The Happening Shouldn’t Have Happened, So Sex and the City Did

Our regular Movie Mom, Margot, is taking a hiatus to care for her new baby and his big brother, and so urbanmoms.ca will be bringing you some substitute movie-lovin’ moms to (try to) fill her shoes for the next little while. This week, we are thrilled to welcome Laura, longtime urbanmoms.ca member and also a mom and lover of movies.

I love going to the movies. Sure, DVD is okay, but there is nothing like seeing it on the big screen. Lately, I’ve been indulging myself in the act of lone movie-going. It’s the ultimate cinema experience. My choice of movie, my choice of treats (popcorn, light butter) and where in the theatre to sit – all my decision. For the next two hours I get transported to another place, and my everyday life disappears. This past weekend my three kids were away with their dad, and there was no question what I would do – head to the local Cineplex. What should I see?

I have been a Sex and the City fan for many years, and when the trailer for this movie was released, I knew I was going to see it opening night!

Opening weekend came and went, and the days have been ticking by. While I am very comfortable and actually prefer the solo movie experience, I just couldn’t quite bring myself to see this one alone. If ever there was an appropriate movie to see with the girls, this is it. The problem? My “girls” are not SATC fans! It’s been on my to-do list for the past few weeks to find a gal-pal who loves those four New Yorkers as much as I do, but so far I am empty-handed. I knew I couldn’t see it alone. It would be like advertising that I don’t have any girl-friends, so, off to plan B.

The Happening. Which shouldn’t have Happened.

I am a fan of scary movies. Not slasher flicks, but those scary thrilling movies that keep you on the edge of your seat. Even better is a twisty ending that makes you want to re-watch the movie to find the clues. One of the best in this genre? M. Night Shyamalan. The Sixth Sense. Unbreakable. The Village. (okay, that one wasn’t very good but it had a nice twist!) Signs. (again, not very good, but it did have Mel Gibson in his pre-crazy days as well as Joaquin Pheonix) His newest film, The Happening, happens to star one of the most delicious actors, Mark Wahlberg, who also happens to be the only redeeming thing about this flick. Even he couldn’t save it. Maybe if he had his shirt off: but he was fully clothed the entire movie…not even one ab…but I digress…

Ninety minutes later I left the theater completely disappointed.  As I walked through the lobby I realized that it was only 4:30pm, and I still had a child free evening ahead of me. So I jumped back into line and bought a ticket to the next showing of Sex and the City. Forget about seeing it with girlfriends! I needed something to pick me back up, and spending the next two and half hours with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha did just that. I left the theater feeling lighter and happier and just a bit more New Yorkier than when I went in.