The magic of Hollywood never ceases to amaze. I mean, they manage to make Tom Cruise seem tall! But perhaps the most amazing movie magic out there is taking place at Pixar and other animation studios, who combine painstaking animation with the latest and greatest in computer animation to create masterpieces.

Like the Toy Story movies, which feature walking and talking toys battling intensely human crises, the latest of which hits theaters June 21st and features both Keanu Reeves and existentialism?

Philosophical underpinnings aside, the amount of time, patience, and creativity it takes to merely get those movies onto screens is astounding, and I can’t imagine the level of detail involved.

But you know what might be even more impressive? Recreating an animated movie in real life.

That’s what Morgan and Mason McGrew, dedicated Toy Story 3 fans, did when they decided to make a live-action, shot-for-shot remake of their favorite movie. Complete with a life-size version of Andy’s bedroom.

“You can’t successfully recreate ‘Toy Story 3’ without a realistic-looking Andy’s room,” the McGrew brothers explained a post on their Tumblr blog.

On The Pixarist, the brothers showcased photos of their replica of Woody and Buzz’s beloved human owner’s bedroom, where much of the action of the Toy Story movies takes place.

But they didn’t stop there. They remade the whole movie, and recently released a trailer that has gotten a ton of attention.

The brothers said that the project took them two years, but it was worth every minute and hope to have the full movie out this September.

“We’ve (with the support of our awesome family and friends) have been working on a shot-for-shot recreation of Toy Story 3. This project has been an incredible undertaking, and we’ve made the decision to have this complete by September 19, 2019.”

“‘Toy Story 3′ means the world to us, so it was awesome getting to spend time on translating it to real life,’ Morgan McGrew told ABC News.

Since it was posted on June 1st, the trailer has nearly one million views.

Rui Hachimura is having a fantastic rookie season. The Gonzaga star has been one of the best scorers in the rookie class, and he’s been thriving at the next level. Still, his rookie season hasn’t been without its low points. Like getting kicked in the stones so hard it required surgery(!).

But no point could be lower than All-Star weekend for Hachimura. He was there to take part in the Rising Stars game. And it was there where he faced a challenge he couldn’t overcome. That challenge wasn’t another NBA star, though. It was just some random kid.

Hachimura faced off against a child in Pop-A-Shot and got annihilated. Not just once, either. After losing the first game, Hachimura got a quick rematch. Similar result. And on the heels of two straight defeats, Hachimura assessed that it must be a problem with the hoop he was shooting on. He forced the kid to switch with him.

This kid just smoked Rui Hachimura 3 times in a row in Pop-A-Shot in front of Allen Iverson. Rui thought there was something wrong with his hoop, and made the kid switch sides.

Sometimes it’s just not your day. pic.twitter.com/t0LWzN74mF

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) February 15, 2020

It didn’t matter, as Hachimura got destroyed for a third straight time. This is the same Wizards standout that came back from his “groin” injury to be an absolute scoring machine, whether it by dunk or mid-range jumper.

In fact, here’s a video of Hachimura effortlessly draining a half-courter with ease, just so everyone remembers the guy can actually play basketball a little bit.

Rui Hachimura ends the Team World practice by casually swishing a halfcourt shot, then dapping up Zion Williamson on his way off the floor. pic.twitter.com/g6u7dBAgoF

— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) February 14, 2020

It’s just good to know that even NBA stars can choke against children in arcade games, which makes me feel a lot better about some of my own outcomes against my kids.

Robert Irwin posted a picture on Instagram last week that evoked more than a few memories of his famous dad. The 16-year-old Irwin, clad in the family color (khaki), looks more like Steve than ever. In the pic, he’s cuddling a koala, and with his face partially concealed, his followers thought he was posting a throwback pic of the crocodile hunter himself.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

❤️🐨

A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography) on Feb 10, 2020 at 1:06pm PST

All of the top comments are about the uncanny resemblance. “Did anyone think this was Steve at first? Beautiful moment captured” was one of the top comments, with more than 2,500 likes. And they cascade after that.

“I legit thought this was Steve.”

“You look so much like your father it’s unreal.”

“At first I thought that was your dad!”

