Tim Appelo
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Articles by Tim Appelo
Movies for Grownups’ 17 Favorite Films of 2025 | Members Only
(From left) Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,” Pamela Anderson in “The Naked Gun,” Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in “Sinners,” Adam Sandler and George Clooney in “Jay Kelly,” and Jeff Goldblum and Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked: For Good.” AARP (Courtesy Everett Collection, 5) That’s a wrap! Another year at the movies is fading to black, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to announce our Movies for Grownups picks for the Best Films of 2025.
Highlights of 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 2 Debut
Mel Owens begins his journey for love with 23 women. John Fleenor/Disney Golden Bachelor Mel’s first play was the biggest fumble of his life On the second season premiere of The Golden Bachelor Sept. 24, the first thing that its hunky star, NFL player-turned-attorney Mel Owens, 66, had to face was the wrath of 23 attractive women who want to marry him.
At 66, Pop Star Turned Auteur Shaun Cassidy Tells All
Keith Munyan Photography/Shaun Cassidy Media Shaun Cassidy, 66, is the son of Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Jack Cassidy and Oscar winner Shirley Jones, 91. He was a teen idol singer and TV star (like his brother, The Partridge Family’s David Cassidy), then a Broadway star, and then a writer/producer of TV hits like New Amsterdam and Roar, which introduced Heath Ledger. And on Sept. 13, he’s launching his first arena tour as a singer since 1980.
AARP Movies for Grownups Fall Movie Preview 2025
June Squibb, 95, stars in "Eleanor the Great," in theaters Sept. 26. Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection The sunny, silly season is over, so now’s the time when movies get seriously entertaining, with some of them ambitious for Oscars and AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. Here’s the lowdown on the 20 most promising probable hits and contenders. Put them on your calendar, and don’t forget to pass the popcorn! Coming in September Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (in theaters Sept.
The 6 Best Animated TV Shows for Grownups
When they aren't selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Netflix Cartoons used to exist strictly to sell cereal to kids on Saturday mornings, but nowadays some of the biggest, smartest hits are animated series for adults.
2025’s Movies for Grownups Favorites (So Far) | Members Only
From dramas to comedies, here are our picks of the best movies released in the U.S. this year, from January to June. AARP (Courtesy Everett Collection, 5) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Times are tough in Hollywood, but for grownups, things are actually looking up, with more on offer to stars and audiences over 50.
Avances de películas de verano del 2025: las 15 películas que estamos impacientes por ver
Tom Cruise, de 62 años, protagoniza 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning'. Búscala en cines el 23 de mayo. Paramount Pictures y Skydance Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Como dijo una vez el director François Truffaut: "Es un día hermoso, ¡vamos a ver una película!". Mantente al tanto de la nueva selección de películas de la temporada soleada —y cuándo llegarán a los cines y a las plataformas de transmisión, con la guía de nuestros críticos—.
El nuevo documental 'Aging in America' muestra cuánto hemos avanzado
Courtesy PBS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn El documental Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, narrado por Martin Sheen, de 84 años (en PBS a partir de principios de mayo; consulta la programación local [en inglés]), celebra el alentador progreso que la sociedad ha logrado en el manejo del envejecimiento, pero también subraya los abrumadores desafíos que aún enfrenta una población que envejece rápidamente.
Meet the New 'Golden Bachelor,' NFL Veteran Mel Owens
Maarten de Boer/Courtesy Disney Facebook Twitter LinkedIn When Mel Owens, 66, played football for the Michigan Wolverines, and then for the NFL’s LA Rams, “I was trying to knock dudes out,” he has said. Now he’s out to sweep women off their feet as the second star of Disney’s hit reality dating show The Golden Bachelor, set to air sometime in the 2025-2026 season.
Get Ready for New TV Shows on Netflix in Summer 2025
Courtesy Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Netflix tends to keep its future releases top secret until the last minute, but they gave AARP readers a peek at their upcoming TV series that will light up your summer and beyond. Here’s what to look forward to in the coming months.
