I can't even remember the last movie I saw at an actual movie theatre -- I think it might have been Shark Tales -- the animated fish story with Will Smith.

Not only does it take a sitter and advance plans to see a movie, but it takes more than a few bucks. I'm cheap. I hate shelling out $20 to see a movie I can own (or rent) on DVD for a few dollars. Frankly, there aren't many movies I'm willing to pay top dollar for. And I have trouble sitting still for that long.

But, Tom Hanks is one guy who can pry open my wallet and inspire me to settle my butt into a seat at Tinseltown. My ETN book club read the Da Vinchi Code last year and I am eager to see the film adaptation. A friend and I planned to go see it on Sunday afternoon, but when checking the Cinemark Web site for show times, I noticed that Tuesdays are Bargain Night -- all movies after 6 p.m. are matinee prices ($5.25 for adults). Sweet.

Tuesdays are also bargain day at the Cinemark Dollar Theater (behind the mall) with 75 cent admission all day.

AND...this is cool Mommies -- Mondays they offer Reel Family Time (at the dollar theater) where admission prices are just 50 cents per person for family parties of 3 or more. On that night, they also have a Kiddie Combo special at the concession stand with a box of popcorn and 12 ounce soft drink for $2.50. You could spend less than $10 for admission and snacks for the kids. Double sweet.

BTW -- for really popular movies (like the Da Vinchi Code), it's best to buy your tickets in advance. You can order them online (for an additional 75 cent service charge) and pick them up in a kiosk in the lobby of Tinseltown before the show. This doesn't mean you can show up five minutes before the movie -- well, you can, but you may not be able to sit next to whoever you came with -- because seats are offered on a first come, first served basis. For the big movies, there is often a line forming an hour to 45 minutes before the show. Get there early for the best seats.