying too heavily on gunfire thereby changing the entire tone of the project. (3 Stars)

Happy 4th of July weekend! Today’s fun time takes us back to 1996. Independence Day was one of the biggest blockbusters during the 1990’s. What makes it even more unique and hard to fathom, is that the film was shot in under 3 months. Even more interesting is that the script was written in 4……weeks! Jeff Goldblum also became the first person in history to survive both a Dinosaur and Alien attack.

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Today’s fun time:
When the legendary Jack Nicholson was 37, he found out that his sister was really his mom. June Nicholson was 18 when she gave birth to Jack. With June also not knowing for sure at the time who the father was, her parents agreed to raise Jack like he was their own son. Jack found this out for the first time in 1974, well after his real mom June and his grandma (Ethel May) had passed away.