Here are ten great movie choices to get dads of all ages, shapes, sizes, persuasions, affiliations and temperaments on that day we say thanks for being there for us. Get ready to break out a six-pack, microwave the popcorn, sit back on your favorite couch and enjoy the ride!
Taken (2008)
Liam Neeson is your average unassuming, semi-retired dad who enjoys barbeques and beers with friends and his only care is his daughter, who is on holiday in Paris. But when she is kidnapped and forced into a white slavery ring, daddy reveals that he used to be a CIA operative who has some pretty scary skills and a grudge worse than an undead Japanese girl. Paris becomes his hunting ground as he stalks his prey while seeking out his daughter.
Why dads will like it: This flick will have you chewing your nails to stumps and yelling, “Yeah!!! Tear him a new @$$#*!&!" You have to admire Neeson’s portrayal of Bryan Mills – this is the kind of guy who’s got it completely under control, who has a plan. He knows what he’s doing and won’t hesitate to get the job done.
Most memorable scene: It’s fascinating and disturbing as to what lengths Bryan will go to save his daughter. It’s a toss-up between him dealing with the married couple of Jean Claude and Isabelle and Marko the thug. You do not want to trade places with any of these people for all the gold in Switzerland.
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Big Fish (2003)
Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor share the role of Edward Bloom, a man who has lived a full and frankly unbelievable life. Billy Crudup is his skeptical son Will, who has had it up to here with his old man’s tales of adventure and fantastical whimsy. What is the truth behind Edward’s bizarre stories? Did they all really happen? Or are they just part of some funky trip? Weirdmeister Tim Burton makes this surreal vision a reality on the silver screen, with the help of luminaries such as Jessica Lange, Danny DeVito, Helena Bonham-Carter and Marion Cotillard.
Why dads will like it: Father-son relationships are full of expectations and tensions, and they are rarely simple. Many guys will see themselves in both Edward’s and Will’s shoes. Of course, not all dads are as wacko, but some come pretty close…
Most memorable scene: The hospital and river scene towards the end of the film – this is the moment when roles are reversed. If the whole movie is about Edward Bloom telling tall tales, this is the one where for once, he is the listener.
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Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams back when he was still funny) is gifted, mercurial and really, really loves his kids. Unfortunately, he is also unemployed and undergoing a messy divorce with his wife Miranda (Sally Field). In desperation, he decides to disguise himself as Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire, a jovial and kindly yet firm nanny with solid, old-fashioned values. He then enters his children’s lives and is able to influence them in ways he’s never been able to do before.
Why dads will like it: This flick is sheer fun. Robin Williams is a one-man show and his timing and antics will have everyone howling on the floor. Harvey Fierstein plays Daniel’s brother and he has some unforgettable moments but Pierce Brosnan takes some ribbing as well as Miranda’s boyfriend, Stu.
Most memorable scene: The transformation scene where Daniel is made up to become Mrs. Doubtfire is priceless! Also, watch out for the scene where Daniel splits time between his boss and his family, changing between roles.
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The original Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983)
Don’t bother with George Lucas’ vapidly inane more recent work – these are the films that put him on the map and molded an entire generation. The struggles of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia and their allies against Darth Vader, the Emperor and the galactic Empire resonate as a timeless tale of good vs. evil among millions of movie lovers. Not too many people are unfamiliar with this series and if you and your dad are one of those rare few, go rent/buy a copy of this series now!
Why dads will like it: High-speed chases, space battles, blasters, lightsaber duels, The Force – these elements and more are the stuff of every sci-fi and fantasy tale written prior to 1977. However, at its core is a tale of redemption for a fallen father and the sacrifices a son is willing to make to bring his father into the light.
Most memorable scene: There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have watched this trilogy and those that haven’t. For those who have, they have probably heard too many quotes from these movies by nerds who can’t get enough of them. As for those who haven’t seen these films, they are in for a great ride so “Enjoy yourselves!”
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Lone Wolf and Cub, Volumes 1-6 (1972-1974)
This is a series of movies (Sword of Vengeance, Baby Cart at the River Styx, Baby Cart to Hades, Baby Cart in Peril, Baby Cart in the Land of Demons and White Heaven in Hell) about former imperial executioner Itto Ogami (a taciturn and dour Tomisaburo Wakayama) and his son Daigoro. Itto is framed by ninja master Retsudo Yagyu for a crime against the emperor and sentenced to death but he chooses to rebel, escape and together with his son, live the life of a ronin (a masterless samurai). They wander the countryside of 16th Century Japan as killers for hire with Yagyu assassins and Imperial forces always at their backs.
Why dads will like it: Amazing swordplay, gratuitous gouts of gore and tension you can cut with a katana - there is no better movie series that shows an incredible amount of trust and empathy between a father and son, with practically no dialogue between them. It’s all in the eye contact and gestures, and it’s all done masterfully.
