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?

Monday Movie Meme meets Jude Law’s 'Variety Club' on Memorial Day

 

Before actor Jude Law became the go-to man for wisdom during my screenwriting (mis)adventures, he supported charities centered on peace, health and education. Variety Club, a charity that provides medical equipment, transportation and access to activities such as sports, to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children is among these organizations where Jude Law dedicates his humanitarian efforts. I thought that Variety Club was solely a British organization but recently learned that it also has footing in the U.S.called Variety of the United States with chapters across the country.

So in honor of Memorial Day and Jude Law’s work with the Variety Club, this week’s Monday Movie Meme topic is: In the Line of Duty.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, your most memorable MOVIE CHARACTERS who were injured while working in a branch of the Armed Forces. Remember to also visit the blogs of fellow participants. Here are my selections for this week’s In the Line of Duty theme.

Lieutenant Dan
Who could forget this grumpy ol’ Army veteran who lost both his legs during the Vietnam War, in “Forrest Gump?” Of all the things I remember about Lt. Dan (played by Gary Sinise), one of the biggest moments that stood out was when he scolded Forrest for saving his life. Lt. Dan had trouble coming to terms with being a double amputee and needing to use a wheelchair. It seemed as though the alternative -- dying in Vietnam was a more acceptable fate to Lt. Dan, rather than living with his disability.

The war veteran’s eventual new, more joyful perspective on life shows how people who encounter dire circumstances can find peace quicker when there is at least one person out in the world who genuinely cares about their well being and/or believes in them. In Lt. Dan’s case, it was Forrest, despite the fact that Dan frequently either tried to push him away or shoot down his dreams and beliefs.

Ron Kovic
Returning home from the Vietnam War was just as bad, if not worse than being in battle, for this paralyzed Marine Sergeant who appears to receive more pity or blatant neglect than respect and a warm welcome home by his country-- including the very people who are supposed to help him in “Born on the Fourth of July.” St. Ron Kovic (played by Tom Cruise) spends his rehabilitation surrounded by careless staff in a rat infested VA hospital where access to quality medical supplies is slim and doctors rarely visit their patients.

After refusing to allow doctors to amputate one of his legs, the wheelchair-bound veteran returns home as a hostile man who questions the virtues that he once believed such as “honor” and “courage.” Kovic’s combative disposition about the cards that he was dealt strains the relationships in his family. I don’t know what kind of lessons are to be learned from Ron Kovic, except for maybe that we need to treat our wounded veterans better, particularly where their healthcare matters (quality hospitals that are staffed well; access to improved and continued physical and mental rehabilitation) are concerned, since they risked their lives to save ours.

Jose
This Vietnam veteran gets his hand blown off while working as a demolitions expert for the Marine Corps and causes all sorts of ruckus upon returning home in “Dead Presidents.”

The effects of the war also took a toll on Jose’s mental state -- he turned into a pyromaniac and literally burned up hundreds of thousands of dollars that his friends planned to share following a robbery.

Much like Ron Kovic in “Born on the Fourth of July,” it seems as though we could stand to provide proper forms of rehabilitation -- in the case of this “Dead Presidents” movie character, mental health care including counseling or related therapies.

Here’s hoping that the disabled and/or wounded among our Armed Forces receive all of the medical care they need including physical therapy, helpful medication, crutches, reconstructive surgery, counseling and support for any symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and any related support that provides a way for them to improve or maintain good health.

Lucky for the rest of the world, charitable organizations like Variety Club are helping children live with their disabilities or illness, by providing families in need with adapted car seats, wheelchairs, feeding tubes, prosthetic limbs, hoists and other medical equipment.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Now, I'm off to try and finish some video editing before hopefully watching "Kingdom of Heaven" on DVD later tonight.

So tell me....

Who is the most memorable wounded Character in the Armed Forces that YOU ever saw in a movie?

Have YOU ever needed medical equipment, therapy or medicine and could not afford it - or - Do YOU know someone who has? If so, how did that experience turn out? If not, do you think that health insurance companies should offer better coverage for medical equipment and rehabilitation services?

Film Director Darnell Martin will Go Broke Before Sacrificing Her Vision #IWD #womensday #womeninfilm #indiefilm

In honor of International Women's Day, join me in celebrating contributions that one woman has made to the film industry -- Darnell Martin. Today's post may also serve as a starting point for subsequent features on women in film, in celebration of Women's History Month. That is still yet to be determined. Enjoy!

About 30 days ago, I had no idea who Darnell Martin was until reading a slideshow on people who are viewed as game changers in Hollywood. How could I not know about “Cadillac Records,” starring Adrien Brody, Beyonce and Jeffrey Wright but not be familiar with the woman who directed this film? Then again, all I knew about “Cadillac Records” was that it is a movie where Beyonce plays the legendary blues singer, Etta James. I've never been a fan of Etta James’ music and had no interest in watching this movie.

It does not take long to understand, however, why Darnell Martin is a force to be reckoned with for at the very least, her way of doing business and making films. While working in film labs as a technician and at camera rental companies the 80s, she applied for film school and was rejected -- three times.

The third rejection from NYU came while Martin happened to be working as an assistant cameraman on “Do the Right Thing,” directed by Spike Lee. She was later accepted into NYU’s graduate film program after Spike Lee made a call to the school, on her behalf. Martin’s short film “Suspect” also granted her directing fellowship at the Sundance Institute and she wrote a feature length script that received a $2 million dollar offer from New Line Cinema during the early 90s.

As lucrative as the offer may seem to any first-time writer or director, however, Darnell Martin turned it down because she believe this deal did not provide adequate an time frame for her to make a good film. All the while, Martin was facing eviction and had no food in her apartment. Still, she refused $2 million from a well known movie studio, just like she once refused someone’s suggestion to change the characters in her script from Latino to Black.

Martin later accepted an offer of $5.5 million with a longer production schedule from Columbia Pictures, for her script, which became the 1994 romantic comedy, “I Like It Like That,” starring Lauren Vélez (from “Dexter” on Showtime) and John Seda (“Selena”; “Gladiator”). The film is about a woman who suddenly has to figure out how to support her family after the breadwinner of their household is arrested for looting during a blackout. “I Like It Like That” was well received, garnering Martin an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature.

Darnell Martin, who has since directed the 2001 drama “Prison Song,” the 2005 TV movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God," starring Halle Berry and continues to direct television episodes for dozens of TV shows including “Grimm” on NBC and “The Mentalist” on CBS, will not compromise any aspect of her work for anyone.

“I'll take my name off my films before I let people change them.”-- Darnell Martin in the L.A. Times

Can YOU name any Female movie directors?

Seriously, off of the top of your head. No Cheating Allowed!

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