TDM: Total Dad Movies with Tooky, Dave, & Mike

POV: You gaze into the snowy white noise of the tv; suddenly, the Dads materialize amidst the static and smile sinisterly at you;

DADS: We're heeee-eeere!

Happy Halloween! Enjoy Tobe Hooper's (and Steven Speilberg's?) horror classic from 1982 POLETRGEIST!

This movie features the first time these legends shared the screen. 

I'm talking about Jeremy Piven and Tone Loc.

(Also Tom Sizemore, Andre Braugher, Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer, Danny Trejo, Natalie Portman, Amy Brenneman, and Hank Azaria).

(Also there are these other two guys in it that are supposed to be pretty good.)

Enjoy a Dad Dive into Michael Mann's 1995 thriller HEAT.

Oompa loompa doopity doo

I have a brand new podcast for you

Oompa loompa doopity dike

Featuring the Dads Tooky Da-ave and Mike- [record scratch]

I SAID GOOD DAY, SIR! [slams door]

It's Mel Stuart's 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation that's been terrifying children for generations, WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!

PS: Wilder > Chalamet > Depp

If your Dad doesn't love Dolly Parton, get a new Dad. RIP to one of the greatest American artists and citizens you and your Dad are likely to ever encounter. Please enjoy our tribute to the Grande Dame of Country Music (and Childhood Literacy, and Vaccine Research Funding, and a million other things) in her film debut (alongside fellow legends Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda) in Colin Higgns' landmark 1980 comedy  9 TO 5. 

Part of being a Dad is facing - and even embracing - loss. All states are transitional, but you hope that you leave behind something that your kids (and maybe even their kids) can hold onto, something that says: "This is who I was, and this is what I believe." 

Tim Curry was notably (and justifiably) slippery in his life; he didn't loop us in on all the details, as was his right. What he does leave us (and I guess we're all his metaphorical kids in this exercise) is an astounding guide to finding joy at t...

We usually stay away from movies still showing in theaters, but we had to make an exception for the movie event of the summer, which dares to ask the question: What if beloved Dad filmmaker Christopher Nolan made the world's biggest, longest, most discussed Dad Movie (tm) of all time?

He loves his kid! He loves his wife! He refuses to ask for directions! Odysseus is truly the Daddest of all Dads. Join Dads Tooky, Dave, & Mike as we dig into the film of 2026: THE ODESSEY

Guys, the Dads are all over the country taking some much-deserved vacations with their biological and hand-selected families. It's that time in the summer when the good movies have all come out (see you, THE ODYSSEY) and it's time to start taking out the trash (we see you, THE END OF OAK STREET), so we thought we'd revisit one of the absolute trashiest summer movies in the Dad canon. Enjoy this January 2025 episode about what might be the sweatiest movie ever: 1997's CON AIR. 

Are you taking your dad to see THE ODYSSEY? Trick question: OF COURSE YOU ARE. That's because Christopher Nolan is your Dad's favorite director. He checks all the boxes for a Dad Movie Experience (tm):

Emotional distance (obvi);

Cool fights;

Chance of Batman; 

Multiple timelines (Dads wear watches so we love occasional time dislocation);

Sad Dad as hero;

NO SEX.

This summer, we celebrate YDFD Christopher Nolan by digging into 2010's INCEPTION, which ticks off 5 of the 6 above boxes (THE ODYSSEY is 6 for 6, btw).

Listen: I don't want to tell you how to live your life, but if your Dad doesn't want to be Steve McQueen, GET YOURSELF A NEW DAD.

And if you're a Dad and you don't secretly want to be Steve McQueen, GET YOUR KIDS A NEW DAD. 

Peter Yates directs. Lalo Schifrin jazzes. Robert Vaughn smarms. And Steve McQueen looks baller in a turtleneck. It's 1968's BULLITT.

Before Charlie Sheen was...you know, "Charlie [makes cuckoo gestures with hands] Sheen" he was a serious actor. Your mileage may vary, but he was for sure out there trying.  And as one of Hollywood's most famous sons (acting across from his real-life Dad Martin), he alone makes this flick Dad-worthy.

But wait - this movie also features one of the OG nepo babies: Michael Douglas (Kirk's boy), delivering an Oscar-winning performance.

And it turns out this whole movie is (at least in part) a tribute to the filmmaker's (Oliver Stone) Dad, who had a l...

This conversation takes more twists and turns than the film does, and that's saying something, friend-o. Flip a coin to see how Dad Tooky feels about the Coen brothers' 2007 Best Picture winner NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. 

