El Cortez Theater — Local services in Truth or Consequences

An incredibly cool experience. This is not a theater of today. This is a theater of yesterday. It's old folks. 50's? 60's? Seats fold up and down. Slightly curved wooden arm rests. The seat and the back are cushioned. No cup holders here! A man gets up in front on a small stage and tells you to turn off your cell phones. He then runs from one side of the theater to the other turning out the lights. He then runs to the back of the theater to start the movie. As I said, a cool experience, but this wouldn't be my theater of choice. After 2 hours into a 3 hour movie, I was done with the chairs. However, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, this theater is your only choice. Playing only on Friday,...

If you're in T or C, it's your only option. That's not a knock on this place. It's super awesome to watch a movie in. They only show one movie at a time but let's not dwell on that. It's historic and the atmosphere just blew me away. The (only) showing room looks like an old play theater and I just can't express how much I loved that. I spent the 10 minutes before the movie just thoroughly enjoying my surroundings. When the movie starts - no complaints about picture or sound. Only forewarning: Cash only, but there is a debt-free atm...

The El Cortez has transformative powers to take you completely away from your own reality for a couple hours and place you in whatever time and place being featured. It is well provisioned with beer, dawgs (get there early to give time for cooking) and the standard movie snacks. When I get out of a movie here it is in that immersive dreamlike state that is so hard to replicate in a modern theatre today. It is cared for with enthusiasm for cinema, a whole lotta hard work and love. I feel very lucky to have it and look forward to the...