The donation link is up again on the home page of the Senator’s website. I suspect the place may be closing sooner than expected unless there is some cash infusion? No announcements as of yet even in the forums. I’m not donating unless there’s some information being announced about an imminent closure, or that we know its future as a continuing operating movie theater is certain.
Its nice that Baltimore’s Senator is up there again. I was on the website yesterday and they have the donation link up again. I suspect the place is in financial trouble again. Unfortunately, no one is talking. And there aren’t any new posts in the forums and my request for new posts have gone ignored so far. Unless there is some news about an imminent closure, I’m not planning on donating any funds.
The first and only time I’ve ever been this place was way back in 1986. It was run by KB at the time and was, yes, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” and it was shown in glorious 70mm. I believe the film had a wide opening in several 70mm venues in the area and I’d like to believe I caught all of them. #1 is probably the largest one as it had the 70mm movie here. The screen size wasn’t very large..I’m guessing it was less than 40 feet for sure..maybe 30? But the 6 track surrounds were there that I was expecting based on the masterful THX cert presentations at the then, newly opened, state-of-the-art National Amusement Arlington and Alexandria multi’s. I’m thinking this place may have showed the Untouchables here in 70mm, too after the Cinema had its run. Not sure though.
All right, I know I posted something about this place and its GONE again. So, here it goes. I remember seeing Footloose with my friends at this theater. As far as to the layout of the place, it is rather vague. I’m thinking that the auditoriums were of similar size and had speakers all over the theater. I remember when Deniece Williams' sang Lets Hear it For the Boy, both during the movie and during the end credits, you could hear her harmony and other instruments from different parts of the theater. Very nice.
I’m thinking I saw Unforgiven here as well. Of course, that film wasn’t an aural experience but more of a dramatically engaging for me after the first 1/3 of the movie.
This is a nice venue for art house films. The auditoriums are decent. What I don’t like is the fact their matinee discounted price admission is usually the first show of the day, too early for me to go. As a Landmark Theatre film club member, I’ve been privileged to see many sneak previews here and at the E Street venue enjoying films that I would probably not have seen if I were a paying customer. Supposedly, they’ve got newer DP projectors but I have yet to see a DP movie here or at the E Street venue.
If you’re in the area and happen to see a movie here and are looking for good restaurants, there are many in the immediate area around this theater. The varieties are all over the place from seafood to fastfood and ethnic choices in between.
I believe when this venue opened, it had one auditorium that was THX certified. Not so today. The larger newer upstair auditoriums are larger screened and stadium seating. The DLP installed auditorium upstairs was disappointing when I saw the first Madagascar movie. I have not been there since. I do remember seeing Bend it Like Beckham there and a few others. The problem with this place is the parking, too. It may be better now with the parking garage but its not a favorite venue because of the lack of quality presentation.
4K Digital! Someone needs to report on this. How does it compare to regular 2K. AND do they advertise this fact? Supposedly all the Muvicos were to be 4K equipped.
Is the screen currently installed as large as the one depicted in Ken Mc’s pic? If so, it doesn’t seem as curved as our Uptown but it seems wider though. I say this because if you sit at a certain spot, at the Uptown, and I don’t mean in the front row, you’ve got an almost perfect screen periphery.
I doubt the screen was larger than 40'. Of course, the nostalgia of moviegoing remains, I’d still think twice about venturing out into that neighborhood given the lack of parking and crime. It would have to be something truly special if I’m going to travel into town from MD.
Ron, I am like you when it came to reading Variety, but being a big younger, it was the early 80s that I started. I enjoyed reading the local (Washington DC) area section for movie grosses. Sadly, they stopped that around..and I’m guessing at this, the late 80s to early 90s? It was especially interesting to note the seating capacities of the various venues, too. It wasn’t hard to figure out tickets sold by doing some simple math.
