Much of this reduction began even while the studio’s founders, the Weinstein brothers, were in charge. After their ouster, the studio continued to struggle to produce hits. And now, with Dick Cook gone, the comes another hit. Some of this has to be chalked up to the much more complex market for art house films than when Miramax was at it’s peak.

While I may not have loved all of the films that Miramax produced for Disney, I liked enough of them to see the value for Disney Studios. I hope they’re able to find a niche for these sort of specialty films in the Disney stable.

Via the NY Times.

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Disney shrinking Miramax even further, dismisses President
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NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – COLLECTOR’S EDITION

When you sit down to watch a Coen brothers film you should have a set of expectations. There will be violence, exploration of human suffering, and excellence in film making. No Country for Old Men reached the peak of excellence deservedly winning the 2007 Academy Award for Best Picture, and the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Javier Bardem), among others.

The Coen Brothers deliver a sizzling and supercharged action-thriller with No Country for Old Men, based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a down-on-his-luck Vietnam vet, stumbles across an illicit fortune and decides to keep it, setting off an unstoppable chain of violence.

When Moss discovers a drug deal gone bad in the West Texas desert, he decides to keep the two million dollars he finds there and hit the road. In short order, both Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), the local sheriff, and Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), one of the most frighteningly amoral psychopaths in film history, are on his trail and Moss is scrambling to stay one step ahead of the law—and avoid a gruesome fate at Chigurh’s hands. Javier Bardem’s role as death personified is one that will deservedly be remembered for ages.

The 2007 Oscar® winner for Best Picture, No Country for Old Men, arrived in new collectible three-disc DVD and 2-disc Blu-ray editions from Miramax Films, Paramount Vantage, and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Acclaimed filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen’s most gripping and ambitious film, No Country for Old Men – Collector’s Edition comes with more than five hours of bonus features, available on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time ever, including extensive interviews with the filmmakers, stars and technical team behind this unforgettable thriller. From an unauthorized trip backstage with star Josh Brolin, to an insider’s look at the unique moviemaking process of the Coen brothers, fans will get unprecedented access to the story behind the celebrated movie. In addition, both the DVD and Blu-ray versions include a special digital copy of the movie that enables viewers to enjoy it anywhere, anytime in their choice of iTunes or Windows Media formats.

DOUBT

Doubt is set in 1964 and based loosely on real events. The nation is at a crossroads. Stay in the past or be dragged into a new and uncomfortable future. The feeling of doubt moves through all the characters lives and the audience’s mind as the film progresses. Whether we get an answer is up for debate, but there is no doubt that you will enjoy the performances in this movie.

St. Nicholas Church in the Bronx finds Fr. Brendan Flynn’s (Philip Seymour Hoffman) progressive views and charismatic presence have won him the respect and admiration of the congregation. At the parish school, principal Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) keeps her students in line with old-fashioned fear and intimidation. When young Sister James (Amy Adams) shares with Sister Aloysius her concern that that Father Flynn has “taken an interest” in twelve-year-old Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the school’s “first Negro student,” the older nun launches her own investigation. Determined to protect every one of her charges, Sister Aloysius attempts to use the evidence she discovers to have Flynn removed from the school. John Patrick Shanley’s finely shaded script takes audiences through a spectrum of truth, emotion and belief, and asks if any decision is ever free from doubt.

It was one of the biggest upset of the 2009 Academy Awards that the film didn’t receive a single Oscar, despite being up for five of them. Both the DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def versions of Doubt include some great bonus features including an audio Commentary from the writer/director.

More details on Both DVD’s below the cut:

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Available on April 7, 2009 with Downloadable Digital Copy

A masterful mixture of suspense, black humor and A-list talent delivering once-in-a-lifetime performances, No Country for Old Men is a brilliantly told game of cat and mouse guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats right up to its heart-stopping final act. Nominated for eight Oscars, the film took home statuettes for Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Javier Bardem).

Academy Award winners Tommy Lee Jones (Best Supporting Actor, The Fugitive, 1993), Bardem and Academy Award nominee Josh Brolin (Best Supporting Actor, Milk, 2008), head up the gifted ensemble that helped make No Country for Old Men one of 2007’s most honored movies.

Bonus Features

• The Making Of No Country For Old Men – A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create a Coen Brothers’ movie.
• Working with the Coens – The cast and crew of No Country for Old Men talk about working with the legendary duo.
• The Diary of A Country Sheriff – A look at the relationship between Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigarh and Josh Brolin’s Lewellyn Moss through the eyes of Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones).
• A treasure trove of in-depth interviews and conversations with the Coen Brothers, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem—never before available on disc—offering viewers the most comprehensive look ever at the making of No Country for Old Men.
• Digital Copy Download

The Coen Brothers deliver a sizzling and supercharged action-thriller with No Country for Old Men, based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a down-on-his-luck Vietnam vet, stumbles across an illicit fortune and decides to keep it, setting off an unstoppable chain of violence. When Moss discovers a drug deal gone bad in the West Texas desert, he decides to keep the two million dollars he finds there and hit the road. In short order, both Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), the local sheriff, and Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), one of the most frighteningly amoral psychopaths in film history, are on his trail and Moss is scrambling to stay one step ahead of the law—and avoid a gruesome fate at Chigurh’s hands.

