Worst Fathers on Film #Monday #Movie #Meme

Over this past holiday weekend, I noticed a lot of posts in the blogosphere about favorite, memorable and even classic movie fathers. What I didn’t seem to come across, however, were those dads that are not exactly the best role models to reference, where parenting is concerned.

Let’s face it, that’s the reality of the situation -- while many of us are usually quick to celebrate any and all fathers on Father's Day (the same goes for Mother's Day too so maybe we can cover that next year), there are some men who do not necessarily live up to nor deserve that honor for many reasons including the way that they treat their children (abuse, neglect, etc.) or the way that they treat other people in front of their children (being violent, dishonest, uncompassionate, judgemental, etc.) without fail. So, the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme is: O Father, Where Art Thou?

Share on your blog or in the comments section, some of the worst fathers that have graced the big screen. If your response is on your own blog, remember to link back to this post and also remember to visit the blogs of fellow Monday Movie Meme participants. Here are my selections for this week’s O Father, Where Art Thou? theme.

Viktor

His prejudices against the Lycans was so strong that he didn’t even consider showing mercy on his only daughter Sonia when she fell in love with one of these half-human/half-werewolf Hybrids in “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.”

Viktor is a mean father with a superiority complex that luckily didn’t pass down to his offspring, yet, still managed to cause havoc and tragedy for future generations of his Vampire lineage.

Charlie Kenton

Any father who gives up full custody of his young, biological son Max, for six figures to spend on a robot, is not even worthy of a greeting card, let alone a cake or brand new socks! -- Add to that the fact that he was reluctant to babysit Max short-term and treated the little boy like he was a burden, I’m sure it’s not hard for any of you to understand why this “Reel Steal” movie character fits the bill for worst fathers on film.

Denethor

He is a madman and coward who sent his only living son Faramir into a deadly battle. To add insult to injury before Faramir headed to certain death, Denethor told him that he’d rather his favorite, but slain son Boromir be alive than Faramir. Sheesh! I can only imagine how that made Faramir feel -- Any average son in the real world would probably say something like “I’m about to go fight an unnecessary war to appease you and instead of telling me to be safe, you tell me that you wished I died instead of my brother?!! Thanks for the pep talk, Dad. You suck!”

I don’t know what’s worse, crushing the spirit of the son that you do have, during a time when he needs love and encouragement the most -- or trying to burn him alive when he surprisingly returns to Gondor with a pulse, proving that he is not only a good fighter but he is also more honorable than his father could ever be in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

Who do YOU think are some of the worst fathers on film?

Birthday Celebrations on Film #Monday #Movie #Meme

The dessert is staying out this week after we discussed wild, awkward and sometimes ugly dinner table behavior last week, thanks to a guest topic suggestion by Tina at Life is Good.

I recently interviewed director Amir Motlagh on his short film “35 Year Old Man,” so this week’s Monday Movie Meme theme is inspired by his movie and in celebration of his deadCenter Film Festival screenings. The current Monday Movie Meme theme is: Age-Appropriate.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, either your favorite or most memorable birthday celebrations that took place in a movie. Remember to visit the blogs of fellow Monday Movie Meme participants and also link back to this blog post if your response is on your own blog. I must admit, after selecting the theme, I had some difficulty recalling movies featuring characters that had a birthday in the storyline. Here are my selections for this week’s Age-Appropriate topic.

13 Going on 30
A teenage girl named Jenna, per her wishes, becomes a beautiful, successful, "flirty and thriving” adult woman, after being sprinkled with magic dust from the roof of a doll house at her 13th birthday party. Oh, if only it were that easy in real life!

But wait, there’s more -- the birthday party ends abruptly after a cruel closet prank on Jenna turns sour.

Pizza
One obese girl named Cara-Ethyl spends her 18th birthday party at home, voicing imaginary people in an attempt to convince her blind mother that she has friends. Unfortunately, since there are zero guests in attendance, this teenager is stuck celebrating a huge milestone with a parent (who cannot see her cake, much less serve it properly) and an annoying younger sibling. Her birthday starts to become more exciting when she meets a pizza delivery man who reluctantly shows her around town and helps her have the best night of her life. The experience, however, isn’t as easy as pie -- the two strangers encounter some odd and potentially dangerous situations throughout the movie.

What are the most memorable birthday party celebrations that YOU saw in film?

Movie Scenes Gone Wild at the Dinner Table #comedy

After celebrating our disabled veterans in the military last week, we have a special guest topic for the Monday Movie Meme today. Tina at Life is Good suggested this week’s theme based on her love of cooking: Memorable Dinner Table Scenes.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies that feature dinner table scenes that, as described by Tina, are either “uncomfortable, have weird food -- whatever made it stand out from the usual ‘Let's put in a dinner scene so that the characters can discuss X’." Remember, to also visit the blogs of fellow Monday Movie Meme participants and if your film choices for the meme are on your own blog, link back to this blog post.

Here are my selections for this week’s Memorable Dinner Table Scenes topic.

Problem Child 2
The dinner scene where Junior unleashes his cockroaches at the table is among the most memorable parts of this movie. I don’t know if Junior’s malicious act was meant to make LaWanda look like a bad cook or if his intentions were to just make her so angry that she would stay away from his father Ben. No matter what his reasons were for the disgusting dinner stunt, it’s definitely a reminder to question what you eat -- especially if there is a piece of iceberg lettuce moving across the table at its own will! I think Grandpa Big Ben’s dialogue in this scene sums it all up nicely...

“What in the hell is in this salad???” - Big Ben

Unfortunately for LaWanda, Ben and Big Ben, it was much more than blue cheese!

House Party 3
When Vida’s father questions Kid about his plans to support a wife and family, dinner turns into an exchange of insults between the future in-laws.

A heap of arguments lead to the bride and groom’s families threatening each other and the mother-of-the-bride starts throwing salt at Kid’s grandmother while an uncle (played by late comedian, Bernie Mac) tries to attack the mother with a knife. Vida’s father, however, ends this ruckus by taking out a handgun and shooting at the roof and floor. He points the handgun around the dinner table while yelling for everyone to get out of his house.

Sex and the City: The Movie
One of the memorable dinner scenes in this movie features a takes place in a restaurant -- I’m not sure if it’s the same one where Charlotte refused to eat anything other than pre-packaged chocolate pudding because, as she views it, they’re “...in Mexico!” -- but when Samantha orders another round of Martinis, Charlotte expresses concern about them drinking so much.

Samantha’s response, “Relax. We’re on vacation” prompts Carrie to say “Technically, we’re on my honeymoon.” Then Miranda, already stewing from troubles in her own marriage, interrupts to direct Carrie’s attention to a couple who are making out at a table across the room -- Miranda tells the girls “No, I think we’re on their honeymoon” before yelling “Yeah. It’s all so hot, three days in!” in a sarcastic manner, at the unknown couple.

Although making out in a public restaurant where strangers are trying to enjoy a nice meal; does not exactly display the best table manners, Miranda’s outburst was equally disturbing and unnecessary.

What are some memorable dinner table scenes that YOU'VE watched?