Classic Films See New Life, Delighted Audiences At Mattituck Cinema

MATTITUCK, NY — There's something wonderful happening in Mattituck, as a well-loved movie theater morphs into the future and makes everything old, new again.

In recent months, Marc LaMaina, who owns Lucharitos, operates the concession stand and is working to bring other activities including axe-throwing, paint smash, an arcade and putt-putt attraction and more to the Mattituck Cinema said that movies will be offered — but in a new and exciting way.

And so far, it's been a smash in the very best of ways. Not only are the Axe Lounge & Paint Smash rooms also located in the theater, movie goers can now order anything from the Lucharito Burrito Bar menu next door, including margs and more. And yes, there's still buttery popcorn and an array of candy for diehard purists.

The theater is offering classic films that delight audiences who remember them fondly from the first time around — and also, to young people seeing them for the first time. And not only that, audiences are invited to dress in costume, making the movie an event to be shared.

Recently after a showing of the classic "Grease," Pink Ladies and greasers from the Greenport High School production of the musical turned out to see the movie en masse.

And then, there was the time Matt Chizever, dressed as Doc Brown for a showing of "Back to the Future," took one passerby at the Mattiticuk Shopping Plaza so much by surprise — that they called the police. It's a story the community will be chuckling about for years to come.

This week, next on tap in the Mattituck Cinema Classics series are "An American Tale," a classic animated feature from 1986 for kids and "Mamma Mia! The Movie," for families and adults.

Chizever, the general manager of not just the theater for the axe room, paint splatter zone and Lucharitos Burrito Bar next door, has embraced shepherding the theater to its next chapter.

"It’s been amazing to be a part of this Cinema Classics project, mainly because I get to see a new generation enjoying the films we’ve already loved for decades!" he said. "I’m an actor, and my passion for it seeps out of me in every aspect of my life, which basically means I have no shame when it comes to making this work out. So, when I dress up as Doc Brown for 'Back to the Future' and the police show up because of the 'unusual character' running around the parking lot in a plutonium suit, I know I’ve done something right," he laughed.

It's more than just a night at the movies, he said.

"I want this to be an experience that our patrons remember, one they go home talking about with their kids," he said. "They may not even know who Doc Brown is going in, but I want them begging for a picture with him when they come out at the end."

He also talked about the newest addition to the space — a wrestling ring.

"I’m excited to see, as a performer, what the addition of the wrestling ring brings to the table," he said. "This could be very interesting, and a great form of entertainment for an audience that doesn’t really have a home out here on the North Fork, or on Long Island, for that matter. I’ll be as involved as these guys let me be, having a background in stage combat and on-camera stunts myself."

Chizever was a stuntman for Telemundo for a bit when he lived in Florida, among other TV gigs.

The theater is now a place not just to enjoy a movie, but to gather with community for something unlike the North Fork has seen before, a space that invites artists and creativity.

"My siblings and I were always a big part of the drama club in high school, and the local community theater groups, so it’s fun to have some of them reach out as well," he said.

Chizever mentioned the cast party evening for the Greenport High School cast of "Grease."

And, he said, "I’m planning on trying to time something out with this summer’s Youth-On-Stage production behind us at the North Fork Community Theatre, an amazing local venue that gave me my start as a young actor."

He also made his directorial debut there with the Youth-On-Stage production of “Little Shop of Horrors” in the early 2000s, with his little brother as Seymour and Chizever as the voice of Audrey II.

"I’m third generation Riverhead — a town that has been begging for a movie theater for decades, so for me to be a part of keeping my childhood movie theater right down the road alive for our kids to enjoy, that’s huge for me. I’ve picked a few winners so far with the classics, and a few duds, but I’m learning what sells and what doesn’t. For those with a vested interest, I’m always open to suggestions!"

But beyond all the new additions, at the very heart of the magic is the sheer thrill of seeing award-winning classics on the big screen, of experiencing the hush in the theater as the film begins, of sharing the ephemeral spark of brilliance in cinematic wonder. A recent showing of "Thelma & Louise" was, simply, transformational. The acting, the cinematography, the direction — all on the big screen with a bucket of buttery popcorn.

There's simply nothing like that feeling. And now, there are margaritas, too.

To see what films are coming soon or to have a say in what movies your local theater shows, join the Facebook group "Mattituck Cinemas Classics.

"The possibilities are endless," LaMaina said.