Netflix 'Stranger Things' will have a season 2, woohoo!

Yes, Virginia, there will be a "Stranger Things"  Season 2! Breathe now fans. If you just finished season 1 of the Netfix Original sci-fi chiller and are left with more questions than answers, they are coming. We hope. We could get strung along for another season what the heck the sheriff's back story is. And what happened to Eleven. The freakishly popular "Stranger Things" series is making addicts of everyone! 

Disney 'Finding Dory' makes epic $400 M splash and that's no fish story!

Disney Pixar "Finding Dory" made a record splash on opening weekend and that's no fish story! How big a splash? $135.1 million big, reported the Motley Fool on June 23. This qualified "Finding Dory" as the greatest catch for any cartoon movie opening, ever. "Finding Dory" out-swam its nearest competitor "Shrek the Third" and its prequel "Finding Nemo." In its second week playing, Finding Dory is still hauling in nets of viewers, even at smaller theaters like Michigan's Grand Haven 9. Finding Dory could give Disney's heaviest hitter "Frozen" some stiff competition.
What bait did Disney Pixar use in this box office smash? They had audiences at lost and found. Viewers are always hooked by small frail things alone and afraid. Tales of runaway, stray, abandoned, abducted and lost beings play on audience heartstrings. Be they homesick kids, animals, aliens, cars, monsters, even species-less critters (just what was Stitch of "Lilo and Stitch, anyway?)--audiences cheer for them all.
But there's more than just happy reunions at the end of Disney Pixar lines. It's not just a little-fish-lost tale. Disney Pixar "Finding Dory" and "Finding Nemo" hit on the classic David and Goliath theme. The little guy isn't just lost and alone. In fact, he or she is very much not alone. He's surrounded by big, scary, dangerous bad guys. Since Dory and Nemo don't have brawn, they have to use brains to outsmart the bullies. The Disney "Home Alone" series is the quintessential bully-busting stories. Little Dory and Nemo have to be courageous in some horrifying situations. And that's real bravery--not doing reckless stunts or showing off superior strength--but taking leaps of faith when you're tiny and scared scale-less.
Viewers like to feel protective of weaker creatures, but they love better seeing weak creatures learn to care for themselves. Take Disney "The Lion King" and "Bambie" and for example. It was cute when they were cuddly and vulnerable, but it was more reassuring when they grew up to be self-sufficient. That's the bittersweet joy of losing and Finding Dory and Finding Nemo. They learned, with a little help from friends, to live safely in their world. It's kind of like parenting, letting your Disney grow up. And therein lies the box office lure of Disney Pixar Finding Dory and Finding Nemo--watching the underdogs swim to the top and still stay cute!

Educational movies on American history: Native Americans, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving

The Revenant is getting a lot of unearned accolades for its portrayal of early American history. That time period was violent to be sure, but Revenant is obligatorily so. Like Dances with Wolves, it sensationalizes rather than educates. That's the fault with a lot of American history films. Many movies about colonial America, the pilgrims (Puritans), native Americans and the first Thanksgiving holiday are romanticized. Some are downright fables.   Educational movies on American history: Native Americans, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving | Examiner.com

Mental Health Awareness: Educational movies on mental illness, mentally ill

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are educational movies on mental health to understand mental illness. These films show how Hollywood has shaped perception of mental illness and mentally ill people. Movies, whether independent films, documentaries or Hollywood blockbusters, have a powerful impact on how people understand concepts. Whether information is accurate, exaggerated or false, if it's portrayed in movie form people tend to accept and believe it more readily. Some of the most pervasive areas of movie influence over information is in the area of mental illness, psychiatric hospitals and institutional behavior. Watch these educational movies for Mental Health Awareness Month to boost sensitivity to the mentally ill.  Mental Health Awareness: Educational movies on mental illness, mentally ill | Examiner.com

Best movies for moms and daughters, to watch with your mom on Mothers Day

Need some great movies for moms and daughters to enjoy with your mom on Mothers Day? Maybe you've lost your mother and need some heart therapy. Whether you're a mom, grandma, adoptive mom, foster mom, surrogate mom, primary care-giver, aunt, step-mom, godmother or you were born of a mother, watch these movies for moms and daughters. You'll laugh and cry--sometimes both at once.  Best movies for moms and daughters, to watch with your mom on Mothers Day | Examiner.com

Free printable Spider-Man, Avengers Captain America Civil War, Iron Man coloring

The epic Marvel Comics "Captain America Civil War" opens May 6 and features a clash between Marvel Avengers Captain America and Iron Man. But word is the most exciting part Captain America Civil War is the introduction of Spider-Man to the cast. Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is attracting fans like flies! So now Avengers fans can see Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, Venom and all their superheroes in Captain America Civil War. Sounds like some pretty "Marvel" ous fun! Captain America v Iron Man, Batman v Superman--2016 promises to be a summer of brotherly brawling! How about free printable Spider-Man coloring pages to keep you tied up till Captain America Civil War opens?  Free printable Spider-Man, Avengers Captain America Civil War, Iron Man coloring | Examiner.com

Disney Frozen party recipes: Olaf the Snowman, Queen Elsa, Princess Anna snacks

Disney Frozen has taken the world by snowstorm, so what better theme than Disney Frozen for a children's winter party? Disney Frozen is an arctic adventure like Hans Christian Andersen’s "Fairy Snow Queen" Here are Disney Frozen winter party recipes with treats inspired by Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff and Olaf the Snowman. Warm your child's birthday with these winter party recipes. Don't have a birthday to celebrate a winter party for? Throw use these party recipes for a just-because winter party!  Disney Frozen party recipes: Olaf the Snowman, Queen Elsa, Princess Anna snacks