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The Final Trailer For “The Rise of Skywalker” Is Here And It Is Epic

By Mark Chalifoux
(YouTube/Star Wars)

Star Wars fans got their final look at “The Rise of Skywalker”, as the final trailer for the saga’s thrilling conclusion aired during Monday Night Football. The trailer was undoubtedly the most exciting part of an otherwise dull game. “The Rise of Skywalker” is the final chapter of the new trilogy, and wraps up the story that began decades ago.

The dramatic opening of the trailer for episode IX opens with a voice-over from our favorite Jedi, with action cuts of Rey running through a forest with a lightsaber. The trailer is heavy on action, setting up one last epic entry into the Skywalker saga. The film not only wraps up the stories of Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, and the rest of the characters introduced in Episodes VII and VIII, but is also the end for the Star Wars story that began with Episode IV “A New Hope” back in 1977.

In addition to some badass action scenes, the trailer leans heavily into the nostalgia, as we see plenty of old characters (including a former owner of the Millenium Falcon we haven’t seen since “Return of the Jedi”) and some poignant moments. Among them is a lingering shot of C-3PO, when asked what he’s doing, he almost sadly responds “taking one last look, sir, at my friends.”

The highlights of the trailer, outside of a brief interaction between Rey and Kylo Ren, are the voiceovers. While Luke Skywalker does most of the voice-over dialogue used in the trailer, there’s also the familiar laugh and a line from Emperor Palpatine, which we saw in the first trailer for “The Rise of Skywalker.”

But the most heart-wrenching moment comes from hearing the voice of the late Carrie Fisher at the end. The movie reportedly used extra footage of Fisher shot for “The Force Awakens” to complete her storyline in the final movie. The trailer was released on Fisher’s birthday.

The reaction has largely been emphatic positivity, as even Rian Johnson, director of the divisive episode VIII, chimed in with his praise.

There’s also a new poster for the movie

The movie will be the longest of all the Star Wars films (the reported run time is two and a half hours) and tickets are on-sale now for the December 20th opening. The saga ends, but the story lives forever.

Wanna Join ‘The Family’? Watch These 15 Mafia Movies First

By The Dad
Best Mafia Movies: 'Goodfellas'
(Warner Bros.)

Here we are, entering month 763 of life during the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve binge-watched everything in our Netflix queue, eaten all of the quarantine snacks, reached #ExpertLevel at forming our beard hair into funny clusters. And now we’re bored again. So very bored. Not only do we need something to help pass the time, but we also need something that’ll get our adrenaline going and make us feel like we haven’t entirely lost our edge. Enter, the best mafia movies.

While we often think of the mafia as something from movies, it’s based on a dark reality. The American Mafia originated in the late 19th century as an offshoot of the actual Italian — more specifically Sicilian — Mafia. As poor, struggling Italian immigrants grappled with the harsh reality of life in the United States, they looked for ways to survive. They banded together and took up the same past they’d left behind in Italy. Together as a unit (or “family,” though that doesn’t mean they’re blood relatives), the newly formed Italian-American Mafia took steps toward thriving in their new environment. Granted, those steps were often illegal and deadly. Even so, their movement quickly spread throughout other large cities across America. The hitch? The Mafia’s criminal behavior quickly led to finding itself in an “us vs. them” situation, with nearly everyone on the wrong side of the fight… at least according to the Mafia.

If this all sounds pretty fascinating to you, well, say hello to our little list of the best mafia movies of all time. Over the years, the genre has generally come to include movies based on the Mafia, the more broad-reaching “mob” life, and the grittier gangster culture. We’ve included a little bit of everything, so consider reading it and binge-watching these cult classics an offer you can’t refuse.

Best Mafia Movies

1. Road to Perdition (2002)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman

Set during the Great Depression, the film follows two men as they set out to seek revenge for the mob murder of their family.

2. The Godfather (1972) & The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Starring: Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Al Pacino

Follow the Corleone family and their associates as they do shady and dangerous family business. Take note: GII is quite possibly one of the few sequels that holds up to its predecessor.

