Let’s Go To The Movies
I am so not a movie person. It takes a lot for me to want to go to the theatre to see a movie. I just get bored and fidgety especially if it runs over two hours…which seems like most movies these days. Just to give you an example, I fell asleep watching Die Hard: With a Vengeance. Yep, in the movie theatre. Do you know how loud that movie is? Maybe I just had a long day and was so out of it because, I woke up over some drool-coated popcorn to the credits rolling. Hey, less calories than butter. I’ve still never seen such succulent classics as Silence of the Lambs, wasn’t really batty for The Dark Knight and chose NOT to be on anyone’s team after seeing Twilight. Don’t judge me.
My family, on the other hand? Total movie buffs. They want to see every new upcoming flick and regularly check out all the latest trailers like it’s their job. When it comes to family/children’s movies, of course the kids want to seem them ALL. Well, that’s not happening and this is when I have to be choosey. Since everything seems to be in 3D or IMAX these days, going to the movies with a family of four almost requires taking out a second mortgage. Most of these movies come out so quickly on DVD/Blu-ray anyway, so we just tell the kids to wait a little longer. What’s an extra couple months of anticipation? Is that wrong? If it really deems necessary to see it in the theatre, then I leave the action-packed/comic book movies to Dad. Me? I’d gladly take them to see any Pixar film any day. In fact, my daughter’s very first trip to the movie theatre was at the tender age of 2 to see Monsters, Inc. There weren’t any of these bells and whistles back then. It was a straight 2D movie that didn’t cause motion sickness after it ended. Since my 3-year old son watches Toy Story 1 and 2 ad nauseam, we figured we’d follow suit and take him to see HIS first Pixar movie in the theatres. So, a couple of weeks ago, we all went to see, none other than Toy Story 3. Our mistake was that we went to the 3D version of the movie thinking he’d dig the glasses and all. Alas, it was wasted on him. I was very relieved that he didn’t want out of his seat (kids popcorn pack = much happiness), talk (loudly) throughout the movie or get frightened when the lights went out, but was disappointed that his very first cinematic experience was viewed in double vision. Poor kid must’ve wanted an eye exam after the movie.
So, I decided to make it up to him (like he really knows the difference) and give it a second shot. Since the forecast called for more heat and rain in recent weeks, I figured I’d give the Con Ed bill a rest and take the kids to see Despicable Me. I know what you’re thinking…TWO movies in TWO weeks, Brooklyn Mama? Yeah, I know, that’s a lot for me, but I do it for the kids. I learned my lesson this time though. No 3D movies. And we went to the first show so my pockets felt a bit heavier. Then it dawned on me. I remembered Regal Cinemas runs their Free Family Film Festival throughout the summer. Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning through August, kids can see a free G or PG-rated movie. Granted the movies are older and have already been released on DVD, but it’s a day out and you don’t have to feel like you just dipped into your child’s college tuition fund…especially when they don’t want to wear “the glasses”.
So, when we got home from seeing Despicable Me, I went to check REG’s Free Family Film Festival to see what was playing at my participating theatre, when my son ran up to me and said, “I loved the movie, Mommy. When can we go again?” I turned to look at him and guess what he was wearing? The 3D glasses from Toy Story 3! Grrrrrrr.
See you at the movies ~ Brooklyn Mama
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