While technology and a phone that virtually does anything important for you in the palm of your hand has disrupted almost every aspect of American life, we still go to the movies.
Even though you can squint and your phone to catch a flick or relish a recent hit in your personal surround-sound home theater, Americans continue to go out for a night at the movies.
There have never been more and better choices in the metro area. Even with the temporary shutter of regional favorites like the Cherry Creek Mall extravaganza and the landmark Landmark Esquire theaters, amazing options abound.
Here are a few of our favorites to consider when looking for a place to go on a troublesome Colorado-weatherish day or night.
The Mayan
While the Landmark Esquire languishes with wet walls, a nearby Landmark theater — the Mayan — is thriving. If you’ve driven Broadway just south of downtown Denver, you’ve seen the glittering marquee touting the Mayan’s iconic venue near East First Avenue.
If you hate big movie theaters, you probably love the Mayan. Like much of the shops and bars in South Broadway neighborhoods, the Mayan caters to Denver’s hippest element.
Translation: Good luck seeing the zillionth superhero movie of the year come this summer. Instead, you’ll see the creme de la creme of indie, art house and foreign films. These are flicks for film lovers, with the occasional high-brow blockbuster.
The Mayan itself is a gorgeous space worthy of gawkers in its own right. The theater was built in the 1930s and survived a brush with a demolition wrecking-ball in the 1980s. The cinema boasts irreplaceable art deco style — from hexagonal carpeting a la “The Shining” to the high-legged bar stools of the eponymous bar.
Here, you can grab a drink to sip on during a movie in one of the Mayan’s three theaters. Or, you could stick around and talk film with one of the bartenders — and any one of the Mayan’s staff, actually. It’s more common than not to meet a film lover staffing the joint, according to Assistant Manager Em Schulty.
She said most of the staff are interested in film one way or another, with dreams of their own to become screenwriters or camera directors. Schulty herself hopes to score films, so she’ll often chat with film-goers before and after showing times about the music incorporated into movies.
That’s a far cry from your typical adolescent tearing ticket stubs bored out of their brains.
Like many Denver-area gems, the Mayan is seeing success but also some crowding. Schulty said the opening weekend of “Free Solo”, a rock-climbing documentary sure to give you sweaty palms, was the best opening weekend for any film in the Mayan’s history.
But on a snowy weeknight this winter, do yourself a favor and swing by the Mayan for a movie. It’s a cozy — and cerebral — way to spend an evening.
— GRANT STRINGER, Staff Writer
The Sie Theater
The driving factor, literally, for choosing a theater is not only based on the obvious, which movie to see, but also the ambiance.
Megascreens with recliners or straight-back chairs with straight-backed indie fans? Meh. For serious aficionados, it doesn’t get much better than the SIE FilmCenter. Prices are OK, $11.50, or $9.50 for a matinee, and gray hairs over 62 or ID-clad students get in for $8.50.
If you’re a member of the Denver Film Society, it’s a flat-fee of $7. SIE is the permanent home of the Denver Film Society and is touted as the only year-round cinematheque in Denver. There you go. At 2510 E. Colfax Ave., the theater features a full-bar at Henderson’s lounge, adjacent to the concession stand which itself offers a variety of sweets and things you won’t get at the multiplex.
— PHILIP B. POSTON, Photo Editor
Movie Tavern By Marcus
Aurora’s ritziest movie theater may have a new name under its logo, but the luxury cinema on East Hampden Avenue still provides the cushiest viewing experience east of Interstate 225.
Now dubbed Movie Tavern By Marcus, the opulent movie house near the intersection of East Hampden Avenue and Tower Road is still cranking out sumptuous fare, reasonably-price suds and all the latest flicks — not to mention a sea of DreamLounger recliners in every theater.
For years, Aurora’s Movie Tavern has been at the forefront of the luxury movie experience, offering waited dining service at showings where patrons can nosh and sip on everything from hand-cut steak and shrimp ($17.95) to a tall boy Pabst Blue Ribbon ($7.95).
