by Samantha Koenig

HISTORY

Brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein first founded Miramax Films in 1979, later selling it to Disney in 1993. In October of 2005 the brothers launched The Weinstein Company, encompassing Dimension Films, as an independent production and distribution company [2]. TWC has garnered great commercial and critical success with great Academy Award winning movies such as: The Artist, The King’s Speech, Django Unchained and Silver Linings Playbook.

 KEY EXECUTIVES

FINANCIAL

The Weinstein Company is an independently held company and is currently ranked 8^th in studio market share with 2% [4]. To date, from their 8 movies released this fall grossing $37.3 million, down from 2013’s $40.2 million [5], however 2014 gross is expected to increase greatly over the holidays with St. Vincent and The Imitation Game Oscar buzz [6][7]. In addition, The Weinstein Company’s joint venture with Netflix, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend,” could bring great financial success in 2015 [8].

NETFLIX VENTURE

Early this fall, The Weinstein Company expanded their existing deal with Netflix, which gave Netflix first post-theatrical release venue rights for many of their films, to include films that will premiere on Netflix at the same time as the theatrical release [10]. The first film slated, and already under production, is the sequel to 2000’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which grossed nearly $214 million to its $17 million budget, and won 4 Academy Awards. The sequel is to be called, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” [11].

The movie will premiere on Netflix the same day as in IMAX theaters, shaking up the long-established business models of studios and theater companies. The “hope [is] it will get plenty of play in China, where Netflix is not available” [13].

“The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.” [14]

The plan is drawing strong criticism from Regal and AMC cinemas, both claiming this deal will disrupt their business models, which are built on giving theater-goers “first dibs” on big-pictures [14]. In response to The Weinstein Company’s deal with Netflix, Regal has said it will “not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to 3 inches wide on a smartphone” [14].

 

IN THEATERS FALL 2014

“The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them”

Following the loss of their child, once happily married Connor (James McAvoy) and Eleanor (Jessica Chastain), find themselves akin to strangers trying to recapture the life and love they once knew. Writer/Director Ned Benson explores their complicated relationship through two subjective points of view [17].

The film combines “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him” and “Her” versions, which originally debuted at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival, from the 3 hour 17 minute back to back showing, to a 2 hour combined perspective [18].

 

 

 

“Tracks”

“Tracks” tells the remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska), a woman who leaves life in the city to journey on her own across 2,000 miles of Australian desert, her only company her dog and four unpredictable camels. Along the way she meets Rick Smolan (Adam Driver), a National Geographic photographer who decides to document her journey [20].

The movie was released in theaters September 29, 2014, though originally premiered in 2013 at the Venice Film Festival.

 

 

 

2015 ACADEMY AWARD CONTENDERS

“St. Vincent”

Vincent McKenna (Bill Murray) is a drunken war vet who likes living alone in his worn down home in Brooklyn. Not a loner though, he regularly hits the bar, track and “boffs” a pregnant Russian hooker, Daka (Naomi Watts). In a classic story of redemption, McKenna finds himself babysitter to his new neighbor, Maggie’s (Melissa McCarthy), 12-year old son, who helps reform him from his hard ways [21].

“St. Vincent” Trailer [22]

The film premiered at the TIFF this year to immediate high praise and talk of a possible Oscar wild card nod to Murray [21]. St. Vincent, released October 10, 2014, is expected to pick up steam at the box office as award season closes in and news of this great ensemble cast spreads [21].

 

 “The Imitation Game”

The film opens with Alan Turing’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) 1952 arrest for “gross indecency” for homosexual behavior, at the time very much illegal in Britain. It then jumps back to 1939 and Turing, a mathematician and cryptanalyst, becomes part of a top-secret group that creates the first computer and cracks the Nazi Enigma code, effectively leading to the end of World War II. Surprisingly a part of this group, was a woman, Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), who becomes very close to Turing, eventually becoming engaged to him [23].