One thing about current advertising that I absolutely detest is the way they will have an ad for a movie but no longer list where the movie is showing. You have to call a number or check the internet. I remember back, in the day, when they had format listings; Dolby Digital, DTS, DLP and even a 70mm marqueed box to denote those extra special presentations.
Who’d care about seeing Vertigo in HI DEF TV? I can do that at home..almost. :) It was recently restored and shown in glorious 70mm DTS. I vividly remember seeing it at the Uptown, in Washington DC, several years back. The picture was magnificent as if it were something shot recently and not 50 or so years ago. I wonder if the other Hitch films were also restored. Not sure but I thought there was an ongoing project to clean up and rerelease the films.
Gimick or not, Digital 3D is the future. My only complaint is that the auditoriums they have are about 40' tops, not including your IMAX-lite installs at the AMCs. If you don’t have the bigger screen, you’re not really immersed into the movie. While many of the Digital 3D releases may have lacked somewhat, I think James Cameron’s Avatar will change people’s minds about the format. :) Who knows, it may be another Titanic-hit.
There is a retail center, not a ‘strip’, per se of an eclectic group of stores ranging from a gourmet grocery store to your typical Starbucks and a few restaurants (Thai, Pizza and I think an Irish karakoke bar). Last year, they opened up an extremely expensive gourmet restaurant that barely lasted the year. To me, it seemed to be all decor and pretty looking food.
Now, down about a block there is a bar, where I’ve seen riff raff hang out but I wouldn’t consider the neighborhood “unsafe.” When you’re talking about any area, especially urban business centers, there will always be some element or risk of some crime, but its not the wild, wild west.
If you arrive early, I like to park closest to the theater so its easier to avoid the traffic of cars that park at the Staples.
Hoooray! Whether its a losing business for-profit, or break-even non-for-profit, its good the theater will stay open. I’m looking forward to watching movie blockbusters and other fare there this summer season.
Dark Knight wasn’t all that great of a movie to me, either, but like the Chris' I enjoy watching movies in the best format possible. And, yes, there are movies, smaller movies out there which have more to say and have greater depth than this movie and who deserve Oscar recognition.
i googled the news section for this venue and nothing comes up except for the fact Batman Returns was reissued for another run in the IMAX and IMAX-lite-DLP theaters like this one. Perhaps it was just an electrical fire and did not effect the theaters but still requires an entire shut down to effect repairs. Hopefully, it’ll be up and running soon. Someone should post news on its reopening when possible.
So Longisland, or anyone else, what is your prescription in 100 words or less to curing the Senator’s woes given these facts; Balto city is one in decline with the depressed local economy; competition from the nearby independently owned and runned, 6 screen Charles and recently opened Landmark Harbour, with-state-of-the-art digital projection?
Being that I live closer to the theater than the rest of you (I’m assuming), I think I’m a little more up to date on things going on around here. Longisland, the Senator isn’t like your theater, with its six screens and non-competition. You have the ability to book more films and move them around to give people more choices. If you want to talk about programming, the Senator did try with booking Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm but it did not bring in people to see it. As much as people talk on this site about classics and theaters and how much we miss them it was a disappointing, money-losing engagement. The owner, himself, blogged about it in response to booking more 70mm at the Senator. I’ll include myself as one of the hypocrites, but my excuse is I’m not a big Lawrence fan. I’ve seen it a the AFI Silver and, yes, its a glorious film to look at but it doesn’t tug at my heart the way it does with others.
John, I do remember the 70s and the gas lines and the Carter era. Heck, I remember even cheering the impeachment of Nixon on live tv only because they preempted my favorite block of shows as a kid. I even remember when man landed on the moon, too, as all programming was preempted for that momentous occasion. Now, much before that is a blur…. :) All I’m saying and most would agree, you are probably not one of them, that these are one of the worst economic times if you want to believe the news being reported.
