SAMANTHA BLONS
Assistant A&E Editor
Nestled in the Cross Creek shopping complex fewer than two miles from Pepperdine, the owners of the Malibu Cinemas Hollywood Theaters have been quietly rebuilding since a fire damaged their building and several adjoining businesses in April 2005. The remodeled two-screen theater, which reopened in November, mirrors Malibu luxury and wealth, with both new and restored features that speak to the local lifestyle.
Beige bricks adorn the façade of the theater, and gold- and bronze-colored signs frame the front door with the theater’s name in white lettering. Movie titles and times scroll on an electronic red sign in the doorway to inform patrons of currently showing films. Tickets at the Malibu Cinemas cost $9 for students with ID.
Unlike a large modern movie multiplex, the Malibu Cinemas consists of only two screens: a 142-seat conventional theater and an intimate, 50-seat theater more reminiscent of a small coffee house venue for live acts than a standard movie theater.
Both of the acoustically updated theaters are now equipped with digital sound systems to replace the analog system from before the fire, according to assistant manager Adam Ploetz.
Both theaters boast comfortable leather seats with high backs for support. The smaller theater consists of larger “loveseats,” resembling small two-person couches, with oversized wooden armrests between each loveseat to imitate the cozier environment of a home.
“[The small theater] was quite luxurious, with big leather seats like a home theater that is really nice,” said freshman Kim Amundson, who saw “Happy Feet” in November. She said she plans to visit to the theater again.
Ploetz said Malibu Cinemas usually plays only two movies at a time, one on each screen, but will sometimes show several more. A movie will play at the theater for a minimum of two weeks, but may show for more “depending on how popular it was. We kept ‘Casino Royale’ for four weeks and ‘Happy Feet’ for three,” Ploetz said.
Although some students have visited the new theater in the past few months, others have opted to continue driving to Calabasas or Agoura Hills, which offer theaters with more movie choices and later viewing times.
Junior Brianna Jackson said she never frequented the theater before the fire because of its size and has not visited since it re-opened.
“No one ever went there because it was so small. They only played a few movies and they weren’t always the best ones,” she said. “We always went to Calabasas.”
Junior Scott Varner agreed the theater “was old and small, but it was kind of iconic because it is the only theater in Malibu.”
In light of the recent renovations, more students may reconsider leaving Malibu to see a film. It appears that little expense was spared in the lobby of the Malibu Cinemas, where five flat screen televisions are mounted. One television behind the concession stand shows movie times and titles, while two more display menu choices as mini-films that scroll over the Ghirardelli chocolates, popcorn, soda and Cinnapretzels offered in the snack bar. Ploetz said the concession counter and tiled floors of the lobby, as well as the walls of the bathrooms, are made of genuine marble. Another pair of televisions on the wall simultaneously displays traditional posters and silent scenes from the trailers of upcoming and current movies.
On April 17, 2005, an electrical fire broke out in the Bay Cities Beauty Supply store near the theater and then spread through the roof of the shopping complex. The fire damaged the movie theater as well as several other businesses. Each business affected by the fire has reopened except Ben & Jerry’s.
Proximity to Pepperdine’s campus as well as the extensive array of amenities may draw students to the renovated movie theater, if they do not mind the limited options of film titles and times. The restoration of the Malibu Cinemas marks the return of a theater as unique as Malibu itself.
Movies playing tonight include “Venus,” Golden Globe nominee “Bobby,” “Miss Potter,” and Golden Globe winner “The Queen.” Visit the Web site at gohollywood.com for more information on titles and times.
01-18-2007