“The Imitation Game” Trailer [24]

The film made a big splash in Canada at TIFF earlier this year, and quickly became a front-runner for Academy Award nominations. Likely to be nominated in many categories, Cumberbatch is a seemingly easy nomination for leading actor [25].

 In its opening weekend, “The Imitation Game” opened November 28, 2014 in just four theaters, two in LA and two in New York, yet grossed a total of $479,352, averaging $119,838 per theater [26]. The only limited 4-theater release to ever gross more in its opening weekend was “The Grand Budapest Hotel” earlier this year, averaging $202,792 per theater [27].

 

COMING SOON

“Paddington”

Coming January 16, 2015, “Paddington,” produced by David Heyman (Harry Potter), brings to life the countless books written by Michael Bond since 1958. The film tells the story of the young Peruvian bear’s (voiced by Ben Whishaw) search for a home in the city, where he quickly realizes city life is not all he had imagined – until he meets the Brown family. All is well until he catches the eye of a museum owner, Millicent (Nicole Kidman) [29].

 

 

 

 

“Big Eyes”

Tim Burton‘s “Big Eyes,” set in the 1950s, recounts like a storybook the tale of artist Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) and Walter Keane (Cristoph Waltz), the “ogre-like” man who held her “captive.” [31]. The title refers to the unique painting style of Margaret, who’s husband took credit for his wife’s work, and became the face of an art empire [32]. The film follows the couple through the 1960s and the ensuing legal battle between Margaret and Walter [32].

An interesting departure for Burton, he takes seemingly straightforward story, and injects his style and mystery, creating a complicated back and forth, narrated by a third person. The film should draw big for Weinstein’s “arthouse” crowd with its Christmas Day release [31].

 

 

 

SOURCES

[1] The Weinstein Company Logo, Deadline.com, RT: 11/29/14

[2] “About The Weinstein Company”, Weinsteinco.com, RT: 11/29/14

[3] Weinstein Brothers Picture, screencraft.org, RT: 11/29/14

[4] Studio Gross Ranking, boxofficemojo.com/studio, RT: 11/29/14

[5] Weinstein Year by Year Financial, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[6] St. Vincent Oscar Buzz, rollingstone.com, RT: 11/29/14

[7] The Imitation Game Oscar Buzz, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[8] Netflix Deal Shakeup,  variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[9] Netflix Logo, designcrowd.com, RT: 11/29/14

[10] Netflix and Weinstein Into Future, blogs.indiewire.com, RT: 11/29/14

[11] Netflix Move Into Movies, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[12] “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” Poster, blogspot.com, RT: 11/29/14

[13] LATimes Netflix Weinstein Deal, latimes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[14] Theaters Under Threat, washingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14

[15] Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien, bellenews.com, RT: 11/29/14

[16] “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them”, imdb.com, RT: 11/29/14

[17] Review Eleanor Rigby, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[18] Eleanor Rigby Versions, washingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14

[19] “Tracks” Poster, impawards.com, RT: 11/29/14

[20] Review “Tracks”, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[21] “St. Vincent” Review, rollingstone.com, RT: 11/29/14

[22] “St. Vincent” Trailer, youtube.com, RT: 11/29/14

[23] “The Imitation Game” Review, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[24] “The Imitation Game” Trailer, youtube.com, RT: 11/29/14

[25] Oscar Hopefuls, thewrap.com, RT: 11/29/14

[26] Opening Weekend Box Office “Imitation”, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[27] Opening Weekend Box Office “Budapest”, boxofficemojo.com, RT: 11/29/14

[28] “Paddington” Poster, impawards.com, RT: 11/29/14

[29] “Paddington” Review, rottontomatoes.com, RT: 11/29/14

[30] “Big Eyes” Poster, yahoonews.com, RT: 11/29/14

[31] “Big Eyes” Review, variety.com, RT: 11/29/14

[32] “Big Eyes” Behind the Movie, huffingtonpost.com, RT: 11/29/14