In any case, if the Senator needs yet another bail out, I’m ready. I may not be able to be as generous as I was the first time, but $50 may make up for some of the missed presentation from the previous year. :)
Its easy to criticize but lets look at some facts. We are currently in one of the worst recessions in history so a single screen venue like the Senator may have some difficulty getting the support it needs to stay afloat. People just aren’t spending money nowadays, to include movies. For me, making that 80 mi round trip to the venue was difficult back when gas was $4/gallon.
If you’ve been following news since the fund drive, they have been exploring ways of increasing revenue streams other than motion picture exhibition that are just now coming on board. Also, the recent opening last year of the Landmark plex at the harbor makes competition all that much more intense with many of their offerings are going after the same customer as the Senator and its other independent competitor the Charles.
Okay, Justin, you can chill now. No IMAX at the Rockaway. None. Zippo, zilch. DLP sounds good though. At least you’ll have ONE auditorium that will show a bright, scratch free, colorful presentation all the time, every time. Too bad its not THX certified. I guess you can’t get it all…. ;)
Competition is good. AMC dominates the DC market now, for better or worse. Babette’s post may be conjecture, at best. Then again, if they open a Cinema deLuxe-style plex with IMAX, a REAL IMAX and not AMC’s IMAX-lite-type auditorium, what better experience would that be to watch movies. Maybe the food court offerings will be better, too, Cheesecake Factory, Maggianos maybe, instead of Sbarros? :) And, yes, I’d be willing to drive across the bridge and pay $13.50 to see a decent IMAX, a real IMAX movie if that is the case.
The plex, itself, isn’t totally bad. The building needs some repair and the auditoriums, at least the two largest ones on the left as you walk in were THX certified once upon a time. Why build a whole totally new complex? Sounds like a waste of money to me and a big gamble in these dark economic times and with the recent opening of the superior AMC Tysons 16. Unless, the plans are to go Cinema Deluxe with an IMAX install to compete with AMC? Hmmm.
The donation link is up again on the home page of the Senator’s website. I suspect the place may be closing sooner than expected unless there is some cash infusion? No announcements as of yet even in the forums. I’m not donating unless there’s some information being announced about an imminent closure, or that we know its future as a continuing operating movie theater is certain.
Its nice that Baltimore’s Senator is up there again. I was on the website yesterday and they have the donation link up again. I suspect the place is in financial trouble again. Unfortunately, no one is talking. And there aren’t any new posts in the forums and my request for new posts have gone ignored so far. Unless there is some news about an imminent closure, I’m not planning on donating any funds.
The first and only time I’ve ever been this place was way back in 1986. It was run by KB at the time and was, yes, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” and it was shown in glorious 70mm. I believe the film had a wide opening in several 70mm venues in the area and I’d like to believe I caught all of them. #1 is probably the largest one as it had the 70mm movie here. The screen size wasn’t very large..I’m guessing it was less than 40 feet for sure..maybe 30? But the 6 track surrounds were there that I was expecting based on the masterful THX cert presentations at the then, newly opened, state-of-the-art National Amusement Arlington and Alexandria multi’s. I’m thinking this place may have showed the Untouchables here in 70mm, too after the Cinema had its run. Not sure though.
All right, I know I posted something about this place and its GONE again. So, here it goes. I remember seeing Footloose with my friends at this theater. As far as to the layout of the place, it is rather vague. I’m thinking that the auditoriums were of similar size and had speakers all over the theater. I remember when Deniece Williams' sang Lets Hear it For the Boy, both during the movie and during the end credits, you could hear her harmony and other instruments from different parts of the theater. Very nice.
I’m thinking I saw Unforgiven here as well. Of course, that film wasn’t an aural experience but more of a dramatically engaging for me after the first 1/3 of the movie.
This is a nice venue for art house films. The auditoriums are decent. What I don’t like is the fact their matinee discounted price admission is usually the first show of the day, too early for me to go. As a Landmark Theatre film club member, I’ve been privileged to see many sneak previews here and at the E Street venue enjoying films that I would probably not have seen if I were a paying customer. Supposedly, they’ve got newer DP projectors but I have yet to see a DP movie here or at the E Street venue.
