I've found that a great early date option is an activity date. Nothing too special, but if you live near a lake or some state parks, you can go hiking or go out on a boat. It's different, as most people don't do that kind of stuff, and it gives you plenty of time to talk and get to know each other. If it goes well, you can go from there, if it goes really bad, you can end it real quick. I'm with shh! in that the movies isn't the type of thing to do on a first date just because it's too impersonal.