Awesome, low-cost movie theatre alternatives

With movie theatres charging outrageous prices for tickets and concessions, you're better off pulling into a drive-in movie or getting the DVDs and watching them at home with some popcorn. Here's some of the reasons to skip the theatre.

Few moviegoers realize that the number of drive-in theatres is actually increasing, and everybody connected to the walk-in movie business would prefer that they never realize it.

That's because drive-in picture shows make for a great alternative, offering everything a standard theatre offers except matinees. And they do it without a lot of the problems of the megaplexes.

• High ticket prices? Drive-ins generally charge only $5 to $8 dollars per person, and you almost always get a double feature.
• Parking hassles? By definition, you don't pay extra for parking at a drive-in. And once you park, you're already in your seat.
• Expensive snack foods? Drive-ins are the only movie venues where you can pack in anything you want. Carry in a rack of lamb with mint jelly and a few bottles of pinot noir, if you like. As long as the driver doesn't drink the wine, it's perfectly fine. And if you don't want to bring your own, a drive-in's food selection is usually much more ample than what a walk-in offers.
• Poor sound? Those tinny speakers you hang on the window are relics of the past. Instead, you tune into a low-frequency station on your car radio. If your speakers are decent, the sound is wonderful.
• Talkers? The only ones you have to worry about are right there in the car with you.
• Antiseptic atmosphere? Parked under the stars enjoying a big-screen movie with your family or friends in the private comfort of your automobile? That's as good as it gets.

All the hype surrounding the release of a blockbuster movie is designed to get you to rush out to your local multiplex as soon as possible. But unless you just have to be the first on your block to see the latest multimillion-dollar production from Hollywood, it pays to be a little patient.

• The time between a film's release in the theatres and its release on-demand and DVD is growing shorter and shorter. It used to be six months, but recently it has dropped to a matter of a few weeks.

And indeed, some movie companies are talking about releasing them simultaneously, since the filmmakers now make much more money from DVD sales and rentals than from theaters.

• If a movie is really good, it will be just as enjoyable to watch at home in a few weeks as in a theatre now. This is especially true now that more and more homes have large-screen televisions that show off those spectacular special effects as well as the downsized screens at the multiplex.
• And if you miss the theatre experience, just hook your TV audio to your stereo, make some popcorn, turn down the lights and settle down.
• By the way, new blockbuster DVDs are often discounted heavily (to less than the cost of two movie tickets) during the first week of their release at big electronic outlets.
• Go on Tuesday — the day of the week when DVDs are released.