Some of Bernie the Monkey's favorite movies / books / and news feeds - that he enjoyed in 2014

Some of Bernie the Monkey's favorite movies (that he saw in 2014) are: 1) Children of Heaven http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Heaven This Iranian movie first came out in 1998, but I only discovered it in 2014. It became the first Iranian film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, losing to one of my all-time favorite films, the Italian film "Life Is Beautiful" by Roberto Benigni. I watched Children of Heaven with my niece Kiara and my nephew Noah. Even if it was in Iranian, Peter and Alphonsine's kids absolutely loved it. They watched it from start to finish. While I recommend that viewers see it with English subtitles, you don't need the subtitles if you don't have access to them. It is a GREAT film. ------ 2) Another movie that I greatly enjoyed this year was a film made in India called: The Lunchbox. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lunchbox Again I watched this film first without subtitles and later with them. I watched it with my mom. We both enjoyed the story. It is a film well worth watching if you get the chance. ---- 3)Taare_Zameen_Par (English title: Like Stars on Earth) Another movie that I greatly enjoyed is about an autistic boy in the school system in India who is very unhappy at school until his art teacher (who had autism as a child) helps him discover his innate artistic ability. I am unable to find the name of the film but it is a great movie. Opps, I just found the title: Taare Zameen Par If you only watch one movie this month, B. the M. says that this is the one to watch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taare_Zameen_Par ----- 4)The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Another film that I watched with my mom in 2014 was: I recommend it highly. Here is a link to a write-up about it in the Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/exotic-marigold-senior-brits-go-to-india-adorableness-ensues/article4104515/ 5) Quartet: If you have a love for theatre or art (music, opera, classical song), you will likely enjoy the 2012 British film "Quartet", starring Maggie Smith. It is a great film to watch with a parent. I watched it with my mom in 2014. We both loved it. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartet_(2012_film) ------------------ A few books that I enjoyed reading this year: 1) The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius by Kristine Barnett Great story of a mother's love for her child. Inspirational. ----- The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World Written by Bishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Reverend Mpho Tutu. Source: http://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/749855026_the_book_of_forgiving ------- "This is how I'd love you" A book I read on the bus this year was: http://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/781215026_this_is_how_id_love_you It is actually the type of book that one of my daughters might enjoy reading, not me. A young love story. But I took it out of the library on a whim and guess what, I enjoyed reading it. Source: http://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/781215026_this_is_how_id_love_you ------ Favorite News Feed UPWORTHY Upworthy runs on a simple mantra: sharing is caring. Barely a year old, it’s already a leader in a crowded community of social news sites, bringing attention to content that’s inspirational (watch a news anchor fight back against a bully who called her fat) and very shareable (see a waitress get a $500 tip). Its deceptively simple design emphasizes well-written headlines, the content itself and sharing options, creating a powerful viral effect. Just try and resist its siren call. Source: http://techland.time.com/2013/05/06/50-best-websites-2013/slide/upworthy/ My absolute favorite old-fashioned news feed is: Arts and Letters Daily http://www.aldaily.com/ Take a look at this source of great writing! Make it a favorite site on your list of "favorites". I check it every week and love reading it! ---------- Link: Upworthy http://www.upworthy.com/inspirational Well, that is everything from Bernie the Monkey tonight. Happy New Year!