The second half of this docuseries is marked as much by the absence of fathers as by their presence; we barely hear from MJ's kids (and when we do, we get no insight into MJ the Dad). The surrogate Dads (Phil Jackson, Dean Smith) fall away; most notably, we follow the story of the tragic loss of James Jordan, MJ's dad. His loss (and the resulting media reaction, which was marked by some truly repellent speculation) seems to put the final touches on the MJ persona we see to this day:  motivated by slights (perceived and real), utterly in c...

What if we built a whole docuseries out of Dads?

MJ = the demanding Dad

Phil = the cool Dad

Scottie = the young Dad who's still figuring it out

Bill Cartwright = the Dad who the whole neighborhood respects

Jerry Reinsdorf = the absentee Dad

Dennis Rodman = the stepDad who throws your whole life into chaos

Journey with us back to 2020 and beyond for Jason Hehir's sanity-saving (for NBA sickos anyway) weekly documentary series about Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls quest for a second three-peat THE LAST...

You may find yourself asking the question: "Wither Wrestlemania 17?" Or even: "Wither Wrestlemania at all? These be not movies; gaze upon ye podcast title and weep!" Listem, I could explain how Dad Tooky wanted to revisit the WWF of her childhood and experience it through adult eyes; I could go on and on about the fascinating cultural bubble of the brief pre-9/11 moment of this century; or I could point out that this event helped launch one of Hollywood's most unlikely supermegastars. I could do all that... or I could kick you off a ladder into a bunch of...

HOOP DREAMS is on the short list of great American movies. Full stop. Regardless of genre, era, etc. I don't think most cineastes would push back on that. 

HOOP DREAMS is also full of Dads: absent Dads, supportive Dads, substitute Dads, new Dads, old Dads, warm Dads, cold Dads.... you get the point. So join us as we take our turn singing the praises of this incredible Dad movie that also belongs to Moms, siblings, friends, coaches, and regrettably (to this Celtics fan), Isiah Thomas. Nonetheless, we hope you love out dive into Steve James' 1994 documentary masterpiece c...

When you're a Dad you're a Dad all the way / From your first stupid joke to your last dying day...

Listen to this podcast softly and it's almost like praying...

OK, I'll stop. Enjoy Robbins' and Wise's landmark 1961 movie musical WEST SIDE STORY... daddio.

"This is the movie ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER wants to be." - Dad Tooky Kavanagh

Hal Needham directs 1977's SMOKEY & THE BANDIT!

Oh, Catherine O'Hara...

For Dads Of A Certain Age (DOACAs), the presence of Catherine O'Hara in any project was a sign that we were in good hands. She was to Gen X what in many ways Gilda Radner was to boomers - surprising, unafraid, deeply physical, and deeply funny. 

Her run on SCTV is legendary. Her recent dramatic work continued to cement her presence as one of Hollywood's finest actors in any genre. Her final extended run in SCHITT'S CREEK was - is - iconic. But, for DOACAs, her work in the Christopher Guest-O-Verse will a...

It's the mooooost wooooonderfullll tiiiiime of the yeeeeeaaar....

It's the Dad-est of all the (unofficial) holidays, it's Thanksgiving without the turkey and Xmas without the small talk plus Fourth of July without the humidity, its Super Bowl Sunday! Join the Dads as we gab about snacks, Bad Bunny, AI, late-stage capitalism, Ben Affleck, math, and - oh right, a football game. The Dads held themselves a Super Bowl Party, and it's like you're all invited, so grab a plate, load it it up with chili and some gluten-free cheese balls, and dig in to our discussion of...

These are dark times, friends. And in dark times, Dads need to smile. Which is why we hope our voices are like a combination of Fergie and Jesus as we dig into Adam McKay's 2008 shaggiest-of-shaggy-dogs comedy STEP BROTHERS.

Stay golden, Pony Boy.

This week: the Dads toast one JC Wiatt, one of the great unsung movie Moms as well one of the most luminescent movie stars of the century, the magnificent Diane Keaton, who we lost in 2025.

Working from a Nancy Meyers script and featuring some supporting dudes like James Spader (sleazy!), Sam Shepard (sexy!) and Harold Ramis (sleepy!), BABY BOOM is a fun (if occasionally-dated with one TRULY CRINGEWORTHY 30 second sequence), shaggy version of the "can she have it all?" comedies that were a studio staple in the 80s. Holding the whole thing together is Keaton who brings...

Happy 2025 from the Dads.

We really wanted to mark the passing of Rob Reiner, who we've featured in our episodes on WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and THE PRINCESS BRIDE; today we discuss his 1992 blockbuster as well as his impact on our lives and culture in general. RIP to a giant of American cinema and the guy who made one of your dad's favorite movies. We hope you enjoy our podcast about A FEW GOOD MEN.

51:00 What Makes This A Dad Movie?

54:10 Who's Your Daddy?

