One of my great joys in life is being a father. It’s a blessing that is beyond expression. As with many wonderful things in life, the movies have a way of capturing them and reminding us of their beauty. On the flip side cinema can also show us darker things. When it comes to fathers movies have shown us the good and the bad. This list looks at some of the more abominable fathers of the big screen. There have been a number of detestable movie dads over the years so I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I have no problem calling these five movie fathers phenomenally horrible.

#5 – Royal Tenenbaum (“The Royal Tenenbaums”)

Over the years Wes Anderson has come up with a wide assortment of characters. One of them is a father who is right at home on this list. Royal Tenenbaum (played by Gene Hackman) has all of the characteristics of a horrible dad plus a few. He steals money from his kids, shows obvious favoritism, belittles them, and always thinks of himself first. If that doesn’t convince you how about faking stomach cancer in order to get back in their good graces? Yep, Royal Tenenbaum definitely belongs on this list.

#4 – Wade (“Joe”)

I had a very unique impulse while watching Wade in David Gordon Green’s “Joe”. I wanted to jump through the screen and strangle the guy myself. Wade is a vile and detestable drunk who abuses his family both mentally and physically. And this only scratches the surface of his sickening behavior. I won’t spoil it, but lets just say he does some things that will make you cringe. Wade was played by Gary Poulter, a real life homeless man who was found dead before the film was ever released. It was a sad development for someone who gave a great performance.

#3 – Jack Torrance (“The Shining”)

It’s really a shame that Jack Torrance had to make this list. He has a loving wife and a sweet (but unique) little boy. They get a gorgeous mountain resort all to themselves for the winter which is a perfect place for Jack to continue his writing. But there is something about chasing your son around the hotel with an axe that will get you on this particular list. You know the story, Jack goes insane. We see his mental slide reveal itself in his relationship to his family but once he reaches the point of murdering them…well, lets just say he won’t be winning any “Father of the Year” awards.

#2 – Daniel Plainview (“There Will Be Blood”)

I think Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance in “There Will Be Blood” is one of the greatest single acting performances of all time. That’s pretty high praise, right? Well I think it is earned. His Daniel Plainview is a self-centered and unscrupulous businessman who uses his young son H.W. as a tool to persuade land owners to allow him to drill for oil on their property. We get vague signs that Daniel has some form of affection for the boy. But ultimately his negligence and business approach to his son is a most devious form of abuse. It all comes to the surface in a final confrontation between the two close to the end. Daniel Plainview is a fascinating but ultimately horrible father.

#1 – Darth Vader (“Star Wars” trilogy)

I’ve offered up an assortment of terrible fathers who have a number of detestable vices, but none of them can be called a galactic tyrant. Well, not until now. It could be said that Darth Vader (aka Anakin Skywalker) gets a little pass because he didn’t know Luke and Leia were his children. I object. Just look what he did after he uttered those famous words “I am your father”. He tortured his son’s best friend and sent him off with a bounty hunter. He chopped off his son’s hand. Upon finding out about Leia’s existence he thinks it’s a good idea to kidnap her and turn her to the dark side. Add his murderous past to the equation and you have one rotten father. But thank goodness for those great moments of redemption.

So there are five pretty crummy movie fathers. What say you? Do you have a bad dad to add to this list? Please head to the comments section below and share your choices or thoughts on mine!

There are so many things I love about cinema including its unique ability to visualize things. Through movies filmmakers can tell some amazing stories and they can sometimes visualize things that we can’t otherwise express. For example just look at dreams. We can try to describe some of our dreams, but it can be extremely hard to do. But not in the movies and that is what I’m looking at today. These are five of the best movie dream sequences. To set guidelines I decided to stay away from movies that spend most of their time in dreams. Movies like “Inception”, “The Wizard of Oz”, and “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Now there are a ton of others to choose from so I wouldn’t call this a definitive list. But there’s no denying that these five movie dream sequences are nothing short of phenomenal.

#5 – “Shutter Island”

I’m a huge fan of Scorsese’s psychological thriller “Shutter Island”. The lead character Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. Marshal tormented by painful dreams. Scorsese uses these dream sequences to reveal different bits of information about Teddy’s painful past. One of his most haunting dreams shows him and his wife Dolores in their apartment. Their conversation is full of anguish and hints at even more shocking revelations to come. The dream ends with Teddy embracing his wife and her turning to ash in his arms. It is such a dark and potent scene that gets me every time.

#4 – Raising Arizona

There are so many things that I love about the wacky comedy “Raising Arizona” from the Coen Brothers. All Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter want is to start a family of their own. It’s just that they are two of the dumbest people you would ever meet. But they are two of the most lovable and sympathetic dummies which makes the ending of the film so good. It features a dream sequence where the couple has grown old and all of the things they thought impossible has come true for them. I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t seen the film, but let’s just say it’s an incredibly touching moment in a film filled with craziness.

#3 – “Spellbound”

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the fabulous Alfred Hitchcock would be on a list featuring great movie dream sequences. And how can a list like this not include his 1945 classic “Spellbound”. The film stands out thanks to its stellar cast led by Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. But it also features an amazing dream sequence created by the surrealist Salvador Dali. Dali’s finished sequence was actually 20 minutes long and way too lengthy for the film. It was cut to around two minutes and while many would love to see Dali’s full vision, he does offer up a wonderful and truly trippy dream sequence nestled in this great movie.

#2 – “Aliens”

When it comes to science fiction and especially sequels it doesn’t get much better than James Cameron’s 1986 gem “Aliens”. This is a true favorite of mine and it has found its way onto several Phenomenal 5 lists. This time “Aliens” shows up due to its great dream scene early in the film. Ripley has just been rescued after 57 years in stasis. While recovering in the infirmary she has a terrifying dream of an alien inside her that is about to burst out. What makes it so great is we never see it coming. Cameron sets us up and lures us in before revealing the terror we see is actually a dream. I still remember the first time I saw it.

#1 – “8 1/2”

Honestly you could compile a Phenomenal 5 list of dream sequences just from this wonderful Italian classic from Federico Fellini. Without question Fellini’s visual style plays an important role in this film about a director struggling with an intense case of ‘director’s block’. He shows it most in his dream sequences none better than the movie’s great opening. It starts with the lead character Guido suffocating in the cab of his car as a host of people simply sit by and watch. He escapes by an almost angelic ascension only to find himself still tied to the craziness that is his life. That’s a vague description, but lets just say it is a brilliant scene worth experiencing for yourself.

So there are just five of the many great movie dream sequences. See something you agree or disagree with? See something I missed? Please go to the comments section and let me know what would have made your list.

One of my favorite things to do in January is to look back at the performances from the year before. The Golden Globes are approaching. The Oscars are right around the corner. This is my chance to share the actresses and actors who I thought were the best in their respected categories. So without delay its time for the men to get some attention. These are my favorite performances by actors in supporting roles. It’s been a rich year filled with strong performances and these fellows have stood out to me.

#5 – Tyler Perry (“Gone Girl”)

No one is more surprised than me to see Tyler Perry on a list celebrating great performances. I’ve never been impressed with Perry as as actor, but director David Fincher certainly knew what he was doing. Perry plays Ben Affleck’s sharp Johnny Cochran-styled attorney who is tasked with defending the most reviled man in the country. There is something about Perry’s performance that exudes self-confidence and sophistication – two traits that are essential to the character. Perry really surprised me.

#4 – Gary Poulter (“Joe”)

The sad circumstances surrounding Gary Poulter certainly dampen the conversation, but it doesn’t take away from what was a stunning performance in “Joe”. Poulter wasn’t a professional actor. In fact he was homeless and without a job yet director David Gordon Green hired him. It was a great move. Poulter gives a raw and disturbing portrayal of an abusive alcoholic father. What he managed to convey without no training or experience is bewildering. Sadly he would be found dead a short time before the film was set to premiere.

