Nicole Knight
Sports Editor

Last week a heartbreaking split between two movie big-timers shook Hollywood. And no I’m not talking about Brad and Jen, but the successful relationship of the Weinstein brothers and Miramax, owned by Disney.

Miramax has changed the face of movies, bringing the independent film business to the big time.

The company has led Hollywood in their 12 year relationship with 10 films grossing more than $100 million, 249 Oscar nominations, 60 Oscar wins and 405 total releases. Such films produced by the Weinsteins have been “Scream,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Chicago,” “Shakespeare in Love” and “The Aviator.”

Now the company didn’t go broke and no one died, but the combination of the Weinsteins and Disney will make Miramax cease to exist.

It seems to me that two huge egos simply collided, no big surprise considering how much money was involved. As Entertainment Weekly asked in their article on the split, “What becomes of the Weinsteins without Miramax?

What becomes of Miramax without the Weinsteins? And since it’s always the kids who suffer in an ugly breakup, what happens to all those movies?”

Both entities are forming plans for their post split. But will their movies ever be the same?

After reading the article, I concluded that since Harvey and Bob Weinstein seemed to be the creative, energetic, near crazy, of the two, their movies will most likely still dazzle audiences. While, Disney seemed to be the money, corporate side behind the project.

Growing up with Disney, I have plenty of support for the company, but I must admit they haven’t made a good movie in awhile. “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles” are exceptions, but since they’ve split with Pixar, I don’t know if they deserve that much credit.

However without money, movies cannot be made. It will be interesting to see how the Weinstein brothers keep their enthusiasm for great movies, without a dominant means to produce them.

With all the divorces Disney is making with the movie industry, one must wonder what Michael Eisner is thinking.

Miramax with the Weinsteins has given Disney a new edge in the industry. Having the Disney name along side movies such as “Kill Bill” and “The Crying Game” offered the Mickey Mouse empire some lacking adult prestige. Not to mention a constant supply of Oscars.

And just like any divorce, the couple is splitting the assets.

Projects going to the Weinsteins include “Derailed,” with Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen, “Scary Movie 4” and “Sicko,” Michael Moore’s newest documentary on health-care.

Disney on the other hand will receive “The Brothers Grimm,” a fairy tale starring Matt Damon and Heath Ledger, “The Adventures of Shark Boy” and “An Unfinished Life,” with Jennifer Lopez and Robert Redford.

Now it seems obvious who will be better off from the split. Disney will continue to make fluffy, kid friendly movies that the youngsters love, the parents hate and the Academy ignores. Meanwhile the Weinsteins will continue to drive forward in their creative genius, making movie history.

Only time will tell, and while paperwork goes through, Hollywood awaits some interesting comebacks.

Nicole Knight, a sophomore communications major, is sports editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at stareknight17@charter.net.