An Ode to Dad
It’s Father Day! Some of us may get to hang out with dad. Some like me do not. My dad lives in the Chicago Suburbs. He is a big movie lover! For years now my Pa has been meeting up with my Aunt’s and Uncles on Fridays for senior movie day. Most times they see two movies. COVID has had him cooped up and under the weather and feeling blue. So I thought I’d do an Ode to my dad for father’s day in the way of best dad movies.
Offbeat Dad’s
One of films best dads is Steve Martin. From Parenthood in 1989, the Father of the Bride films to Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) Mr. Martin always makes us laugh. Always the offbeat supporting father. His comedy in these films makes you want to apologize to your dad.
Chevy Chase comes to mind in offbeat dads. Anyone of his National Lampoon’s movies will have you feeling embarrassed to just plain shaking your head. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of my dad’s favorites and who my husband tries to be at Christmas in the decoration department. “Russ, we checked every light bulb didn’t we?”
Ode to my dad who always there for me and tried to make life fun.
Mrs. Doubt Fire
Robin Williams showed how far a dad will go to be with his kids in Mrs. Doubt Fire (1993). Makeup, costume and he transforms into an aged nanny. This nostalgic film will have you laughing with dad for sure.
Ode to my dad who thankfully never had to dress up but did everything you could for us growing up.
Mr. Mom
Speaking of nostalgic one of my favorites is Mr. Mom (1983) with Micheal Keaton. Back then stay at home dad’s were very rare. Having lost his job Jack (Micheal Keaton) stays home to take care of the kids. Wife (Teri Garr) goes back to the workforce. Jack learns really quick staying home with the kids is no easy job. Quickly he learns to appreciate all his wife did when he worked. ” My brain is like oatmeal. I yelled at Kenny today for coloring outside the lines. Megan and I are starting to watch the same TV shows, and I’m liking them! I’m losing it!”
Ode to my dad would in my teenage years did both. He worked and took care of my brother and me.
The Best Dads
Nothing like a dad who will try to provide for his kids no matter. Will Smith proves that in The Pursuit of Happiness (2006). A struggling single father working an unpaid internship and being kicked out of his apartment. This movie will have you appreciate everything your dad has done for you.
Nothing like a good thriller movie about a dad who will stop at nothing to keep his children safe. The Taken franchise with Liam Neeson does just that. Super secret spy dad who has “a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.”
Ode to my dad who was the single dad ( even at points when my mom was still living with us) working to provide for us making sure we always had a roof over our heads.
Animated Dads
Animated movies aren’t just for kids. Marlin from Finding Nemo is another dad who will go through lengths to find his son. “I promised I’d never let anything happen to him.” Watching this will make you want to apologize to your dad for all the crap you put him through.
The Lion King is one of the greatest father-son films in animation ever made. We see Mufasa look on with pride as Simba is held up by Rafiki on Pride Rock. Later Simba we see Mufasa in himself and accept his royal duties and return home. A great movie that show’s a father’s deep love and how that carries us the distance through life. “You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what have become.”
Ode to my dad who has never left my side, who always been there for me through thick and thin. He’s the best father a girl could have.
Ode to my dad who taught me a have a great love for the movies. Who even could bleep out all the cuss words to The Blues Brothers so us kids could watch his favorite movie with him.
Ode to my Pa! I love you more than life. You have taught me to love without condition. There is no word for how much I treasure you!
Mamma, Mimi, Michele, call out any one of those names and I will answer. There are several hats on my shelf. My passions are photography, being outside, movies, tv, pop culture and anything haunted or spooky. People are my other interest, I love meeting new people and socializing. When I lived in Savannah GA I worked as a tour guide both haunted and historical tours. I met people from all over the world, that was the best part of the job. All of this I can write about too, that’s the beauty of being a writer.
