Searching For Atticus

Steven Spielberg finally gets around to telling his own coming-of-age story, with a bit of fictionalized help from screenwriter Tony Kushner. "The Fabelmans" follows young Sammy (Gabriel LaBelle), a budding filmmaker, through his childhood and adolescence. His mother Mitzi (Michelle Williams) indulges his passion, while his engineer father Burt (Paul Dano) wonders when he will move beyond his "hobby." The film is nominated for 7 Oscars, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Score and Best Production Design. Rich & Kofi talk not only about the film's portrayal of childhood aspirations, marital love and familial disintegration, but also about Spielberg's actual growing up as portrayed in the HBO documentary "Spielberg." Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures. #spielberg #thefabelmans #fabelmansmovie #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Kofi, Blake & Rich continue their look at this year's Academy Award nominees, plunging into the multiverse with a look at the Daniels' breakout hit, starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis. In the film, Yeoh's character Evelyn is a laundromat owner who learns of the existence of multiple versions of herself and her family, which becomes the centre of a battle to save the world from destruction. Much of our conversation revolves around the role of kindness in manhood, the difficulty we all face in reconciling the bad decisions we've made, and the challenges parents face in recognizing their children for who they really are. Clips in this episode are ©A24 #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

We're kicking off our look at nominees for the 2023 Academy Awards with a replay of our conversation about "Top Gun: Maverick." The movie sees Tom Cruise reprise his role as the hot-shot fighter pilot - this time recruited to train a group of Top Gun graduates for an impossible strike mission on yet another nebulous but nefarious nation. Under the deft direction of Joseph Kosinski, we see a well-worn Maverick coming to terms with many of the things that he has missed in life - respect and advancement in his career; family and deep, abiding love. Miles Teller stars as Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son and spitting image of Mav's late partner Goose; Glen Powell plays Rooster's nemesis, call sign: Hangman; and Jennifer Connelly shines as Mav's last, best chance at true love, Penny Benjamin. #topgun #topgunmaverick #tomcruise #milesteller #usnavy #rcaf #figtherjets #growingup #raisingyoungmen #fatherhood #oscars #oscars2023 #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Throughout most of Jack Nicholson's career, he has played men who are menacing, intolerant, angry - or all of the above. Even so, he has held a place in the hearts of movie fans for more than 50 years. What makes Jack so cool? #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

It might not be Hallowe'en, but it is the dead of winter - and Blake tells us that Jack Torrance tops almost every list of Bad Movie Dads. So we dive in on Stanley Kubrick's horror classic The Shining. Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining is the disturbing tale of a writer (Jack Nicholson) who takes a job as the winter caretaker at a remote mountaintop hotel, and proceeds terrorize his wife (Shelley Duvall) and son (Danny Lloyd). Is Jack driven by madness, haunted or just suffering the worst case of writer's block in history? Blake, Kofi & Rich can't decide, but we do dive into the effects of isolation, the appeal of this movie and the uncomfortable scenes in this film that are somehow relatable - even to the most upstanding of husbands and fathers. Clips in this episode are ©Warner Bros. Pictures #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

What happens when your best friend tells you he just doesn't like you any more? That's premise taken on by writer-director Martin McDonough, as he reunites with his "In Bruges" co-stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Gleeson plays Colm, a musician who decides he has no more room in his life for friendship with the "dull" Padraic played by Farrell. For Blake & Rich, the film prompts a variety of topics of conversation: Why do friendships die? Is there a kind way to end them? How do we react when a friendship ends - and what does that say about who we are? And finally, what do we want to be remembered for: the relationships we have or the things we create? Clips in this podcast are ©Searchlight Pictures "Big Time" by Peter Gabriel is ©Real World Music Ltd. #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Kofi, Blake & Rich celebrate the holidays with a look at Tim Allen's feature film debut - and long-running franchise - The Santa Clause, written by Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick, and directed by John Pasquin. Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced, single-dad toy executive who finds himself donning Santa's suit and then becomes the jolly fat man himself - all because he didn't read the fine print. The movie follows Calvin through some hilarious physical changes, but what interests us is the change he makes from selfish, cynical dad to the very personification of the Christmas spirit. Along the way, we talk about the belief that Calvin's son Charlie (played beautifully by Eric Lloyd) holds in both his father and in Ol' St. Nick himself. Clips in this podcast are ©The Walt Disney Company #podcast #thesantaclause #thesantaclauses #timallen #fatherhood #parenthood #raisingyoungmen #christmasmovie #christmasmovies #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Rich & Kofi pay tribute to the World Cup with a look at at the story of a team of POWs who take part in a game against the German national soccer team in occupied Paris at the height of World War II. The POWs are led by Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Pelé, while Max von Sydow plays a German officer with a surprising streak of sportsmanship. Victory is not director John Huston's best effort (he did it for the paycheque), but it does raise some interest questions about honour, sportsmanship and the importance of the "big game" versus the larger of issue of well, escaping to a free life. #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

