Disney Takes "Max" Out Of Miramax

There was a time when Miramax equaled Oscar nomination. That day is long gone. So far gone, in fact that Disney, Miramax's parent, plans on practically mothballing the brand.

Someday an intrepid young filmmaker will tell the story of the Mirimax brand's rise and fall. It should be great. Filled with accomplishment, strong-arming, creativity, gambling and hubris.

Harvey and Bob Weinstein, the gregarious brothers who legendarily ran the studio as much like an organized crime operation as an entertainment one, built the brand by putting indie on the map. Superstar directors like Tarintino and Soderberg owe their current big-box-office careers to Miramax.

Disney had owned a chunk of the studio since 1993, and took over in full four years ago when the brothers left.Continue reading...