For your pick of flicks ...

It's happened more than once -- a dreary eyed, exhausted freshman flops down on his dorm room bed and has the horrifying revelation that he hasn't left Charles Village in over a month. Trust me, it's a dirty, dirty feeling, but it's one that's easily alleviated. What better way than to connect with the outside world than seeing a movie? After all, the movies are of the few shared cultural experiences left in America.

Without a car, taking in a flick can be tough around here. And if you're into the limited release, artsy stuff, it's even tougher. But with a little ingenuity, pluck, and this article as your guide, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding your way to le cinema.

AMC Towson Commons

$8.50; $6 student

A lot of Hopkins kids go here to take in blockbusters and other popular fare. It's right down York Road, which is hyper-convenient, plus the Towson Town Centre is just up the road. You can park in the lot next door for just $1 with validation, or you can take the Colltown Shuttle -- just make sure that your movie doesn't end after the last shuttle leaves because the cab ride is pricey.

The Charles

$7; $5 matinee before 6 p.m.

Five screens, stadium seating

Spellbound. Whale Rider. Capturing the Friedmans. If these movies were the cornerstones of your summer movie experience, then the Charles is the theater for you. But the bad news is that it's just about the only theater for you. That is, it's one of two theaters in Baltimore that shows limited release films (the other is listed below). Love it or hate it, you're stuck. Every Saturday, the Charles offers revivals of classic films, like Spartacus and Julius Caesar. The shows are at noon and cost $5. Check http://www.thecharles.com for monthly schedules.

The Rotunda Cinematheque

$5 Mon-Thu; $8 Fri-Sun

Two screens

The Rotunda is your best bet if you don't have a car: walk up W. University Parkway and make a left on 40th Street. Keep walking till you get there; it's connected to the Giant and Rite Aid. They tend to mix and match limited release films with major studio productions, so call ahead.

The Senator

$8 all ages, all shows

One HUGE screen

The Senator is one of the biggest and oldest screens in Maryland. Founded around 1939, the Senator is a vital piece of film history, and some of the biggest John Waters and Barry Levinson films have premiered there. They only have one screen, but it's absolutely gigantic.

They usually show current films, but once in a while they'll get a gorgeous print of a classic and project it. Last year's highlights included a restored version of Metropolis and a 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia.

Muvico Egyptian 24

$9, no student discount

24 screens, stadium seating, digital sound

This ancient Egyptian-themed monstrosity is really far away (all the way in Hanover) but if you can make it out there, it's worth the trip at least once. Between the grandiose entrance columns, the faux-hieroglyphic murals painted across the walls and the fact that everything's made out of hollow plastic, it's enough to make you say "I love you, America.