This might be our most important, most helpful podcast yet. Blake, Kofi & Rich are joined by Eric Windeler, co-founder of the Canadian youth mental health initiative Jack.org, to discuss our first musical, Dear Evan Hansen. The movie follows an anxious, isolated high-school student (Ben Platt) through an increasingly complex web of deception when a letter he writes to himself is misinterpreted as the suicide note of a fellow schoolmate (Colton Ryan). Directed by Stephen Chbosky, with a screenplay by Steven Levenson and songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Dear Evan Hansen is a film that ought to provoke crucial conversations between parents and kids about their struggles. After all, one in seven Canadian youth reports having suicidal thoughts. It's the leading cause of death for young people in Canada. Eric shares his experience as the father of a son lost to suicide, as well as some well-researched advice and resources dedicated to empowering youth and parents to address concerns about mental health. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call: Talk Suicide Canada 1.833.456.4566 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Resources from Jack.org: Be There resource: www.BeThere.org Be There Certificate online course: www.BeThereCertificate.org Book a Jack Talk: www.jack.org/Talks Start a Jack Chapter: www.jack.org/Chapters Attend a Jack Summit: www.jack.org/Summits Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Blake, Kofi & Rich don their poppies with a look at Sam Mendes's one-shot masterpiece about two soldiers (George MacKay and Dean Charles Chapman) tasked with delivering a message to the far end of the front - in the hopes of halting a disastrous British offensive. We talk about the innovative filmmaking and share some fascinating background on Roger Deakins's photography and Lee Smith's editing. We discuss the importance of character - not only in the film but in our own actions. And we consider how it's possible to go from living your daily life as a student, parent or professional one day, then pivot to fighting a war the next. Watch the extended featurette on the making of 1917. Sam Mendes on 1917 - from NPR.org List of veterans support groups in Canada. Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

The first instalment in the series of stories featuring Gru and his Minions is a silly, rollicking ride. Steve Carell, Russell Brand, Jason Segal and Julie Andrews lend their voices to the tale of a super-villain whose heart is touched by three orphan sisters he adopts as part of a plot to steal the moon. Kofi, Blake & Rich laugh plenty in chatting about this movie. We discuss about how our own children have affected our personalities, our ambitions and our careers. We debate whether Gru's mother's putdowns can be interpreted as some form of effective "villain-raising." And we consider whether the characters surround Gru - Dr. Nefario, the Minions and the sisters themselves - actually represent the various tensions any new father is caught between. As mentioned in the podcast, here are a few resources on adoption: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/canada/ (Canada) https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ (United States) Dave Thomas, as in Wendy's Restaurants. He was adopted as a child, so he kind of believes in it. 4 out of 4 stars on charitynavigator.org You can also consult: https://www.canadaadopts.com/adopting-in-canada/adopting-canada-faqs/ (Canada) https://adoptuskids.org/ (United States) An article in Maclean's about the foster system: https://www.macleans.ca/society/life-after-foster-care-in-canada/ And finally, a list of resources from the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada: https://cafdn.org/how-to-help/be-an-ally/ Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures. #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Blake, Kofi & Rich take a look at one of the most popular British films in history. Directed by Stephen Daldry, "Billy Elliott" follows an 11 year-old boy (Jamie Bell) from a working-class family who discovers a talent and passion for ballet while his father (Gary Lewis) and older brother (Jamie Draven) struggle through the historic 1984-85 UK miners strike. Under the direction of a local dance teacher (Julie Walters), Billy's talent develops to the point where he earns an audition with the National Ballet School. As a young dancer, dance grad and one-time professional, Blake identifies with much of what Billy goes through. Blake shares his own stories of scorn and misunderstanding related to gender conformity. We also look at the profound love and grief experienced by Billy's dad Jackie - and consider the importance (and challenge) of seeing your children for who they really are. #fatherhood #billyelliottmovie #parenthood #raisingyoungmen #raisingstrongchildren #movies #growingup #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Kofi, Blake & Rich dive into the New Zealand bush for director/writer Taika Waititi's coming-of-age film about a nationwide manhunt for a boy (Julian Dennison) and his foster father (Sam Neill). "Wilderpeople" is a cheeky film that plays with the perspective of young Ricky and his relationship with old Hec - two people who are emotionally broken and stumbling towards healing with each other. Ricky's foster mother (Rima Te Wiata) inspires us to discuss how we find family and home outside of our bloodlines. A child welfare worker (Rachel House) provokes conversation about how the foster care and penal systems can intersect. And a ridiculous eulogy (from Waititi himself) has us spellbound with thoughts of a heavenly path lined with burger rings, Fanta and "the yummiest treats you can imagine." Clips in this podcast are ©Defender Films/Piki Films #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Viggo Mortensen in his Oscar-nominated turn as Ben Ross - a father raising his family in the American wilderness, hoping desperately that the isolation from society - and a greater connection to nature - will cure his wife's mental illness. When his wife passes away, the family travels to Arizona for her funeral. A clash of cultures ensues - raising challenging questions about how Ben has been raising his kids and what Western society values as well. Matt Ross wrote and directed this provocative film, which also stars George MacKay as the oldest of a remarkable cast of young actors who play Ben's children. For Blake, Kofi and Rich, Captain Fantastic raises a number of questions surrounding what we value in raising our own kids, the advice we hope to impart to them and what it means to educate them. Clips in this podcast are ©Electric City Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures #viggomortensen #captainfantasticmovie #mattross #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Really that should read "Jaws!!!" Blake, Kofi & Rich enthusiastically sink their teeth into Steven Spielberg's early masterwork, based on the novel by Peter Benchley. We talk about what makes the movie timeless and what separates it from so many thrillers. It's far more than a scary movie, mostly because of the trio of heroes played by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw. They're a motley crew - each displaying flaws or fears but also some admirable and familiar qualities. We also make mention of the fact that Jaws essentially started the myth of sharks as bad actors. For a scientific and heartfelt counterpoint, consider watching Rob Stewart's documentary Sharkwater. Watch on Vimeo Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

