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Two much anticipated films hit theaters today, as well as a few other average releases.

First up is the long awaited movie version of the popular cable series, “Sex in the City” featuring the original cast, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. The movie, like the series, follows these for womens’ characters’ (Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charolette) lives in Manhattan, picking up four years after the series ended. The film is rated R and contains language and graphic nudity.

This series gained a following as women connected with the characters and their daily struggles to find love and follow their careers and life in general. It remained a powerhouse on premium networks, then was syndicated on cable networks, and still stays afloat in this form today.

The movie has been in talks and in the works for years, and finally, fans of the show will get to see their favorite characters on the big screen for a proper send off. This is the big opener for this weekend, but given last week’s debuts, it will have a hard time dominating the box office.

Next up is the suspense horror/thriller, “The Strangers” starring Liv Tyler. The previews alone for this movie have movie goers excited to be frightened by the eerily realistic events of the film.

The movie sees a couple in a remote house being terrorized by a group of masked strangers after returning from a wedding. The now famous line from the promos when Tyler’s character asks why they are doing this, “Because you were home” says all there needs to be said about the tone of this film.

The thing that makes this movie a must see is that it could happen to anyone in reality, which intensifies the thriller aspect of the film. And adding now veteran actress Liv Tyler to the mix only makes it that much more of a must see. While “Sex in the City” will no doubt hit strong, and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” promises to continue dominating, “The Strangers” will definitely break in with a good showing this weekend.

Four other films open in select theaters across the country as well. The first of which is the lightly publicized finding of Will Ferrel, “The Foot Fist Way”. This irreverent dramedy sees Tae Kwon Do sensei Fred Simmons (played by Danny R. McBride) attempt to teach his brand of martial arts to a class while going through personal problems. The film is on the same line of class as Ferrel films like Semi-Pro, and films like Superbad and Clerks with its oddball humor and situational comedy. It’s rated R for language and sexual content.

Then we have “Bigger, Stronger, Faster”, a documentary starring Barry Bonds that explores America’s obsession with performance enhancing drugs. We reward the best of the best and push our athletes and celebrities to the brink of self destruction, and this film explores the effects of that pressure. This film is rated R for drugs, language, sexual content and violent images.

“Savage Grace”, starring Julianne Moore and Stephen Dilane is up next, and is based on the true story of the Baekeland family and their fall into murder, sexual obsession. The material reflects disturbing relationships and displays the volatile effects of what money and power corrupted can do to a family. The film is not rated.

And finally, in limited theaters, is “Stuck” starring Mena Suvari of “American Beauty” and “American Pie” fame, and Stephen Rea (”The Reaping”). The disturbing film sees Brandi (Suvari), a promising young women with her career ahead of her, come in contact with a newly homeless man (Rea) whom she hits with her car. Stuck head first in her windshield, instead of seeking help, Brandi decides to let him die then dispose of his body to protect her future. The film is rated R for strong violence, disturbing content, language, nudity and drug use.

So, not a stellar weekend at the movies for the beginning of the summer months, but a few decent picks to see.

Also in theaters are:

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

“Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”

“Iron Man”

“What Happens in Vegas”

“Speed Racer”

“Baby Mama”

“Made of Honor”

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”

“The Visitor”

“Dr. Suess’ Horton Hears a Who”

“The Forbidden Kingdom”

“Young@Heart”

“Nim’s Island”

“Drillbit Taylor”

“Son of Rambow”

“Prom Night”

“Street Kings”

“Leatherheads”

“Redbelt”

“The Fall”

“Smart People”

“88 Minutes”

“War, Inc.”

“Planet B-Boy”

So even if this week’s releases don’t do it for you, there’s still plenty to see if you haven’t caught all of those, and there are some choice films in that selection. So grab some popcorn and candy, and take a seat. “Down in front!”