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Animated Films That Adults Secretly Love
Trivia: Which sense is most strongly linked to memory?
RetireHub
February 04, 2026
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 | By: Chris Kelsey Oklahoma, 1965. Emmett Hardy has given up—on himself, on justice, on his town. Then he finds a Black woman’s slashed throat by the tracks. The state shrugs and arrests a scapegoat. Hardy puts down the bottle and pushes back, but every lead angers his all-white community…especially when it points to their most powerful citizen. |
 | By: Lindsay Harrel Love. Loss. Second chances. Broken dreams meet second chances on Jonathon Island. As a charming town faces extinction, three women and three men form unlikely partnerships, rekindling old flames and discovering new hope. But saving their home means risking their hearts—and confronting secrets that refuse to stay buried. |
Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
I used to think retirement meant wisdom and relaxation. Then my 12-year-old granddaughter and her fashionista girlfriend came over on Sunday and quietly stripped me of both. What the heck is going on with today’s kids?
At twelve, my wardrobe strategy was pretty simple: Does it fit? Is it clean (sometimes)? These two girls showed up dressed like they were being followed by paparazzi, possibly for a magazine shoot. I felt like I should apologize for my leggings and sweater which is long enough to cover my butt. One had on brown leopard framed sunglasses with a matching scarf (no coat, mind you).
My daughter-in-law said getting ready took them longer than refinancing a mortgage. Clothes were tried on, rejected, reconsidered, and discussed at length. One outfit was eliminated because it was “cute, but not right for the moment.” Another had been worn before on an earlier trip to Grandma’s house, which made it unworthy for this visit.
Then came skincare. My quarterly box of useless items that I pay way too much for had arrived. I never actually open these boxes to which I subscribe… I just keep them in my home office until my granddaughter comes over. She gets so excited to open them and go through all of the products. She then packs up what she wants to take with her and leaves me with the rest. This time I was able to keep a small purse, a box of blank notecards and one set of various tans and brown eye shadow.
The conversations between the two girls were like those I imagine taking place backstage at a Miss America pageant. Words like strobing, lippie, and dewy were delivered with the seriousness of a United Nations meeting. I nodded politely, pretending I knew what they were talking about. Then I Googled those words for my own understanding.
Friends, when I was twelve, I thought skincare was soap. Maybe water. Probably not both. Obviously, I was so wrong.
From out of their backpacks then came an entire laboratory. Bottles. Droppers. Rollers. Jars with labels that whispered, “You can’t afford me.” Each product had a purpose, a time of day, and apparently a personality.
There was cleanser. Toner. Serum. Another serum. Something that smelled like a forest, but I imagined cost like a luxury car payment. One product was only for nighttime. Another was absolutely not for daytime. One could never touch another. I backed away slowly in case something exploded.
I asked what in the world they were doing with all of these overpriced products. They said, “Preventing wrinkles.” Wrinkles? At twelve? Their skin is smoother than my kitchen countertops.
Meanwhile, I showed them my one loyal bottle of moisturizer, the same one I’ve been using since bell-bottoms were in style. It works fine for me, I think.
At one point, I suggested going outside for a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the fresh fallen snow. This was received like I had suggested walking barefoot on lava. After they were done giving me all kinds of excuses, the thought sounded pretty reckless after all.
Yet for all the sass, something wonderful was happening. They hyped each other up nonstop. Every outfit was “perfect.” Every idea was “iconic.” Every doubt was crushed at once with compliments. It was a perfect example of “girl power.”
If one hesitated, the other declared she was “slaying.” I don’t know what that means, but it sounded powerful and supportive, so I approved and said nothing.
So no, I don’t understand $200 sneakers, ripped jeans, or skincare routines for a twelve-year-old. But I do understand this: confidence now starts young, comes with accessories, and includes at least three serums.
On their way out the door, my granddaughter yelled back: “Don’t forget, Grandma! We still need to go to Sephora for makeovers! I have my gift certificate from Christmas to use.”
What did I learn? Styles fade, trends change, but apparently CONFIDENCE now starts at
twelve. And, quite frankly, “I’ll have what she’s having!” (Give yourself a gold star if you
know what movie that quote is from).
How do you compare today’s trends to your nostalgic look at your past? Send me your stories! Email me at [email protected]. I always love to hear from you.
Ciao for now!
