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Back in the 1990's, Miramax was the premier name in independent film distribution, responsible for the release of such titles as Sex, Lies and Videotape, Pulp Fiction, Cinema Paradiso and The Thin Blue Line.  In 1993, Miramax co-founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein partnered with Disney to increase their bankroll and released award-winning titles like Good Will Hunting, The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love.  In 2005, the brothers left Disney to venture out on their own and regain their independence, forming The Weinstein Company to help the two movie moguls return to their roots of artistic credibility and box office success.  Instead, the company has released titles such as Pulse, Hannibal Rising, Fanboys and, in partner with Dimension, Scary Movie 4, School for Scoundrels and most recently, the critical and box office tank, Halloween II.  

For a few months now, there have been rumors of a possible fire sale at The Weinstein Company, especially after the hiring of financial advisor Miller Buckfire & Co to "restructure the finances of the company" in June.  Still, the company has always managed to stay afloat despite the past success of Miramax escaping them.  However, Nikki Finke is reporting that after a particularly disastrous box office turnout for Rob Zombie's "terrifying vision," the brothers are hurting bad.

"I'm told about 10 people were axed this week at The Weinstein Company. Its Hong Kong office is closing. And its UK office will be down to one person. Even though Inglourious Basterds has been doing better than expected at the box office, TWC still has to share the worldwide revenues 50-50 with Universal."  Additionally, Halloween II was 100% owned and was to be a determining factor over what titles and how many would open in the future for The Weinstein Company.