Spring TV Preview 2025: Shows We Can't Wait to Watch
(Left to right) Tina Fey as Kate, Will Forte as Jack, and Steve Carell as Nick in 'The Four Seasons' Jon Pack/Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn From the networks to streaming giants like Netflix and Prime Video, there’s a whole new crop of comedies, dramas and documentaries in the pipeline. Here’s what to look forward to in the coming months.
Spring Movie Preview 2024: The 15 Films We Can’t Wait to Watch
Robert De Niro as Frank Costellois in the upcoming gangster film “The Alto Knights” from Barry Levinson. De Niro also stars as mob boss Vito Genovese. Warner Bros. Pictures Facebook Twitter LinkedIn With spring breezes comes a fresh batch of movies — from blockbusters to art films — arriving in theaters and on streaming platforms. Keep track of what’s coming and when with our critics’ guide.
Older and Wiser, Adrien Brody Wins His Second Oscar
“The one thing I've gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective,” Adrien Brody, 51, told the audience as he accepted the best-actor award for "The Brutalist." Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Adrien Brody protested when music interrupted his emotional acceptance speech for best actor in The Brutalist at the Oscars on March 2 — meaning he should stop talking and leave the stage.
10 Memorable Moments at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards 2025
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AARP Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The audience had a blast at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards on Feb. 8 in Beverly Hills, California, as big stars made unforgettable memories while accepting honors for the best shows and films made by and for people over 50 in 2024. Host Alan Cumming, 60, who did terrific parodies of old show tunes with new lyrics ribbing the awards nominees, also had a positive message about acting one's age.
Movies for Grownups Awards 2025: Meet the Winners!
Clockwise from top left: Magnolia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection; Dominic Leon/A24/Courtesy Everett Collection; Katie Yu/FX; Universal Pictures/Working Title Films/Courtesy Alamy; Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection.
Premios Movies for Grownups del 2025: ¡Conoce a los ganadores!
En el sentido de las agujas del reloj desde la parte superior izquierda: Magnolia Pictures/cortesía Everett Collection; Dominic Leon/A24/Cortesía Everett Collection; Katie Yu/FX; Universal Pictures/Working Title Films/Cortesía Alamy; Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures/Cortesía Everett Collection; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures/Cortesía Everett Collection.
The Inside Story of 'Vietnam: The War That Changed America'
Episode 4 Bill Broyles, US Marine Corps, in “Vietnam” The War That Changed America,” premiering globally January 31, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Grownups Seize the Spotlight in the 2025 Oscar Nominations
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images; Joe Maher/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/Getty Images; Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Neil Mockford/Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The 2025 Oscar nominations proved the clout of grownup talents, and the grownup audience, in the art and business of film.
The Reality TV Shows We're Most Looking Forward To in 2025
Alan Cumming in 'The Traitors' Euan Cherry/PEACOCK Facebook Twitter LinkedIn "Humankind cannot bear very much reality," said T.S. Eliot, but the same cannot be said of TV viewers, who can't get enough of unscripted drama. TV programmers love it too, since it's a lot cheaper to make unknown people into stars than it is to pay actor and writer salaries. And the drama is often way better than the scripted shows.
Golden Globes 2025 Snubs and Surprises: Over-50 Talents Nab 36 Major Nominations
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: FX; Jake Giles Netter/Max; BFA / A24; Getty Images) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Grownups took dozens of top nominations for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, which will be telecast live on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. ET and stream on Paramount+.
Boomers Tell All About How They Found Romance on 'The Later Daters'
Dwight and Pam in an episode of 'The Later Daters.' Courtesy Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn If you liked The Golden Bachelor/Bachelorette, try The Later Daters (debuting on Netflix Nov. 29), the docuseries produced by Michelle Obama, 60. It’s smarter, sweeter, and emotionally deeper than the ABC hit, and instead of competing with each other, the show’s six men and women, aged 56 to 71, get a coach to teach them how to face a series of blind dates, and wind up as better daters.
