10 Movies to make your day

Are you having a bad day at work, going through a phase or feeling a bit down because of present situation? Certainly a good movie is a temporary cure to most in their not so good days; a good storyline opens its audience mind and gives them a new perspective on life.  Here are some movies which you can watch to feel better about life or may be people –

 

1.   12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men is rated #5 in IMDB’s Top Rated Movies list, obviously there is a reason for that. A jury of 12 men is set to decide whether a young man is guilty or innocent of murdering his father. What appeared to be a clear outcome soon becomes a clash of morals, prejudices and preconceptions.

2.   The Prestige

 

This movie also has its place in IMDB’s Top Rated Movies list at #46. This movie has a very captivating story line based a book with same name by Christopher Priest. Loaded with a grand cast – Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis and David Bowie as Tesla, this movie totally makes you feel blown away.

 

3.   War Horse

 

This movie is also based on a book with same name by Michael Morpurgo. This follows a story line of a boy and his horse. When Albert’s horse ‘Joey’ is sold to the Cavalry by his father. While Albert enlists in the British Army to get back ‘Joey’, Joey is having an expected journey throughout the war torn Europe.

 

 

4.   Inside out

Whoever says animated movies are for kids, doesn’t know the gist of it and Inside out is a movie for everyone. This is the story of a young girl Riley and her 5 emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness, who are on a bumpy ride when Riley’s family is shifted to a new city. This movie also has its place in IMDB’s Top Rated Movies list at #159. 

 

5.   Midnight in Paris    

This movie is definitely a worth watch at least once. It has a altogether different angle on time travel. Gil and Inez a soon to be married couple are on a vacation with Inez’s parent’s business trip to Paris. The couple does not share the same idea about the romantic notions of the city. When Gil takes a walk at midnight to find some inspiration for writing, well all hell break loose. 

6.   Hacksaw Ridge

Based on true story, of Desmond Dos, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, was awarded the Medal of Honour for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. Doss’s trials and tribulations starts after enlisting in the US army while he is trying to become a medic. Rated #46 in IMDB’s Top Rated Movies list at #190

 

7.   Joy

Joy Mangano is an American inventor and entrepreneur known for inventions such as the self-wringing Miracle Mop. The movie Joy is loosely based on her life. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mangano.

 

8.   The Grand Budapest Hotel

The movie recounts the adventures of M. Gustave, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel during the wars and his most trusted friend, the lobby boy Zero Moustafa. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune - all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent. Rated #191 in IMDB’s Top Rated Movies list. .

 

9.   Hidden Figures

This movie is based on unbelievably true life stories of three of these women, known as "human computers"; we follow these women as they quickly rose the ranks of NASA alongside many of history's greatest minds. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Gobels Johnson crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race, firmly cemented them in U.S. history as true American heroes.

 

10.       Green Book

Tony Lip Vallelonga is unemployed when the nightclub where is worked as a bouncer is closed for renovations. He accepts an offer to work as a driver to African-American classical pianist Don Shirley for a concert tour. However, as the disparate pair witness and endure America's appalling injustices on the road, they find a newfound respect for each other's talents and start to face them together. In doing so, they would nurture a friendship and understanding that would change both their lives. This exceptional movie has its place in IMDB's Top Rated Movies list at #130, Won 3 Academy Awards in Best picture, Best supporting actor - Mahershala Ali and Original screenplay.

Read these books if you loved reading Harry Potter

Have you just finished reading Harry Potter and have no idea what to do with your life any more. Here are some books you can read to lower down your Harry Potter hangover a bit.

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Well this book needs no introduction. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Wizards what else do you need in your life; Hobbits of course. An extra ordinary tale of Victory of pure heart over dark forces which leaves you awestruck with its compelling characters.  And guess what, you got to read The Hobbit with this 3 part series (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King). If you want to know; my favorite character is Aragorn, do tell me yours.

 

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Here goes the tale of an adventurous girl - Lyra who finds some incredible friends along the way in Roger, Farder Coram, Lee Scorsby, Iorek Byrnison, Serafina Pekkalla and of course Will. A girl who is sweet, clever, courageous, brags a lot and capable of getting herself out of any situation. And of course what can be more fascinating than Daemons, Talking Bears with Armours and Witches. This story has an altogether different take on Alternate universe. I just love Iorek Byrnison after all polar bears aren’t just cute they are quite deadly. Go on and let me know which one is your favorite from – Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife or The Amber Spyglass.

 

 

The chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

If you have seen the movies and thought there are only 3 parts then no there are 7. Just waiting for you to explore them. So grab them and finish them off in this order - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket    

Let me put the Introduction right from the first book – “I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.”

Are you ready of this? There are 13 – The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, The Wide Window, The Miserable Mill, The Austere Academy, The Ersatz Elevator, The Vile Village, The Hostile Hospital, The Carnivorous Carnival, The Slippery Slope, The Grim Grotto, The Penultimate Peril and The End.

 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Were you/ Are you weird in School? Did/do you have learning difficulties or dyslexia probably ADHD. Don’t for a second think that you are a loser; you just need a different school. Welcome to Camp Half blood where Demigods are trained. And obviously our Percy Jackson is one of them. I found this book very educating. It taught me a lot of things about Greek Mythology. If you are into mythology give it a try in this order – The Lightening Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of Labyrinth and The Last Olympian.

