After an 18-month absence, Malibu’s movie theater is back in action.
By Kim Devore / Staff Writer
Movie fans have been flocking to Cross Creek in recent days to marvel at the city’s newest attraction-the brand new Malibu Cinemas, which just might be the snazziest little twin-plex in the country.
“There’s nothing like it,” said Scott Wallace, CEO of Wallace Theaters Corporation. Malibu Cinemas is owned by Hollywood Theaters, which joined with WTC in 1999. “This has to be the first opening of a twin-plex anywhere in America in probably 20 years.”
The theater is back in business after being damaged by fire in April last year.
VIPs got a sneak peak of coming attractions during a Wednesday night preview party. Landlord Steve Soboroff and theater operators threw a first class bash that had the look and feel of a glitzy Hollywood premiere. Dozens of local notables made their way down a jet black carpet and into a tented party palace complete with modular sofas, champagne and sushi bar. But the real action was inside.
“Have you seen been in there?” asked Norma Stern, wife of Councilmember Andy Stern. “It’s gorgeous.”
There were oohs and ahhhs as film buffs waltzed across the new marble granite floors in the lobby, ran their palms along the black suede paneling and kicked back in comfy leather recliners.
“This is fantastic,” local resident Barry Glaser said. “I feel like on business class to New York.”
There are major upgrades in sound and picture quality to please those who wanted something bigger and better, but the place retains enough of its original character to keep fans of the old theater happy too. There is still the same intimate two-theater set up as before, along with an improved movie going experience.
For locals like Linda Thompson, no movie theater meant no movies.
“I’ve only been out to one film since they closed,” she said. “I’m so glad they’re back.”
Although it took more than a year and a half to complete, Soboroff said he is delighted with the end result.
“Malibu deserves this,” he told The Malibu Times. “It was well worth the wait. This has been a labor of love to all the people who love their community.”
As part of Soboroff’s splashy sneak peek, guests were treated to showcase of action-packed trailers. Guests settled in for a look at George Clooney and Cate Blanchett against a dramatic backdrop of old Berlin in the “Good German.” Next, Dick Van Dyke was yukking it up with funny man Ben Stiller in “Night at the Museum” and before you could say “Bond,” Daniel Craig was flashing his fab abs in “Casino Royale.” We caught Jeremy Irons in his upcoming fantasy flick “Eragon” and a menacing John Malkovich playing the guy we all love to hate. There were massive explosions and fire-breathing dragons, fight scenes, car crashes and passionate kisses.
In a picture-perfect Hollywood ending, Malibu was back at the movies at last.