Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
AARP names movie award honorees
“The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” “Minari,” “Da 5 Bloods” and “One Night in Miami” are among the films AARP is honoring at its annual Movies for Grownups Awards, the nonprofit organization said Thursday.
Director Lee Daniels’ “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” starring Andra Day as the jazz singer, was named best picture, while the Korean American family drama “Minari” got best intergenerational film. Spike Lee’s Vietnam-themed “Da 5 Bloods” picked up best buddy picture, and Regina King’s “One Night in Miami,” about the fictional meeting of Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Cassius Clay and Jim Brown, got best ensemble.
“We focus on films made by and for grown-ups,” said Tim Appelo, the film and TV critic for AARP. “When we started this a couple of decades ago, it was hard to find first movies about people of our age. I’m very pleased to see that we’ve got a bumper crop of movies and performances to choose from this year.”
George Clooney is being honored this year with the career achievement award. The 59-year-old both directed and acted in his most recent film, “The Midnight Sky.”
Aaron Sorkin is a double honoree for writing and directing “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The top acting awards went to Sophia Loren for “The
Life Ahead” and Anthony Hopkins for “The Father.”
For the first time, the organization is also recognizing television shows and performances. Catherine O’Hara took best actress for “Schitt’s Creek,” Mark Ruffalo got best actor for “I Know This Much is True” and “This Is Us” was named best series. Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit” got best limited series.
The virtual awards show will be broadcast by “Great Performances” on PBS on March 28.
Harrison vows to return as ‘Bachelor’ host:
In his first TV interview since “stepping aside” indefinitely as host of “The Bachelor,” Chris Harrison admitted he “made a mistake” by defending a contestant at the center of a racism controversy.
Appearing Thursday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Harrison addressed his controversial “Extra” interview with Rachel Lindsay — the first Black lead of “The Bachelorette” — in which they discussed the antebellum South-themed fraternity party attended by season 25 finalist Rachael Kirkconnell in 2018.
“I am an imperfect man. I made a mistake, and I own that,” Harrison said. “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to the progress — not just for myself, also for the franchise.”
Harrison vowed to reprise his role as “Bachelor” host.
“I plan to be back and I want to be back. And I think this franchise can be an important beacon of change,” Harrison said Thursday. “I know that change is felt, not just by me, but by many others. And we are excited and willing to do the work to show that progress.”
March 5 birthdays:
Actor James B. Sikking is 87. Actor Michael Warren is 75. Actor Marsha Warfield is 67. Magician Penn Jillette is 66. Actor Adriana Barraza is 65. Musicians Charlie and Craig Reid are 59. Actor Eva Mendes is 47. Actor Jolene Blalock is 46. Actor Sterling Knight is 32. Actor Micah Fowler is 23.