 

Inkworld by Cornelia Funke

Well this book gives you what you wish for – characters literally coming out of pages. I know, I know we all want that but be careful what you wish for. And who doesn’t want another bookworm well this Book gives you many. Some characters in this book are practically all of us. Give it a go in this order – Inkheart, Inkworld and Inkdeath.

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

What happens when an ordinary boy finds a stone which turns out to be a Dragon’s egg? Well read it and see for yourself. This book will make you fall in love with Dragons and who doesn’t want an Intellectual Dragon to be their companion on their adventure. Hagrid would love it. Have a go at – Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance.

 

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

When your crush asks for a fallen star where can you find it? Right here, in this book. The story takes you to a journey of blooming love in midst of scheming, family drama, ancient curses etc. etc. What are you waiting for; Nel Gaiman never disappoints. It is very interesting and not very long.

 

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Has it ever happened to you that you got a gift but it went horribly wrong? Well this unfortunate thing happened to Ella who got a gift of obedience by a Fairy at his birth. How bad it could be to obey everyone around you? Well read this book and you will know.

Well let me know if you liked these books.

Suggestion for Newbie Readers

Want to develop reading as a hobby, but don't have a clue where to start. Well no worries I will suggest you some good reading stuff, if you can get through them, Congratulations ! you are a reader and if not then Sorry Dear ! but you will have to try your luck with some other hobby. 

First of all, you don't read just for reading, you read to learn, to understand so please don't go start reading  Chetan Bhagat, Ravinder Singh, Durjoy Dutta and all that. Those are not literature, those are totally time pass, badly bollywood inspired stories which you read when you absolutely don't have anything to do and don't want to use your mind. A Big NO to all that stuff if you want to develop reading as your hobby. Here are some really nice reads

1. The Inscrutable Americans

A hilarious novel written by Anurag Mathur, about an Indian exchange student Gopal at an American University. This novel successfully depicts the clash of two completely different cultures. It is funny cover to cover and keeps you entertained till the end. 

2. Warrior of the light

Warrior of the light written by Paulo Coelho, is a book full of proverb, words of encouragement and wisdom, filled with so much realization on life. The book is beautifully written and full of symbolism. 

3. The Harry Potter Series

Well I am little biased, when it comes to Harry Potter Series. I just love this series and I think every one should read it once. A Fiction master piece written by J. K. Rowlling is a story of a boy/wizard named Harry Potter. Right from the first page you just found yourself attached with the magical world. If you think it is for children then you are completely wrong. The series grows with each book. If you have watched the movies don't fool yourself by thinking that you know everything, all the books have so many secrets winding with each other, which is impossible to completely portray in a two hour movie. 

4. The Da Vinci Code

The novel written by Dan Brown is a thriller. It takes an open minded person to read it and to remember it is just fiction.  but it brings up a lot of important questions about the Christian church, and the loss of paganism and the respect of the Goddess or the Woman. Everyone should read it once.

5. The Secret

The Secret  written by Rhonda Byrne contains wisdom from modern-day teachers -- men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

6. Shiva Triology

This series is written by Amish Tripathi. I am not a fan of young Indian authors but this guy has rocked it. He has used his imagination and provided us with a very nice read. But if you want to read this book you will have to keep your mythological knowledge behind for a while so that story of this novel's main protagonist - Shiva, can sink in. Amish has taken all his characters from Indian mythological stories and created a completely different world with them. So do read this one.

7. P. S. I love you

A novel written by Cecelia Ahern about holding on, letting go, and learning to love again. This novel follows the engaging, witty, and occasionally sappy reawakening of Holly, a young Irish widow who must put her life back together after she loses her husband Gerry to a brain tumor, and how her husband found a way of helping her through her suffering even after dying.  Nice story and beautifully written.

8. To kill a mockingbird

A classic, written by Harper Lee. A wonderful piece of literature, great characters, plot and prose. There is sadness and happiness, racism and equality, immaturity and maturity, injustice and redemption. Atticus is a man we could all love and look up to a grounded just and fair man he sees beyond race and finds the goodness in people. A lot of the story is told through a young girl and is enjoyable to see things from a young perspective

9. The Notebook

A Love story written by Nicholas Sparks. It is a timeless piece on the concept of soul mate and life long commitment. Nice read for those who love to read romantic stories. 

10. The devil wear prada

A delightfully dishy novel written by Lauren Weisberger about the all-time most impossible boss in the history of impossible bosses. It is a story of a girl who had the misfortune of getting the most bossy boss. Her super demanding boss leaves her on the verge of loosing her best friend and boy friend. The impossible demands of The Boss makes you laugh a lot. A nice, funny and light read.

10 Books everyone must read

1. Gone with the wind By Margaret Mitchell
2. Atlas Shrugged By Ayn Rand
3. Who will cry when you die By Robin Sharma
4. Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte
5. The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho
6. Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen
7. Bhagvat Geeta
8. Harry Potter Series By J. K. Rowlling
9. To kill a mocking bird By Harper Lee
10. The secret By Rhonda Byrne