If you are looking to see first-run movies without having to deal with the annoyances of commercials before the actual previews or prices that will make your wallet wanna holla, then look no further than the Village North Theatre. The façade is a little less neon-crazed than many of the brand-spanking-new mega-theaters, but you'll quickly find that, parking inconveniences aside, Village North is worth checking out.

I caught a show on a Thursday night/Friday morning. Can I time travel? Nope, but I do know a great late-night deal when I see one: Village North holds midnight screenings. Normally, the midnight showings are on Friday and Saturday, but as a new movie with a huge cult potential was opening this past Friday, the theatre had the movie premiere Thursday at midnight. Seeing the staff in horror-movie-style make-up (which fit the style of the movie) added pleasantly to the experience.

Evening movie prices are $7, but student with identification only have to hand over a fiver. The concessions are also reasonably priced, and the screen where I saw my movie could fit about 200 people. The lobby is adorned with posters of old classics and new films on their way to being awarded famed status. The crowd tends to be a pretty college-age one, so if you're a student looking to see a first-run movie, but also need to save money for booze, er, I mean books, the Village North Theater is for you. (Jon Graef)