3. Get Shorty (1995)

Starring: Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, John Travolta, Danny DeVito

What’s life like when a mob henchman decides to pursue his Hollywood dreams? Well, it’s a little funny…

4. Goodfellas (1990)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

Based on the book Wiseguy, this mob movie classic follows the life and misadventures of one lifelong mafia man.

5. Scarface (1983) 

Starring: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer

Yet another chance to see Al Pacino do what he does best. This time, he works in the drug trade in Miami and has a nasty cocaine addiction. Can he survive as the government and Colombian cartels close in on him?

6. American Gangster (2007)

Starring: Josh Brolin, Russell Crowe, RZA, Denzel Washington

A semi-autobiographical look at Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, American Gangster is a supremely well-acted story. The film wasn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely worth seeing for yourself.

7. Public Enemies (2009)

Starring: Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Johnny Depp

Listen. It’s a great film. And you can probably get your partner to watch it with you if you tell ’em Johnny Depp is in it. Bonus: He’s not even wearing guyliner.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994) 

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman, John Travolta

You’ve probably seen this at least half a dozen times, but it’s always worth seeing again. It’s the best Tarantino movie. Don’t @ us, bro — we said what we said.

9. The Irishman (2019)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin

This time, our mafia deep-dive takes us to the coal-rich state of Pennsylvania and brushes up with the infamous teamster Jimmy Hoffa.

10. Analyze This (1999)

Starring: Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, Lisa Kudrow

You think De Niro ever gets sick of playing mobsters? Eh, who cares? We’ll never get sick of seeing him in that role.

11. Bugsy (1991)

Starring: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, Elliott Gould

This biographical film follows real mobster Bugsy Siegel as he makes his way from New York to Hollywood and then helps build the Las Vegas strip. It’s old-timey and, honestly, pretty riveting.

12. The Freshman (1990)

Starring: Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick

A film student takes a job working for a New York mob boss. Crime, of course, ensues.

13. Eastern Promises (2007)

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts

If you remember this movie at all, it’s probably because of the incredibly violent and completely naked fight scene. This one branches out a little bit and tells a story involving a Russian mob-run child sex trafficking ring.

14. The Departed (2006)

Starring: Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga

Boston accents! (Why else would a Wahlberg be in it?) This Irish Mob-focused film plays a bit of cat-and-mouse between a mole and an undercover cop.

15. Donnie Brasco (1997)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino

Yeah, it’s Johnny Depp again, in all his pre-Tim Burton resplendence. This one follows an FBI agent who works his way into the Mafia and finds out that his personality and moral compass might be better suited to such a life.

Nintendo Is Celebrating Animal Crossing New Horizons’ One Year Anniversary

By Nigel Jones
(Nintendo)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues its reign as one of the best-selling Switch games, and it looks like Nintendo is extremely aware of that.  They aren’t going to let the hype train slow down any time soon.  On March 20th, New Horizons will celebrate it’s one year anniversary and there are tons of new editions just over the “horizon” to check out.  We’ve got new updates, controllers, and villagers (to either shower with gifts or bonk on the head with our nets) to look forward to, so let’s take a look.

Hello Kitty Sanrio Collaboration Pack

The crossover of the century is here.  Yes, we will be getting Hello Kitty themed items… as long as you can purchase the pack of Amiibo cards they come from.  Each pack of cards from the ‘Sanrio Collaboration Pack’ comes with new items and cute little villagers that aren’t currently available in New Horizons.  You can’t pre-order them yet, but they’re going to be available on March 26th, 2021 and will be a Target exclusive.  Personally, I’m more excited for the Mario-themed items coming in the March update, but my wife has already threatened me that if I don’t get at least one of these new Amiibo, she will sell my PS5.

Isabelle & Tom Nook Controllers

(Nintendo)

These new Isabelle and Tom Nook controllers that are officially licensed by Nintendo look awesome.  The colors pop and they’d be a great addition to anyone’s Switch set-up.  They’re available for pre-order right now on Amazon and have a release date of February 14th, 2021.  This Valentine’s Day, forget about buying flowers and make the right choice.  This will win your loved ones over forever.

(Nintendo)

You can pre-order the Isabelle Controller here and the Tom Nook Controller here for $25.