Most memorable scene: This line sums it all up: “Your technique is magnificent… When cut across the neck, a sound like wailing winter winds is heard, they say. I'd always hoped to cut someone like that someday, to hear that sound. But to have it happen to my own neck is ridiculous…”
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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
The final part of the Raiders of the Lost Ark trilogy, this swashbuckling tale takes archaeologist Indiana Jones (a dashing Harrison Ford) and his father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (an uncharacteristically academic Sean Connery) on a quest to seek out the legendary Holy Grail. Their search takes them all over Europe and Middle East, circa WWII, with Nazi forces hot on their heels.
Why dads will like it: The dynamic between the elder and younger Jones is one that’s all too common: the workaholic father too busy for his son, and the son who inevitably follows in the father’s footsteps as an unconscious attempt to seek approval from said father. This father-son duo attempts to come to terms with their differences in the middle of gunfights, explosions, car chases and the solving of ancient riddles with deathtraps. Not exactly the most ideal situation while facing family issues, but then again, it’s a movie.
Most memorable scene: If you’ve seen Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the best scene is at the beginning where a young Indy (played by the late River Phoenix) pursues the Cross of Coronado. Arguably, the other most memorable scene is when the pair arrives at the Canyon of the Crescent Moon (the ancient city of Petra).
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Frequency (2000)
Frank Sullivan is a firefighter who dies in a warehouse fire. His son John grows up to be a cop. One day, he discovers his dad’s old ham radio apparatus and begins playing with it. He ends up chatting with a man whose name is Frank who is also a firefighter, has a son named John and lives in the same address as he does. Who is this mysterious radio caller and what is really going on?
Why dads will like it: The relationship and interaction between Frank and John strikes a chord in all fathers and sons who wish they could have a bond like they do. What’s nice about it is it’s all done without being mushy. Plus, there’s a whole murder mystery underneath the whole thing to solve. This movie is too good to pass up!
Most memorable scene: Hard to say but a personal favorite would be the moments when father and son are chatting on the radio. Also, the scene in the bar where Frank and John are trying to save a life.
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Liar Liar (1997)
Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey, yet another comedian who used to be funny) is a high-power corporate lawyer who will say anything to get what he wants. But when his nine-year old son Max makes a birthday wish for his dad to stop lying, suddenly Fletcher is cursed with a bad case of extreme honesty. A hilarious cautionary tale for lawyers everywhere, Liar Liar is one of Carrey’s finest.
Why dads will like it: The extremely re-watchable zany gags of Jim Carrey aside,
Fletcher’s relationship with Max is one that’s got highs and lows we can all relate to. Fletcher is too busy for Max and he makes up little white lies to cover for the things he really prioritizes yet he finds it hard to stand up to a little boy’s black-and-white ideals. “A little child shall lead them all” seems most appropriate an appellation.
Most memorable scene: When Max’s wish activates and Fletcher suddenly finds himself figuratively and literally screwed. “I’ve had better!” will never sound the same again.
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The Godfather (1972)
Mario Puzo’s epic saga begins with this masterpiece, the first of Francis Ford Coppola’s classics. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall are members of the Corleone crime family, with Brando manning the helm as its head, Don Vito. As other mafia families seek to bring down the Corleones, Don Vito does everything in his power to shield his son Michael (Pacino) from the blood and sins rife within the family business. It is fate however, that steps in and draws Michael inevitably towards his destiny.
Why dads will like it: Much like Star Wars, this movie and its other sequels are modern cinematic gems that shouldn’t be missed. This is a must-own movie that should be in every guy’s home video library. The familial bond between Don Vito and his sons Michael, Sonny and Fredo (played by the sadly missed John Cazale) is all the more bittersweet considering what they do to each other as the films progress.
Most memorable scene: Practically all the lines in this movie have been quoted time and again in every family get-together: “May their first child be a masculine child”, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”, and “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” are among the more priceless ones.
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The Incredibles (2004)
Bob Parr and his wife Helen are Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, the greatest crime-fighting superheroes in Metroville. Fifteen years later finds them adopting civilian identities and retreating to the suburbs, living normal lives with their three children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack (who were also born with superpowers). Raring to get back into action, Bob gets an opportunity when a mysterious message leads him to a remote island for a top-secret assignment. He soon discovers that not all is as it seems and it will take more than his own phenomenal powers to save the world from utter destruction.
Why dads will like it: In spite of the superpowers, the Parr family is relatively normal, with each member having their own idiosyncrasies and relationship issues. Bob and Helen are a sweet couple and Bob’s own issues are reminiscent of someone having a midlife crisis and yearning for those glory days of yore. But all of that aside, this movie is simply awesome for all the action and cool stuff that happens in it!
Most memorable scene: It’s a toss-up between Bob Parr’s training and superheroing montages (all the while hiding from his wife) and the hilarity of Brad Bird playing Edna Mode, the superhero couturier. Edna’s scenes simply steal the whole show.
Photo credits: Taken, Big Fish, Mrs. Doubtfire, Star Wars, Lone Wolf & Cub, Indiana Jones, Frequency, Liar Liar, The Godfather, The Incredibles
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