JamesG
06-20-2009, 02:31 AM
18. Ray Ferrier, War of the Worlds (2005)
Played by: Tom Cruise
Why He's a Good Dad: He was a deadbeat dad ... until the day gigantic alien tripod machines began emerging from the ground and killing everyone. Then Cruise made it his mission: possible to ensure his kids' survival at any length.
17. Gil Buckman, Parenthood (1989)
Played by: Steve Martin
Why He's a Good Dad: Now a parental pro (see also 'Father of the Bride,' 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' etc), Martin shed his "wild and crazy guy" persona to play this stressed suburban dad from a dysfunctional clan who finally realizes that flaws are what make a family.
16. Mr. Parker, A Christmas Story (1983)
Played by: Darren McGavin
Why He's a Good Dad: In addition to not destroying Ralphie for beating the snot out of bully Scott Farkus, "the old man" comes through like a real champ on Christmas morning, delivering into his son's hands that most coveted of gifts: a Red Ryder BB gun.
15. Henry Jones Sr., Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Played by: Sean Connery
Why He's a Good Dad: Henry Sr. may not have been around while Indiana was growing up, but he sure makes up for lost time in his old age, sharing a Holy Grail quest, multiple Nazi-pummeling sessions, a quiet drink and a love interest with "Junior."
14. Peter, Michael and Jack, Three Men and a Baby (1987)
Played by: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson
Why He's a Good Dad: They all gave up their wild bachelorhoods to care for a little baby girl with hilariously dirty diapers, despite the odds being only 33 percent that she was one of theirs. Paternity tests, be damned.
13. Stanley Banks, Father of the Bride (1950)
Played by: Spencer Tracy
Why He's a Good Dad: Dear old dad may be a grump when it comes to the chaos -- and expense -- of throwing a wedding, but it's just a cover for the bittersweet pain of giving his little girl away.
12. Mac MacGuff, Juno (2007)
Played by: J.K. Simmons
Why He's a Good Dad: Sarcastic, hilarious and understanding to a fault, Mac doesn't judge his pregnant daughter Juno (Ellen Page) but offers her support and counsel. Bonus: Next time he sees her impregnator, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), he doesn't punch him in the wiener.
11. Marlin, Finding Nemo (2003)
Played by: Albert Brooks
Why He's a Good Dad: Although he starts out as a neurotic, overbearing mess (no wonder they cast Brooks), Marlin learns how to strike that tricky parental balance of guiding and letting go while on a quest to find his missing son, lost in the deep blue sea.
10. Ted Kramer, Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Played by: Dustin Hoffman
Why He's a Good Dad: After his wife (Meryl Streep) leaves him, not only does this workaholic learn to take care of their son, but he also loses his job (happily!) in the process. And in the ultimate measure of success, he FINALLY cooks a decent French toast.
9. Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter Series
Played by: Mark Williams
Why He's a Good Dad: He's not much for discipline (kids stole the car and flew it across town? Awesome!), but he's fiercely devoted to his seven kids and to their pal Harry Potter. And don't let the bumbling demeanor fool you -- he's one kick-ass wizard, to boot.
8. Jack, Mr. Mom (1983)
Played by: Michael Keaton
Why He's a Good Dad: The unemployed auto worker doesn't just accept his new role as stay-at-home dad -- he embraces it, playing poker for coupons, mastering the vacuum cleaner and weaning his son off his beloved blanket "Woobie." Aww ... tough love, kid.
7. Jim's Dad, American Pie trilogy
Played by: Eugene Levy
Why He's a Good Dad: After catching Jim (Jason Biggs) getting intimate with baked goods, he delivers one of the most honest, heartfelt -- and awkward -- father-son talks in movie history. And surely the only to include the phrase "stroking the salami."
6. Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Played by: Robin Williams
Why He's a Good Dad: Though not a cross-dresser by nature (as far as we can tell), Daniel dolls up in drag just so he can stay close to his kids after their mother throws him out. At least he chooses sensible shoes.
5. John Quincy Archibald, John Q (2002)
Played by: Denzel Washington
Why He's a Good Dad: Because if you don't operate on his dying son, he will take your hospital's emergency room hostage, and he will put a hurting on anybody who gets in his way. And because he's Denzel Washington.
4. Clark Griswold, National Lampoon's Vacation Series
Played by: Chevy Chase
Why He's a Good Dad: He endures a dead aunt on top of the car en route to Wally World, a houseful of bickering in-laws for Christmas and bankruptcy in Vegas, all in the name of the perfect family vacation. So consider that skinny-dipping episode with Christie Brinkley forgiven.
3. Guido Orefice, Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Played by: Roberto Benigni
Why He's a Good Dad: All good dads try to shield their kids from the more painful realities of life. But Guido protects his son both physically and psychologically by turning the Holocaust into a game. Now that takes some parenting skill.
2. Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Played by: Gregory Peck
Why He's a Good Dad: The upstanding small-town attorney teaches his daughter, Scout (Mary Badham), not to judge people by the way they look, and that justice really is for all.
1. Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Played by: Will Smith
Why He's a Good Dad: He may not have the best business sense (what were those contraptions he was selling?), but even a bout with homelessness couldn't hinder his determination to live happy-ly ever after with his son.
http://www.moviefone.com/insidemovies/2008/06/13/movies-good-dads-best-fathers/
Played by: Tom Cruise
Why He's a Good Dad: He was a deadbeat dad ... until the day gigantic alien tripod machines began emerging from the ground and killing everyone. Then Cruise made it his mission: possible to ensure his kids' survival at any length.
17. Gil Buckman, Parenthood (1989)
Played by: Steve Martin
Why He's a Good Dad: Now a parental pro (see also 'Father of the Bride,' 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' etc), Martin shed his "wild and crazy guy" persona to play this stressed suburban dad from a dysfunctional clan who finally realizes that flaws are what make a family.
16. Mr. Parker, A Christmas Story (1983)
Played by: Darren McGavin
Why He's a Good Dad: In addition to not destroying Ralphie for beating the snot out of bully Scott Farkus, "the old man" comes through like a real champ on Christmas morning, delivering into his son's hands that most coveted of gifts: a Red Ryder BB gun.
15. Henry Jones Sr., Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Played by: Sean Connery
Why He's a Good Dad: Henry Sr. may not have been around while Indiana was growing up, but he sure makes up for lost time in his old age, sharing a Holy Grail quest, multiple Nazi-pummeling sessions, a quiet drink and a love interest with "Junior."
14. Peter, Michael and Jack, Three Men and a Baby (1987)
Played by: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson
Why He's a Good Dad: They all gave up their wild bachelorhoods to care for a little baby girl with hilariously dirty diapers, despite the odds being only 33 percent that she was one of theirs. Paternity tests, be damned.
13. Stanley Banks, Father of the Bride (1950)
Played by: Spencer Tracy
Why He's a Good Dad: Dear old dad may be a grump when it comes to the chaos -- and expense -- of throwing a wedding, but it's just a cover for the bittersweet pain of giving his little girl away.
12. Mac MacGuff, Juno (2007)
Played by: J.K. Simmons
Why He's a Good Dad: Sarcastic, hilarious and understanding to a fault, Mac doesn't judge his pregnant daughter Juno (Ellen Page) but offers her support and counsel. Bonus: Next time he sees her impregnator, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), he doesn't punch him in the wiener.
11. Marlin, Finding Nemo (2003)
Played by: Albert Brooks
Why He's a Good Dad: Although he starts out as a neurotic, overbearing mess (no wonder they cast Brooks), Marlin learns how to strike that tricky parental balance of guiding and letting go while on a quest to find his missing son, lost in the deep blue sea.
10. Ted Kramer, Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Played by: Dustin Hoffman
Why He's a Good Dad: After his wife (Meryl Streep) leaves him, not only does this workaholic learn to take care of their son, but he also loses his job (happily!) in the process. And in the ultimate measure of success, he FINALLY cooks a decent French toast.
9. Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter Series
Played by: Mark Williams
Why He's a Good Dad: He's not much for discipline (kids stole the car and flew it across town? Awesome!), but he's fiercely devoted to his seven kids and to their pal Harry Potter. And don't let the bumbling demeanor fool you -- he's one kick-ass wizard, to boot.
8. Jack, Mr. Mom (1983)
Played by: Michael Keaton
Why He's a Good Dad: The unemployed auto worker doesn't just accept his new role as stay-at-home dad -- he embraces it, playing poker for coupons, mastering the vacuum cleaner and weaning his son off his beloved blanket "Woobie." Aww ... tough love, kid.
7. Jim's Dad, American Pie trilogy
Played by: Eugene Levy
Why He's a Good Dad: After catching Jim (Jason Biggs) getting intimate with baked goods, he delivers one of the most honest, heartfelt -- and awkward -- father-son talks in movie history. And surely the only to include the phrase "stroking the salami."
6. Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Played by: Robin Williams
Why He's a Good Dad: Though not a cross-dresser by nature (as far as we can tell), Daniel dolls up in drag just so he can stay close to his kids after their mother throws him out. At least he chooses sensible shoes.
5. John Quincy Archibald, John Q (2002)
Played by: Denzel Washington
Why He's a Good Dad: Because if you don't operate on his dying son, he will take your hospital's emergency room hostage, and he will put a hurting on anybody who gets in his way. And because he's Denzel Washington.
4. Clark Griswold, National Lampoon's Vacation Series
Played by: Chevy Chase
Why He's a Good Dad: He endures a dead aunt on top of the car en route to Wally World, a houseful of bickering in-laws for Christmas and bankruptcy in Vegas, all in the name of the perfect family vacation. So consider that skinny-dipping episode with Christie Brinkley forgiven.
3. Guido Orefice, Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Played by: Roberto Benigni
Why He's a Good Dad: All good dads try to shield their kids from the more painful realities of life. But Guido protects his son both physically and psychologically by turning the Holocaust into a game. Now that takes some parenting skill.
2. Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Played by: Gregory Peck
Why He's a Good Dad: The upstanding small-town attorney teaches his daughter, Scout (Mary Badham), not to judge people by the way they look, and that justice really is for all.
1. Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Played by: Will Smith
Why He's a Good Dad: He may not have the best business sense (what were those contraptions he was selling?), but even a bout with homelessness couldn't hinder his determination to live happy-ly ever after with his son.
http://www.moviefone.com/insidemovies/2008/06/13/movies-good-dads-best-fathers/