Special Upstate New York Screenings of "Two Weeks" in November

November is “National Hospice Month” (Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to buy gifts). Hospices and other end-of-life groups are showing “Two Weeks” all over the country to raise awareness (and money) for the important work they do.

I’ll be attending two showings in Upstate New York and answering questions after the screenings.

First, I’ll be in Syracuse at the “Celebrating Life Through Chocolate” event for Hospice of Central New York. I grew up in Syracuse, so I’m really looking forward to going back for the first time in almost a decade. The last section of the movie is set there (although we shot it in Nashville.) The Hospice presents an annual “Anita” award to a doctor who demonstrates a very high standard of patient care. That award, like Sally Field’s character in the film, is named after my mother. I’m hoping to see a few familiar faces.

It’s at 1pm, November 11, at the Palace Theater in Eastwood. For more info, or tickets, call 315 634-2222. And if you’re thinking you’d rather just stay home and rent the DVD, don’t forget: there’ll be chocolate.

The next evening, November 12, I’ll be in Downtown Albany, NY at THEIR Palace Theater for an event with Community Hospice. Though I didn’t grow up in Albany, I passed through many times while driving to and from college in Providence, kind of dated a girl there (long story) and saw concerts at Saratoga. So I’m sort of a semi-native. The event kicks off at 6pm, the film screens at 7:30. You can get more info from Community Hospice at 1-800-678-0711

Two Weeks DVD Hits the Streets!

The Two Weeks DVDs are out and in stores. Pick up a case today-- they make excellent Columbus Day gifts for the whole family!

Nice to hear from people that the displays in Blockbuster are great, and they've been able to find them in stores.

Some early reviews for the DVD package: 411mania.com, Movieweb.com, einsiders.com, and Criticsrant.com

You can buy the new DVD at Walmart, Amazon and most other fine retailers, or add it to your rental queue at Netflix or Blockbuster.

Special Group Screenings of Two Weeks

This release is just in from Visioneering Media Network. Visioneering specializes in getting films out to groups-- hospices, book stores, churches, synagogues, medical schools, hospital staffs-- any group with an interest in this film.

Their release on their "Two Weeks" screening program, and contact information, appear below.
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Dear Film Lover –

Recently, we announced to you “Two Weeks” was coming. It is now available for special screenings.

TWO WEEKS is an emotionally rich and multi-dimensional film that will touch your heart and your funny-bone … often at the same time! It’s a film with profound relevance for us all.


Two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field stars as a mother with terminal cancer. Her four children return home for what they believe to be the last few days of her life. When she hangs on, they find themselves trapped – together – for two weeks.

TWO WEEKS chronicles the family’s day-by-day struggle to deal with their mother’s illness – and each other – intercut with her reflections on her life and her family.

What happens to a family when the one person who holds it together can’t hold on anymore?

In addition to Field, the top-notch cast includes Ben Chaplin, Tom Cavanaugh, Julianne Nicholson, and Clea Duvall.

View the trailer here.

In America, death is the last taboo. There are 300 books on what to expect when you’re pregnant, and only three on what to expect when dying. We will all deal with dying parents, if we haven’t already. Now, TWO WEEKS explores one family’s experience with heart, soul, insight … and humor.

Reserve TWO WEEKS for your organization’s special showing. There are two ways to structure your screening –

1) As a “Film Night” feature for your group and their friends.
2) As a fund-raising program for your group.

Filmmakers may be booked (subject to availability) for post-screening Q & A, or workshops.

The film is available for showing in both DVD and 35 millimeter formats. A minimum screening fee applies, against a percentage of the gross receipts. For more information about the film, please download the press kit here.

For more information, or to book TWO WEEKS, contact:

Alexander Vickers • (310) 396-5638 • alexander@tvgpr.com.
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Here’s what critics have said about TWO WEEKS ….


