Father’s Day is approaching fast and the usual conundrum of finding the perfect gift is upon us. While electronic stores push wireless headphones and anything with Bluetooth in their endless catalogues, it’s difficult to nab something great. At least if that tight hug that tells you a new tie was the wrong choice, you can back it up with the perfect movie to watch together.
If he doesn’t quite appreciate Les Miserables, perhaps one of Google Play’s top ten favourite dad movies will be right up his ally.
Google Play’s Top Ten Dad Movies
1. Non-Stop
Non-Stop is your typical ‘Liam Neeson doing cool things’ movie. Set on board a New York to London direct flight, Neeson plays an air marshal who receives a mysterious text message threatening that if $150 million is not transferred, a passenger will die every 20 minutes.
2. Lone Survivor
Lone Survivor follows the story of a United States Navy SEALS unit on a special mission to seek rectitude against a Taliban leader who murdered 20 US soldiers. Based on a true story, Mark Wahlberg stars in a rare dramatic role in a story that is embedded with determination and brotherhood.
3. 300: Rise of an Empire
The sequel to 300 gives a well-rounded explanation of the film loosely based on the Battle of Thermopyla. If you’re not a blood and gore fan you need not worry-the highly stylized effects take away from any discomfort and add to an impeccable script, set and cast.
4. Ride Along
If you don’t know the unique hilarity that is Kevin Hart we don’t know where you’ve been. Ride Along has a light hearted premise that will keep you and dad well entertained through quips from Hart, hard faced humour from Ice Cube and on screen charm from Laurence Fishbourne.
5. The Legend of Hercules
The original story of the mythical Greek hero. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules uses his formidable powers to fight his way back to his kingdom. Romance, drama and gladiator-arena death matches ensue. If you’re not into action or Greek history, make sure you have some good snacks for this one.
6. Dallas Buyers Club
From the first scene to the last tear, Dallas Buyers club will have you at ‘based on a true story’. Matthew Mcconaughey gives the performance of his career and Jared Leto threatens to steal the show in their portrayal of HIV positive men from very different walks of life. With three Oscars under its belt, this isn’t a dad movie, this is an everyone movie.
7. The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir of the same name. For those of you that missed one of the biggest movies of 2013, it’s Di Caprio in one of his finest roles as one of the biggest criminals in Wall Street history. Its sex, drugs and stocks and you will be appalled, amused and engulfed.
8. Pompeii
A romance storey embedded in one of the most tragic tales of natural disaster in history. Pompeii is all action but still pays due attention to themes of eternal love and the human condition. The familiar face of Kit Harrington (Jon Snow from Game of Throne’s) is as enjoyable as it is novel.
9. 12 Years a Slave
The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, an African-American man born free in but captured in 1841 and forced into slavery for twelve years. You will cry, have your heart warmed and cry some more. This is no movie for those who wept at ‘Frozen’ to watch on a casual afternoon, but it’s incredible.
10. Last Vegas
The ultimate Dads movie with all his favourite actors. Michael Douglas stars as Billy, a sixty something going on thirty who is having a bachelor party with his oldest friends in (surprise) Vegas. The depth and complexity of friendship and age is explored as Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline come to terms with their past and consider their futures.
