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The article reports on the uneven fortunes of movie producers Bob and Harvey Weinstein since they left their successful film company Miramax to its corporate parent, Walt Disney Co., and started the Weinstein Co. The newer company has been less successful, in most people's opinion because Harvey Weinstein has tried to take it beyond film and make it a broader media concern.

Discusses the future of the Miramax film studio, in light of a decline in the studio's profits during 1999. History of the studio, including its founding by Bob and Harvey Weinstein; Various successful motion pictures which the studio has released, including `Pulp Fiction,' `The English Patient,' and `Scream'; Profits during 1999 compared to 1998; Challenges facing the studio, including competition from independent studios.

Discusses the success of independent movie companies like Miramax and Fine Line in 1997. Number of Oscar nominations for independent movies like `The English Patient,' `Fargo,' `Secrets & Lies' and `Shine,' all of which were nominated for best picture; The success of Harvey and Bob Weinstein at Miramax Films; Miramax's business strategy; Estimated worth of Miramax in 1997; Outlook for independent film companies. INSET: A triumph for the little guys..

Presents an interview with Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner. Pressure faced by Eisner from efforts to oust him and attempts at a hostile takeover; Reasons for his decision to step down in 2006; Assumption that he will not remain on the board after he steps down; Recommendation that the board hire Bob Iger to replace him; Urgency to select a successor; Potential that he will step down before 2006; Enjoyment of his situation; Possibility that Pixar will remain with Disney.

Profiles Miramax Films cochairman Harvey Weinstein. Films released by Miramax, an independent film company started by Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein; Reputation of the Weinsteins as ruthless dealmakers; Success of Dimension Films, the production company started by Bob Weinstein; Impact of the failure of 'Talk' magazine, a co-venture of Miramax and Hearst Corp.; Promotion of the Miramax film 'Gangs of New York'; Outlook for future projects for Miramax.

Focuses on whether the motion picture company Miramax, which received just one Oscar award in 2002, is not as successful as it once was. Issues facing the company, which has lost $27 million; Role of co-chairmen, the brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein; Issues with 'Talk' magazine; Mention of various movies produced by the studio, including 'Gangs of New York'; Comments of both Harvey and Bob.

Interviews brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein, cochairmen of Miramax. Health of Harvey; Oscar nomination of the motion pictures, `Cider House Rules' and `The Talented Mr. Ripley'; Shift in company focus from acquiring independent films to producing films; Miramax profits; `Talk' magazine.

Features Tina Brown, former editor of `The New Yorker' magazine. Her magazine and multimedia venture at Miramax Films; The effect of the magazine's financial losses on its relationship with Conde Nast; Brown's background and career highlights; Mention of possible areas of contention involving her move to Miramax. INSET: The search for buzz and bucks.

The article discusses the actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her work on the film "Shakespeare in Love." It mentions her participation in the making of the film, her interactions with the producer Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Film Corp., and the awards won by Paltrow and and the film, including the Academy Award.

The article discusses several court cases highlighting the issues ok copyright preemption and idea submission under the Copyright law given under state laws by the U.S. Federal law. The cases such as Larry Montz v. Pilgrim Films & Television Inc., in which the plantiff's implied-in-fact contract claims are breached under California Law and Jeff Griosso v. Miramax Film Corp., where plaintiff's claims that defendants infringed his copyright, showcase divergence in the second and ninth circuit.

The article looks at how Harvey Weinstein was able to buy Miramax back from Disney and shares the challenges he encountered. Weinstein created the Weinstein Co. after he left Miramax in 2005. It was the documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11," which earned more than 200 million U.S. dollars, that brought back his interest in filmmaking. He bought Ovation, a cable network devoted to the arts, with the belief that Disney held them back from being a broader multimedia company. He again produce films in 2008 and acquired Miramax in 2009 after negotiations.

The article discusses changes in Canadian motion picture distribution companies such as Alliance Films. Former chief executive officer of Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution, Patrice Theroux, discusses why the international distribution of films by New Line Cinema will be handled by Time Warner instead of Alliance Films. Miramax has also chosen to distribute motion pictures independently of Canadian companies.

The article discusses several cases on the protection of mere ideas under copyright law. Ideas are defined to be difficult to protect unless they are used in producing apparatus or processes. One case discussed is Grosso v. Miramax Film Corp. wherein the former alleged a breach of implied-in-fact contract. The Ninth Circuit reviewed and remanded the case for more proceedings. The author gives advice on how to avoid implied-in-fact contracts.

