New Delhi: So the latest rumour doing the rounds is that the world is going to end in a month when the earth spins into the path of a black hole. And even if that weren't true, the end of the year and the beginning of another one is round the corner. Some of us will be partying, a large number will sleep and some will either flick through TV channels or watch movies this New Year's eve.

For those who are picking a movie, here's a list of flicks that make you smile… Whether you are with friends or sitting by yourself. For those who have better recommendations, suggestions are more than welcome, write back.

Taare Zameen Par: After the comebacks and the six-packs, Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par was a special distraction. It's the kind of movie that reminds you of the times when your mother had understood your problems and had born the brunt of tantrums… And of times you were punished for no fault of yours.

Amelie: The idea of even the quirkiest of us finding love is a happy one. Of going along life, despite its injustices and then bumping into someone who shares your idiosyncrasies. Nothing's ever going to be perfect, till you look at it differently.

Life is Beautiful: When is the right age for a child to 'know' the real deal about things? Or perhaps it's better for illusions to prevail, for they make you braver. And enable you to go where dreams lead you, even though the end might not be known or might not be pleasant.

Andaz Apna Apna:"Kaisa lag raha Daddy aapko, kaisa lag raha hai?" with Aamir Khan and Deven Verma in the scene together is just one of the fun moments from the movie. It's insane, it's slapstick but it's not cheap. The unlikely duo of Salman Khan-Aamir Khan go about the movie with such scampish-innocence that it makes their obvious pranks fun. A fun movie for some silly laughter.

Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin: Erm, no, there is no special love for Aamir Khan, just that three of his movies have featured on this list. This one is to enjoy some fun exchanges between the lead pair and sheer Anupam Kher histrionics. For some awesome chemistry though, you have to watch the Hindi 'original', Chori Chori Chupke Chupke with Raj Kapoor and Nargis. They sizzle and they crackle together. It's quirky, it's romantic and it's forever fresh.



Angoor: Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptations of Othello and Macbeth in Omkara and Maqbool respectively were awesome movies. Angoor is neither dark nor gruesome, but it's Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors with such finesse that Shakespeare could well have been a Bollywood scriptwriter. Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma in a double role and Moushumi Chatterjee and Aruna Irani as the spouses, this is a must.

Sholay: It's not a comedy but it has one of the best funny lines. And the anticipation of the favourite moments and the gratification each time is never failing. Mausi! And no remake can beat the original.

Finding Nemo: It just always leaves one with a very happy feeling. It's colourful, it's honest and it tries to tell a story of keeping it all together. So what if they are fishes.

50 First Dates: Pure mush sometimes is such a release! Perhaps there's much to be cynical about, but to think that you can forget who you are or be yourself and someone – be it family or spouse – is ready to love you for it, is very soul saving. Not a must watch really, but a sweet one nonetheless.

Ocean's 12: Only and only to see the scene with the Night Fox's little jig on the terrace. That is some serious exercise and just very exhilarating. Grin.

Hot Shots: If it's slapstick, this is how it's gotta be. The takes and spoofs on popular movies is a whole lot of fun. We should do it too.

Pushpak: I have never seen a movie "talk" so unabashedly about human excreta and without it being crass. Without any dialogues, this movie is a classic when it comes to a situational comedy and strong acting. The potty-packing scene amongst others is guaranteed laughs.