Denver, Colorado is a bastion of some of the best Independent Movie Theaters. On any given night in Denver, Littleton, Greenwood Village or Arvada, there are first run features, Independent films, foreign films, documentary films and film festivals being screened. These are Independent movie theaters and while some are chains, they are independently owned and operated outside of the four major theater corporations.
Why support an independent movie theater? Figure this; according to the National Association of Theater Owners, Regal, AMC, Cinemark and Carmike Cinemas, own over half of the 26,000 movie theater screens in the US. Why does this suck? They are all playing the same movies. Multiplex – smoltyplex; with 24 screens in some movie theaters at over 13,000 locations, why are they all playing the same movies? There are thousands of films released every year, and these are the best independent movie theaters to see them in Denver.
Starz Film Center
900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 303-595-3456 www.denverfilm.org/filmcenter
This home of the Denver Film Society and Denver Film Festival started back in 2002 when Starz Entertainment opened 7 screens at the Tivoli Center on Auraria Campus. It is Denver’s premiere home for independent films and hosts the Denver Film Festival every November.
Additional to continually running Independent films, foreign and classic cinema, Starz hosts a selection of theme nights, DocNight, Mile High Sci-Fi, Women and Film, GLBT Films, Kids Saturday Nickelodeon and the Watching Hour showing cult films. Starz is also home to the Tatter Cover’s Free Classic movie night every month, hosted by the sagacious Howie Movshovitz. The theater’s intimate seating is far from the multiplex experience, often making it feel like a private screening. The only draw back to this independent theater is it’s closed on Mondays.
Concessions include the standard munchies, along with coffee, teas, beer, wine, and select mixed drinks. Parking is easily validated at the parking garage on the northwest corner of Auraria campus, right across from the theater, or it’s central to public transit.
Landmark Theatres: Mayan, Esquire, Chez Artiste, Greenwood Village.
While it’s arguable whether or not a movie theater owned by Landmark is still considered independent, the largest chain of art house theaters is truly an independent experience. Denver is home to some of best Landmark movie houses, from the historic Mayan Theater to the premiere Greenwood Village Theater.
Landmark Mayan Theatre
110 Broadway, (b/w 1st and 2nd), Denver, CO 303-352-1992 www.landmarktheatres.com//MayanTheatre
The Mayan is a personal favorite; seated in their old rickety chairs, a two hour feature is barely tolerable after being spoiled by practically sitting in a lazy-boy in some new theaters. The low lighting has always left me wondering how run down this theater truly is. This may sound horrible, but the Mayan is a Denver original and the most distinct movie theater experience in town. The theater is a $2 million restoration of one of only three Art Deco Mayan Revival theaters in the country. The theater’s interior is gorgeous and personally I’d rather preview the architecture than the advertising most theaters have resorted to. They screen three films at a time, one in the larger main theater and two smaller stadium styled screens on the second floor. It’s usually independent and foreign films or an occasional cinema classic.
There is a spacious lounge area on the second floor with a full bar additional to the popcorn and coffee fare at the main concession stand. There is free parking for the theater on the corner of Broadway and 2nd in the Walgreen’s parking lot, additional to the Mayan’s free lot across Lincoln.
The Landmark Greenwood Village
5415 Landmark Place, (off Quebec), Greenwood Village, CO303-352-1992 www.landmarktheatres.com/GWV
A main attraction at the new entertainment hub of Greenwood Village, the Village Shops at the Landmark. This theater serves up the best of what independent movie theaters can offer. Screening both independent and major feature films, plush leather seats, free popcorn and soda, central VIP seating area where staff will bring you menu selections prior to the film’s start. The theater’s $12 ticket (additional for VIP), may seem steep, but consider that you are paying $2 extra than most chain theaters, and saving a bundle with free popcorn and soda.
Did I mention free popcorn and soda? There is also a full bar and some gourmet priced menu items. Parking is abundant and covered, yet there is a lot going on in this little Village hot spot, including a Comedy Works and more than 10 restaurants, so weekend warriors beware.
Landmark Esquire Theatre
590 Downing Street (at 6th Ave.), Denver, CO 303-352-1992 www.landmarktheatres.com/EsquireTheatre
The Esquire Theatre may not have the bar the Mayan and Greenwood has, it may not have VIP seating or Art Deco interiors, although it does have a retro 1960s look. What the Esquire does have is two screens regularly showing independent films and their locally famous Midnight Madness screenings, showing classic and cult films every weekend.
They’ve got standard concessions, including coffee and tea and the parking lot is a tight squeeze, so you might have to fend for yourself on the street.
Chez Artiste Theater
2800 S. Colorado Blvd. (at Amherst), Denver, CO 303-352-1992 www.landmarktheatres.com/ChezArtiste
In the case of Denver’s Landmark theaters, I haven’t saved the best for last as far as amenities, originality or location, yet the Chez Artiste is a consistent screener of Independent films. The benefit of having the Chez Artiste is that is offers a broader selection of independent and foreign films to see in Denver. With 3 screens, if you don’t find the movies you’re looking for at Starz, the Mayan, Esquire or Greenwood, chances are the Chez Artiste will come through.
Like the Esquire, this theater has no liquor license, so concessions are limited to the usual fare, including coffee and tea. Parking is never a problem as it’s located in the University Hills Plaza shopping center. Perfect date night: delicious dinner Buffet at the India Oven, then strut over to the Chez Artiste for a movie.
Elvis Cinemas
Did you miss your chance to see that summer blockbuster movie everyone is talking about? Are you tired of paying through the nose for a night at the movies, but still what the big screen experience? Well, if you can handle older theaters without all the bells and whistles of clean floors, Dolby sound, and stadium seating, Elvis Cinemas has 3 theaters that got what you need. $2.50 matinee and $3.50 prime time tickets, surprisingly keep these locally owned and operated independent movie theaters screening last month’s movie news. For those who want to support independent movie theaters, but still want the guilty popcorn pleasure of a blockbuster, the Elvis Cinemas are your sanctuary.
www.elviscinemas.com
Elvis Cinemas Denver Location
7400 E. Hampden, Denver, CO 303-948-5555
Elvis Cinemas Littleton Location
6014 Kipling Pkwy (at Bowles), Littleton, CO 303-948-9461
Elvis Cinemas Arvada Location
5157 W. 64th Ave (at Sheridan), Arvada, CO 303-426-4122
