NEWS

MOVIE NEWS

If it has been reported in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, then it must be true.   The movie of my novel Breakfast with Scot will be playing in a theater near you in October—this fall.  The U.S. distributors for the movie have an updated web site at BreakfastwithScotMovie.com, and you can also download press material and updates from the site Regent Releasing site.  This news broke as the movie opened Outfest in Los Angeles and a few days after it closed the Frameline festival in San Francisco. 

FIRST MOVIE REVIEWS

After a sold-out run at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the film version of Breakfast with Scot opened for a limited public premiere in Canada. The reviews from Canada's two most influential newspapers are just what the producers were hoping for while they await news from other festivals and U. S. distributors.

Toronto Globe and Mail review Read

Toronto Star review Read

CUTTING EDGE COMEDY FILMED IN TORONTO
NHL ENDORSES NEW FEATURE FILM
Miracle Pictures and Capri Releasing announce the completion of filming on the feature comedy Breakfast with Scot. Laurie Lynd (“I Was a Rat,” “Noah’s Ark”) directs Sean Reycraft’s script based on Michael Downing’s novel.

A funny and touching story about what—and who—makes a family and the surprising lessons of self-acceptance a child can teach an adult, Breakfast with Scot stars Tom Cavanaugh (“Ed,” “Scrubs”), Ben Shenkman (“Just Like Heaven,” “Angels in America”) and newcomer Noah Bernett (“Gothica”). Paul Brown produces and Howard Rosenman and Nadine Schiff executive produce the film. Capri Releasing will handle domestic distribution. Production assistance is provided by Telefilm Canada, The Ontario Media Development Corporation, The Harold Greenberg Fund and Movie Central.

Breakfast with Scot is about a very straight gay couple—Sam, an ex-Toronto Maple Leaf, and Ed, the team’s lawyer—whose lifestyle and relationship are turned upside down when they become the guardians of Scot, a budding queen of an eleven-year-old boy. Reluctant to get involved in the first place, Sam and Ed find themselves in conflict with each other about bringing Scot into their already full and rich lives. Feelings change, however, as the pair are caught off-guard by this unique young character who is joyously and unashamedly himself.

This thoughtful comedy takes a look at homosexuality in professional sports and society’s resistance to accepting gay heroes. The National Hockey League takes a progressive step by endorsing Breakfast with Scot and granting the production rights to use NHL and Toronto Maple Leafs’ names and likeness in the film.

Canadian producer Paul Brown (“I Was a Rat,” “Zeyda and the Hitman”) says, “I'm excited to be making a hugely entertaining film that is really about something. Breakfast with Scot is a rare combination—a family friendly comedy that will touch people—and though it is about an unconventional family, it is told in a truly conventional way. Scot teaches us to accept our children for who they are and celebrate their uniqueness. As an adoptive parent, this is a true joy in my life!" Vice President of Capri Releasing, Robin Smith says, “We are over-the-moon to have the opportunity to work on such a great production. Breakfast with Scot manages to be both unconventional and commercial at the same time—a rare feat for feature films these days. We have high expectations for this film.”

LOS ANGELES TIMES
“NHL breaks ice with role in gay-topic movie,“ Helene Elliot’s February 11 column on the controversy surrounding the movie version of Breakfast with Scot. - Read

NEW YORK TIMES
The Sunday Times features an article about the NHL endorsement of Breakfast with Scot in “Hard-Nosed League Delivers A Clear Message of Acceptance” by Selena Roberts. - Read

WATCH FOR UPDATES ABOUT DISTRIBUTION NEWS
Read the latest release dates for the movie from Capri Films. - Click here
 

Spring Forward

MSNBC
Michael talks to Chris Jansing on MSNBC about the 2007 extension of daylight saving. (March 9, 2007) - Watch

BOOK-TV
This is one of Michael’s conversations (the briefer one!) with C-Span’s Book TV. (April 1, 2006) - Watch

NPR
Michael talks with Tom Ashbrook on NPR’s “On Point” and fields questions from congressmen, farmers, and callers. (September 8, 2005) - Listen

NEW YORK TIMES
Michael’s first op-ed about the extension of daylight saving appeared in the New York Times when Congress passed the 2005 Energy Act - Read

PBS
Michael discusses Spring Forward on the PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer (March 9, 2007) - Listen

NPR
Michael talks with Melissa Block on NPR’s All Things Considered (March 8, 2007)
- Listen

TIME Magazine
Michael’s take on the new daylight-saving law is covered in Time magazine (March 6, 2007) - Read

CBC
Michael is featured on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “The Current” on March 9, 2007 (for audio, click on Part I) - Listen

For a list of Michael’s national media appearances with Spring Forward, visit the Media Room.