Dimension Films seeking a comeback

For years, Dimension Films was a juggernaut. The genre label minted money with the "Scream," "Scary Movie" and "Spy Kids" franchises. It also was prolific, releasing six films to theaters in 2001 and seven in 2002.

But in 2011, Dimension released only three movies, all of them box-office disappointments. In 2012, the company doesn't have a single film scheduled to come out in theaters.

Harvey Weinstein, 59, has always been the public face of Dimension's parent, the Weinstein Co., and its predecessor, Miramax. A brash, voluble figure, Harvey has a knack for publicity and Oscar wins.

Dimension chief Bob Weinstein, 57, is a different breed less physically imposing, a nose-to-the grindstone executive concerned almost exclusively with commercial success.

At times, Bob Weinstein outperformed his bigger brother. In 2001 and 2003, Dimension generated more domestic box-office revenue than the more prestigious Miramax movies.

"Harvey is great about promoting the company, but Bob was always the more profitable one," said "Spy Kids" director Robert Rodriguez.

But last year, fourth installments in the long-in-the-tooth "Scream" and "Spy Kids" franchises collected the smallest grosses of their respective series.

Though Bob Weinstein said both movies were profitable, the executive admits he is reassessing, and in need of a comeback: "What I've spent a lot of time thinking [recently] is, 'I did this once. How do I do this again?' "

In fact, as Harvey Weinstein has enjoyed a resurgence with two consecutive Oscar best-picture winners, his brother says he needs to take a cue from his sibling.

"I've been telling Harvey he needed to refocus, but I should have been looking in the mirror," Bob Weinstein said. "To find my way back, I've got to focus on creating new franchises and finding new talent while not cutting myself off from everything that's old."

See the article here:
Dimension Films seeking a comeback