Free Updates

Nintendo will also continue to pump out free updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.  They’re nothing fancy (except Halloween, I loved that one) but it is always nice to see new things to do coming out on a regular basis.  Nintendo has even mentioned that they plan on supporting the game with free updates for the next three years.  You can check out the next update in the trailer down below which arrives on January 28th.  This will bring Pave, the Festivale and some sick new dance moves to your repertoire of emotes.

Are you still in love with Animal Crossing: New Horizons?  It was one of my family’s favorite games last year and my wife and I still try to play every day.  I’m almost finished donating all the critters to my museum.  I don’t think I’ll ever finish my art exhibit though.  That seems like a lost cause since Redd never wants to show up.

Just a heads up, if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

Pedro Pascal Teases New Timeline, Crossovers for Mando Season Three

By Mike Julianelle
Pedro Teases Mandalorian S3 Details
(Disney+)

After a fantastic second season that culminated in a mind-blowing finale, fans are dying to learn what’s next for The Mandalorian. Not only did the season end with some major changes that could forever alter the show, but the post-credits stinger scene also confused fans by introducing a new story about Boba Fett.

It has since been clarified that The Book of Boba Fett is a standalone spin-off show and that The Mandalorian will be back for a third season. What we don’t yet know is what the third season will be like, now that the driving storyline of the first two installments was seemingly resolved.

With all the new Star Wars shows coming down the pike for Disney+, it might be a while before we see Mando again, and if recent comments by Pedro Pascal are accurate, some time may pass for the character as well…

Pascal gave an interview to IndieWire in which he discussed his monumental 2020, which not only featured The Mandalorian but also a role in Robert Rodriguez’s Netflix movie We Can Be Heroes, and a villainous turn in Wonder Woman 1984.

During the interview, the actor dropped a few hints about the future of his Star Wars show, which may include shifting timelines and cross-overs into other worlds.

“I am told what’s happening and what the plan is,” said Pascal, “but I can’t share it. They are in the expansion of this world, where there are so many unexpected surprises and timelines that are going to be dealt with. If the character were to cross over into these worlds, it will be utilized in a way that isn’t meant to be expected. I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise of whether or not characters from the show we already know are crossing over.”

There’s both a lot of info in there and very little. It definitely makes sense that after season two, The Mandalorian will stretch its wings a bit and broaden the scope of his adventures. Exactly how “crossing over” into different worlds will work is yet to be seen, but Pascal seems hesitant to say much more.

One of the main storylines fans are hoping to see is the battle for Mandalore, which includes Mando’s ownership of the dark saber, putting him at odds with Bo-Katan. Not sure how his comments line up with that, which seems like a more expected continuation of the series. There definitely seems to be hinting at something less conventional.

Hopefully, we’ll learn more soon, as Disney+ moves forward with its plans. Until then, may the force be with you.

I mean, this is the way.

You’ll Relish This Hot Dog and Bun Toaster

By Gina
hot dog toaster
Amazon

I think we can all agree that there are few things better than a perfectly toasted hot dog, and you can’t get that from microwaving hot dogs and using cold buns. Sorry. It just doesn’t work that way; I don’t make the rules. If you want baseball park-worthy hot dogs, you gotta go pro. And by pro, I mean a hot dog toaster. It’s just as fast and convenient as a microwave, but delivers a far superior product (it even gives you grill marks). And it’s only $20, so you might as well buy one for yourself and everyone you know, because nobody deserves to eat sad microwave dogs.

 

hot dog toaster
Amazon

Purchase for $20

This hot dog toaster will toast two hot dogs at a time, distributing even heat on all sides so that it’s perfectly cooked every single time (it accommodates for extra-large hot dogs, so don’t worry if you prefer them robust). The toaster also features adjustable heat settings, and even comes with special tongs so you don’t have to burn your hands every time you make yourself a hot dog. Cleaning is even easier since all you need to do is remove the drip tray and wipe it down separately.