“Writer-director Steve Stockman is writing from experience, as the script artfully melds the honest, cold facts of dying with the awkwardness and humor that can be found in such circumstances. It’s a film to be sought out.”
Jeffrey Lyons and Alison Bailes, WNBC-TV

“Sally Field creates an agonizing portrait of Anita Bergman. Ms. Field’s tough, accurate performance is all the more compelling for its understatement. A knowing cinematic primer on what to expect when a parent dies.”
--Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“There’s an honesty to this film’s portrayal of what cancer does to family dynamics. Unsentimental, darkly funny. (Stockman’s) gifts as a writer are beyond reproach.”
--Jason Shawhan, The (Nashville) Tennessean

“Sally Field is formidable.”
--Lisa Schwartzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

“Two Weeks is a worthy, thoughtful film. Director Stockman gets it down right. I admire the integrity and artistry that illuminated this film.”
--Rex Reed, New York Observer

“Very real, very moving, and very funny. Sally Field is breathtaking.”
--Bob Rivers, CBS Radio

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CONTACT: Alexander Vickers

Voice: 310-866-6675
Email: alexander@tvgpr.com
IM: alexandervickers@mac.com

Visioneering M/PR: A Progressive Marketing & Public Relations Firm Linking Spirit, Vision & Values with Communication to Promote a Positive Future™
538 Grand Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291-4225

DVD Preview

Fox Home Video just sent over this preview of the "Making of" documentary extra on the new Two Weeks DVD.

You can buy the new DVD at Walmart, Amazon and most other fine retailers, or add it to your rental queue at Netflix or Blockbuster.

The DVD releases on September 18... click here for complete details in a previous post.

Official DVD Press Release

“A knowing cinematic primer on what to expect when a parent dies.”
Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“A tough, sad journey taken with a smile.”
Jan Stuart, Newsday

“Sally Field is formidable.”
Lisa Schwartzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING ACTRESS SALLY FIELD
STARS IN THE POIGNANT FAMILY DRAMA

TWO WEEKS

Featuring Emmy Award®-Nominated Actor Thomas Cavanaugh,
Ben Chaplin and Julianne Nicholson In A Honest and Heartbreaking Film
About Life, Love and Death

On DVD September 18 from MGM Home Entertainment

-- Bonus Features Include A Movie Club Discussion Guide --

Los Angeles, CA – Writer and director Steve Stockman’s feature film debut explores the moments that define life as a family ultimately learns to live through dying in Two Weeks, available on DVD September 18 from MGM Home Entertainment. When four siblings find themselves unexpectedly together for two weeks, forced to deal with the terminal illness of their beloved mother, they rediscover the deep love they have for one another and find laughter through tears. With powerful and moving performances by two-time Academy Award®-winning actress, Sally Field (Best Actress, Places In The Heart, Best Actress, Norm Rae), Ben Chaplin (Murder By Numbers, The Thin Red Line), Emmy Award®-nominated actor Thomas Cavanaugh (“Ed,” “Love Monkey”), Julianne Nicholson (Kinsey, Little Black Book), Glenn Howerton (Must Love Dogs) and Clea DuVall (Zodiac), Two Weeks effortlessly shifts between humor and heartbreak while capturing the physical reality of a parent’s death and its impact on the family.

The film mixes reflections on life and family from Anita Bergman (Field) while chronicling her children’s day-to-day struggle to deal with her illness and impending death. As three brothers and one sister gather at the Bergman home for their mother’sfinal days, simmering tensions and unresolved familial problems explode, relationships are challenged, and each sibling must find their own way of coping with tragedy and each other.

Bonus features include a Movie Club Discussion Guide, featuring several open-ended questions on both the film itself and on the subject of death and losing a loved one. This discussion guide promotes a “Book Club” type of experience, encouraging people to watch the film and then discuss it in-depth in a group setting. Additional features include Learning to Live Through Dying, a compelling documentary featuring interviews with Sally Field, Ben Chaplin, Tom Cavanaugh, Julianne Nicholson and director Steve Stockman as they reflect on their experiences while making the film.

Two Weeks arrives on DVD in both full screen and widescreen format for the suggested retail price of $27.98 U.S./$43.48 Canada. Prebook is August 22, 2007.