But the reasons to visit the east Aurora joint don’t stop at cozy cushions, sui generis cocktails and the latest Zac Efron — is that who the kids are still going gaga for? — picture. The theater has been quietly rolling out a bevy of discount and specialty days since an arm of the Marcus Corporation purchased the chain last year.
(Marcus Theatres obtained Movie Tavern’s assets from its parent company last November. The Marcus Corporation gets its name from Wisconsin entrepreneur and philanthropist Ben Marcus — not to be confused with the Colorado Public Radio personality of the same name. The movie magnate Marcus died on Christmas Eve in Milwaukee in 2000.)
Every Tuesday, moviegoers can grab a complimentary popcorn and catch a flick of their choosing for just $5 — a major slash from the general admission price of $11.25. On Wednesdays, the theater often projects specialty and classic movies, including titles like “The Princess Bride” and “Moulin Rouge!”
And every Saturday and Sunday from now until April 14, the Aurora joint is showing a different kids movie at 10 a.m. for just $3. This weekend brings the tale of Ferdinand the bull to the big screen.
The local theater also hosts weekly open mic events from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Thursday. Attendees can either come to give their greatest Gaga-Cooper impressions, or scout the newest Jon Bon Jovi. Come one, come all.
If you can’t find something to like in those offerings, or the pepper-crusted ahi salad for $13.95, you’re probably better off tossing a few frozen treats from Totinos in the microwave and watching Netflix on your laptop anyway.
— QUINCY SNOWDON, Staff Writer
Elvis Cinemas
If you shudder at the thought of peeling off about $20 for a movie ticket even before you swing by the glorious counter of candy, pop and popcorn that will set you back more than an entire Mexican dinner at your favorite local haunt, there is an answer. An affordable night out exists at metro area’s three Elvis Cinemas.
If missing the premier of Captain Marvel this week for you and your date at any price keeps you up late, move along. Nothing here to see.
But if a night away from the couch to catch up on that growing list of movies you really want to see on that magnificent silver screen and not your hi-def TV would be cool if it wasn’t stupid expensive, how does $3 a ticket sound?
Yup. Me, too. Elvis “happy hour” prices are $3 for movies that you know you won’t see until they’re free on Netflix in six years, but everybody was talking about just a couple of weeks ago.
If you can’t make the earlier show, prime time seats are only $4 each, and popcorn, pop, candy and a seriously unhealthy and satisfying dinner are so affordable you won’t have to sneak contraband in your purse or coat pockets.
More? This is where you want to bring your kids for their birthday. For $15 bucks a kid, 10-kid minimum, you get a theater on Saturday morning all to yourself, pop and popcorn all around and the birthday-buddy gets to pick whatever movie they want that’s currently running. And then, it’s a pizza party for everyone right after. All for $15 bucks a kid.
No reason to stay home yucking it up with cat in front of the TV. Get some cheap thrills for yourself.
Three locations, southeast Denver, Arvada and Littleton. See www.elviscinemas.com
— DAVE PERRY, Staff Writer
Alamo Drafhouse
In 1997, the Alamo Drafthouse was born. With the Gen X mantra of “screw it, why not?” and the libations to make moviegoers ask the same, it’s not hard to see how it has become a wildly successful mini-chain in its own right, especially in the beer-worshipping metro area. While technically it’s a chain (it has 35 locations nationwide), to call it one is a disservice as it has both the authenticity and cred to stave off accusations of existing purely as a branch of the commodification and eventual death of the hipster ethos.
It’s a place to go for and by those who care about movies. You can have a beer or a bahn mi, but the focus is on what it feels like to go to the movies. The Alamo Drafthouse shows blockbusters and indie films, not catering to either the masses or the snobs. It also shows old and (close to) midnight movies, actively pushing for the audience to get involved in the experience, whether that be blowing bubbles or beating the living daylights out of your friend with an inflatable sword. It’s an escape from adult life, responsibilities, and worries. More than a movie, it’s an easygoing adventure.
— DYLAN ROBERTS, Staff Writer