NY Observer > Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein, Blogger

Matt Haber — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:35:18 -0400

Harvey Weinstein has finally—finally!—started a blog. The former co-chairman of Miramax and current head of the Weinstein Company has written a post for Portfolio's newest blog, the hiply titled Playas, which will be guest-edited by celebrities and executives. (No, it's not about beaches en Mexico.) According to a press release, Mr. Weinstein will be writing for a week.

In his link-free and comment-disabled post [Update, 2:27 PM: Looks like links and comments have been added], Mr. Weinstein bemoans how superhero movies are eclipsing indie films like the Weinstein Company's Boy A, which Mr. Weinstein plugs throughout as a four-time BAFTA TV Award winner and recipient of "rave reviews after its premiere. read more »

Tamara Mellon May Take a More Active Role at Halston

Irina Aleksander — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:37:38 -0400

Less than a day after designer Marco Zanini was reported to be out at Halston, the fashion house recently revived by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and Jimmy Choo designer Tamara Mellon, Fashion Week Daily is reporting that celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe may also be departing.

"She has no creative control over Halston," said a brand spokesman back in February when Ms. Zoe reportedly failed to appear for Halston's fall show. "Her main responsibility is as an adviser for red carpet and celebrity styling." Sources at Halston are wondering if she will follow Mr. Zanini out the door.

Georgina Chapman, Mr. Weinstein's wife and designer for Marchesa, is apparently not taking over the creative role, leaving Ms. Mellon, who, according to unnamed sources, may be taking on a more prominent creative role at Halston.

Harvey Weinstein Drops Halston Designer One Year After Hiring Him

Irina Aleksander — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:14:48 -0400

One year after hiring Marco Zanini away from Versace to be Halston's new creative director, Harvey Weinstein and Tamara Mellon, who took over the fashion house last July, are already reportedly looking for a replacement.

According to Women's Wear Daily, sources inside the company's Soho headquarters say that Mr. Zanini no longer works at the office. And while the Spring collection to be shown this fall is designed by Mr. Zanini, sources speculate that the announcement of a new creative direction could be made before the fall shows. read more »

Tarantino's Long-Awaited WWII Flick to Be Produced by Weinstein?

Gillian Reagan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:29:54 -0400

Might we spot Harvey Weinstein picking up loose change off New York city streets soon? The man is on the financial outs, according to Nikki Finke on her blog Deadline Hollywood Daily. The media mensch thinks the rumors are true about The Weinstein Company's recent money troubles, since news broke about Harvey producing (not financially backing) Quentin Tarantino's movie Inglorious Bastards.

The movie, a World War II "Spaghetti Western," has been in the works since 2001 (originally with Miramax). But Ms. Finke said the script has been presented to four other studios, "Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount (all yesterday) and Sony (today)"

She writes:

This certainly adds fuel to those rumors that The Weinstein Co is having movie money woes. read more »

The Lineup: April 9, 2008

Matt Haber — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:53:23 -0400

This week's print edition of The Observer is packed with media goodness. Here's a rundown:

John Koblin profiles Portfolio's Jacob Lewis, the man who made the trains run on time. Plus, a look at Pulitzer day celebrations at The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Felix Gillette checks in on Politico TV, coming soon to a Sunday morning near you.

Leon Neyfakh notes Rob Weisbach's departure from Harvey Weinstein's publishing arm and notes, "there was a perception that Mr. Weisbach, who enjoyed a reputation as a brilliant, if slightly showy, editor, was being wasted at Weinstein Books." Plus, meet Thomas Kohnstamm, the delinquent travel guide writer.

Weisbach Went Into Miramax Books But Departed Weinstein

Leon Neyfakh — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:44:11 -0400

When Rob Weisbach announced last week that he was resigning as president of Weinstein Books, many in the publishing world said they wouldn’t be surprised if the imprint he created three years ago from the ashes of Miramax Books would be allowed to die as quietly as it lived.

Mr. Weisbach’s famously mercurial filmmaker boss, Harvey Weinstein, seemed to have lost interest in the book business after he and his brother left their home at the Disney Company, and it was widely known that Mr. Weisbach had been looking for a new job for months.