Synopsis
Four siblings rush home to say a last goodbye to their very sick mother. When she hangs on, they find themselves trapped together for two weeks. Through laughter and tears, they come to terms with the tragedies we all must face, and rediscover the joy we find in each other. What happens to a family when the one person who holds it together can't hold on anymore?

Bonus Features
o Movie Club Discussion Guide
o Learning to Live Through Dying Featurette
o Director’s Commentary
o Deleted Scenes:
• Mother’s Jewelry
• Leave the Video Game
• The To-Do List
• Starve a Tumor, Feed a Cold
• The Memorial Service

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and Distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

# # #

To download press materials, please visit www.mgmpressroom.com.


CONTACTS: BENDER/HELPER IMPACT
Melisa Rodriquez Tawna Boucher
(310) 473-4147 (310) 473-4147
Melisa_rodriguez@bhimpact.com Tawna_boucher@bhimpact.com

MGM/TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Callie Jernigan Erin O’Brien
(310) 369-8370 (310) 369-2249
callie.jernigan@fox.com erin.obrien@fox.com

Two Weeks Basics
Price: $27.98 U.S./$43.48 Canada
Pre-Order Date: August 22, 2007
Street Date: September 18, 2007
Running Time: 102 minutes
Catalog Number: M108570
Language: English Dolby Surround 5.1, Spanish and French Dolby Surround with English,
and Spanish Subtitles
Closed Captioned

Two Weeks on a Plane

The theatrical release of Two Weeks brought us nice publicity, and garnered respectable reviews in publications like the New York Times, Newsday, Entertainment Weekly and People (here's my favorite, from Jeffrey Lyons and Alison Bailes on WNBC TV in New York: Reel Talk: Two Weeks)

And now it's time to move from theatrical release (the big dream of any independent filmmaker) to the rest of the movie's life-- which is where far more people will see it.

First up, September 18, 2007 is the DVD release. In addition to deleted scenes and a "Making of" documentary, it includes two Two Weeks innovations:

Have you ever listened to the director's commentary track on a DVD? Once, right? For about 10 minutes? The tracks on most of them are painful, and the worst are first-time feature directors who talk about their "art" for 90 minutes. So as a first-time feature director, I'm pleased to tell you that we may have an interesting director's commentary track on this DVD.

At the screenings I attended, people wanted to know what was true in the film-- not just what actually happened to my family, but what's true for others going through the same thing. So we've invited Dr. Ira Byock, one of America's leading end-of-life experts, to join in on the director's commentary track ( You can see his website here.) We're hoping that adding a doctor to the track will give us enormous prestige (will you find a doctor on the "Pirates of the Carribean 3" director's track? I think not.) and ultimately will lead to more than 6 people listening to it, which I'm pretty sure is the average total audience for most of them.

Also at the screenings, a lot of people expressed an interest in showing the film to their book groups. So on the DVD, you'll be able to flip through an on-screen Book Group Discussion Guide with what we hope are a whole bunch of interesting questions.

When MGM releases the Two Weeks DVD on September 12, you'll be able to find it in all major rental stores, retailers, and on-line outlets. You can (and should!) reserve it now on Netflix. Even folks in Iowa who didn't get to see the theatrical release will be able to see the film.

Much to my amazement, Two Weeks has also been sold to the airlines (The film's infamous “Blow Me” scene is now the “Bite Me” scene, and there have been a few other minor airline-y changes. Luckily, there are no plane crashes in the film.) So if, one day, you come out of the front rest room to face an entire planeload of people with tears streaming down their faces, you'll know they've come to the end of Two Weeks.

Two Weeks Rolls Out March 2 in Select Markets!

Two Weeks opens March 2 in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville, Dallas and Atlanta. For March 16, we've announced openings in theaters in Boston, Washington DC.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS and email your mailing lists in or around the various cities. The important time for them to be there is opening weekend! Check your local newspapers for listings, or Moviefone -- they should be up not later than Feb 25 for the March 2 openings.

Meanwhile, check out this review of the film from Film Journal

And this video piece from a GenArt preview screening I attended in NYC last month.