“Spitting image of Steve”

The post quickly went viral, accumulating hundreds of thousands of likes. And it’s not the first time he’s invited comparisons to his famous father, as last year he recreated one of Steve’s most iconic photos, using the same croc.

We have a Batsuit and fans are fired up. Some images from the set of the new Batman flick hit the internet today. The photos give us the first full picture of the suit Robert Pattinson will step into.

😳😳😳😳😳😳😱😱😱 Best look at #TheBatSuit #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/OAAgLCHS7O

— Aqeel DC #ReleaseTheSnyderCut (@AqeelDC) February 21, 2020

It’s…not bad! It’s certainly one of the darkest Batsuits we’ve seen in a movie, as it’s lacking a bit of the customary gold (either in the insignia or utility belt). It does look cool though, with a very functionalistic design. Fans aren’t totally feeling the shoulder pads and he’s also missing the customary cape, but naturally, that could be because he’s riding a motorcycle.

I am so pumped for white eyes Batman https://t.co/iAhUVmoC8i

— Nathann Layton (@Nathann_Layton) February 21, 2020

That’s another key part of these photos, as fans get their first look at the iconic Batcycle. Honestly, it looks pretty badass.

Shooting and production are underway in the U.K. on The Batman, which is the first of a new Batman trilogy. And fans do have a little more than a few set photos to whet their appetite, as social media also got a quick glimpse at a motorcycle chase gone wrong.

Bat bike race #TheBatman #Glasgow @Moonwarp pic.twitter.com/FQkhAmhU5b

— Dizzy (@LennonKennedy5) February 21, 2020

The crash happened at a cemetery, which isn’t exactly breaking any spoiler ground there, as plenty of Batman story has taken place in the gloomy setting. There’s also speculation that the chase, involving stunt people here, could involve Catwoman as well.

Either way, the first glimpses of the new film have stoked a lot of interest in the franchise and the new beginning for one of the most beloved comic book figures of all time.

“It’s okay for a manly-man to put on a tutu and play with his daughter,” says 32-year-old Texan, Casey Fields.

Casey, a self-professed manly man, and single dad to a 1-year-old girl named Lyla did precisely that. And folks, the results were positively heartwarming.

“What the heck,” Casey said. “I’ll do it.”

Being a single father to a young girl can be intimidating. Bereft of a mother’s firsthand insight, some men feel societal pressures brought on by conventional gender roles. Other men put on a tutu.

“I just put on a tutu and started interacting with Lyla and kind of forgot I was wearing it at all,” he says.

The photoshoot went viral, garnering over 50,000 shares on Facebook.

“She is my world,” Casey told Insider. “I consider myself a manly-man, but with her I lose all that and just be her dad.”

Casey’s favorite photo from the shoot is the one in which she paws lovingly at his face. “That’s kind of our thing,” he says. “She loves my beard.”

We applaud Casey and his eagerness to put a smile on his daughter’s face. Bravo, sir.

Sometimes, nostalgia goes too far.

As a kid, there were a ton of movies and TV shows and toys that I loved. As a parent, I don’t know if I would feel the same way about them now. Thanks to our current culture’s obsession with resurrecting so many of those properties, I’m getting to find out for sure.

The latest craze to be brought back? Micro Machines. They were super tiny cars. Take a look:

I liked Micro Machines as a kid, but as a dad who is already terrorized by LEGO pieces and action figures and tiny trinkets strewn all over the floor of my house, I’m not sure I need another small toy to add to the mix. Especially one with wheels! At least with LEGO pieces I merely need stitches. If I step on a Micro Machine I might go airborne and end up in traction.

The main claim to fame for Micro Machines, at least as far as I was concerned, was their fast-talking spokesman. You know, the guy with the mustache who spoke super-fast in all their commercials? Apparently his name was John “Motormouth” Moschitta Jr., and he held the Guinness World Record for fastest talker!

Hasbro is working with Wicked Cool Toys to bring the little cars back, and while there aren’t yet any images of what the new Micro Machines will look like, Gizmodo has shared a look at one of the updated playsets.

Again, I’m not entirely thrilled about the prospect of my kids having more tiny toys to lose under the couch and leave on the stairs, no matter how nostalgic they make me feel. But I sure hope they bring Moschitta back to sell them again. That guy could give Eminem a run for his money!

