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Life@50+ Movies for Grownups
Film Festival
Life@50+ went Hollywood in 2011 and rolled out the red carpet for attendees! AARP Movies for Grownups® offered a stellar line-up of films throughout the event.
Our festival included some of the season’s great new films along with a few offered before they opened in theatres. Life@50+ attendees got to see the stars come out for the L.A. premiere of The Way, starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. The film was introduced by Sheen and Estevez – live and in person!
Sept. 22
Thursday
Thunder Soul
12:30 p.m.
Produced by Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx
In the 1970s, music teacher Conrad “Prof” Johnson transformed Houston’s struggling Kashmere High School Stage Band into a world-class funk powerhouse. In this music-filled, heartfelt documentary, the band’s illustrious alumni return to play a tribute concert for 92-year-old Prof.
What better host for a whirlwind tour of Mexico than the nation’s president, Felipe Calderon? Join President Calderon and AARP's Travel Ambassador, Peter Greenberg, as they crisscross our neighboring country to go cave diving, pyramid climbing, zip lining and spelunking down a 1,000-foot-deep cavern.
Peter Greenberg discussed his experiences after the screening.
Pre-Release Screening
50/50
3:30 p.m.
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Anjelica Huston
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, left, and Seth Rogen in 50/50.
A standout cast stars in this offbeat comedy about a 27-year-old writer (“Inception” costar Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who learns he has cancer. To help him through, he’s got a well-meaning pal (Seth Rogen), a freaked-out girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard), a too-involved shrink (“Up in the Air” Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick) and a smothering mom (Oscar-winner Anjelica Huston).
Seth Rogen and writer of the film, Will Reiser, introduced 50/50.
Sept. 23
Friday
Beginners
10:30 a.m.
Starring Christopher Plummer, Ewan McGregor and
Melanie Laurent
Written and directed by Mike Mills
Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer, left, and Ewan McGregor as father and son in director Mike Mill's Beginners. — Courtesy Focus Features
In a single day, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) gets two rather stunning bits of information from his dad (Christopher Plummer): He has a deadly form of cancer … and he’s gay, he’s always known he was gay, and he lived a lie all through his marriage to Oliver’s late mom. Quite a bit to swallow, but in this quirky, big-hearted comedy, Oliver not only comes to understand the Dad he thought he knew — he also begins to figure himself out.
On The Shoulders of Giants
1:30 p.m.
Directed by Deborah Morales
The best basketball team you’ve never heard of was also probably one of the best basketball teams of all time: The Harlem Renaissance, an all-African American team, went head-to-head with the top all-white team in the U.S. and won the first-ever national professional basketball title in 1939. This stirring documentary tells the amazing story of the “Rens,” and honors their role in sports history.
Pre-Release Screening
Another Happy Day
1:30 p.m.
Starring Kate Bosworth, Demi Moore, Thomas Haden Church, George Kennedy, Ellen Burstyn and Ellen Barkin
Written and directed by Sam Levinson
An all-star cast shines in this funny, sad, and poignant story of a high-strung mom (Ellen Barkin) trying to mend the frayed family threads she finds at a wedding. An insightful and oftentimes hilarious look into the messy dynamics of modern families.
Los Angeles Premiere
The Way
5:00 p.m. red carpet, 6:00 p.m. showtime
Starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez
Written and directed by Emilio Estevez
Martin Sheen on the El Camino de Santiago in The Way. — Photo by: David Alexanian
A powerful, inspirational and often amusing story about family, friends and the challenge of navigating through an ever-changing world, The Way stars Martin Sheen as an American doctor who goes to Europe to claim the body of his adult son (Estevez), killed by a storm in the Pyrenees while walking the famed El Camino de Santiago. While there, he decides to finish the historical pilgrimage in his son’s place. What he doesn’t plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and the way he views his “California Bubble Life.”
Sheen and Estevez introduced The Way, which was filmed in Spain and France, along the El Camino de Santiago.
Sept. 24
Saturday
Opening Day Screening
Dolphin Tale
9:00 a.m.
Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick, Jr.
From left: Nathan Gamble, Morgan Freeman, Austin Highsmith, Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Harry Connick, Jr. in Dolphin Tale
An inspiring family film based on the true story of how a team of determined men, women, and children saved the life of Winter, a bottlenose dolphin who lost her tail in a fishing accident, and how Winter went on to inspire disabled people everywhere.
The King’s Speech
12:30 p.m.
Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter
Directed by Tom Hooper
From left: Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in The King's Speech. — Photo by: Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection
Winner of AARP Movies for Grownups® Best Movie for Grownups 2010! Colin Firth is the man destined to become king of England. Goeffrey Rush is the pioneering speech therapist determined to help him believe in himself. Enjoy this Oscar-winning classic on the big screen one more time.
About
AARP Movies for Grownups
Throughout the year, AARP celebrates winning movies through our multimedia channels: AARP The Magazine, online, radio, events, and more. Movies for Grownups® is a high-impact multimedia franchise started in 2002 by AARP The Magazine editors to spotlight and celebrate movies with storylines, performances and filmmaking that have distinct relevance to the 50-plus audience.
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