Photo: New York Post

THE WEINSTEINS

There is an article in the New York Times about the Weinstein brothers. You remember them, right? The article talks about how powerful these two producers were when they owned and ran Miramax, but now struggle with the Weinstein Company, having sold Miramax to Disney years ago.

Their new Brad Pitt/Quentin Tarantino movie "Inglourious Basterds" needs to be a hit. The Weinsteins are losing money and their reputations. The Times article points out that Harvey Weinstein took his eye off the ball and ventured into other markets besides the film business. Did his decision to expand the company in essence destroy their magic touch? Bob Weinstein gets a lot of credit for keeping the film business going, but yet some of the movies coming out of the Weinstein Company aren't very exciting. They seem too marketed to niche audiences and not as alluring as the old days with "The Crying Game", "The English Patient" and "Pulp Fiction".

The Weinsteins -- especially Harvey -- seem to have people wishing them to fail. Maybe it's because they made enemies or believed their own heyday publicity, but some people wouldn't mind if their company closed up shop.

I hope they refocus and get their company back on track. They made some great movies in the 90s that made Oscar night exciting. They made some quality, successful pictures.

So I'm rooting for them... but I won't go see "Inglourious Basterds". It just doesn't appeal to me in any way. I'm kinda over the Quentin Tarantino violent flick and I think Brad Pitt and The Weinsteins could do much better. All of these guys seem to be coasting into middle age and it's disappointing. I hope they get their mojo back.

So, I'll wait for their next movie to be released and keep my fingers crossed.

Until next time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/business/media/16wein.html?hpw