Miramax Folds

After its 30-plus year run, Miramax studios has officially shut down and will be consolidated into its parent company, Walt Disney Studios. The studio, an instrumental force in increasing the visibility of independent film, was headed by the Weinstein brothers, Harvey and Bob, for the majority of its existence until they split to form The Weinstein Company a few years back. Although controversially run at times (chronicled in Down and Dirty Pictures by Peter Biskind), Miramax certainly brought out a great deal of talent over the years. Without it, we wouldn't know the names Tarantino, Rodriguez, Kevin Smith, and many others who were given their start at the studio. I suppose this news shouldn't come as much of a surprise since many of the "specialty" studios have folded in the past couple of years. Still, it's certainly the end of an era.