"You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies - all of life's riddles are answered in the movies." Steve Martin

Ever since I saw E.T., I've been hooked on movies. I love to watch movies with my kids at the cheap seats and indulge in a little buttered popcorn and rootbeer once in a while. There's nothing like watching monsters and aliens fighting against each other to take your mind off your troubles. If you're looking for affordable ways to see the movies this summer, or you're interested to know what is out there, take a look at what I've put together and let me know what you would add to this list. (I've left off the big name theaters because I figured we all know about those already).

Free Summer Movies at Overland Park Cinemas, click here for details. The next free summer movie will be Kung Fu Panda. They also have free movies on Wednesday mornings showing Adventures in Odyssey, click here for more info.

The Reel Theatres in Nampa now has a 3D theater. They offer their 3D movies at an amazing low price of $4.00. Tuesday and Midnights are only $3.00 They are currently showing Monsters vs Aliens in 3D. My husband took the older kids to this a few weeks ago and they had a great time. Click here for more info.

On Monday and Tuesdays mornings, the Northgate and Ontario Reel Theaters are offering "Summer Kid Movies" for only 2.00. They are currently showing The Tale of Desperaux. Click here to see what's showing after that.

AMAZING DEAL! On Wednesday and Thursday mornings, the Country Club on Overland and Nampa Reel Theaters are offering "Family Days in the Summer" for only 1.00 admission to their CURRENTLY playing G or PG rated movie. Right now you can see Monsters vs Aliens or Race to Witch Mountain for one dollar. They also have great prices on popcorn and drinks. Click here and here for details.

Meridian's "Cable One Movie Night." Join your friends and neighbors every Friday night for a free movie under the stars at Settler's Park. Friday July 17, beginning at dusk, they will be showing Journey to the Center of the Earth and passing out 3D glasses to the first 2000 guests. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and bug spray. Click here for upcoming movies every Friday night until August 28.

Boise's "Movies Under the Stars." This isn't just a movie night, it's been designed as an event. Beginning at 7 pm, the Boise Park and Rec department will be organizing games and things for kids to do between the ages of 6 -12. You are invited to come and bring your picnic dinner or enjoy food from the different vendors that will be on hand. Parking is free at the park or across the street at the library. On Saturday night, July 18, they will be showing Kung Fu Panda. The movie will begin at dusk and will be shown on a large inflatable screen. The next movie at Julia Davis Park won't be until August 22nd when they show The Wizard of Oz. Click here for more details.

And if you like watching movies under the stars, but you prefer doing so in the comfort of your car, check out the Parma Vu Drive In. It's about 40 minutes from Boise. Currently playing is Imagine That at 9:45 and Night at the Museum at 11:30.

For the more cultured types who are looking for independent and foreign films there is The Flicks. I also love the Egyptian Theatre. They not only show movies in this historical theater, they host concerts and various special events.

And if you just feel like staying home, there is always Netflix.

For more information about our local movie theaters, check out the Idaho Statesman.com.