Films for Fathers

Does your Dad like movies?  Maybe a DVD would be a nice gift for Father’s Day. Here’s a list of films spotlighting the head of the house, with a few thrown in simply because they are Pop-pleasin’ adventures.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE. (1991) Steve Martin stars in a truly sensitive, often hilarious look at a father dealing with his daughter’s impending marriage.

INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. (1989) Funny, thrilling, Sean Connery and Harrison Ford are terrific as squabbling father and son searching for the Holy Grail.  PG (lots of violence, some sensuality, and one profanity, for which the culprit is immediately punished, sending out a very positive message that the misuse of God’s name is wrong).

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. (1997) To protect his son from the horrors of concentration camp life, a gentle Jewish man makes a game out of everything going on, causing the boy to believe they will win a prize if they survive. Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi star in the poignant and often humorous film. The subject matter is handled tastefully, and doesn’t bombard the audience with gruesome images. The film is rated PG-13 for adult context and thematic elements concerning the Holocaust.

LIFE WITH FATHER. (1947) William Powell, Irene Dunne and a very young Elizabeth Taylor star in the 4-star tale of a turn-of-the-century family ruled by a kind, but eccentric patriarch. 

OUR VEINS HAVE TENDER GRAPES. (1945) Edward G. Robinson (outstanding) and Margaret O'Brien star in a this charming look at rural life during the beginning of WWII.  Contains a respect for Christianity, life, and the price we pay for freedom. 

TOGETHER. (2002) This Chinese film concerns a widowed father who sacrifices everything in order to support his teenage son’s gifted musical abilities. The son can’t see the sacrifices made on his behalf until the end. Beautifully filmed in the “Forbidden City” of China, full of humor, drama and insight, Together is a powerful morality tale with an ending that moved me to tears. This film reminded me of 1 Timothy 5:8, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, he has denied the faith.”

SIGNS. (2002) Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan, renown for combining sophisticated entertainment with thought-provoking material (Praying With Anger, Sixth Sense, Wide Awake, Unbreakable), has done the remarkable with this sci-fi thriller that harkens back to H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. It astounds on several levels. Added to the drama and jolting suspense is the story’s subtext about a man losing, then regaining his faith.  And lastly, the film has an intriguing take concerning coincidence in our daily lives. Are the details of life governed merely by happenstance? Or are they a part of a great plan? Do things happen by circumstance or do they purposely serve to develop our nature?

STEEP.  Interesting documentary about men and women – who live for danger. Like surfers searching for the tallest wave, extreme mountain skiers attempt to conquer the highest and most inaccessible adversary. Containing terrific cinematography and moving stories of fallen comrades, the film expertly reveals the character of these sportsmen. Best moment: Three skiers are photographed from a helicopter while getting caught in an avalanche. Not only a thrilling, armrest-grabber of a moment, the aftermath also shows a camaraderie known only to those who risk their lives together. PG (Three or four minor expletives and one use of the s-word after surviving an avalanche; Lots of dangerous skiing in places not fit for man).

And the Ultimate Guy Movie…

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.  Made in 1960, in color, and starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughn.   Derived from the Kuroswa “Eastern,” the story follows seven gunmen defending a poor Mexican village against bandits.  Every part is perfectly cast and Elmer Bernstein’s score is fabulous.   This new digital edition includes a documentary on the making of the film, with interviews by the producer and several of the actors.

Phil Boatwright reviews films from a Christian perspective at previewonline.org.