Is it a novelty gift? Sure. But it’s so worth it (and if your S.O. or roommate are concerned about counter space, rest assured that it’s pretty slim and compact). 5,000+ customers who’ve given the toaster five stars on Amazon would agree. “LOVE IT!!!! I bought this for home so my 7 year old could make a quick snack before bed…he loves hot dogs…. I love the smell of cooking hot dogs and buns without the mess!” one reviewer wrote.

“We LOVE that this makes AWESOME Grill marks on the hot dogs!!! I read all the reviews before purchasing and I am shocked that no one mentioned this! And this is not simply a hot dog Heater Upper LOL! There is a BIG difference in using this versus a microwave. For one, THE Grill Marks LOL Sorry- that just tickled me silly and I am in love with that feature alone 🙂 The hot dog does not get “rubbery” like they can in the microwave. We cook ours on setting number 5 and it gets a perfect sear on the outside trapping in all the juices. This little hot dog toaster will give you perfectly juicy hot dogs every single time,” another customer wrote.

We did mention the grill marks, right?

Get one for yourself for $20.

Just a heads up, if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

Toddler’s Tangled Hair Is No Match for The Rock

By Yael Meshulam
The Rock does daughter's hair
(Instagram/therock)

Being a girl dad is both amazing and challenging. You begin to see the world in new and exciting ways through your daughter’s eyes, but you’re also tasked with learning skills you never thought you’d need. Recently, Dwayne Johnson shared a surprisingly confident (and absurdly adorable) post on Instagram featuring an unlikely skill – hair styling.

Realistically, The Rock probably hasn’t had a whole lot of experience tending to a head full of hair. While he may be slightly hair-deficient himself, his dedication to the cause is admirable. Honestly though, what better motivation to master a skill than a 2-year-old who’s counting on you?

The Rock’s Instagram post features two photos of him with his 2-year-old daughter Tiana, and boy do these pictures tell a story. If you’ve ever been scared to your very core at the beginning of a dentist appointment before realizing that it isn’t actually so bad, Tiana carries the same energy into her dad’s photo series.

The caption explains, “Now despite my two year old looking completely TERRIFIED for her life that daddy is solely responsible for getting all the painful tangles out of her hair…”

Looking at the first picture, Tiana stares desperately at whoever is holding the camera. She sends a silent “help me” plea to the person photographing evidence instead of stepping in, but fortunately, The Rock knows what he’s doing.

“Scroll left and you’ll see the calming energy, exceptional hair skills and extraordinary patience that daddy aka mr golden hands puts on full display,” the caption continues. “I may be bald but I know a thing or two about hair. Mainly because I wish I had it.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by therock (@therock)

In the second photo, Tiana seems to embrace her dad’s hair-styling skills. She’s visibly relaxed, perhaps even enjoying her at-home salon. The 2-year-old is The Rock’s third daughter, so to be fair, he’s had a bit of practice.

This enormous man literally tore a metal gate from its hinges when he was running late, yet he’s as gentle as a person can be when untangling his 2-year-old’s hair. The juxtaposition is both hilarious and endearing, and it’s one of the many reasons we simply cannot get enough of The Rock. There’s nothing the man can’t do – except, you know, grow his own hair.

Father Figures: Everything Fun

By Mike Julianelle

“This is Scott McLane – our favorite dad, husband and coach.

Scott works full time as an engineer, and in his off-time as the volunteer soccer coach for both our children’s soccer teams. He started with them in the rec program and transitioned to the travel program.

From the very first season when they were in kindergarten (shown below) through their transition to the more competitive travel program, he has put forth the same effort and dedication to ensure each child he coaches, including our own, has fun, learns, and develops into the best player they can be.

It’s a testament to who he is because on both our daughter’s and son’s teams he has players that have stayed with him from his very first season. His dedication has extended beyond our own children and he’s actually become the president of the soccer club. He is an amazing role model.

He makes everything fun. I can’t express just how much I love him for it and how proud I am to be married to him. Oh, and his dad joke game is excellent.”

– Laura McLane

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

Loyal Dog Spends Days Waiting Outside Hospital for Her Owner

By Yael Meshulam
Dog waits outside hospital for owner
(YouTube/Guardian News)

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it a million more times – we simply do not deserve dogs. Even dogs who barely know us are more than happy to lend a helping paw, but when a dog is a treasured member of your family (and boy, do they know it), they will do quite literally anything for you.

