Miriam Collection (Weinstein)

[dadaistnun]

This should probably go in "Boutique" once DVDs actually start getting released, but for now...

Weinsteins launch three new labels: Imprints to focus on direct-to-DVD efforts
By DADE HAYES

The Weinstein Co. has acquired the restored version of Dario Argento's 1977 horror pic "Suspiria" for the launch of one of its three new labels.

"Suspiria," which was unspooled in a special screening during Cannes, will be released on Dimension Extreme, a label for horror, comedy, thriller and sci-fi titles. The other two labels are the Miriam Collection for restorations, prestige and foreign pics and Kaleidoscope TWC for family fare.

All three will focus on direct-to-DVD efforts but will also occasionally do theatricals. Kaleidoscope TWC, for example, will handle all upcoming Weinstein Co. family titles.

All video titles will continue to go through Genius Products, TWC's sole video distrib.

Harvey Weinstein said, "We can think of no better way to honor our mother, Miriam, than to associate her name with some of the most beloved and classic films of all time."

The first Miriam Collection release will be Oscar-nommed 1961 epic "El Cid." To follow will be Akira Kurosawa's 1993 film "Madadayo," Pedro Almodovar's 1983 movie "Dark Habits" and "The Deal," a 2003 Brit telepic about Tony Blair by the same writer, director and star of "The Queen." The label will also feature an annual release tabbed Bob and Harvey's Pick whose proceeds will go to charity.

On tap for Kaleidoscope TWC are a CG-animated "Nutty Professor," featuring voice work by Jerry Lewis, and "Unstable Fables," a CG pic produced by the Jim Henson Co. that will incorporate "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Tortoise and the Hare."

Division Extreme will release "Pulse 2," a sequel to last summer's horror pic; "Dirty Sanchez," a "Jackass"-style comedy title from Britain; and "Wolf Creek" co-helmer Greg McLean's "Rogue."

[dx23]

Wow! So they own the rights to Madadayo, El Cid and Dark Habits. good to see they are taking time to restore these since Dark Habits and Madadayo have horrible dvd releases.

[justeleblanc]

I wonder if they'll get there hands on a decent version of Bunuel's Belle de jour.

[dadaistnun]

I wonder if they'll get there hands on a decent version of Bunuel's Belle de jour.

Wouldn't they have lost the rights when they sold Miramax?

[kiarostami]

If they have Madadayo, could they have taken some of the titles from Miramax, most especially Through the Olive Trees? That would be great!

[Matt]

I wouldn't expect new transfers of anything; I expect they'll just be re-branding existing Wellspring/Fox Lorber discs. Miramax was never known for their attention to quality in DVD production.

[dx23]

I wouldn't expect new transfers of anything; I expect they'll just be re-branding existing Wellspring/Fox Lorber discs. Miramax was never known for their attention to quality in DVD production.

Well, as stated on the press release, the Miriam Collection is for restoration, prestige and foreign pics, which is where Madadayo, Dark Habits and El Cid fit. Lets hope that they don't go cheapskate on us and hack this releases.

[Ashirg]

Awesome news! Can't wait for Weinsteins to add a few action scenes to Madadayo, maybe cutting out most of that boring stuff. Dubbing it in English will also help.

[patrick]

The Suspiria print that played at Cannes is fully restored and supposedly Rogue was originally going to release it. I'm looking forward to it, but I wonder how the rights ended up in the Weinsteins' lap since it seems like pretty much all of Argento's films transferred from Anchor Bay to Blue Underground.

I don't really understand the point of "Dimension Extreme," since the label is still going to be doing theatrical releases and I'm sure their stuff won't be up to snuff with other niche companies.

[patrick]

According to Fangoria, Blue Underground is rereleasing the 2-disc version of Suspiria in September, I wonder what this means for the Dimension Extreme imprint?

[Dylan]

I wanted to post this here as well just in case:

Any updates on the new edition of Suspiria from Blue Underground (due out late September)? Is it basically a repackaged, half-priced two disc edition of the Anchor Bay SE, with the same extras and documentary, or will it contain more extras and a new transfer (although I can't imagine the film looking any better than the original DVD)?

Anybody know what happened with the Weinstein acquisition?

[Luke M]

Bring on the dubtitles!!!