1. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline

My favorite. An independent, art deco non-profit, the Coolidge regularly screens current movies, foreign films, documentaries, and classics. Just in the past month I've seen Rescue Dawn, The Big Lebowski, and Casablanca.

2. The Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square

The Brattle shows lots of art, foreign, and classic films. They also have regular repertory series (personally, I enjoyed the "Charlton Heston Apocalypse Weekend").

3. Harvard Film Archive, Cambridge

The HFA shows fine foreign and art films. Since this one is affiliated with Harvard, there's also usually an educational component also (making-of documentaries, guest speakers, and the like).

4. Mugar Omni Theatre, Boston Museum of Science

I was skeptical about this one at first, but it's actually very cool. It's an IMAX theater, but the "omni" means it's in a dome shape. The image just isn't in front of you, but all around and in your peripheral vision. It can be mildy nauseating if there's a lot of movement in the movie though.

5. Simons IMAX Theatre, the New England Aquarium

This is a straight-forward IMAX - where it's at the aquarium, most of the movies are ocean-related (Whales, Sharks 3D, Deep Sea 3D).

6. Boston Harbor Hotel, Rowes Wharf

During the summer, the BHH screens movies open to the public for free on the wharf. The only trouble is that it's weather-permitting (I planned on going to see the 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers a few weeks ago, but it was rained out).

7. Museum of Fine Arts, Avenue of the Arts

The MFA screens foreign films, restored classics, independent films, and other artsy fair. They also frequently have visiting artists to discuss their work and films.

8. The Somerville Theatre, Davis Square

The Somerville Theatre mainly plays current movies, but they also have fun double features.

9. Comcast IMAX 3D Theater, Jordan's Furniture, Natick

Okay, I've never actually been to this one (only driven by it), I'm including it mainly because I find it amusing that a furniture store has an IMAX (and I have heard that it's nice).

10. AMC Loews Boston Common, Boston

Of course, sometimes you may just want to see a current blockbuster. The AMC (formerly Loews) on the Common is a huge cineplex, and the central location makes it very convenient. And they actually do, on occasion, have visiting artists (usually affiliated with neighboring Emerson College, my alma mater).