WATCH: Mike Interviews Forest Whitaker for the 2021 Newport Beach Film Fest

I join in with the 2021 Newport Beach Film Fest celebrate actor, producer and director Forest Whitaker with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his nuanced portrayals of a medley of unforgettable characters in movies and TV.

Whitaker, one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors, directors, humanitarians and producers, has showcased his talents in a multitude of demanding and diverse roles. In 2007, he earned critical acclaim for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland," receiving the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, SAG Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. His intensive character work in films such as "Lee Daniels’ The Butler," "The Crying Game," "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," and "Bird," for which he was named Best Actor at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, have made him one of the most versatile performers of all time.

Live Like the Bluths: A Saturday Afternoon On Balboa Island

It was a Saturday worthy of "Arrested Development." We visited the setting of the late, lamented comedy (although it wasn't shot there) -- Newport Beach and Balboa Island -- and yes, it's true: They do love their frozen bananas there. We failed to run into any Bluths, however.

Located off of Jamboree Road and accessible only by ferry or a single bridge, Balboa Island is a dense, 0.2 square-mile destination popular for its mom-and-pop shops as well as boating and its vacation rentals (as well as those bananas, as referenced on the show). We spent the night this weekend in Newport Beach and decided to visit the island, and were indeed charmed. (Homes go for millions of dollars on Balboa Island, so yes, it's strictly a place to visit.)


Balboa Island post office


Starfish, found near the water


Blogger Kid and cousins walk along the water


One of many personal piers


Cow guards over a shop


Painter gets in a bit of inspiration before the sun sets


Dad's Frozen Banana Stand. Don't like bananas? The "Balboa" bar is a square of ice cream covered in chocolate and sprinkles.