“There’s only so much Harvey to go around,” said one insider source, “and his attentions were focused on the core businesses of the Weinstein Company: film and television and home entertainment … which leaves very little Harvey for books. Ultimately, Rob was there with virtually nothing to do. And eventually even high-paying jobs where you have nothing to do become onerous.” read more »

Rob Weisbach Is Out as President and C.E.O. of Weinstein Books

Leon Neyfakh — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:44:08 -0400

Rob Weisbach, president and C.E.O. of Weinstein Books, is leaving the company "to pursue other publishing opportunities," reports Michael Cader at industry resource Web site Publisher's Marketplace. Harvey and Bob Weinstein brought Mr. Weisbach in as head of Miramax Books back in 2005, just as they were preparing to split from Disney and form their own company. When that new company was formed, Mr. Weisbach moved into the job he has held until today.

Weinstein Bros. Launch DVD Label to Rival Criterion

Joe Pompeo — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:31:21 -0500

It looks like Criterion has some fresh competition. Former Miramax chiefs Bob and Harvey Weinstein, now of the Weinstein Company, launched their own DVD label, the Miriam Collection (named after their mother, how sweet!) in January. Reuters reports that the duo is shooting for 12 to 15 branded releases per year, ranging from major productions, like Miriam's inaugural DVD, Anthony Mann's El Cid, to niche titles like Stephen Frears' (The Queen) made-for-British-TV movie, The Deal. Miriam's second release, slated for April 29, will be The Fall of the Roman Empire, also by Mr. Mann, "a lavish 1961 production starring Alec Guinness, Sophia Loren and Omar Sharif ... that earned its place in the record books for the largest outdoor set in Hollywood history: more than 55 acres, with a reconstructed Roman Forum." read more »

Harvey Weinstein Wants Another Rambo

Gillian Reagan — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:27:55 -0500

Sigh. So Nikki Finke had a little chat with Harvey Weinstein and he wants a sequel to the current Rambo romp, despite the fact that it will probably tank in U.S. box offices within a week. Mr. Weinstein estimated that Rambo "will end up doing $50 mil here and $100M to $150M foreign. That's what usually happens since this franchise is really big overseas." He "is already talking sequel and even has a plot in mind 'bringing the character back to the United States,'" according to Ms. Finke. "Rambo in a wheelchair, I asked? (Given that Sly at age 61 is ridiculously old to still be an action hero.) Harvey laughed and said, 'I like the idea of an older guy kicking ass. Maybe it's because I'm older, too.' (Weinstein turns 56 this March.)" So it looks like scheming to make old guys look tough in a new Rambo is on Mr. Weinstein's Bucket List. Good luck with that, Harv!

Harvey Weinstein Ties the Knot in Westport

David Foxley — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:52:45 -0500

Movie macher Harvey Weinstein doesn’t do anything small, especially when it comes to his nuptials. Case in point: his wedding last weekend to fashion designer Georgina Chapman. After guests parked at a school near Mr. Weinstein’s waterfront Westport manse, they were shuttled to the home, where they found the Miramax mogul nattily clad in a Tom Ford tux—no doubt the result of a loving nudge from his new fashion-friendly wife, who reportedly looked stunning in a pleated, ivory tulle dress of her own design. While rocking out to the Gypsy Kings, partygoers noshed on eats catered by Nobu and Cipriani, who provided the Dover sole and veal osso buco. To cap off the festivities, fireworks were sent up over Long Island Sound. Accompanying the groom’s stylish duds were some big players from the fashion world: Anna Wintour, Glenda Bailey, Natalia Vodianova, Margherita Missoni, Helena Christensen, Jacquetta Wheeler, Carol Hamilton, Rachel Zoe and Karolina Kurkova. And while Bill Clinton, Sean “Diddy” Combs, George Clooney and God Almighty sent their regrets, there was plenty of Hollywood glitz, politico heft and media meat provided by Rupert Murdoch, Leslie Moonves, George Pataki, Andrew Cuomo, Renée Zellweger, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Anne Hathaway and Cameron Diaz.