As Father's Day approaches, and it's time to choose the flicks to share at home with Dad on his special day. Two librarians, who are responsible for choosing films for their communities, were asked to list their favorite films for the occasion. Their list included some classic favorites and surprises!
Cathy Ahern is a Librarian at the Russell Library in Middletown, Connecticut. Despite being short-staffed, she took the time to share her list of favorites via email.
1917
1917 casts Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay as British soldiers. The two corporals, William Schofield and Tom Blake are tasked with delivering a message crossing enemy lines to save 1,600 men. Ahern stated this was "a fantastic war movie, very poignant."
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness stars Will Smith and his real-life son, Jaden. The film is the true story of a salesman in San Francisco who strived to rise above the streets in order to make a better life for his small family. Ahern says the movie is "a heartwarming, bonding tale," where they are "struggling to deal with poverty but keep their connection strong."
Read our review here
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
This adrenaline-stoking adventure by Steven Spielberg has Harrison Ford return to the lead role as the daredevil archeologist Indiana Jones and Sean Connery as his missing father. When he seeks to find his father, Jones must elude the Nazis and secure the Holy Grail. Ahern says the film is "exhilarating" and "get the popcorn!"
Read our review here
The Lion King
The Disney classic is "such a tremendous story of family love," says Ahern. The "live-action" remake stars Donald Glover and Beyoncé as the voices of lions in a pride. Simba (Glover) is tricked by his manipulative uncle into walking away from his destiny.
Read our review here
He Got Game
This Spike Lee joint stars Denzel Washington and real-life NBA player, Ray Allen. High school basketball superstar, Jesus, played by Allen, is the nation's most prized athlete; his father Jake (Washington) can leave prison if Jesus makes the right decision. Ahern chose this "tense drama full of promise and hope as father and son negotiate a difficult proposition."
Read our review here
Richard P. Cortina is a Reference Librarian at the Main Library in Downtown Miami. He recommended these favorite films.
The Birdcage
A side-splitting comedy that stars Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. This farce is about deception in the family as Val and Barbara have to convince her strict conservative parents that Armand and his drag queen partner are really a straight couple. What ensues is hilarity and lots of love.
Read our review here
A Man Called Ove
A Man Called Ove is a Swedish film with Rolf Lässburg in the lead role. Ove decides that there is nothing left to live for after a series of personal tragedies until his new neighbors give him a renewed desire to live.
Read our review here
Jeff Dunham Specials
Jeff Dunham is a ventriloquist who offers live audiences raunchy characters that will bond fathers and sons, but performances might not be suitable for younger children.
The Nutty Professor
Cortina recommends the hilarious Eddie Murphy remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis film. Murphy plays 12 characters, leading with Sherman who desperately wants to be thin to increase his self-esteem and win the love of Carla.
Read our review here
Marley & Me
Marley & Me is about a rambunctious Labrador starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston. They play Jenny and John, married newspaper writers who contemplate having a child and adopt Marley in order to check out parenthood.
Read our review here
So, pull out the player, get the popcorn, and nestle in for a great stay-in with dad and a wonderful movie picked from among the best in the library community.