Joanne
How did you like this column? |
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On this day in 2004, Facebook was launched from a Harvard University dorm room, beginning as a small social networking site for college students before growing into a global platform that reshaped how people connect, share news, and communicate online.
Animated Films Grown-Ups Fall in Love With (and Rewatch Again and Again)
Animated films may be labeled as “family-friendly,” but many of them are quietly created with adults in mind. Beneath the colorful visuals and whimsical characters are layered stories about love, aging, loss, purpose, and resilience—the very themes that resonate more deeply with us as we get older. For many adults, animation isn’t a guilty pleasure at all; it’s one of the most emotionally honest forms of storytelling.
A perfect example comes from the films of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Japanese animator whose work appeals across generations. Movies like My Neighbor Totoro offer gentle nostalgia and comfort, while Spirited Away explores identity, courage, and growing up in a world that feels confusing and overwhelming. Howl’s Moving Castle blends romance, war, and self-acceptance in a way that feels quietly profound. These films are visually stunning, but it’s their emotional warmth and humanity that keep adults returning to them.
Western animation has its own adult favorites. Films such as Up begin with moments of love and loss that instantly speak to grown-up audiences, while Inside Out gives emotional intelligence a playful yet insightful form. Toy Story—especially the later installments—touches on aging, change, and letting go, themes that land differently the older we get.
There are also animated films that feel like love letters to memory and imagination. The Iron Giant explores friendship and moral choice with surprising depth. Fantastic Mr. Fox, with its dry humor and midlife reflections, feels particularly tailored to adult viewers. Even quieter films like The Secret of Kells or Ernest & Celestine captivate with artistry and gentle storytelling.
Part of the appeal is how animation invites reflection without demanding it. Adults can enjoy these films for their beauty and humor, then discover something deeper lingering beneath the surface. Animation allows big ideas to be explored softly—through metaphor, music, and imagery—making them easier to absorb and harder to forget.
Ultimately, animated films remind us that imagination doesn’t fade with age. They invite us to slow down, feel deeply, and see the world through curious eyes again. Whether it’s a Studio Ghibli classic or a modern favorite, these movies prove that animation isn’t just for kids—it’s for anyone who still believes stories can surprise them.
Which animated films do you enjoy most as an adult? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How do you approach online shopping safety?
These results show that confidence in how people pay matters more than anything else when it comes to online shopping safety. Nearly half of respondents rely on credit cards or secure payment systems, suggesting that built-in protections and fraud safeguards provide strong peace of mind. At the same time, a meaningful portion of readers remain cautious—carefully checking websites or limiting online shopping altogether—highlighting that trust and reassurance continue to play an important role in how people choose to shop online.
TOP COMMENTS
“I shop online but not much. Would rather look at things, try on shoes and clothing in stores vs sending stuff back if it doesn't fit. Online shopping also too convenient to accrue debt.”
“I have selected sites I order from, and I very rarely use any other sites, if I do I check them out first.”
Why Choosing a “Theme of the Year” Can Help You Live With Purpose
In this year’s reflection on vision boards and personal focus, the author explains how choosing a theme of the year—a guiding phrase or concept—can offer clarity and intention for the months ahead. Instead of rigid resolutions, creating a vision board and settling on a theme like “Go with the flow!” allows space for flexibility while still staying anchored to meaningful goals, such as daily movement or financial organization. By combining a clear focus with adaptability, you can move through life’s changes with purpose and ease, making small pivots without losing momentum toward what matters most.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Gold star moment
Meaning: An informal phrase meaning a moment of recognition, pride, or small success—something that makes you feel accomplished or appreciated, even if it’s simple or personal.
In a sentence: “Finishing my morning walk and finally organizing those old photo albums felt like a real gold star moment.”
Good News of the Day
New Ultrasonic Imaging Breakthrough Helps Spot Hidden Damage Inside Concrete
Scientists from Japan and the United States have developed an advanced ultrasonic imaging system that can non‑destructively detect interior defects in concrete structures such as buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure—something that has been difficult due to the complex mix of materials like stone, sand, and clay that scatter traditional sound waves. The system works like an ultrasound, sending a broad range of ultrasonic frequencies into concrete and capturing the returning echoes to create clear internal images, allowing engineers to see cracks or weak spots hidden beneath the surface. This kind of technology could improve safety and durability assessments for aging infrastructure by identifying problems early without damaging the structure.
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