Selena Robins, Author

The best gift anyone can give and receive is the gift of time.

After the father’s day brunches, lunches, dinners, BBQ’s or other festivities planned, hunt down one of these movies that celebrates dads.

These are my top picks for movies that show dads that come in a variety of personalities and an eclectic selection of genres.

“Ya’know the past is a funny thing, we all got skeletons in our closet and ya never know when one is gonna pop up and bite ya in the ass.” John Sullivan

I think FREQUENCY is one of the best time travel movies I’ve ever seen. (Sorry, Marty McFly fans, but the acting, plot and the huge emotional punch Frequency delivers, trumps all the Back to the Future movies). Only the Tin Man could resist shedding tear or swallowing back a lump in his throat while watching how this movie taps into the incredible bond between a father and his son, even if the child lost his parent at a young age. I think this movie resonates with those of us who unfortunately lost a parent at a young age, and the regrets that the deceased parent missed so many milestones in our lives. However, the device of using time travel and the ability to connect again in a unique way with a great plot twist, makes for a wonderful movie to watch this Father’s Day.

” I was hiding under your porch because I love you.” — Dug

Fatherhood (or role-modeling as a dad)  is about teaching a child to dream and open themselves up to what life has to offer. The movie UP is an example of a man who teaches a young boy to embrace all the possibilities and literally float to the heavens and a dream destination. Both the man and the boy, not only teach each other something about themselves, but overcome past regrets, heartache and unresolved pain, by not letting it define who they are, instead fight the inner and outer demons, clinging to their strengths and each other to come out of their conflicts unscathed. The key to this movie’s success is the rapid-fire witty dialogue and the perfect blend of heart, soul and humor, which can be enjoyed by all generations.

“You yell at my kid like that again, I’m knockin’ you out!” –Jack Butler

Gotta love an alpha-when-he-needs-to-be-for-his children dad, who can rock a scruffy beard (before they were fashionable) and stays home to fry up the bacon while his wife is out makin’ bacon. MR. MOM is an enjoyable tale of role-reversal, angsty mishaps and a young family learning how to make it work without Dr. Phil or all the other experts giving advice, but doing it the old-fashioned way….by the seat of their pants and trial and error.

 “The thing is, a person’s life is like a TV show. I was the star of The Will Show. And The Will Show wasn’t an ensemble drama. Guests came and went, but I was the regular.” –Will

Will (Hugh Grant) not only steps in as a surrogate dad to an angst-filled twelve-year-old boy, but through his connection with the child, he also gains maturing and manages to shed his narcissistic, player traits but not in a soppy, unrealistic way. Great character arc in this movie . Best part of the movie, the singing of “Killing Me Softly,” at a school concert. 

“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”  — Atticus Finch

In TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, iconic dad, Atticus Finch, faced adversity head on and still ensured that he taught his children morality, compassion and loyalty through his actions.

“I don’t want my daughters growing up entitled and spoiled. And I agree with my father – you give your children enough money to do something but not enough to do nothing.” –Matt King

In THE DESCENDANTS, George Clooney reminds us all that no matter where you live, how much money you acquire through hard work, the toughest job is being a parent, let alone one that manages to hold it together when it seems his whole family is falling apart.

“What kind of place is this? It’s beautiful: Pigeons fly, women fall from the sky! I’m moving here!” –Guido

In the movie LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, we are taken on a journey that no parent would ever want to experience with their child. Horrific, tragic things happen to this family, but in the end, the dad (Guido) shows his son that in life, bad things happen to good people and it is how one handles those bad things that will make or break a family. To ensure his wife and son’s safety and sanity, Guido takes the tragedy of war and turns into a game, enabling his young son to enjoy his youth instead of the atrocities of the violence around him. This movie will make you cry, laugh, cry, laugh…it’s filled with witty dialogue, emotion and profound messages about life and love.

“It’s okay, honey. I… I was just talking to the cornfield.” —Ray Kinsella

He built it and his dad came.

FIELD OF DREAMS  is a sports-themed fantasy movie, beautifully depicting the relationship between fathers and sons, about goals, dreams and family.

“Did I ever tell you to eat up? Go to bed? Wash your ears? Do your homework? No. I respected your privacy and I taught you self- reliance.” Professor Henry Jones

INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. Adventure. Witty banter. Sean Connery. Unique and untraditional son/father relationship. Action. Suspense. Need I say more?

Happy Fathers Day Weekend to all the men out there who have made a difference in a child’s life, whether they are the biological dad, bonus dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, Big Brother volunteer, Godfathers, coaches and teachers who step in when there’s a need.

What is your favorite Father’s Day movie?