'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey' Director: 'I Believe It Can Be Solved'
JonBenet Ramsey, John Ramsey, John Andrew Ramsey and Patsy Ramsey in 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey'. Courtesy of Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In Cold Case: JonBenét Ramsey (on Netflix Nov. 25), the Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated documentarian Joe Berlinger, 63, looks into the 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey. (There's also a forthcoming Paramount+ dramatic miniseries, JonBenét Ramsey, with Melissa McCarthy, 54, and Clive Owen, 60, as JonBenét’s parents John and Patsy Ramsey).
Best New Movies to Watch During the 2024 Holiday Season
Jack Black stars in 'Dear Santa.' Courtesy Paramount Pictures Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Holiday season means movie season as much as it means balsam firs and hot chocolate. Hollywood rolls out the big flicks it’s betting the ranch on, so there’s more than a Santa’s sackful of promising films with great stars and directors between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Mark your calendars and settle in! Dear Santa (on Paramount+ Nov.
Nominados a los premios Movies for Grownups del 2025
AARP Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Este ha sido un buen año para las películas y la programación televisiva hechas por y para personas mayores de 50 años, a quienes llamamos "adultos mayores". Casi la mitad de los premios Emmy de actuación más recientes fueron otorgados a adultos mayores, y hubo cuatro veces más actores mayores nominados al Óscar este año que 30 años atrás.
Movies for Grownups Awards 2025 Nominations
AARP Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn This was a good year for film and TV by and for people over age 50, those we call “grownups.” Nearly half the most recent acting Emmys went to grownups, and there were four times as many grownup Oscar acting nominees this year as there were 30 years ago.
The 'Golden Bachelorette' Couple Tell All: 'It's a Little Scary, But You've Got to Take a Leap of Faith'
Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple Disney Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Joan Vassos, 61, the first Golden Bachelorette, accepted Chock Chapple's proposal, and on Nov. 18 they'll start shopping for a new home in New York (keeping their homes in D.C. and Kansas). They told AARP how their love has bloomed off camera, and what they want to tell AARP members who are longing for romance. In the three months since we saw you on TV in The Golden Bachelorette finale, what has changed in your relationship?
Must-See New Movies to Watch This Winter
Denzel Washington in 'Gladiator II' Paramount/Everett Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The days grow cold and dark — but the winter movie outlook is getting brighter! Many of what are apt to be the best films of the year are coming to screens big and small. Put these on your calendar, and don’t forget to pass the popcorn! Entertainment Sign up for AARP's The Daily Newsletter Every weekday, receive the latest from AARP in your inbox. Members only Emilia Pérez (in theaters, on Netflix Nov.
'Forrest Gump' Stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright Reunite in the Time-Trippy 'Here' | Members Only
Wright and Hanks as young marrieds in 'Here'. Sony Pictures Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Here (in theaters Nov. 1) isn’t a sequel to the 1994 Oscar-winning hit Forrest Gump, whose hero races through American history circa 1951-82, but it’s a reunion of Gump stars Hanks, 68, Robin Wright, 58 (again playing his wife), director Robert Zemeckis, 72, and writer Eric Roth, 79. And few films since Gump give you such a vivid, intimate sense of the times the AARP generations have lived through.
'The Golden Bachelorette' Episode 6 Recap
Joan travels the country for an eye-opening week of hometown dates with her remaining men.
'Pulp Fiction's' Most Mysterious Actor Tells the Inside Story
When Steve Hibbert, 64, was in the improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1992, he met unknown film nerd Quentin Tarantino, who cast him in Pulp Fiction, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. Hibbert wrote for TV shows (Mad TV) and script-doctored Shrek and Austin Powers flicks and many others.