When Cemal Senturk fell ill in early January, his loyal dog Boncuk trailed the ambulance to a nearby hospital. Upon arriving, Boncuk waited patiently outside the hospital’s doors for her owner to return. Senturk’s daughter took Boncuk home multiple times, but each day, the determined pup would run back to the hospital.

“She comes every day around 9 a.m. and waits until nightfall. She doesn’t go in,” a hospital security guard told local news station DHA. “When the door opens she pokes her head inside.”

With more self-control than most kids and a fierce determination to stay close to her human, Boncuk spent days following the same routine. She would arrive at the hospital in the early morning and stand guard near the hospital’s entrance until it became clear her owner would not be emerging that day.

Unsurprisingly, Senturk missed his beloved dog just as dearly as Boncuk missed him. After several days apart, Senturk was well enough to be discharged from the hospital. When he finally emerged six days after being admitted, his dedicated pup was beyond delighted.

“She’s very used to me. And I miss her too, constantly,” Senturk told the DHA.

Fortunately for this deeply-bonded pair, their time apart came to an end. Senturk and Boncuk returned home together, after perhaps the most heartwarming reunion of all time. Watch the video below, and give your own pup some extra scratches today.

Ryan Reynolds Shocks Twitter With Filthy Joke About His Sesame Street Appearance

By Mike Julianelle
Ryan Reynolds A-Hole
(YouTube/Sesame Street)

Ryan Reynolds is well known for his potty mouth. After all, this is the guy who plays Deadpool in the filthiest comic book movies out there! He is equally well known for his sense of humor, especially when it comes to social media.

Sesame Street is not.

But the other day, the two worlds collided when a mom was watching an episode of the classic children’s show with her kid, and tweeted that Ryan Reynolds’ guest appearance made things fun for both generations.

The episode featured Reynolds dressed as the letter A for an A-Team parody, which was already the kind of thing that was firmly in an adult’s wheelhouse (I don’t know too many kids who are big fans of Hannibal, Murdoch, and B.A. Baracus!). But Reynolds took things even further with the r-rated joke he made in response to the tweet.

Referencing the outfit he was forced to wear for the segment – a giant letter A with his head squeezed into the middle – Reynolds made a subtle joke that had the grown-ups laughing, if a bit shocked.

Not only did my man call it “tight,” he made a crack (sorry) about “pushing through” too!

Twitter, to the complete lack of surprise of anyone who has even been on Twitter, was here for it.

Some marveled at the many sides of the man:

Others at his audacity:

And a few attempted to add to the fun:

CNN’s Jake Tapper had the final word, with a very dad response to Reynolds’ antics:

Check out the segment that inspired this tomfoolery:

Raya Rules in Disney’s New Trailer For “Raya and the Last Dragon”

By Mark Chalifoux
Raya Trailer
(Disney)

Disney dropped the latest trailer for “Raya and the Last Dragon” and it is truly terrific. While the first look at it didn’t give much away, this trailer gives a much deeper look at what the movie is and why it’s shaping up to be one of the more hotly anticipated releases from Disney.

The trailer has Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran of Star Wars sequel fame (or infamy, depending on where you fall on The Last Jedi), putting together a team to help save humanity, partly by finding the titular last dragon. And it looks outstanding.

It’s got everything you could want, including a CON BABY, which is the type of scheming, conniving toddler parents can probably relate to. And Raya finally finds the elusive Sisu, voiced by Awkwafina.

“I’m gonna be real with you. I’m not, like, the best dragon,” Sisu tells Raya after they meet. “Have you ever done like a group project but there’s like that one kid who didn’t pitch in as much but still ends up with the same grade?”

Another key part of the trailer involves the interaction between Raya and her dad, voiced by Daniel Dae Kim. The cast also includes Gemma Chan and Sandra Oh.

The trailer is full of action and even shines through with some humor and personality, which bodes well for the March 5 release in theaters and on Disney+. It’s got some really strong Moana/Frozen vibes, so it’ll be one your kids lock into for sure.