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.

Disney's announcement comes as the studio's current president tendered his resignation. No Country For Old Men and The Queen were two of the latest critical successes from the brand. But these last two years have seen little of the brand's old spark for setting he Oscar season tone.

Maybe the biggest blow to brand's character? It will be moved from its longtime home in New York City to... Burbank, CA.

While Miramax owes its diminished power to a number of factors, including an increase of competitors in a sector of the industry the brand itself helped create, some point to Disney's increased role meddling in the studio's affairs. And the brand stands as an example to those who so fear Disney's recent acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel Comics.