Spring 2011 Movies for Moms

Over the years, I have become a purveyor of all things fun for my kids. When it comes to movies, I scope out the family films that will be worth our time (sometimes attending screenings and then letting my kids know if the coast is clear), or getting honest feedback from friends on Facebook after they've seen a new family film and in seconds, I find out if it's truly worth our time.  Honestly, there is nothing worse than sitting through a kid flick that has no adult humor in it whatsoever.  It makes you want to whip out a Kindle or a Nook or a novel with a booklight and read during that excruciating experience (can anyone say "Spy Kids" or "Spy Kids 2???").

So this week, instead of filling you in on the films my family has been loving this season (okay, "Soul Surfer" was my daughter's top movie...had to share), I am going to let you in on a little secret.  Now that my daughter is 12 and this close to being allowed to venture out on her own to shopping malls and movie theaters, I decided to take advantage of giving her some alone time, by giving myself some "Me Time" too!

A few weeks ago, my daughter begged me to go to the movies so that she could take her friend to see "Soul Surfer" for the second time.  If you haven't seen it yet, the film shares the true story of an aspiring surfer whose arm is devoured by a shark while she's out practicing her moves in the ocean.  I saw the film with my daughter the first time around and really enjoyed it. However, there was no way I was going to go see it twice.  And so, I decided to offer up a compromise when my daughter begged me to drop her off at the movies with her friend and I adamantly refused.  

I scanned through the movie listings and instantly devised a foolproof plan.  I would go see "Water for Elephants" since it started 30 minutes before "Soul Surfer" and then meet my daughter and her friend after both films ended.  The girls were thrilled with my scenario and we hopped in the car and raced over to the theater.  I handed my daughter some money for popcorn and soda and I indulged in a box of chocolate covered raisins...something I never ever do with the kids or my husband!  While the girls skipped over to their theater, I giddily handed my ticket to the usher and found an empty row all to myself, cracked open my box of candy and grinned from ear to ear.

Let me just tell you - there is nothing better than going to the movies by yourself.  If the movie is bad, you don't have to apologize to anyone for dragging them somewhere they didn't want to go in the first place.  Translation: Had I taken my husband to see "Water For Elephants," I probably would still be hearing about how I wasted two hours of his time when we could have seen that new Vin Diesel movie instead.  Since I had already read the book (which incidentally is phenomenal), I couldn't wait to see the film.  I absolutely love Reese Witherspoon too, so for me, "Water for Elephants" delivered.  It wasn't the best movie of the year, but it was entertaining and I was just so proud of myself for finally taking the bull by the horns and selecting a movie that I wanted to see without any family critics second guessing my decision.

Since I was already in a chick flick kind of mood, when I received an invitation to see a screening of the new comedy "Bridesmaids," I was totally up for another 'Me Time' movie adventure.  This time, I brought a girlfriend along for the ride and all I can say is, ladies - you must go out and see this movie!  In fact, you can even take your husband or partner because he will find it hilarious too.  "Bridesmaids," starring Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig feels like "The Hangover" for women.  The humor is over the top (Judd Apatow from "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" is the producer) uncomfortably funny and so relatable, I felt myself nearly crying from laughter on several occasions.  The bridesmaid dress scene was one of the funniest of the film and Melissa McCarthy ("Mike and Molly"), who stars as the unpredicatable, over-confident and overweight sister of the groom, Megan, totally steals the movie.

So if you're feeling like you've been in family film overload, or if you simply need a break from the day to day whine grind, make sure you make a playdate with a friend or go MIA and hit a theater by yourself this spring.  There's nothing like indulging in a chick flick, inhaling a box of chocolates and laughing until your sides hurt.  Sure the sides hurting thing could happen in a pilates class, but for me, going to the movies is way more fun!

Want a sneak peak of "Bridesmaids?"  Then check out this trailer and get ready to laugh!