I loved SATC on HBO. Seriously, my parents got me into it and I was obsessed with the fashion and tales of Miranda, Carrie, Charlotte and Samantha.

Similar to the Simpsons, you can reference just about any dating moment back to an SATC episode and when the show went off the air, it was an event in our household.

And then HBO/Michael Patrick King made the series into movies. *crickets chirping*. I was critical of the first movie because I wasn’t a huge fan of the storyline (and how long it played out on screen) and the insane product, prominent product placement. I work in communications so I get why that is important but I don’t need to be beaten over the head with it. Seriously, I’m not dumb.

Now a second movie has been released and after some bad initial buzz on Twitter, I treated to a pre-noon matinee to see if it was as bad as I feared.

Movie: Sex and the City 2

Rating: R

Release date: May 27, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: C

Summary: It’s two years after the end of the first movie and Carrie/Big (Sarah Jessica Parker/Chris Noth) are having martial growing pains (after two years? Jesus), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is having trouble at home with her girls, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon)….yeah nothing really new with her and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is dealing with menopause. Remember when this show used to be good?

My thoughts: It kills me to give this a C. I LOVED this show on HBO but I don’t like how this has manifested into film. First, it’s 2.5 hours, which is a LONG time to hear Samantha climax, Carrie whine, Charlotte screech and Miranda b*tch. Really, 22 minutes is much more tolerable. The thing with this as a movie is that all the wit, charm and zingers that happened in the show just comes off as campy. You can almost see SJP going to hit her mark and make a witty comment that makes you groan rather than giggle.

I’ve heard people say this movie doesn’t have “heart” or humor and I have to agree. Even the fashion isn’t as elegant and refined as it was on the show. I still love Patricia Fields, she’s brilliant with pairing clothing and mixing trends but it just falls flat or is so over the top you are blinded by the color and patterns.

I think the other reason I was disappointed with this is way the characters have translated to film. For example, Charlotte was always a Type-A prissy perfectionist on the show but she was never shrilly and annoying like she is in the film (the first one too). Rather than be happy that she’s finally a mom, I just want her to shut the h*ll up with her complaining and shreeking, which was prominent in the Abu Dhabi sequence.

That part also fell flat for me. It was like the Brady’s on vacation, sweeping shots of these women with couture trains behind them and possibly the most tragic outfit ever on Kim Cattrall during the camel scene. Those girls are best left in New York.

But, it was great to see Aiden again. Carrie broke my heart when she cheated on him. But even that wasn’t too rewarding for obvious reasons. Despite Aiden’s sight for sore eyes, Chris Noth still looks good and zings as Mr. Big. Yeah, there is something about him in a suit that makes me giggle.

Verdict: Wait for DVD or go to a cheapie matinee. Oh and I hope there isn’t a SATC 3. Invest in the DVDs and you’ll be so much happier than you feel walking out of that theater.

Did you see SATC? What did you think?

Update: I wanted to just clarify, I didn’t loathe or hate this movie. I was just…disappointed. I think the DVDs are better

Oh my gosh I missed going to the movies. Now that it’s summer, I plan on spending lots of time at the theater watching sh*t get blown up and having some laughs. And free AC.

Traveling last week kept me away from the theater but now, I’m back!! Well, I’ll be more back after Vegas, but still :)

So let’s catch up on a movie kicking off summer: Iron Man 2.

Movie: Iron Man 2

Rating: PG-13

Release date: May 7, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B

Summary: Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) has outted himself at Iron Man so what’s a man to do with all this publicity and fame? Well, have a health scare, witty banter, travel to exotic locations and blow some sh*t up. Bring it on!

My thoughts: I loved the first Iron Man. It was witty, action-packed and was just flat out entertaining. And RDJ was just…hot as Tony. He’s a guy who can save the world, smooth talk you and make you laugh. Sounds like a winner.

And I really wanted to like this movie more than I did. Yes, I liked it. It was funny, sh*t was blown up and there were some great action sequences, but…it was a little cluttered.

Tony is joined again by Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his best buddy Rhodie (Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard) but now we meet Tony’s new nemesis’s Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) and Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell, whose character name still makes me think of Dr. Horrible). Add in a bit of ScarJo sassiness and well, we have a pretty big cast. A big cast where’s difficult to ensure everyone gets screen time and a full character arc, cough ScarJo.

RDJ is still charming as Tony but Pepper has been reduced to a screeching assistant/love interest/CEO, but I love Gwenie so I’ll let it slide. Don Cheadle is entertaining as Rhodie 2.0 but there was something about Terrence Howard that made that character jump. I am a big Sam Rockwell fan (even if Moon was a little weird) and he’s mildly evil as Justin, but all I could stare at was the self tanner line on his hands. I have no idea if that was intentional, honestly.

Jon Favreau is a great director and a good cameo actor too. I’m looking forward to seeing more of his work, but I hope in Iron Man 3, they simplify the story, cast and get back to the humor a bit more. But if RDJ can keep flexing those arms, I’ll buy that movie ticket any day.

What did you think about Iron Man? Did you like the original or sequel more?