“Growing up, my dad was in and out of my life.

I would see him occasionally when he felt like it. He was one to make promises and not deliver and time after time I would be let down. It was through all this that I learned exactly what not to do to raise a child. That being said, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be ready for parenthood.

My wife Erin and I married in 2014 and in 2016 our first child, Aiden, was born. The moment I saw him, an overwhelming feeling of love came over me that I never had experienced before. It was one of the greatest feelings ever that you don’t truly understand until you have your first child. Two years later we had our daughter, Emmy. It was another rush of emotions and love; one can’t imagine what life was like before them.

Life isn’t always perfect, but these two kiddos make it all worth it. From running to the door when I get home to laughing nonstop as we play airplane and I chase them throughout the house, there is never a dull moment. I work a lot, being in retail management, so the time I have with them is limited, but I do my best to make every minute count.

I could not do it without the love and support of my wonderful wife, Erin. She is the glue that keeps the family together when I am gone, and the better part of me. She knows how to calm our kids and is always the biggest comfort for them. She plays both mom and dad when I am gone for long periods and does it without a hitch.

They say that the best in things in life you can’t buy and they are right. From teaching your kids to make snow angels, to potty training, playing monster, the snuggles, and everything else in between, they truly are what makes life wonderful.

I will do everything in my power to make sure they are taken care of and that they end up having the best life they can. You can’t give your children the entire world, but as long as you are present, keep giving it all your all, and helping them learn this world you are succeeding!

I wouldn’t trade a thing for fatherhood and I am very blessed and proud to have these 2 kiddos call me dad!”

– Brent Grotjahn

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email [email protected]

Check out the previous editions of Father Figures here.

The Goonies is a classic movie, the kind they don’t make anymore. It features young kids – pre-teens in some cases – doing dangerous things, saying bad words, encountering violence, and it was rated PG. It’s the kind of thing they made in the 1980s. A kids movie featuring kids acting like kids that kids could watch. (Nowadays, kids basically have Pixar and superheroes, except Batman, who is somehow way too adult.)

People love The Goonies and have been clamoring for a sequel for years, and I’m not just talking about Corey Feldman. Most of these people are now adults who won’t get their wish. After years of false starts, an actual sequel seems unlikely. But in this day and age, a remake was almost inevitable. And it’s getting one. Because Goonies never say die!

Sort of.

Fox has just greenlit a new TV series based on The Goonies, only it’s not a remake or a reboot. It’s about people trying to make a remake? It’s okay, I’m confused too.

Here’s the official word, from Deadline:

After failing to make it in New York and carrying a heavy secret with her, Stella Cooper returns to her distressed automotive hometown to substitute teach. She finds inspiration, hope and ultimately salvation when she agrees to help three students who are pursuing their filmmaking dreams by putting on an impossibly ambitious shot-for-shot remake of one of the student’s favorite movies… The Goonies. Over the course of the season, their passion will inspire a town in desperate need of hope in this love letter to the power of cinema, storytelling and dreams.

Shot by shot remakes aren’t unheard of. Some kids did it with Raiders years ago, a pair of brothers recreated Toy Story 3 over 8 years, and Gus Van Sant directed a shot-by-shot remake of Psycho starring Vince Vaughn, although I think we’d all prefer not to talk about that.

This is a little different, in that it’s a TV show, and it’s fictionalized. This isn’t someone actually remaking Goonies, it’s a fictional TV show about fictional kids remaking Goonies. My head hurts.

The thing that makes Goonies work, aside from the spectacularly treasure-hunt-with-booby-traps story, is the cast, and their chemistry. From well-known names like Sean Astin (Mikey), Josh Brolin (Brandon) and Corey Feldman (Mouth) to the beloved actors who played Data, Chunk, and Sloth (former NFL player John Matuszak), Fox is gonna be hard-pressed to capture that lightning in a bottle again.

Hopefully, they acknowledge that challenge, because it might be fun to watch them try.

When I was a little kid, my parents took me to see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I remember my father putting his hand over my eyes during the KALIMA scenes in which Mola Ram forcibly extracted someone’s beating heart from their chest. I don’t recall my dad covering my eyes two years later when they took me to see something else come out of someone’s chest in Aliens.