The article presents information on the court case, Grosso v. Miramax Film Corp., concerning idea-submission claims and how they intersect with copyright laws in the U.S. In the verdict, the Ninth Circuit Court explained that complainant Jeff Grosso's expectations and understanding of idea-submission claims are insufficient to raise a triable issue of material fact.

The article focuses on the new business venture of brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein in launching the Weinstein company after they lost their Miramax Film Corp. in the U.S. Harvey Weinstein remarks that they are now financially and personally happy. It provides information on the plan of the Weinsteins, particularly on the number and types of films they will produce.

Focuses on issues arising from the decision of Miramax founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein to terminate their partnership agreement with Disney.

This article presents information on the case Grosso v. Miramax Films Corp. Aspiring screenwriter Jeff Grosso, the plaintiff in Grosso v. Miramax Films Corp. brought an implied contract claim against numerous defendants, collectively referred to in this article as Miramax, based on his unilateral submission of a script entitled "The Shell Game," which he claims was used to create Miramax's motion picture entitled Rounders. The case departed from pattern of preempting implied contract claims. In a truncated decision, lacking both a factual context and an extensive analysis of the law, the Ninth Circuit ruled that Grosso could pursue his state law claim for breach of implied contract, notwithstanding Miramax's preemption challenge. On September 8, 2004, however, the Ninth Circuit filed the decision for publication. Miramax petitioned for rehearing and telegraphing industry outrage, numerous motion picture studios, television broadcasters, and cable networks have filed briefs as amici curiae in support.

Looks at Michael Moore's new documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" and its attack on George W. Bush. Controversy surrounding the release of the movie by Disney's Miramax division; Core narrative of the film; The film's weaknesses; Belief by the author that the film focuses too much on attacking Bush than the important key issues it raises.

Delves into the reinvention of the U.S. film industry by brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein, chairmen of Miramax Films Corp. Motion pictures the company has released; Description of the brothers' personalities; Statements of Miramax employees on the working environment of the company.

Reports on highlights relating to the making of the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Miramax's optioning of the live-action film rights to the trilogy in 1997; New Line Cinema's acquisition of the Miramax option to the trilogy in 1998; Announcement of the cast for the movie in 1999.

Unlike many other big movies, Miramax Films Corp. decided to stage release of the film “Chicago,” starting in late December 2002 in 77 theaters in the top 20 markets, moving to 600 theaters within a month, then going wide at the time of the Academy Award nominations in February 2003. When New Line Cinema Corp. tackled the marketing campaign for “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” it faced both an obstacle and a terrific advantage that this was the sequel to one of the biggest hits of all time. The initial trailer was boosted by the huge publicity generated from the DVD/video release of the first part of the film. The DVD/video helped introduce that segment of the audience to the trilogy. When the film came out, it was a great success.

Profiles Bob and Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films Corp. in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Management of the company by the brothers; Family background; Career history of both the Weinstein.

Ranks the top motion picture ministudios in the U.S. Miramax Films Corp.; Sony Pictures Classics; Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Profiles Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax Films Corp. in the U.S. Reputation of Weinstein in the motion picture industry; Personal background; Relations with actors and actresses.

Profiles Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of Miramax Films Corp. Fund raising program he organized after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; Comparison with other businessmen; Information on his movie, 'Gangs of New York.'

Presents an homage to the 1950 film `Harvey,' which Miramax Films is remaking in 2000. The film's portrayal of a huge rabbit as an imaginary friend and the importance of having a constant companion; Influence of the film on the author.

This article is focused on the Weinstein Co., an independent American film studio founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 after they left former company Miramax Films. It is stated that the Weinstein Co. closed a seven-year deal with movie television network Showtime on July 14, 2008, accepting half of what the network typically pays to air films.

Discusses the war between Miramax Films and parent company Disney. Co-chairman Harvey Weinstein, who runs the company with his brother, and how he is responsible for creating the independent-film market; Number of Oscar nominations and best-picture nods Miramax has received in the last 15 years; Belief that the success would secure the Weinsteins permanent job security with Disney; How Miramax went ahead and made the controversial film "Fahrenheit 9/11" despite Disney's rejection of it; Rift between Miramax and Disney caused by the film.

Looks at the success of the independent Canadian movie studio Lions Gate Entertainment. Release of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" after Disney's refusal to let Miramax distribute it; Fact that Lions Gate is one of the only truly independent studios remaining in the motion picture industry; Success of its many films including "Monster's Ball", "Dogma", and "The Blair Witch Project"; Tripling of the company's shares in the past year; Frank Giustra, a Canadian investment banker, who began the company in 1997; Major role Miramax has played in Lions Gate's success.

