Published in Pawtucket Times on February 16, 2004

“Something’s Gotta Give,” “Lost in Translation” and “A Mighty Wind,” top the list of winners in 13 categories of AARP Magazine’s third annual “Best Movies for Grown-ups.”

Coming on the heels of the 61^st Annual Gold Globes Awards, sponsored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and the upcoming 76^th Annual Academy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, Feb.29 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland, AARP Magazine moves to choose its winners to prod filmmakers “to expand their vision and make more moves that resonate with the growing 50-plus audience.”

Kathleen Connell, state director of AARP Rhode Island, told All About Seniors that Hollywood and businesses have been slow to recognize the growth of America’s aging population. By failing to see this “unique market,” opportunities are missed, she said.

According to the written statement, the AARP winners received La Chaise d’Or-The Golden Chair – a whimsical trophy in the shape of a lounge chair – and will be profiled in the upcoming March/April issue of AARP The Magazine, the nation’s largest magazine, which circulated to 21.5 million readers. This issue hist the newsstands today.

The AARP Magazine’s movie winners were selected by the publication’s editorial staff.

While the judged to be entertaining, the winning movies were viewed to address the concerns and dreams of people age 50 and older, and whether or not they gave an authentic image of the second half of a person’s life.  Finally, these movies celebrated the differences among age groups, instead of exploiting them.

The envelop please – the 2004 “Bess Movies or Grownups Awards” winners are:

Best Movie for Grownups:

“Mystic River

Best Actor (Age 50 and Older):

Bill Murray, “Lost in Translation”

Best Actress (Age 50 and older):

Diane Kenton, “Something’s Gotta Give”

Best Breakaway Performance in an Unexpected Role (Age 50 and over):

Eugene Levy, “A Mighty Wind”

Best Director (Age 50 and over):

Joel Schumacher, “Phone Booth”

Best Screenwriter (Age 50 and over):

Jim Sheridan, “In America”

Best Foreign Film:

“Nowhere in Africa” (Germany)

Best Grown-up Love Story:

“Something’s Gotta Give”

(Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson)

Best Documentary:

“Concert for George”

Best Movie Time Capsule:

“Down with Love”

Best TV Movie:

“Angles in America”

Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up:

“School of Rock”

To this columnist, it seems absurd that Hollywood bean-counters continue to funnel a large percentage of their production dollars into movies geared for the teen generation, especially in light of the graying of America.

When the demographic reality finally hits home with these executives, attitudes and business decisions will change in Tinseltown.

Some say the power brokers in Hollywood still see age as a negative when it comes to casting of actors or funding a movie project.

If true, what a shame, and a missed opportunity to tell a good story to a growing demographic market, those over age 50.

Aging baby boomers and seniors will fill a theater especially if the movie is well-made and has a message to tell.

The magazine’s website – www.aarpmagazine.org will also be launching their “Movies for Grown-ups” Channel that will feature a poll, message boards, quizzes, audio interviews, and other movie-related web-exclusive features.