'Pulp Fiction's' Most Mysterious Actor Tells the Inside Story
Steve Hibbert today and 30 years ago in his Pulp Fiction costume. Getty Images; Courtesy Stephen Hibbert Facebook Twitter LinkedIn When Steve Hibbert, 64, was in the improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1992, he met unknown film nerd Quentin Tarantino, who cast him in Pulp Fiction, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. Hibbert wrote for TV shows (Mad TV) and script-doctored Shrek and Austin Powers flicks and many others.
‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Episode 4 Recap
Joan Vassos kissing Chock on "The Golden Bachelorette." Disney Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD There was lust, grief, laughter and tears on the fourth episode of The Golden Bachelorette, ABC’s reality dating show featuring older contestants (airing Wednesday nights on ABC, 8-10 p.m. ET; streaming on Hulu the next night).
Eric Idle, 81, Tells All About Pythons, George Harrison, Mike Nichols and ‘Spamalot’
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Penguin Random House; Lily Idle) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn When Eric Idle, 81, was packing up to move recently (an experience he calls “Downsize Abbey”), he found a notebook chronicling the years-long creation of his and John Du Prez’s musical Spamalot, a hit on Broadway in 2004 and again in 2023. That notebook led to The Spamalot Diaries (Oct.
Hoda Kotb Bids a Fond, Tearful Farewell to ‘Today’ Show
Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn After 26 years at NBC, Today cohost Hoda Kotb announced on Sept. 26 that she’ll leave the show early in 2025, though she’ll still have some sort of role on NBC News. “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me,” Kotb told viewers. “What does that decade mean? What does it hold? What’s it going to have for me?
Las estrellas de cine mayores dominan la televisión
Jeff Bridges es el protagonista en "The Old Man". FX Facebook Twitter LinkedIn La televisión solía ser el lugar al que acudían las estrellas cuando sus carreras cinematográficas decaían, como Buddy Ebsen, reemplazado por Jack Haley en The Wizard of Oz de 1939 después de que el maquillaje de Hombre de Hojalata de Ebsen lo envenenara.
Older Movie Stars Are Taking Over TV: The 8 Best TV Fall Hits With Top Stars Over 50
Jeff Bridges stars in "The Old Man." FX Facebook Twitter LinkedIn TV used to be where stars went after their movie careers sagged — like Buddy Ebsen, replaced by Jack Haley in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz after Ebsen’s Tin Man makeup poisoned him. That’s Ebsen’s voice you hear singing “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” lip-synched by Haley, but Ebsen fell off the A-list until age 54 in 1962’s The Beverly Hillbillies (with Irene Ryan playing Granny Clampett at 60!).
Bill Gates Talks About the Impact and Future of AI
Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In the documentary What’s Next? The Future With Bill Gates (Netflix, Sept. 18), directed by Oscar winner Morgan Neville, 56, the billionaire philanthropist talks with everyone from Anthony Fauci to Lady Gaga about how tech is about to transform lives — and make the lives of older people longer and better.
Bill Gates habla sobre el impacto y el futuro de la IA
Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn En el documental What’s Next? The Future With Bill Gates (en Netflix el 18 de septiembre - enlace en inglés), dirigido por el ganador del Óscar Morgan Neville, de 56 años, el filántropo multimillonario habla con todos, desde Anthony Fauci hasta Lady Gaga, sobre cómo la tecnología está a punto de transformar vidas, y hacer que las vidas de las personas mayores sean más largas y mejores.
76th Emmy Awards 2024: 6 Most Memorable Moments
AARP (L to R: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images (3); Leon Bennett/WireImage/Getty Images; Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn It was a good year for actors over 50 in the 76th annual Emmy Awards: They earned 14 major acting nominations, and won four.
The 20 Most Anticipated Movies Coming Out in Fall 2024
Demi Moore stars in "The Substance." Universal/Everett Collection Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Hollywood is bouncing back from the pandemic slump, and the fall film season is shaping up beautifully. Here’s the lowdown on the 20 most promising probable hits and Oscar contenders.