With Serena Williams announcing that she'll retire after this year's US Open, we thought it a good time to revisit our look at "King Richard." The movie features outstanding performances by Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton (as Venus and Serena Williams) and Aunjanue Ellis (as the girls mother, Oracene Price) - and Will Smith in his Oscar-winning turn as their ambitious father Richard Williams. (No matter what you think of "The Slap" Smith's performance is undeniably great.) Clips in this podcast are ©Warner Bros. Pictures #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Martin Mull and Ann Jillian star in 1983's "Mr. Mom." Keaton plays Jack Butler, a Detroit auto engineer who's laid off from his job at the height of a recession. When Jack's wife (Garr) takes a job at an ad agency, Jack takes over the homemaking duties. We're not gonna lie: this is the WORST movie we've discussed so far - in spite of the fact that it's first screenplay written by John Hughes! While Rich and Kofi argue that the themes and tropes of the film are tired and outdated, Blake challenges that assumption with academic research suggesting we're not as far removed from the hardened gender roles of the 1980's as we might otherwise think. #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Michael B. Jordan stars as a US Army soldier who writes a journal of advice for his infant son while stationed in Iraq during the American invasion of Iraq. At least that's what the official description of this film says. In fact, Chanté Adams stars in the real-life story of Dana Canedy, a New York Times journalist who falls for that same soldier, First Sergeant Charles Monroe King. The movie follows the both the romance between the couple and Dana's attempts to tell their son Jordan about their life together and the legacy of advice that King leaves for him. Directed by Denzel Washington, with a screenplay by Virgil Williams, A Journal for Jordan provokes Blake, Kofi & Rich to discuss the value of a good man's patience, the challenges of balancing powerful responsibilities with the demands of a committed relationship and just how many pushups it would take to look as fit at Michael B. Jordan. The film is based on A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Honor and Love by Dana Canedy Kofi mentions two influential books: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, M.D. The Power of Blessing by Kerry Kirkwood Clips in this podcast are © Sony Pictures Entertainment #fatherhood #parenthood #ajournalforjordan #michaelbjordan #raisingstrongchildren #love #relationships #romance #strongrelationships #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

Blake, Kofi & Rich follow up on our look at 1986's "Top Gun" with a look at the long-awaited - and remarkably well-executed sequel that has been dominating the 2022 box office. "Top Gun: Maverick" sees Tom Cruise reprise his role as the hot-shot fighter pilot - this time recruited to train a group of Top Gun graduates for an impossible strike mission on yet another nebulous but nefarious nation. Under the deft direction of Joseph Kosinski, we see a well-worn Maverick coming to terms with many of the things that he has missed in life - respect and advancement in his career; family and deep, abiding love. Miles Teller stars as Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son and spitting image of Mav's late partner Goose; Glen Powell plays Rooster's nemesis, call sign: Hangman; and Jennifer Connelly shines as Mav's last, best chance at true love, Penny Benjamin. #topgun #topgunmaverick #tomcruise #milesteller #usnavy #rcaf #figtherjets #growingup #raisingyoungmen #fatherhood #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

With "Top Gun: Maverick" topping the box office, we're taking a look at the original - the movie that became a phenomenon. Rich, Kofi & Blake discuss the appeal of Tom Cruise, the talents and flaws of his character Maverick, and the difference between rivals and adversaries. We also share some trivia about the film, unpack the mystique of fighter pilots' code names and share a little relevant wisdom from Billy Joel. Movie clips are ©Paramount Pictures #topgunmovie #topgunmaverick #fatherhood #growingup #raisingyoungmen #manhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday #dadsofinstagram #kids #fatherandson #daddy #fathers #dads #familytime #parents #children #parentlife #friendship #marriage #fatherdaughter #fatherson #fatheranddaughter #parentingtips #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout