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 

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. 

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 1.833.456.4566Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868  Resources from Jack.org:Be There resource: www.BeThere.org Be There Certificate online course: www.BeThereCertificate.orgBook a Jack Talk: www.jack.org/TalksStart a Jack Chapter: www.jack.org/ChaptersAttend a Jack Summit: www.jack.org/SummitsClips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures

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.orgList of veterans support groups in Canada. Clips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures

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.orgYou 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.

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

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

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

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 VimeoClips in this podcast are ©Universal Pictures

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

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.

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 CanedyKofi mentions two influential books:Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, M.D.The Power of Blessing by Kerry KirkwoodClips in this podcast are © Sony Pictures Entertainment#fatherhood #parenthood #ajournalforjordan #michaelbjordan #raisingstrongchildren #love #relationships #romance #strongrelationships

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  

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

Kofi, Blake & Rich take their first look at an animated movie with 1995 Toy Story - the first collaboration between Pixar and Disney. Aside from its pure entertainment and keen storytelling, Toy Story is a surprisingly profound film that raises questions about purpose, isolation and abandonment - concerns that are relevant to both children and parents alike.Clips contained in this podcast are ©Disney Enterprises Inc. #toystory #fatherhood #buzzlightyear #fatherdaughter #fatherson #growingup #searchingforatticus #raisingstrongdaughters #raisingsons

On the morning after an historic election in Northern Ireland, we discuss Kenneth Branagh's childhood remembrance of the start of The Troubles - with filmmaker and professor Cahal McLaughlin of Queen's University, Belfast. As a child, Dr. McLaughlin lived only a few streets away from the street portrayed in the film. As an adult he works to bridge the divide between Northern Ireland's communities as Director of the Prisons Memory Archive."Belfast" challenges us to consider a number of themes: from intimate concerns about debts, secrets and safety within the home, to larger issues of tolerance and understanding across tribal lines. Rich, Blake and Kofi ponder a variety of questions - drawing on Cahal's childhood observations and his experience as a lifelong activist working for social justice. We encourage you to check out Cahal's work with the Prisons Memory Archive and his portrayals of violence at the hands of UN Peacekeepers in Haiti and Police and Army personnel in Brazil.#belfast #kennethbranagh #fatherhood #family #fathersandsons #love #belfastmovie #searchingforatticus #parenting #buzzsprout 

Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman star in Florian Zeller's masterful drama about the struggles of a man suffering from Alzheimer's disease and the daughter who cares for him. The film earned five Oscar nominations and two awards - including Best Actor for Hopkins and Best Adapted Screenplay for Zeller and Christopher Hampton).Blake, Kofi & Rich wrestle with the film's many difficult issues: How do we best understand those suffering from brain disease and dementia? How do we  balance our obligations as care givers with our responsibility to care for ourselves? How do we broach conversations about planning for incapacity and end-of-life care with our loved ones?RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:Canada:If you have Alzheimer's and wish to support family and friends:ResourcesHelp guide for those caring for someone with Alzheimer'sHelp for Family CaregiversI'm Caring for a Person Living with DementiaSupport Groups TorontoDementia Support ServicesOntario Caregiver OrganizationVancouverBC Support Groups through Alzheimer's.caMontrealCareDoveUS:Support for those with Alzheimer'sCaregiver SupportNational Institute on Aging: Help with Alzheimer's Caregiving #alzheimers #dementia #alzheimersawareness #caregiver #endoflifecare#fatherhood #motherhood #parenting #dadlife #parenthood #family #dad #love #father #fathersday  #kids #fatherandson #searchingforatticus #buzzsprout

For this conversation about the latest big-screen take on the Dark Knight, we've called in a bit of an expert. Dr. Brandon Bosch teaches in the Sociology and Political Science Departments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He's published scholarly works looking at authoritarianism and the role of women in the Batman films. Blake, Kofi & Rich talk with Brandon about the enduring appeal of the Batman character, the similarities between Paul Dano's portrayal of the Riddler and the QAnon and Incel crowds, and the lack of trust of authority on both sides of the political spectrum.  We also look at how Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) struggles with his family's legacy in this movie - and consider what sorts of legacies each of us deals with in our own lives.If you want to read some of Brandon Bosch's articles on Batman, follow these links:"Why so serious?" Threat, Authoritarianism and Depictions of Crime, Law and Order in Batman Filmshttps://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1296&context=sociologyfacpubBat Meets Girl: Adapting the Dark Knight's Love Life to the Big Screenhttps://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1644&context=sociologyfacpubThe Batman Trailer is ©Warner Bros. Pictures

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee star in Jane Campion's much-lauded slow-burn thriller set in the American West. Kofi, Blake & Rich wade through the story's themes of loneliness, isolation, toxic masculinity and damage. We talk about bullying and being bullied, about the savage criticism levelled at both the film and the filmmaker, and we have a little fun with the Benedict Cumberbatch Name Generator.Clips in this podcast are ©Netflix#powerofthedog #netflix #Oscars2022 #benedictcumberbatch #toxicmasculinity 

It's Spring Break, so we're taking a little respite from our full-length episodes and sharing two smaller conversations this week. In the first, Kofi poses a provocative question.While discussing the Oscar-nominated "King Richard," Kofi asked Rich  and Blake if race had ever factored into a decision they've made while parenting. The answers are both simple and complicated. We'll return next week with a look at another Oscar nominee: The Power of the Dog, directed by Jane Campion and starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt head up a band of lovable rogues in Steven Soderburgh's master class in "cool." Blake, Kofi & Rich talk about what makes this movie so rewatchable, why law-abiding citizens such as us love a good heist movie and why George Clooney is such an icon of modern manhood. Rich also shares a bunch of trivia and inside info surrounding the film. After all, he's seen it more than a hundred times. And Blake looks into whether the "pinch" portrayed in the movie would really set off the temporary blackout the gang needs to pull off the heist. For a more detailed answer on that, check out this article from American Physical Society:https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200203/oceans-eleven.cfm Clips contained in this podcast are ©Warner Bros. Pictures

Will Smith turns in a sensitive and nuanced performance as the ambitious and complicated Richard Williams - father to not one, but two of the greatest players in the history of women's tennis. The movie follows the remarkable rise of Venus and Serena Williams from the gang-infested hard courts of Compton, California to Venus's debut on the pro tour. But the focus is on Richard  and the challenges he both overcomes and creates with his 78-page plan for his girls' success. Rich, Kofi & Blake discuss the ambitions we envision for our kids and whether audiences will see this movie as a source of inspiration, a cautionary tale - or perhaps, a bit of both.Clips contained in this podcast are ©Warner Bros. Pictures#kingrichard #venuswilliams #serenawilliams #raisingyoungathletes #coachingyoungathletes #parenting #parenthood #fatherhood #motherhood #fatherdaughter #sports #tennis

Rich talks with former World Cup ski racer Allison Forsyth about how to coach athletes and hold them accountable without crossing the line into outdated abusive behaviour.The conversation sprouts from our podcast on the movie "Miracle" - based on the true story of the US Olympic hockey team's upset victory over the USSR and subsequent gold medal at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. In the film, coach Herb Brooks (played by Kurt Russell) employs some old-school tactics that are just not acceptable by today's standards - including "bag skating" his team until they puke, and publicly challenging a player to continue with an injured thigh.How should modern-day coaches approach incidents of inattention and poor play? Does punishment or sanction have a role in today's coaching culture?Allison Forsyth is uniquely positioned to answer these questions. As an athlete, she reached the very top of her sport while surviving sexual abuse at the hands of a coach. These days, Forsyth is Partner and Chief Operating Officer for ITP Sport and Recreation (www.itpsport.ca), where she consults with sports organizations on how to create and maintain a safe environment for athletes and coaches. #coaching #raisingyoungathletes #safesport #miracle #miracleonice #hockeycanada #coachinghockey #coachingbaseball #coachingbasketball #alpinecanada #football #soccer #fifa #olympics #beijing2022 #winterolympics

With the Winter Olympics underway, Blake, Kofi & Rich take a look at Miracle - the story of the greatest upset in sports history, when an unsung team of American college hockey players beat the mighty Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY on their way to winning the gold medal.The movie features the best hockey cinematography ever. It also does a superb job of capturing both the malaise of the late 70's and the thrill of the Miracle on Ice. As inspiring as the story itself is, the idea of modern coaches (and bosses) taking inspiration from head coach Herb Brooks (played by Kurt Russell) is not as cut-and-dry.  We discuss how Brooks is haunted the fact that he was a late cut from the 1960 gold medal USA hockey team. We take a hard look at the way he disciplines - or even bullies - his players. We also ask whether his technique of casting himself as a villain can actually work as a means of bringing his players together. (The answer: yes, for a short time, anyway.)Clips in this podcast are ©Walt Disney Pictures#miracle #miracleonice #olympics #winterolympics #beijing2022 #parenthood #fatherhood #dadmovies #searchingforatticus #doyoubelieveinmiracles #usahockey #growingup #safesport #parenting #coachingyoungathletes 

Kofi, Blake & Rich pay tribute to the late Sidney Poitier with a look at one of his most iconic roles: homicide detective Virgil Tibbs in Norman Jewison's "In the Heat of the Night."The film is a murder mystery laced with the racial intensity of the Deep South, featuring some crackling exchanges between Tibbs and the good ol' boy police chief played by Rod Steiger. In his work both on-screen and off, Sidney Poitier's strength of character pushed white audiences to reconsider their notions of black men and provided people of colour (like a young Kofi) with a dignified role model. In that sense, his life provides a road map for anyone. Clips contained in this podcast ©MGM Studios.#sidneypoitier #racism #growingup #growingupblack #rolemodels #intheheatofthenight #mrtibbs #theycallmemrtibbs

Denzel Washington wins the Best Actor Oscar and Ethan Hawke earns a Supporting Actor nomination in the portrayal of what has to be the worst "first day on the new job" of all time. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by David Ayer, Training Day is a tense thriller that tells the story of a young cop (Hawke) eager to earn a spot on the LAPD narcotics squad and the corrupt detective (Washington) who manipulates him through a day filled with drug use, conspiracy and eventually, murder.Blake, Kofi & Rich dive in - discussing the simultaneous appeal and revulsion of this film, the power of intimidation and how Training Day serves as an extreme but relevant cautionary tale for anyone eager to achieve their ambitions. #manhood #growingup #trainingdaymovie #denzel #mentalhealth #worklifebalance 

New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) ruins a perfectly good Christmas Eve in Los Angeles for Hans Gruber and his friends (Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov & Al Leong among others) - at least that's how director John McTiernan is said to have approached this Christmas classic.Rich, Blake & Kofi discuss why Die Hard IS a Christmas movie; how intense experiences can engender quick bonds between men; and how we cast people as villains or allies in our own lives. Happy Holidays!

 "For me, the holidays aren't complete without..." Kofi, Blake & Rich each offer a Top 5 list of movies, TV, music & books that get us in the spirit of the season. Some will be familiar. Others might spark a new tradition. Share your Christmas must-haves with us on Facebook and Instagram - @searchingforatticus.

Will Ferrell's infectious enthusiasm delights in Jon Favreau's Christmas classic about a fully-grown man - raised as one of Santa's elves - who heads to New York in search of his birth father.Elf  treads through some familiar Christmas tropes, but as Blake points out, the themes at the heart of this movie would be relevant at any time of year. Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) is a man-boy searching for his own identity, and his father Walter (James Caan) is a man who has lost perspective on how to balance the priorities of work and family. More than anything, though, Elf is one of a handful of Christmas movies that Blake, Kofi & Rich can watch many times over the holiday season. Join us to laugh and marvel at Ferrell, Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen and Peter Dinklage - all working under Favreau's magical touch. 

Even if we weren't enormous James Bond fans, we'd be talking about Daniel Craig's last turn in the role. No Time to Die presents a very different Bond from even the man we talked about a few episodes ago in Skyfall. This is a James Bond who's in and out of love, betrayed and hurt - maybe even disposable.How does that reflect our times? Does it make Bond more heroic, or simply more mortal?SPOILER ALERT: Don't worry. If you haven't seen the film, you're good for the first half of the pod - and we give fair warning before we spoil the heck out of this one. 

Niki Caro's heartfelt story of love, tradition and inspiration is one of our favourites. Whale Rider follows the complicated relationship between village elder Koro (Rawiri Paretene) and his granddaughter Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes). Despairing over the decline of the Maori people he leads, Koro seeks a successor among the village's first-born sons - all the while ignoring and even chastising Paikea for the leadership qualities she can't help but express.Rich, Kofi & Blake discuss the remarkable performances and filmmaking on display, as well as the ways in which traditions and expectations can complicated even the most loving relationships. 

It's Hallowe'en - so we HAVE to talk about a scary movie. But Jordan Peele's 2017 masterpiece is no run-of-the-mill horror flick. Get Out takes the casual racism and stereotyping that people of colour experience every day and turns it into a provocative "social thriller."Blake and Rich are full of questions for Kofi about how we interact about race within our own friendship. We discuss how black people are objectified, how they are made to feel invisible, and how Jordan Peele and an outstanding cast - led by Daniel Kaluuya - created such a profound and thrilling film.

Blake, Kofi & Rich set out to tackle Wes Anderson's offbeat comedic tale of a disbarred, disgraced and despicable father who sets out to con his way back into the lives of his grown-up genius children - and somehow ends up connecting with them. Along the way, Blake shares some very personal details of his childhood that some listeners may find disturbing. This is a conversation that starts with us discussing about quirky comedy and leads to a deep dive into the challenges and rewards of forgiveness.#childabuse #mentalhealth #forgiveness #survivingabuse

There's no hiding our excitement at the upcoming release of the new James Bond movie, No Time To Die. But as we anticipate the next appearance of 007, Rich, Kofi & Blake are  talking about Skyfall - the movie that reset the Bond franchise. Well, Skyfall is where we start... More than anything, this is a conversation about who Bond is, what he represents and why on earth we love this man who lies and kills, and in whose story so many women appear to be completely disposable. #007 #notimetodie #skyfall #james bond #manhood #growing up

Following our conversation about the movie Big Fish, Blake reached to Troy Hill -  an Indigenous educator, a father and a son to a larger-than-life man whose stories, like those portrayed in the movie, seemed to defy authenticity. The conversation was supposed to be about how one reconciles such tall tales with reality. But Blake and Troy ended up talking about a different kind of truth and reconciliation – one that's particularly relevant as Canadians mark the first national holiday dedicated to those goals.In their conversation, Troy recounts how he learned of his father's experiences at a residential school and the toll it has taken on his family. Just a few days later, news broke about the discovery of the remains of more than 200 children at the Kamloops Residential School.  Today, in honour of this first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we're presenting their conversation again. Though the discoveries themselves are not discussed, we feel Troy's story is an important one. Please take the time to listen, and share it with a friend.

Matt Damon's latest film is the thought-provoking story of Bill Baker, an Oklahoma oil rig worker who travels to France to visit his estranged daughter (Abigail Breslin), who's been convicted of killing her girlfriend. When she passes him a note with new information that might exonerate her, Bill begins to seek out the real killer. Along the way, he enlists the help of a French woman (Camille Cottin). Befriending the woman  and her young daughter (Lilou Siauvaud) gives Bill a new lease on life, love and fatherhood. But old habits die hard.The movie prompts Blake, Kofi & Rich to talk about the demons they fear in their own relationships, how their worries compare to dads of previous generations and the ways in which Bill Baker compares to another dad we've discussed - Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) in Taken. #stillwater #stillwaterfilm #mattdamon #tommccarthy #fatherhood #parenting #fatherdaughter 

Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer and Tom Skerritt star in Robert Redford's masterful screen adaptation of Norman Maclean's beloved short story about two brothers growing up in Montana in the early 20th century. A River Runs Through It poses some challenging questions, namely: How do we help those who don't want our help? And how do we love those whom we do not understand?Join Blake, Kofi & Rich as they discuss a movie we think of as essential viewing for all men.

Steve Carell & Tina Fey play suburban couple Phil & Claire Foster, whose special night out in New York City goes completely sideways when they impersonate another couple in order to snag a prized reservation at an exclusive restaurant.The film's a crazy romp, but its underpinnings are good fodder for discussion. Kofi, Blake and Rich talk about the dangers of routines, the challenges of keeping things fresh and what qualifies as a "date night." 

Matt Damon & Christian Bale star in James Mangold's rollicking tale of legendary designer Carroll Shelby & driver Ken Miles' effort to win the 24 Hours of LeMans car race in the 1960's. It's an odd feat to create a story in which the Ford Motor Co. is an underdog (up against the dominant Ferrari), but this movie pulls it off.However, this is far more than a car movie or a sports flick. At its heart is a story of friendship between two renegades - one of whom (Miles) is more of an outcast!Rich, Blake and Kofi talk about the awkwardness of realistic fistfights, the codes that men develop in order to communicate their feelings and the love that is given to those who are passionate - but difficult.

Kevin Hart makes his dramatic debut as Matt Logelin, whose wife dies within days of giving birth to their first child. When his strong-willed mother-in-law (Alfre Woodard) insists that  Matt and his daughter Maddy move back home to Minnesota, Matt refuses - remaining in Boston to raise the baby on his own. For Blake, Rich & Kofi, watching Matt struggle with sleepless nights, inconsolable crying and nasty diapers is a trip back to a time that makes us all  wonder if anyone is ever really prepared for fatherhood. We debate whether dads are still the "spare tire" on the parenting vehicle - capable of handling only low speeds and short distances.  We also look at the impact of casting one of the world's biggest black movie stars in a film based on the real-life story of a white man.

When we discussed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, there was a question Blake posed that left all three of us a bit stumped for a comfortable answer: If Ego is wrong to impose his own ambition onto Peter, then is there anything we see in our own parenting for which we might be similarly criticized?The ensuing conversation with Kofi & Rich doesn't lead entirely to a lot of answers, but the questions themselves - and the occasionally fumbling and grasping that they cause - are worth a listen. 

In normal times, Blake, Kofi & Rich would be heading out  this weekend for the debut of Marvel's Black Widow. We're all vaxxed up, but the theatres in our part of the world (Ontario, Canada) aren't open just yet. Still, we're excited about the latest Marvel movie - Hello, Disney+ - and that got us thinking about all the other movies in the MCU. After all, they're rife with daddy issues and relationship drama. So this week, we're talking about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which Kofi claims is the "familiest" of all the Marvel films. We talk Ego and Yondu and their relationship with Peter Quill/Starlord, and we also reflect on the fierce sibling rivalry shared by Gamora and Nebula. It's a romp of a film, and a romp of a pod.

Our conversation about Ron Howard's "Parenthood" continues with a look at the storylines and themes surrounding the extended Buckman family: single-mom Helen (Dianne Wiest), her son Garry (Joaquin Phoenix) & slacker Tod (Keanu Reeves);  hyper-parent Nathan (Rick Moranis); and patriarch Frank (Jason Robards) & deadbeat dad Larry (Tom Hulce). Rich, Kofi & Blake talk about the pain of being abandoned by your father and the healing possible when another role model steps in. We ask what relationship is most important in a family - the one you have with your spouse or the one you share with your kids? And we ponder whether - as Frank says - parenthood never ends.

The Steve Martin/Ron Howard collaboration "Parenthood" is so full of themes and moments that resonate with fathers and sons (and really, kids and parents of all genders) that we couldn't possibly tackle it all in one podcast. Instead, we're talking this week about the storylines that surround Gil Buckman (Martin), his wife (Mary Steenburgen) and their kids. Next week, we'll discuss Gil's dad, his three siblings and their families. On this podcast, Blake, Kofi & Rich talk about the promises we made as boys to be better dads, the worry that you might do something that "breaks your kid" and the feeling that - as Gil says - "My whole life is have to."

For a lot of young men in the 70's. and a lot of boys and girls since then, seeing your first Star Wars film was more than a movie-going experience. It was an EVENT that inspires memories of anticipation, excitement and inclusion even decades later. Kofi, Blake & Rich share their stories of seeing Empire for the first time and also recount their efforts to share that same affection for The Force with their own kids. But we also want to hear YOUR stories! Please visit our Facebook page and tell us your memories of seeing your first Star Wars movie, or sharing the series with your children.