Miramax's Strip stake

Studio party a lofty idea

By BILL HIGGINS

Robert Iger and Elton John at the Miramax bash on the Sunset Strip.

Miramax's Daniel Battsek and 'Gone Baby Gone' star Amy Ryan.

Dick Cook and Scott Rudin.

HOLLYWOOD -- On Saturday, Miramax took over the 10,000-square-foot Sunset Strip penthouse where SoHo house has been having parties this week. The apartment's charm is that it appears to be an unfinished loft-like space. What's odd is it was unfinished in 1999, when the "Magnolia" premiere party was held there. Is it that hard to get sheetrock done?

"Come what may, their work deserves to be celebrated," Miramax prexy Daniel Battsek said in explaining the reason for the nominees bash. Those being feted included Kathleen Kennedy, Joel and Ethan Coen, Bob Iger, Dick Cook and Scott Rudin, who said the Oscar week attention subjects him "to a level of scrutiny I'm not comfortable with."

Mingling about the party was Elton John, who said his Oscar fund-raiser would be having an after-party after all; right behind him, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" director Julian Schnabel was introducing the pic's Emmanuelle Seigner to Frances McDormand, who said, "How are you enjoying this weird thing?"