Word is that Lions Gate Entertainment is the most probable buyer of the Walt Disney Company’s Miramax Film Studios.

Lions Gate is said to be working on a deal with Disney to purchase the studio brand for somewhere in the range of $300 million to $500 million.

Thoughts?

Source: www.thedeal.com

Summit Entertainment has pulled out of the bidding for the Walt Disney Company’s Miramax Films.

Summit has refused to comment on their reason for pulling out of the running to gain ownership of Miramax, however, sources are saying that the Walt Disney Company is asking over $650 million for the movie company, which was originally purchased in 1993 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein for $80 million.

Word is that there are still a number of studios interested in purchasing Miramax. We’re sure we’ll hear more about this deal shortly.

On February 23, 2010 get excited to pick up your copy of “Everybody’s Fine” on DVD from Miramax Home Entertainment.

The movie stars a celebrity cast including:

- Robert De Niro
- Drew Barrymore
- Kate Beckinsale
- Sam Rockwell
- Lucian Maisel
- Damian Young
- James Frain
- Melissa Leo
- Katherine Moennig
- Brendan Sexton III
- James Murtaugh
- Austin Lysy

We thought that the movie was great for a cold night spent at home on the couch with a blanket over you. It was a really heartfelt movie that showed what Robert De Niro’s character had to go through after his wife passed away and he lost close touch with his children – since his wife was the one who took care of that.

Robert decides he’s going to go on a trip across the country to surprise each of his children, but they are keeping even more secrets from him than normal – this time the secret being that one of their siblings is missing.

As Robert travels from state to state, child to child (who are now full-grown adults), your heart sinks further and further as you notice that none of them want to make the time to hang out with him, partly because their minds are on their missing brother, but also partly because they are so consumed with their own lives that they can’t make time for their father.

You learn each child’s secrets right along with Robert’s character, and you can feel his pain with him.

We highly recommend this movie for anyone who likes a drama that causes a tear here and there.

The exclusive bonus features on the DVD include:
- The Making of Paul McCartney’s “(I Want To) Come Home”
- Deleted and Extended Scenes

The DVD will retail for $29.99. Watch clips and see more images from the movie below:
(more…)

Kevin Smith, who has worked with Miramax Films, was kicked off of a Southwest Airlines flight today because he was deemed “too fat” for the seats.

Kevin was headed back to Burbank, California from Oakland when the captain asked him to leave the flight after being seated already, as he was considered a “safety risk.”

Kevin, who is known for his role as “Silent Bob” in the Jay and Silent Bob movie franchise, chose to not be so silent today as he took to Twitter to vent about his experience with the airline.

“Dear @SouthwestAir, I flew out in one seat, but right after issuing me a standby ticket, Oakland Southwest attendant Suzanne (wouldn’t give last name) told me Captain Leysath deemed me a “safety risk”. Again: I’m way fat… But I’m not THERE just yet. But if I am, why wait til my bag is up, and I’m seated WITH ARM RESTS DOWN. In front of a packed plane with a bunch of folks who’d already I.d.ed me as ‘Silent Bob.’”

Kevin also dropped a LOST reference when he Tweeted:

“Dear Other Airlines (including Oceanic, sans Flight 815): I’m in the market for a flight east this Thurs. Which one of you likes fat people?”

Kevin refused a $100 voucher offered by the airline and later took another Southwest flight that did not deem him to be a safety risk.

He Tweeted the picture above when he was seated on the second plane along with “Look how fat I am on your plane! Quick! Throw me off!”

Southwest airlines has apologized to Kevin on Twitter, and through a blog post, but it doesn’t sound like he’s interested in accepting their apology any time soon.

IMG Source

On April 6, 2010, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Miramax Films are releasing “Strictly Ballroom” to DVD.

This romantic comedy movie was directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also directed “Romeo and Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge.” The movie is about a championship ballroom dancer who is breaking all the rules – and along with his “ugly duckling” dance partner the two work together to make their dreams come true.

Bonus features on the DVD include:

- ALL-NEW “Strictly Ballroom: From Stage to Screen” – brand new making-of documentary.
- Behind the Red Curtain Backstage Snapshots
- That’s Looking Good Production Design
- Dance to Win Promotional & Various
- Yesterday’s Hero Baz’s Family Album
- Love Is In the Air Scott And Fran
- Deleted Scene
- “Samba To Slow Fox” Dance Featurette
- Feature commentary By Director And Co-Writer Baz Luhrmann, Production Designer And Co-Costumer Catherine Martin And Choreographer John (Cha Cha) O’Connell

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

It was announced last week that the Walt Disney Company was closing down Miramax Films, however now it seems that Disney would be more interested in selling the company – which could net upwards of $700 million.

The sale of the company would also come with the sale of its 700-film library.

Rumor has it that Summit Entertainment is interested in buying the company, but there is a short list of other groups interested as well.

Thoughts?

Miramax Films closed its doors today – putting 80 people out of work and closing down 6 movies awaiting distribution.

In October 2009 the Disney-owned studio reduced the number of employees it had as well as the number of films it planned to release annually.

Harvey Weinsten, a creator of Miramax, said: “I’m feeling very nostalgic right now. I know the movies made on my and my brother Bob’s watch will live on as well as the fantastic films made under the direction of Daniel Battsek. Miramax has some brilliant people working within the organization and I know they will go on to do great things in the industry.”

Some memorable Miramax movie titles include:
- Good Will Hunting
- Ella Enchanted
- Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
- The Scary Movies
- The Kill Bill Films
- Serendipity
- Bridget Jones’s Diary
- She’s All That
- Scream
- Reservoir Dogs
- Among many, many more!