Películas más esperadas en el otoño de 2024
Demi Moore protagoniza "The Substance". Universal/Everett Collection Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Hollywood se está recuperando de la crisis pandémica y la temporada cinematográfica de otoño se perfila como una maravilla. Esto es lo que debes saber sobre las 20 producciones más prometedoras y probables éxitos para los Óscar. Anótalas en tu calendario, ¡y no olvides pasar las palomitas! Membresía de AARP: $12 por tu primer año cuando te inscribes en la renovación automática.
Don Johnson, 74, Will Never Retire: ‘I’m Getting Better’ | Members Only
(Left to right) Don Johnson and Emory Cohen in "Rebel Ridge." Allyson Riggs/Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Don Johnson is famous for playing upright lawmen such as Nash Bridges and Miami Vice’s Sonny Crockett, but in the gripping
Las series y programas de TV más esperados del otoño
(De izquierda a derecha) Liev Schreiber y Nicole Kidman protagonizan "The Perfect Couple". Cortesía de Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Desde las cadenas de televisión hasta los gigantes de la transmisión directa como Netflix y Prime Video, hay una gran selección de comedias, dramas y documentales en desarrollo. Hemos creado una lista de lo que se presentará en los próximos meses.
Fall TV Preview 2024: What’s Coming to Small Screens This Season
(Left to right) Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman star in "The Perfect Couple." Courtesy Netflix Facebook Twitter LinkedIn From the networks to streaming giants like Netflix and Prime Video, there’s a whole new crop of comedies, dramas and documentaries in the pipeline. Here’s what to look forward to in the coming months. The Perfect Couple (Netflix, Sept. 5) A rich Nantucket boy (Billy Howle) is about to get married, and his celebrated novelist mom (Nicole Kidman, 57) does not approve.
Carol Kane on Her Movie Comeback at 72: ‘I’m Having a Ball!’
Andrew Toth/Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Fifty years ago at 22, Carol Kane was on unemployment.
Phil Donahue’s Memories in His Own Words
Globe Photos/Zuma Press/Alamy Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Legendary talk-show host Phil Donahue, who died Aug. 18 at 88, gave his career capstone interview in 2001 to the Television Academy Foundation, whose immense and ongoing oral history project documenting TV history was inspired by the USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive. Oscar-winning documentarian James Moll, 61, who launched the Shoah project with Steven Spielberg, chose Donahue as his first interview for the Academy.
Meet the ‘Golden Bachelorette’ Men Courting Joan Vassos
Ricky Middlesworth/Disney Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Joan Vassos, 61, who quit as a contestant midway through the hit show The Golden Bachelor to look after her then-ailing daughter, is back in the spotlight as the star of The Golden Bachelorette, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 18, 8-10 p.m. ET on ABC (and airing on Hulu the day after).
Norah O’Donnell to Step Down From ‘CBS Evening News’
(Left to right) Norah O'Donnell and Walter Cronkite T.J. Kirkpatrick/CBS; CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Norah O’Donnell, 50, will resign as anchor of CBS Evening News in November. It signifies more than just a famous newswoman’s midlife career change — it’s part of a welcome turning point in the history of TV news, whose audience is dominated by people over 50.
New Rom-Coms and Romantic Movies to Watch in 2024
Sometime around 2010, cinematic romance ran out of steam. The romantic comedy genre in particular fell out of favor for years. But in 2024, romantic movies are back big-time. The Sydney Sweeney–Glen Powell rom-com Anyone But You was a $220 million theatrical blockbuster last December, got rereleased with new footage on Valentine’s Day and then became Netflix’s No. 1 streaming hit this April.
Andrew McCarthy Talks Brat Pack Documentary ‘Brats’ | Members Only Access
Four decades ago, Andrew McCarthy, 61, got famous overnight as part of the ’80s Brat Pack, along with actors Emilio Estevez, 62, Demi Moore, 61, Molly Ringwald, 56, Rob Lowe, 60, and Ally Sheedy, 62. In hits like The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire (sometimes called “the Gen X Big Chill”), they defined their cultural moment and endured as youth icons.
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