Looks at Vadim Perelman who is the first-time director of the new movie "House of Sand and Fog," starring Sir Ben Kingsley. His reputation in Hollywood; Disagreements with ICM, DreamWorks and Miramax; Background on the Ukrainian native; Rewriting of the script; No apologies for his arrogance.

Focuses on the problems faced by Miramax Films chief executive officer (CEO) Harvey Weinstein. Impact that new holiday films could have on the future of Miramax; Risk which is involved in releasing films during the holiday season; Costs incurred during the making of 'Gangs of New York'; Pressure Miramax faces from parent company Walt Disney Co.

The article focuses on the financial growth of Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2000. The studio will release four films including the special-effects-mountain-climbing drama "Vertical Limit." It is expected that it will cost Sony nearly $400 million to make and market the four flicks. Sony ranks seventh among Hollywood's eight largest studios. It is trailing behind most majors and even smaller players like Miramax Film Corp. and New Line Cinema. Both revenues and operating earnings at Sony's film unit fell by 10% in the fiscal year that ended in March 2000.

Profiles Miramax Films chairman Harvey Weinstein. Transforming the company into a major motion picture studio; Support for the film `The Talented Mr. Ripley'; Success in producing and releasing art films such as `The Crying Game' and `Il Postino'; Relationship with his employees.

Presents an interview with Bob and Harvey Weinstein, founders of Miramax, an independent film company. The start of Miramax; Their success in 1989, with the release of such motion pictures as `My Left Foot'; How they developed their taste for motion pictures; How Miramax has affected the state of independent motion pictures in the United States. INSET: Our favorite movie..

Presents a biographical account of the life of Bob and Harvey Weinstein, founders and co-chairmen of Miramax Films. Personal backgrounds; Educational Backgrounds; Brothers' success; Childhoods; Careers; Achievements; Number of movies distributed a year.

Features the brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein, Miramax Films producers. Propensity for reediting films after acquiring them; Quality of movies; Movie `Pulp Fiction,' directed by Quentin Tarantino; Creative control of studios; Emergence of independent film producers; Marketing of films; Deal with Disney.

Spotlights the movie `Pret a Porter,' directed by Robert Altman. Previous movies directed by Altman; Movie roles; Diversity of actors and actresses in the movie; Budgeting; Criticisms of Miramax Films; Comments by actors and actresses of the movie concerning their roles; Risk-taking by Altman.

Mentions Tina Brown's `Talk' magazine, which will publish the first issues for September 1999. The deal with Hearst Corp. to take over half of her partner, Miramax Films; How much it will cost to launch the periodical; Description of the magazine as a blend of gossip, popular culture, and serious journalism.

Discusses the Walt Disney Co.-Miramax Films merger and how this arrangement has worked out so far. When Disney bought Miramax; How Miramax has evolved from simply distributing movies to producing them; The type of restrictions that Disney has put on movies made by Miramax; Award nominations that some of Miramax's movies have received.

Reviews the film "Kafka," directed by Steven Soderbergh, from Miramax.

The article focuses on Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Miramax Film Corp., one of the few successful independent film companies in the U.S. Harvey; as a member of the student council at the State University of New York at Buffalo, started promoting rock concerts. When the school funding for a Steven Stills concert came up short, Harvey borrowed $2,500 from a friend and some money from a local pizza joint and produced the concert himself. In 1978 Harvey brought his brother into the business; they scraped together $50,000 to purchase a dilapidated movie house in downtown Buffalo, New York.

The article profiles Hussain Amarshi, founder and president at art house distributor Mongrel Media. Topics discussed include completion of twenty years of business at Mongrel by Amarshi, views of several veterans of the industry including Julia Sereny, co-founder of Toronto, Ontario-based Sienna Films and John Sloss, producer of the film "Boyhood" regarding success of Amarshi and beating the Miramax Film Corp. to the rights to his first Canadian film "The Silences of the Palace."

The article reports that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has tapped former DreamWorks SKG LLC and Miramax Film Corp. executive Rick Sands as its chief operating officer, the company said Monday. Sands, who most recently was president and chief operating officer of DreamWorks, also was chief operating officer of Miramax. In the newly created MGM post, he will take on the task of leveraging and managing one of the world's largest film and television libraries across all platforms, including Internet and mobile as well as such traditional channels of distribution as television, video and international.