1:01:30 The Kavanagh Rating

Well, the Dads finally made it to Chevy in this most Chevy of Chevy movies.

It's hard to explain the phenomenon of Chevy Chase in 2025 to someone who wasn't there. But such is the burden of Gen X Dads, much like reciting "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" to our uninterested screen-addicted progeny, we must also account for the old man in Community's presence in this holiday tradition. And you know what? The movie is still pretty good. And maybe a gift we can give our kids is the choice to separate "art" from "artist." So Merry Xmas...

Yeah, we (Dads Mike and Dave) were as surprised as you are:

Dad-In-Waiting Tooky Kavanagh did not see this film until AFTER watching BOTH parts of WICKED.

The times, they are a-changin'...

And it's not a bad thing: is there a more seminal piece of culture than the Wizard of Oz? People have been going back to L. Frank Baum's story in various media for almost a century, probably because it still has things to tell us about discovery, identity, and growing up. Engaging with a meaningful piece of culture through fresh eyes...

Tolstoy said "Every family is unhappy in its own way". Boy, would he have loved the Von Erichs. (Would Leo Tolstoy have enjoyed professional wrestling? I like to think so.)

The Dads know Thanksgiving holidays can be rough (see: above); in that spirit, we bring you a movie that presents the story of a family that (hopefully) is way more f#$%ed up than yours. 

Seriously though - it's a very good flick (and a particular fave of Dads Dave and Mike, for reasons explained in the podcast); pull up your chair around the dinner t...

Kurt and Goldie! Dads love a long-term relationship!

Goldie Hawn can do no wrong. It’s a Dad Movie credo. 

Kurt Russell’s Dean Profitt is perhaps the most feckless Dad we’ve encountered yet. Like, for real: ZERO FECKS GIVEN. 

Does it work? Does it matter? Kurt and Goldie baby in Garry Marshall’s 1987 morally-dicey rom-com OVERBOARD!

What Makes This A Dad Movie? 38:15

Who’s Your Daddy? 42:00

The Kavanagh Rating 48:15 

HALLOWEEN BONUS EPISODE!

The Dads choose "treat" for both us and you with a surprise bonus John Carpenter episode, 1982's horror masterpiece (featuring Kurt Russell, pre-"diabeetus" Wilford Brimley, and Black All Star Keith David) THE THING! 

WHAT MAKES THIS A DAD MOVIE? 49:30

WHO'S YOUR DADDY? 53:00

THE KAVANAGH RATING: 56:15

Have a happy Halloween with this sci-fi creepfest from the Dads!

You know what Dads love? Being right about something. So when John Nada (played with nihilistic aplomb by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, RIP) realizes that the inherent unfairness of the world is actually a vast conspiracy, Dads everywhere stood and cheered.

The fact that - 37 years later - this combination of societal distrust and feeling of victimization have been co-opted from John Carpenter's subversive satire into a political platform for the right? Well, Dads are less cool with that. At least, the cool Dads are.<...

Dads love three things:

Baseball;

Robert Redford (RIP);

A moral.

Don't gamble and don't chase fast women and most of all DON'T THINK YOU'RE SUCH HOT POTATOES or you too might end up losing your prime seasons to bullet- and pride-related injuries. The Dads continue celebrating the singular career of Robert Redford (in time for October baseball, no less!) with our deep dive into Barry Levinson's 1984 called shot THE NATURAL.

54:00 What Makes This A Dad Movie?

57:30 Who's Your Daddy?

1:01 The Kavanagh Rating

<...

The Dads had just finished recording this episode when news of Robert Redford's death became public. Robert Redford did as much for cinema as any American ciitizen ever, and that certainly includes Dad movies. TD&M will spend the next few months dipping into Redford's unparalleled string of Dad hits, and today's film certainly qualifies: a perfect example of well-used star power (both in front of and behind the camera) to tell a story with a clear moral (Dads LOVE morals!) that reverberates even more strongly (and some might say, sadly) today. 

We'll miss you, Robert Redford. Y...

This week, in honor of this film's pear anniversary (and upcoming Imax release), the Dads dig into (in one Dad's opinion, anyway) Ron Howard's directorial masterpiece, a seamless blend of craft and scale that... hold on a minute... dad Tooky... did you say you watched this film... on a... a laptop?! (Dads Mike and Dave clutch their chests and die)

Hanks! Harris! Quinlan! Bacon! Sinise! Paxton (not Pullman, goddammit Tooky)! Houston, we have a podcast: it's 1995's APOLLO 13!

48:00 - What makes this a Dad movie?

51:00 - Who's Your Daddy?

59:00 - The...

It's the conclusion of HOT HITCHCOCK SUMMER!

Snuggle up with the Dads in our sleeper car as they pay homage to the man who sort of invented the modern thriller. 

