Thinking of taking in a movie with Dad on Father's Day? Whether you head to the theater or to the video rental store, here are some movies Dad might like.
"Star Wars" Episodes IV-VI (1977, 1980, 1983) -- The first -- and the best -- the classic "Star Wars" trilogy finds a young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) growing from a Tatooine farm boy into a full-fledged Jedi knight, eventually saddled with the daunting task of finding the good in and redeeming Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, his Jedi father. If you have more than the six hours it takes to watch the first three films, watch the prequel trilogy first to get the back story on how Anakin fell prey to the Dark Side of The Force. All films are rated PG -- except Episode III, which is rated PG-13.
"Field of Dreams" (1989) -- Kevin Costner stars in this classic weeper as Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer haunted by the strained relationship with his late father that went unmended. But when Ray suddenly hears a voice to plow under his corn crop to build a baseball field, classic players from the past magically start to appear. But unbeknowst to Ray, it is his shot at redemption. Rated PG.
"Liar Liar" (1997) -- Jim Carrey is at his comedic best as Fletcher Reed, a hot-shot family law attorney who knows little about what it takes to be a dad outside of the courtroom. Continually disappointed with his divorced dad's false promises (he refers to him as "liar" instead of lawyer), Max makes a birthday wish that dad would not tell a lie for an entire day -- and Fletcher finds himself in bigger trouble than he could have ever imagined. Maura Tierney co-stars as Fletcher's ex in this funny but poignant look at a father's desperate struggle to get his priorities straight. Rated PG-13.
"Finding Nemo" (2003) -- Disney-Pixar's blockbuster animated fishtale is a great comedy for kids and dads of all ages, as Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) voyage across to seas to search for Marlin's son Nemo (Alexander Gould) after he's netted and transported to Australia. While the film at heart is a comedy, it's poignant message keys in on a dad who must learn to allow his son to grow up on his own. Rated PG.
"Invincible" (2006) -- The best "feel good" movie of 2006, "Invincible" tells the incredible true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a 30-year-old Philadelphia bartender who dares to defeat the odds when he tries out as a walk-on player for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Papale's relationship with his father (Kevin Conway) isn't the main focus of the story, but it's an important element nonetheless. Rated PG.
"Father of the Bride" (1950 and/or 1991) -- Whether it's the 1950s version starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor or the 1991 remake starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Kimberly Williams, either "Father of the Bride" is a comedy in which you'll want to get engaged. In a nutshell, it's about a father coming to terms with letting his little girl grow up, presented in comic fashion. The 1950 version is not rated, and the 1991 version is rated PG.
"Superman" (1978) and "Superman Returns" (2006) -- While both films are about the Man of Steel saving the Earth from bad guy Lex Luthor, Superman/Clark Kent's relationship with his Kryptonian and Earth fathers are significant plot points in both the 1978 Christopher Reeve film and the Brandon Routh update of franchise last year. The Krypton Dad, Jor-El, is expertly played by noneother than The Godfather himself, Marlon Brando (who also appears in archive footage in the 2006 film). Glenn Ford is an amazing presence as well in the 1978 version as Jonathan Kent, the adoptive father of baby Kal-El, who grows up to be Clark/Supes. Both films rated PG.
"Parenthood" (1989) -- Ron Howard's delightful ensemble comedy is a must-see for dads and moms and their kids, as it explores the parenting ups and downs of the grown-up Buckman children (Steve Martin, Dianne Wiest, Harley Jane Kozak and Tom Hulce) and the family's patriarch (Jason Robards). Mary Steenburgen is radiant as Martin's wife and Rick Moranis is perfect as Kozak's uptight husband. Also look for Keanu Reeves in a funny yet poignant turn as Wiest's prospective son-in-law, and a young Joaquin Phoenix (billed as Leaf Phoenix) as Wiest's troubled young teen. Rated PG.