If you’re in the area and happen to see a movie here and are looking for good restaurants, there are many in the immediate area around this theater. The varieties are all over the place from seafood to fastfood and ethnic choices in between.
I believe when this venue opened, it had one auditorium that was THX certified. Not so today. The larger newer upstair auditoriums are larger screened and stadium seating. The DLP installed auditorium upstairs was disappointing when I saw the first Madagascar movie. I have not been there since. I do remember seeing Bend it Like Beckham there and a few others. The problem with this place is the parking, too. It may be better now with the parking garage but its not a favorite venue because of the lack of quality presentation.
I’ve seen them on eBay every now and then. You could start there. If not, check back periodically.
4K Digital! Someone needs to report on this. How does it compare to regular 2K. AND do they advertise this fact? Supposedly all the Muvicos were to be 4K equipped.
Wow, what a gorgeous interior. I take it this theater won’t show movies, again? What a shame, it looks a helluva lot better inside than the Ziegfeld.
BTW, the 360 view works great fullscreen on my Mac. You should have the latest flash install for your platform.
Is the screen currently installed as large as the one depicted in Ken Mc’s pic? If so, it doesn’t seem as curved as our Uptown but it seems wider though. I say this because if you sit at a certain spot, at the Uptown, and I don’t mean in the front row, you’ve got an almost perfect screen periphery.
I doubt the screen was larger than 40'. Of course, the nostalgia of moviegoing remains, I’d still think twice about venturing out into that neighborhood given the lack of parking and crime. It would have to be something truly special if I’m going to travel into town from MD.
Ron, I am like you when it came to reading Variety, but being a big younger, it was the early 80s that I started. I enjoyed reading the local (Washington DC) area section for movie grosses. Sadly, they stopped that around..and I’m guessing at this, the late 80s to early 90s? It was especially interesting to note the seating capacities of the various venues, too. It wasn’t hard to figure out tickets sold by doing some simple math.
One thing about current advertising that I absolutely detest is the way they will have an ad for a movie but no longer list where the movie is showing. You have to call a number or check the internet. I remember back, in the day, when they had format listings; Dolby Digital, DTS, DLP and even a 70mm marqueed box to denote those extra special presentations.
Who’d care about seeing Vertigo in HI DEF TV? I can do that at home..almost. :) It was recently restored and shown in glorious 70mm DTS. I vividly remember seeing it at the Uptown, in Washington DC, several years back. The picture was magnificent as if it were something shot recently and not 50 or so years ago. I wonder if the other Hitch films were also restored. Not sure but I thought there was an ongoing project to clean up and rerelease the films.
Gimick or not, Digital 3D is the future. My only complaint is that the auditoriums they have are about 40' tops, not including your IMAX-lite installs at the AMCs. If you don’t have the bigger screen, you’re not really immersed into the movie. While many of the Digital 3D releases may have lacked somewhat, I think James Cameron’s Avatar will change people’s minds about the format. :) Who knows, it may be another Titanic-hit.
There is a retail center, not a ‘strip’, per se of an eclectic group of stores ranging from a gourmet grocery store to your typical Starbucks and a few restaurants (Thai, Pizza and I think an Irish karakoke bar). Last year, they opened up an extremely expensive gourmet restaurant that barely lasted the year. To me, it seemed to be all decor and pretty looking food.
Now, down about a block there is a bar, where I’ve seen riff raff hang out but I wouldn’t consider the neighborhood “unsafe.” When you’re talking about any area, especially urban business centers, there will always be some element or risk of some crime, but its not the wild, wild west.
If you arrive early, I like to park closest to the theater so its easier to avoid the traffic of cars that park at the Staples.
Hoooray! Whether its a losing business for-profit, or break-even non-for-profit, its good the theater will stay open. I’m looking forward to watching movie blockbusters and other fare there this summer season.