Despite it's lack of on-screen fatherhood, NXNW is a Dad movie through and through: Dads love traveling, and this flick is (literally) all over the map. Dads hate asking for directions - so does Cary Grant's Roger Thornhill (unless they're coming from Eva Marie Saint). And what Dad doesn't want to conclude his road trip at a major national monument? (Bill Hader Stefan voice: "This m...

Our Hot Hitchcock Summer Series continues! The Dads look deep within themselves through the eyes of ur-Dad James Stewart, and if you think he's in wholesome IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE mode here, boy, are you in for a surprise. Speaking of surprises, this film delivers three absolute stunning performances that belie reality:

Jimmy Stewart as a semi-obsessive creeper (although maybe not totally surprising after his performance in REAR WINDOW; see our episode from July 8);

Kim Novak falling for a man half her age (boy, Hitchcock sure has a thing, doesn't he?);

San Francisco...

Oh, this is some down-the-middle Dad manna right here. 

Gene Hackman. The leading Dad face on the Dad Movie Mt. Rushmore (which, to be clear, is a virtual-only Mt. Rushmore and the Dads believe in indigenous rights); first-ballot inner circle Dad movie HOFer. Requiescat in pace.

Denzel Washington. The only still-working challenger for Hackman's spot. No less than head #2 on our (virtual) Mt. DadMore. Probably our greatest living movie star. 

Tony Scott. One of the great Dad movie directors of all time. TOP GUN. TRUE ROMANCE. ENEMY OF THE STATE. Few people outside of...

THE DADS' TEXT THREAD or A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN

DAD MIKE: We're gonna watch a bananas 80s movie!

DAD DAVE: Great!

DAD MIKE: It's a sci-fi fantasy epic!

DAD DAVE: Oh yeah!

DAD MIKE: It's got a soundtrack by Queen!

DAD DAVE: OH SHIT THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES-

DAD MIKE: It's HIGHLANDER!

DAD DAVE: oh i thought it was FLASH GOR-

DAD TOOKY: Sean Connery is my real father.

*scene*

...

Hot enough for you? That's a real Dad question, isn't it? It's a question no one asks HOF Dad Jimmy Stewart in this seminal thriller.

It's true there are no real Dads in this picture. But esoteric hobbies abound, and what could be more Dad than those? Photography, music composition, voyeurism - all your Dad's favorite pastimes in one sweaty package!

Listen, every Dad comes with a seamy underbelly. It's part of the deal. So join us in celebrating honorary (and legendary) weirdo Dad Alfred Hitchcock as we kick back with the ultimate summer movie, 1954...

If you told the Dads in 1984 that this film would birth a cinematic universe of interlocking properties... well, we probably would have been like "COOOL!" Your mileage might vary, but it remains surprising that this weirdly soulful story of a deepening relationship between a high school loser and his apartment complex's senior citizen handyman became one of the most durable IPs in Hollywood. Credit to Ralph Macchio, Elisabeth Shue, Billy Zabka, director John Avildsen (ROCKY), and especially Pat Morita who transcended the Orientalist trappings of the screenplay to deliver a truly indelible performance (becoming the first Asian-American to be...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY FROM THE DADS!

We're happy to drop a special Dad's Day episode featuring the most DJPM (Dad Jokes Per Minute) of any movie we've ever covered. Join us and our pals Harpo, Chico, and Groucho as we cover all the stuff that Dads love: opera, broad ethnic stereotypes, and PUNS PUNS PUNS! 

Seriously - if this isn't your Dad's favorite movie, he might not be your real Dad. Enjoy Sam Wood's foray into Marxism A NIGHT AT THE OPERA!

Listen up, brother! 

This was not the first Wrestlemania. This was not the biggest Wrestlemania. This was likely not the best Wrestlemania (despite boasting an all-time HOF match between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat). But dammit if this isn't one of the DADDEST of all Wrestlemanias:

The Junkyard Dog! Rowdy Roddy Piper! Hulk Hogan! The Macho Man! Jake "The Snake"! Andre the MFing Giant! 

(And of course the requisite cringeworthy racial, sexual, and ethnic stereotypes that serve as teachable moments wherein Dads may turn to our progeny and say: "Do better than us.")

The shifting responsibilities of a Dad are similar to those of an artist: are we beholden to our audience/offspring? Or is our duty to our own secret compass, unknowable to all but our own secret Dad/artist heart, to become the finest version of ourselves and force the world to meet us where we exist?

Spike Lee - noted Dad and enjoyer of Dad pastimes (jazz, baseball, yelling at Reggie Miller) - asks these questions and more in his critically-acclaimed and elusive follow up to DO THE RIGHT THING. 

This movie is full of G...