Rated: Rated “R” for strong graphic violence and some language
Run time:
DVD aspect ratio: 2.35:1
DVD Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Languages: English and Spanish audio, English, Spanish and French subtitles

- – - -

DOUBT
On DVD and Blu-ray™ Hi-Def

From producer Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men) and Miramax Films, Doubt, one of the most riveting and talked about films of the year, comes to DVD and Blu-ray™ Hi-Def on April 7, 2009 from Miramax Films. The recipient of five 2009 Academy Award® nominations and on over 50 top 10 lists, Doubt brings to blistering life a battle royale between old guard and free thinker, played out in a crucible of sexual politics and religious piety. Its razor-sharp, whip-smart story and top-notch cast will have viewers buzzing long after the credits roll. A series of thoughtful and revealing bonus features illuminate the creative process behind this remarkable film.

Doubt dominated this year’s Oscar acting categories with nominations for Meryl Streep (Best Actress), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Supporting Actor), Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress) and Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress). Academy Award winner John Patrick Shanley (Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Moonstruck, 1987) was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for a script based on his Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award
winning play.

Two-time Oscar® winner Meryl Streep (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979; Best Actress in a Leading Role, Sophie’s Choice, 1982), Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Capote, 2005), Amy Adams (Enchanted) and Viola Davis (Nights in Rodanthe) deliver fierce, unflinching performances in a story defined by the quest for truth, the forces of change and the devastating consequences of blind justice in an age defined by moral conviction.

Bonus Features
Both DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def versions of Doubt include the following bonus features:
• From Stage to Screen—An intimate discussion with playwright, screenwriter and director John Patrick Shanley about the history of Doubt, including his inspirations for the story, the acclaim the play’s Broadway run received, the Pulitzer Prize and the process of adapting it for the screen. Joining the conversation are Meryl Streep and Sister Margaret McEntee (a consultant on the film and Shanley’s former teacher).
• Scoring Doubt—Renowned composer Howard Shore discusses his inspiration for the music in the film and his collaboration with both John Patrick Shanley and producer Scott Rudin.
• The Sisters of Charity—In an insightful and lively dialogue, Meryl Streep and John Patrick Shanley discuss the interviews that Shanley did before shooting with real nuns to discuss their lives and make sure they would be accurately portrayed in the film.
• Feature Commentary with John Patrick Shanley
• The Cast of Doubt—A conversation with actors Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis.
Feature run time: 104 minutes
Rated: US: PG-13 (For Thematic Material)
Technical specifications may only apply to feature
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.35:1) Aspect ratio – Enhanced for 16X9
Televisions
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Languages: Spanish Subtitles

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Two Miramax DVDs – No Country for Old Men / Doubt
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In the 18 months since [Daniel] Battsek took charge, the 48-year-old Brit has firmly established himself as the new face of Miramax Film Corp. while shoring up the company’s stature in the cutthroat specialty film world. He’s also kept Miramax in the awards game to the point of outscoring predecessor Weinstein, who for years was the one to beat at Oscar time.

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How is Miramax Doing?
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The first part of the latest edition of my Kenversations(TM) column was posted today on LaughingPlace.com.

In this three-part column, I examine the big changes both inside Disney and around Disney over the last few years – in media, entertainment, communications, and theme parks.  If you read this column, you’ll understand why I will cover the topics I do here – what happens at other film studios has an impact on Disney.  What happens at a lot of other places has an impact on Disney.

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Shameless Plug – Kenversations(TM)
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Nice to see that Miramax can produce even after the Weinstein Brothers departed.

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20 Oscar Nominations for Disney
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It’s a wide-eyed, delirious celebration
of American soccer, the likes of which we’ve never seen. And it’s
indescribably wonderful, the kind of film that brings a smile to your
face the moment it begins and doesn’t let go.

The film sounds very moving and exciting at the same time.

Next is an insightful interview with Producer John Battsek and co-director/editor Paul Crowder from just before the Tribeca film festival. Lots of good stuff here, not just about the film, but about documentary style filmmaking in general.

Once In A Lifetime opened in NYC this weekend and widens its release starting July 14th.

[ Tags: disney, film, movie, documentary, once+in+a+lifetime, miramax, soccer, football, american+soccer, nasl, mls, cosmos, ny+cosmos, pele ]

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Once In A Lifetime – Review and Interview
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(As an aside, I think it’s interesting that David Beckham might decide to make his final tour as a football professional in the USA following in Pele’s footsteps. That should give the sport a much needed boost if it happens.)

After debuting on July 7th in NYC, Once In A Lifetime will open:

July 14
Los Angeles
Chicago
Washington D.C.

July 21
San Francisco
Philadelphia
Boston

(Previously on Movieland.)

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Once In A Lifetime – Where Playing List
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In it Johnny Depp plays The Earl of Rochester, known as much for his scandalous lifestyle as his royalty, whose debauchery ends up with him being exiled from the royal court. "You will not like me." Depp’s character says in the narration, but many did enjoy the film in its limited release. With its release on DVD more audiences can now enjoy Depp’s performance.

