Home Media Magazine - February 17-23, 2008 - (Page 8)

NEWS www.homemediamagazine.com Weinstein Co. Bows Third Rail First release in deal with company will be Romero zombie flick By Erik Gruenwedel SUPPLIER The Weinstein Co. has launched Third Rail Releasing, a new distribution arm aimed at marketing six to 10 smaller, edgier independent films theatrically and on DVD annually. First up is George Romero’s theatrical release of Diary of the Dead (Feb. 15), the pioneer’s first independent zombie film in 20 years. Genius Products Inc., of which Weinstein Co. has 70% ownership stake, will distribute Third Rail titles on DVD, including high-definition packaged media, ac- cording to Weinstein spokesperson Matthew Frankel. Third Rail, The Weinstein Co. and Dimension Films represent a revised three-pronged distribution strategy by The Weinstein Co. to target films at specific markets and audiences with unique marketing. Weinstein partnered with social networking site MySpace to allow aspiring filmmakers to submit videos for possible inclusion in Diary’s DVD release. The top 10 video submissions — as determined by site visitors — will be reviewed by Romero, with the winner included on the DVD. Paris Hilton Plays ‘Hottie’ By Chris Tribbey wo gorgeous actresses were in the lead roles for The Hottie & The Nottie, and the story called for one of them to become a very unattractive woman. That sure wasn’t going to be Paris Hilton. “I definitely give her props for that,” the socialite said of co-star Christine Lakin, before their movie opened in theaters nationwide this month. “If the roles were reversed, I would’ve said yes!” Lakin said. Lakin plays “the nottie” to Hilton’s “hottie” in the film, where a man pining for Hilton’s character must find some poor soul to date her foul friend. The film comes from Liberation Entertainment and Genius Products, and the DVD streets May 6, including a commentary with Hilton and co-stars Lakin and Joel David Moore, a making-of featurette, a blooper reel, a photo gallery and a mockumentary. “This is one of those high-profile Paris Hilton titles along the lines of Pledge This! that will do exceptionally well for our retail partners on DVD,” said Liberation CEO Jay Boberg. “The Hottie & The Nottie has a good romantic message that will most certainly resonate, especially with teenagers during the summer.” “I got the script and I was shooting ‘The Simple Life’ at the time,” Hilton said. “Reading it I was laughing out loud.” Lakin said the script reminded her of her favorite romantic comedies. “I shot way too many ’80s films,” she said. “As an actor, I like a diversity of stuff. I wouldn’t want to do dramas all the time. It would be too T The Hottie and the Nottie depressing.” Best known for her tomboy character in the TV series “Step by Step,” she was cast for The Hottie & The Nottie for her “tomboyish vulnerability,” according to the movie’s production notes. “I always grew up as a tomboy. I’m a very down-to-earth girl, not self-conscious at all,” she said. “Maybe that’s what helps me get the tomboy roles. I’m gonna stick with it.” The movie received only a limited theatrical opening and earned some harsh reviews. But Hilton couldn’t care less. She’s happy with her work. “I don’t really pay attention to what people say about me,” she said. “I think I did a good job, and I’m really proud of that.” PEOPLE I FIRST RUN PROMOTES JOHN BIONE First Run Features has promoted John Bione to VP of home media sales. “We at First Run feel very privileged to have John Bione, someone with such a terriﬁc reputation for excellence and integrity, agree to head our home video department,” said First Run president Seymour Wishman. Bione has worked for the company for four years and has more than 20 years of experience in home video. – Ruby Cardenas I PALM HIRES BROWN Palm Pictures has hired Brian W. Brown as its VP of sales. Brown has more than 20 years of experience in the video industry, including a 12-year stint as VP of sales at New Yorker Films’ video division. He also helped initiate the launch of Fox Lorber Video in 1990. – Billy Gil 8 Home Media Magazine February 17–23, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.indicanpictures.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - February 17-23, 2008

Contents News Health/Fitness Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced

Home Media Magazine - February 17-23, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.