A few weeks ago I talked about smuggling our own concessions into movies [2]. But after I wrote that post I started wondering what a Recessionista like me could find in terms of cheaper movie ticket prices.

It turns out that Denver is not brimming with discount theaters, which is a big disappointment on several levels. I do believe firmly that a red-blooded person has movie-theater cravings at times, and that person should be able to brandish his or her well-worn dollar and demand a threadbare, creaky seat where said person's shoes stick to the floor so completely that said shoes may never be worn again.

Also, I suffer from the dichotomy of being overly critical of movies yet easily suckered into blockbusters by things like, say, Hugh Jackman's abs. For a dollar, even my inner critic stays quiet.

The cheapest movies in town happen at three theaters, all owned by parent company Elvis Cinemas [3]. The deal is easy to remember: Before 6 p.m. movies are $2.50, after 6 p.m. they are $3.50.

There are three locations of Elvis Cinemas:

Arvada: 5157 W. 64th Ave. My pick for the best movie shown this weekend? Coraline. (And all showings are before 6 p.m., score!)

Denver: 7400 E. Hampden Ave. Best movie shown this weekend? Gran Torino.

Littleton: 6014 S. Kipling Pkwy. Best movie shown this weekend? Paul Blart: Mall Cop. I kid, I kid. I'd spring for Taken.

Traditionally priced movie theaters are also offering a few discounts:

Cherry Creek 8 [4], 3000 E. 1st Ave, has a special called a "twilight matinee"--usually these movies are in the late afternoon, and the price is reduced to $6. With ticket prices usually running $10, it's a solid discount. This is always my favorite location to take myself to chick-flick matinees that I try to keep under wraps. I may or may not have seen the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 here. Cough.

The Mayan Theater [5], 110 Broadway, offers tickets for $7.25 Monday through Friday before 6 p.m., as well as for the first shows on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Tickets are traditionally $9.75.

The Landmark Theatre in Greenwood Village [6], 5415 Landmark Place, offers tickets that include popcorn and fountain drinks in the price. Daytime movies, shown in parenthesis on the website, are discounted to $9, tickets are normally $12.