#3 – Jonathan Pryce (“Listen Up Philip”)

Jonathan Pryce’s Ike Zimmerman from the acidic “Listen Up Philip” may not the vilest character in the film but he sure is close. The 67-year old Pryce has had a long and diverse career and I loved seeing him sink his teeth in this meaty role. He plays a snarky and miserable writer living in arrogant isolation and thanks to Pryce’s brilliant work you never doubt the character you’re seeing. It’s a dark and scalding performance in a smaller film that many people may have missed.

#2 – Robert Pattinson (“The Rover”)

It wasn’t long ago that I doubted Robert Pattinson would ever make a list like this. His surprising performance in David Michod’s “The Rover” has certainly changed my perspective. In the film he plays a pivotal role, perhaps the only truly innocent person in the story. He’s simple, probably mentally challenged, and Pattinson captures him with an authenticity that I didn’t know he possessed. I’ve heard criticism over Pattinson’s delivery, but I think he brings so much to his role and he is a perfect compliment to Guy Pearce’s cold, violent lead character.

#1 – Ethan Hawke – (“Boyhood”)

When I started putting together this list there was one single performance that I knew would be at the top. It’s Ethan Hawke’s energetic and wide-ranging performance in Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age gem “Boyhood”. Like his fellow cast members, Hawke shot his part over a 12-year span and as the story progresses Hawke brings us several different sides to his character. In a film filled with great moments, some of my favorites are when Hawke is on the screen. Much like Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke is a vital component to “Boyhood’s” success.

One of my favorite things to do in January is to look back at the performances from the year that was. The Golden Globes have come and gone. The Oscars are right around the corner. This is my chance to share the actresses and actors who I thought were the best in their respected categories. So without delay I’m letting the ladies go first. These are my favorite performances by actresses in supporting roles. It’s been a rich year filled with strong performances and these women have stood out to me.

#5 – Tilda Swinton (“Snowpiercer”)

I think the word ‘diverse’ is a great word to describe Tilda Swinton. In 2014 she showcased her incredible range. One of her standout and incredibly unique performances came in “Snowpiercer”. She plays Mason, the second in command of a constantly moving train carrying the last survivors on the frozen earth. Swinton hams it up like never before, but in some weird twisted way her character fits in this world. Swinton is devious, maniacal, and at times absolutely hilarious.

#4 – Emily Blunt (“Edge of Tomorrow”)

This is certainly not the kind of performance that will garner awards attention, but Emily Blunt’s performance in “Edge of Tomorrow” is gritty, tough, and filled with personality. Those who know my appreciation for Blunt may see this as a biased pick. But Blunt really shows a different side of her. She matches Tom Cruise in every scene and she injects such vivacity into a character that could have been run-of-the-mill and cliché. It’s a great performance.

#3 – Eileen Atkins (“Magic in the Moonlight”)

It’s a small role, but I love Eileen Atkins in Woody Allen’s “Magic in the Moonlight”. Allen has a knack for writing good female characters and then choosing good actresses to bring them to life. That is definitely the case with Atkins. She plays Colin Firth’s Aunt Vanessa, a subtle fireball who isn’t afraid to speak her mind to her pretentious nephew. Atkins makes it seem effortless as she delivers muted but sharp wit and a delectable charm.

#2 – Agata Kulesza (“Ida”)

One of the strongest components in Pawel Pawlikowski’s fabulous “Ida” is Agata Kulesza and her character Wanda. In many ways she is the door of self-discovery for young Ida. Kulesza gives us that side of her character, but she also superbly conveys another side plagued by misery and depression. Kulesza never struggles with the various perspectives she is asked to show, and regardless of whether the scenes are big moments or small subtle ones, she is up for the task.

#1 – Patricia Arquette (“Boyhood”)

There is a lot of buzz surrounding Patricia Arquette’s performance in Richard Linklater’s brilliant drama “Boyhood”. She deserves all of the attention she is getting. Arquette has always been a talented actress but here she gets an opportunity to do a number of different things. Filmed over a twelve year period Arquette shows us several different stages of this mother’s life and at no point does she ever feel deceptive or false. Arquette injects so much emotion into an already deeply moving film. She won the Golden Globe for the performance and I’m hoping an Oscar win will follow.