I survived those two movies, and I credit my parents for taking me to them at such a young age. They were pretty liberal with the entertainment they allowed, and I don’t think it had any negative repercussions (my therapist may disagree). But that’s not to say I didn’t see some movies that put the fear of god in me. Or, in my case, the fear of trees.

That scene in Poltergeist, when the tree outside Robbie’s window comes to life and tries to swallow him whole, gave my nightmares for years. Not least of which because I had a similarly large and gnarly tree right outside my bedroom window.

You never know what’s gonna scare a little kid. For me, it wasn’t chest-bursting aliens, it was window-bursting trees. For people on Twitter who shared the movies that scarred them the most as kids, it was even weirder stuff.

Twitter user @loudandfearless kicked things off, asking the question and then answering it with her own unlikely movie: Robin Williams’ Jumanji.

Oh this is a good one.

I’ll start: Jumanji pic.twitter.com/q9aVSi1Grq

— Ashley Bower (@loudandfearless) February 18, 2020

Then Twitter got a hold of it and things were off and running. I can totally vouch for this one, I saw it as an adult and the transformation freaked me out:

Pinochio. The scene where Lampwick turns into a donkey freaked me out. pic.twitter.com/5EKO0JLP0r

— Vivian ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ (@vivkinder) February 18, 2020

Credit to @OGintheOP for reminding me of this traumatic character:

The CHILD CATCHER from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. CHILD. CATCHER. Literally. pic.twitter.com/0rABv6DyrK

— Mulled Whine ~ The @GOP is fascist garbage. (@OGintheOP) February 19, 2020

A bunch of people mentioned this classic:

Wizard of Oz. When those feet curled up underneath Dorothy’s house… 😳 pic.twitter.com/lqHLDQmxe7

— Lisa Bee (@leebee4life) February 19, 2020

Some movies didn’t have to be supernatural to be psychologically damaging:

pic.twitter.com/E1PyV9W0i6

— Gamma Bomb Survivor (@Banner7997) February 19, 2020

This one will melt your face off:

I loved Indiana Jones movies (and went with my dad to see them) but during early viewings, had to keep to my eyes shut for this especially…just like you were supposed to…

*also, monkey brains…🧠 (don’t forget bugs, snakes, human sacrifice, etc) pic.twitter.com/Gmv0tErC6b

— Katherine ⭐️ kamoorephoto/Kat’s Books (@romans_mama) February 19, 2020

People continued to chime in, offering up more traditional horror movies like my aforementioned Poltergeist, The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jaws, The Birds, and The Shining.

My favorite response might have been this example tho:

The correct answer for anyone born between 1980 and 1995 is “The Neverending Story.” pic.twitter.com/Zf0dQfV5YN

— 𝚒’𝚖 𝚊 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚜𝚊𝚛 (@BecketAdams) February 19, 2020

What movies scarred you as a kid?

There is no better parenting emotion than pride in your kids. Watching them accomplish their dreams, or overcome adversity, or even just try something new, can be tremendously moving for any parent, mom or dad, from any walk of life. When your kid perseveres and fights through their challenges, it makes you confident that they are going to be okay, and can handle whatever life throws at them.

It’s even better if the path they take traces the one you took before them.

That’s what former NBA star and current University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway is experiencing right now, thanks to his son Jayden, who walked onto the Tigers team and recently started his very first game, against UCONN.

Jayden’s accomplishment – playing on a division one college basketball team – would be impressive under any circumstances, but it’s even more special in his case. Jayden was diagnosed with autism as a young kid. He began treatment for the neurological disorder, which affects social, emotional, and communication abilities, when he was just nine years old. In the aftermath of his 7 minutes on the court last week, his father praised him for his progress with his diagnosis.

Professionals at the facility where Jayden was treated are equally proud and using Jayden as a hopeful example.

“It gives parents hope,” Tracy Palm, executive director of Transformations Autism Treatment Center, told WREG in Memphis. “It gives parents that feeling that, ‘It can happen for my child as well,’ and I think that is so important for individuals on the spectrum and their families.”

“Success looks different for every person, so everybody is individual,” Palm said.

For Jayden Hardaway, success is stepping onto the court for the Memphis Tigers.