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Father's Day

Five Memorable Movies about Dads

By Hannah Goodwyn
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com - "Who presents this woman? This woman? But she's not a woman. She's just a kid. And she's leaving us. I realized at that moment that I was never going to come home again and see Annie at the top of the stairs. Never going to see her again at our breakfast table in her nightgown and socks. I suddenly realized what was happening. Annie was all grown up and was leaving us, and something inside began to hurt."

- George Banks (played by Steve Martin),
Father of the Bride

The scene of an all-grown-up Annie standing at the top of the stairs and then running into the arms of her father after being away from home is one memorable cinematic moment. Many father-daughter/father-son movie moments show the incredible role our dads hold in our lives -- as protectors, providers, rescuers, and friends.

With Father's Day just around the corner, many of us are thinking of what to get our dads this year. One item that's always on the to-buy list for my Dad is movies. That in mind, here are five films that celebrate fatherhood:

Father of the Bride (1991)

One of the best father-daughter films ever released, Father of the Bride stars Steve Martin as an emotional father who doesn't want to give up his little girl. Co-starring Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Martin Short, this is definitely a classic no family should miss. Rated PG. (The original Father of the Bride (1950), starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor, is great too.)

Finding Nemo (2003)

Disney's The Lion King comes to mind as a grest father's movie, but the picture company's most recent cartoon Oscar winner one ups it on this list. Finding Nemo tells the adventurous story of what one father, Marlin - does to find his son, Nemo. Along the way, we are treated to a heroic journey filled with hilarious and touching moments. It's pretty good filmmaking even if it is a cartoon. Rated G.

Signs (2002)

Mysterious crop circles suddenly appear all over the world, including the fields of a Midwestern family still grieving after a tragic accident, in Signs. Director M. Night Shyamalan's film sets Rev. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) in the midst of an alien invasion, compelling him to refocus, pull his family close and reach out to the faith he lost. It's meaningful suspense. Joaquin Phoenix co-stars. Rated PG-13 for some frightening moments.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Based on a very true story, The Pursuit of Happyness tugs at every emotional heartstring as we discover the great lengths Chris Gardner (Will Smith) goes to provide for his son (played by his real-life son, Jaden Smith). Wanting only to put a roof over his boy's head, Chris, a struggling salesman takes dramatic risks to make it happen. Nominated for an Oscar, the film captures the depth of a father's love. Rated PG-13 for some language.

John Q (2002)

With the tagline, "Give a father no options and you leave him no choice", John Q combines heartfelt drama and intense scenes to tell the story of a father who simply wants his son to live. When his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant, John (Denzel Washington) takes matters into his own hands -- taking the hospital hostage. Though his actions are rash and dangerous, the film is incredibly moving. Rated PG-13 for violence, language and intense thematic elements.

Hannah Goodwyn serves as the Family and Entertainment producer for CBN.com. For more articles and information, visit Hannah's bio page.

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