By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
This Week in Weinstein: 'Sicko' Promises, Paltry 'Feast'
Perhaps the most conspicuous and devastating casualty of my pathetic time-management skills has been the maintenance of my Weinstein Company Infancy Scrapbook, which has attenuated to nearly nothing as the fledgling shingle approaches its first birthday. No single post can make up for such lost time, but Harvey and Bob’s recent activity indicates the summertime blahs are over and the baby teeth are coming in:
–Variety reported Sunday that the brothers are touting Michael Moore’s upcoming Sicko to potential financiers as a $40 million earner. Not only did Moore hint that he was flattered yet dismayed by the resulting high expectations, but he also intimated that all the fun has gone out of muckraking: “There has been a 100% success rate of the people we’re filming of getting whatever they need from the HMOs, pharmaceutical companies, whatever.” Yes, indeed–that’s entertainment.
–Screen Daily (via Cinematical) reported Tuesday that TWC picked up distribution rights to the $35 million “Kazakh epic” Nomad. The jokes here make themselves: In a fit of Borat counteractivity, the government of Kazakhstan ponied up 80 or so percent of its gross domestic product for the sweeping film’s budget, resulting in what insiders have referred to as the “Kazakh Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Fittingly, the producers brought in Jay Hernandez and Jason Scott Lee to act alongside Kazakhstars like Dilnaz Akhmadieva and Ayana Yesmagambetova. Much dubbing ensues, and maybe distribution–The Reeler hears Chen Kaige already has a release date pool going on this one.
–John Gulager, whose horror film Feast was the subject of Project Greenlight‘s third season, will get the ultimate TWC tribute next month: A Las Vegas casino premiere, two nights of large-market midnight screenings and an unceremonius dump onto DVD Oct. 12. “We are thrilled to be able to bring this film — an incredible accomplishment for a first time filmmaker — to audiences everywhere,” said Bob Weinstein in a statement released Tuesday, pausing momentarily to swallow Gulager’s ego before indulging a deep, satisfied laugh and a two-hour nap.
–Finally, we learn what a billion dollars in venture capital really gets you in 2006: Peter Weller running from lions. “What a gyp,” cries Wall Street, turning its framed photo of Harvey 180 degrees and sizing up the window ledge.
Sicko will be outstanding. I appreciate your article,i have a victims support page against Eli Lilly for it’s Zyprexa product causing my diabetes.
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Daniel Haszard http://www.zyprexa-victims.com