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The Libertine, Depp’s Last Film now on DVD
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Most of my youth corresponded with the peak and deminishing of the NASL. My team was the Portland Timbers. I saw Pele and the Cosmos in June of ‘76 at a sold out Portland Stadium (now PGE Park). It was thrilling to watch my team lose 3-0 to Pele’s team. I remember thinking I’ll never forget that day. But I did until I heard about this documentary.

Once In A Lifetime goes into wider distribution July 14th and I hope I get a chance to see it here in Orlando. It will be nice to experience some of that thrill again.

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Once In A Lifetime
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So, four suspects, recipes gone, who done it? You’ll just have to see
the film to find out. But I will say, I was extremely impressed at the
animation for this film; there are scenes in the water that looks like
real water, and not done on a computer. And the characters were
amazingly drawn; lots of details in the face and body movement.

The studio might be a little worried their film will get lost in the Holiday rush, however, because they’ve moved back the opening date from December 25th to January 13th.
(Thanks animated-news)

[ disney, miramax, weinstein, animation, hoodwinked, film, movie, review ]

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Hoodwinked: a review
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Iger in the WSJ!
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Hoodwinked (imdb) is a new animated film that follows in the footsteps of cg animated features like Chicken Little and Shrek. Hoodwinked is a new take on the classic fable of Little Red Riding Hood that picks up where the story left off. Spoofing cop shows like CSI and Law and Order, the movie looks at how modern law enforcement would view the story.

The preview trailer is now online (AOL, APPLE). Look for this to be hitting theatres just in time for Christmas.

[ animation, disney, miramax, weinstein, weinstein+company, hoodwinked, cg+animation ]

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In the fold no longer, Weinstein Bros ready to mix it up
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Weinsteins Off the Reservation
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[ttags: disney, miramax, film, movie, weinstein, depp, johnnydepp, libertine, eisner, iger, disneystudios ]

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Dark days for Disney film ahead?
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Weinsteins out! Battsek in at Miramax
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The Weinstein Brothers are emptying the storage closet ahead of their departure from the Disney fold. A few films that have been caught in the often messy separation are now scheduled for their big screen debut. This includes a new Johnny Depp period film, Libertine.

There is also news on the Pixar and Disney relationship. Incumbent CEO Iger reports they are back at the table again. This relationship has proven to be profitable for both sides and I don’t think one should under estimate the branding power of having all your characters associated with one themepark giant. In any event both companies are facing a serious challenge from Sparky and his crew at Dreamworks. Madagascar managed a first place finish despite its name.

Hong Kong Disneyland is preparing to open in the late summer and it has already faced its share of challenges. You may have heard about the Shark Fin Soup controversy. SFS is often prepared in a manner that is cruel to the animals (cutting the fins off live sharks then releasing them to die). Disney has stated that they will serve the soup out of respect for the local culture which upset activitsts. Now Disney has stated they will only serve soup made from fins harvested in a non-cruel fashion (which I imagine means they’ll use the whole shark in some way).

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News Roundup
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Miramax will continue to exist as a part of the Walt Disney Company. It will return to producing mainly art films with a smaller budget and under the watchful eye of the the Studio bosses. I very much hope that the spirit of Miramax is not totally lost in the change. The company is known for taking chances with subject material other studios wouldn’t touch.

The Harvey and Bob Weinstein are not leaving this deal empty handed. Aside from the money they have already made they do get a fairly nice parking package. They have already announced their intentions to continue making films. Now they’ll just have to do it with their own money or money they can raise personally. They stated they back their films 100%, now they get a chance to put their money where their mouths are. I have no doubt they will continue to be a force in the entertainment industry.

This looks to be the first in a number of deals that were waiting to go through until Eisner’s successor was known. Following soon is Pixar, ESPN vs. various cable companies, and other deals that have been on hold. I’m keeping my fingers crossed Iger and Jobs can reach some sort of agreement that is beneficial for all parties.

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Miramax Brothers lose name, jobs, gain freedom
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Draining the Miramax Talent Pool
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The whole issue comes down to how much money a profit center makes for the company. Corporate hands out goals for the year 10,20,30 percent and if you don’t meet those goals you’re in danger of having corporate shut you down. Never mind that the 8% profit you might be making is near a hundred million dollars. Never mind that if Disney shuts down that profit center then they likely lose those customers.

Part of me things they’re deliberately shunning those customers from Miramax. They don’t want them. The other part of me thinks Disney’s too stupid to know what they’re doing. As a stockholder, either answer leaves me unsettled.

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Miramax Rumblings
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For a long time, Peter on the stage was played by a young woman in tights – the rump, as it were, of late Victorian theatre. A nubile woman
in the role, with her frank appeal to the heterosexual adult tastes of
the fathers in the house, obscured the difficult matters of child
sexuality, sibling hatred and child-death that infest the play and may
be defined as everything Walt Disney omitted from his 1953 cartoon.

With the release of Finding Neverland, The Times Literary Supplement re-examines J.M. Barrie’s Freudian and Oedipal story, Peter Pan.

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Oedipus Pan
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