Honor Thy Father's Day
From Carrie Rickey's "Flickgrrl"
www.philly.com/philly/blogs/ flickgrrl
Father's Day is but a day away, and readers have been asking for movie titles devoted to dad. Given an arbitrary date of films after 1960, here are the next best fathers to my own.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002): On the wedding day of his elder daughter, Anupam Kher allows his soccer-mad younger daughter to participate in a match. He couldn't resist the prospect of having both daughters happy on the same day.
Boyz N the Hood (1991): Laurence Fishburne instills values and discipline in his son, steering him away from the drugs and violence that permeate the neighborhood.
Catch Me If You Can (2002): Christopher Walken as the con man who loves his son unconditionally.
Cinderella Man (2005) During the Depression when he can't get work, prizefighter Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe) fights to keep his family together.
The Godfather (1972) Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, who puts his family before his Family.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) / Guess Who (2005) Gruff-but-loving Spencer Tracy and Bernie Mac are the patriarchs surprised by their daughters' choices in husband material in the original and the remake about interracial marriage.
Hanging Up (2000) Walter Matthau has dementia and his daughters Meg Ryan, Lisa Kudrow, and Diane Keaton remember who he was while dealing with who he is.
Juno (2007) J.K. Simmons as the dad who supports his daughter through unplanned pregnancy and first love.
The Namesake (2007) Irrfan Khan as the emigre who gives his firstborn an unusual name and takes him to a place where they can go no further.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Gregory Peck in his signature role as the Southern widower who teaches his children tolerance and love.
Tortilla Soup (2001) / Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) The American remake and the original Chinese film about a master chef, father of three daughters, who loses his tastebuds and helps his daughters find men as good as he.
Your favorite movie dads?