Dark Knight wasn’t all that great of a movie to me, either, but like the Chris' I enjoy watching movies in the best format possible. And, yes, there are movies, smaller movies out there which have more to say and have greater depth than this movie and who deserve Oscar recognition.
:P :)
i googled the news section for this venue and nothing comes up except for the fact Batman Returns was reissued for another run in the IMAX and IMAX-lite-DLP theaters like this one. Perhaps it was just an electrical fire and did not effect the theaters but still requires an entire shut down to effect repairs. Hopefully, it’ll be up and running soon. Someone should post news on its reopening when possible.
Oops, I hit the button to soon..
So Longisland, or anyone else, what is your prescription in 100 words or less to curing the Senator’s woes given these facts; Balto city is one in decline with the depressed local economy; competition from the nearby independently owned and runned, 6 screen Charles and recently opened Landmark Harbour, with-state-of-the-art digital projection?
Being that I live closer to the theater than the rest of you (I’m assuming), I think I’m a little more up to date on things going on around here. Longisland, the Senator isn’t like your theater, with its six screens and non-competition. You have the ability to book more films and move them around to give people more choices. If you want to talk about programming, the Senator did try with booking Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm but it did not bring in people to see it. As much as people talk on this site about classics and theaters and how much we miss them it was a disappointing, money-losing engagement. The owner, himself, blogged about it in response to booking more 70mm at the Senator. I’ll include myself as one of the hypocrites, but my excuse is I’m not a big Lawrence fan. I’ve seen it a the AFI Silver and, yes, its a glorious film to look at but it doesn’t tug at my heart the way it does with others.
John, I do remember the 70s and the gas lines and the Carter era. Heck, I remember even cheering the impeachment of Nixon on live tv only because they preempted my favorite block of shows as a kid. I even remember when man landed on the moon, too, as all programming was preempted for that momentous occasion. Now, much before that is a blur…. :) All I’m saying and most would agree, you are probably not one of them, that these are one of the worst economic times if you want to believe the news being reported.
In any case, if the Senator needs yet another bail out, I’m ready. I may not be able to be as generous as I was the first time, but $50 may make up for some of the missed presentation from the previous year. :)
Its easy to criticize but lets look at some facts. We are currently in one of the worst recessions in history so a single screen venue like the Senator may have some difficulty getting the support it needs to stay afloat. People just aren’t spending money nowadays, to include movies. For me, making that 80 mi round trip to the venue was difficult back when gas was $4/gallon.
If you’ve been following news since the fund drive, they have been exploring ways of increasing revenue streams other than motion picture exhibition that are just now coming on board. Also, the recent opening last year of the Landmark plex at the harbor makes competition all that much more intense with many of their offerings are going after the same customer as the Senator and its other independent competitor the Charles.
What happened, MovieTix86? It sounds like they had to shut down the theater or cancel a showing.
Okay, Justin, you can chill now. No IMAX at the Rockaway. None. Zippo, zilch. DLP sounds good though. At least you’ll have ONE auditorium that will show a bright, scratch free, colorful presentation all the time, every time. Too bad its not THX certified. I guess you can’t get it all…. ;)
Competition is good. AMC dominates the DC market now, for better or worse. Babette’s post may be conjecture, at best. Then again, if they open a Cinema deLuxe-style plex with IMAX, a REAL IMAX and not AMC’s IMAX-lite-type auditorium, what better experience would that be to watch movies. Maybe the food court offerings will be better, too, Cheesecake Factory, Maggianos maybe, instead of Sbarros? :) And, yes, I’d be willing to drive across the bridge and pay $13.50 to see a decent IMAX, a real IMAX movie if that is the case.
The plex, itself, isn’t totally bad. The building needs some repair and the auditoriums, at least the two largest ones on the left as you walk in were THX certified once upon a time. Why build a whole totally new complex? Sounds like a waste of money to me and a big gamble in these dark economic times and with the recent opening of the superior AMC Tysons 16. Unless, the plans are to go Cinema Deluxe with an IMAX install to compete with AMC? Hmmm.