Top Ten New Year's Movies

When you go to IMDB.com and search “Christmas” as a keyword for a movie, you get over 1,000 results. However, when you type in New Year’s Eve, you get 164 results. In honor of the holiday that is the second most disrespected holiday in Hollywood (Behind Arbor Day), here are the Top Ten New Year’s Eve Movies and who can enjoy them to celebrate the upcoming year:

Honorable Mention: When Harry Met Sally, Entrapment, and Sleepless in Seattle

10. Assault on Precinct 13 (2005): I know this is a remake of a very good John Carpenter film, but this version is slicker and has a lot better casting. Ethan Hawke plays a precinct sergeant watching the city’s most notorious gangster, Laurence Fishburne. Gabriel Byrne leads a group of corrupt police officers, hell bent on killing Fishburne’s character before he can turn over evidence to implicate Byrne and his men. The action pieces are a visceral experience as it is contained – for the most part – in a police station, before turning to the city streets. The story is set on New Year’s Eve, which sets up your next year with a bang and for those looking for an exciting New Year.

9. The Time Machine (1960): Growing up, this was my favorite movie. It had awesome stop-go animation and it held true to the H.G. Wells story. It starts with a bunch of colleagues gathering at Robert Taylor’s house. The clock strikes twelve and Taylor stumbles in to deliver a story of a fantastic adventure. Before his audience can digest the story, Taylor vanishes again with his machine. The film starts on New Year’s Eve, which gives way to achieving new goals and going to new places for the New Year. Avoid the horrid 2005 remake with Guy Pearce and Jeremy Irons, both of whom are just working for a check on that film.

8. Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Roman Polanski’s 1968, Academy Award winning film is an intense psychological thriller about paranoia, and the realities / supernatural elements that surround it. Mia Farrow and her husband move into the historic Dakota building in New York’s Central Park District. Soon, Farrow falls ill, blaming her illness, nightmares, and paranoia on her pregnancy. However, Farrow soon discovers that her pregnancy may not be normal, nor of this world. Not for the faint of heart, but this is a good New Year’s Eve film for those welcoming additions to their family in the New Year. Trust me, your child and family situation cannot be any worse that Farrow’s.

7. Trading Places (1983): Eddie Murphy, when he was still doing adult fanfare that was funny. Dan Aykroyd, when he was still doing adult fanfare that was funny. Throw in Jamie Lee Curtis, a bear that really loves mankind, and the principal from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – BAM! Comic gold. This 1983 comedy romp features the wealthy Aykroyd losing it all because of a bet between Ralph Bellamy and Dom Ameche. To further humiliate Aykroyd, the bet between Bellamy and Ameche plants a hapless Eddie Murphy in Aykroyd’s position. A stock scheme between Aykroyd and Murphy unfolds as a way to revenge against Bellamy and Ameche’s initial wrong. A great New Year’s film for those looking to gain fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

6. Forrest Gump (1994): Yes, this movie covers roughly forty years of an individual’s history. More over, the few New Year scenes are allocated to Lieutenant Dan being mocked by two prostitutes and Jenny wanting to throw herself off a hotel balcony. However, there are New Year’s Eve moments. This is a good film for those wanting the fantastic in the coming year because if you ever thought the movie was too far-fetched, read the book to be even more stunned.

5. The Poseidon Adventure (1972): This movie won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1972. That same year, Cabaret won eight Oscars, but was not even nominated for Best Song. However, that is neither here, nor there. This film depicting a cruise ship that encounters disaster on New Year’s Ever is renowned for its Special Effects and heavy handed acting. Gene Hack stars as a priest leading survivors through the overturned ship. This is a great New Year’s movie for those who are looking to take charge of their life in the upcoming year… And for anyone who does not like Shelley Winters.

4. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994): The Coen Brothers comedic genius emerges through this heartwarming and hilarious romp through the fast talking 1930’s business world. Tim Robbins stars as a mailroom clerk who comes up with the idea for the Hula Hoop, while the company’s board supports the toy as a front for their stock scheme. A hilarious romp that is a sure throwback to Billy Wilder and Howard Hawks, which highlights an era that is gone from Hollywood. A great New Year’s film for anyone looking for career success in the next year.

3. The Shining (1980): Nobody does crazy like Nicholson. Kubrick’s methodic film depicts a man and his family keeping watch over a secluded hotel that has supernatural happenings. Heralded as one of the scariest movies ever, the psychological tension is as engrossing as any film ever produced. The film’s New Year’s festivities take place during a blizzard as Nicholson’s insanity has overwhelmed him. This is a great New Year’s message to anyone looking to escape the past and go towards a new future.

2. The Godfather – Part II (1974): Ordinarily, this would be number one, but we will get to why it is not later on. Coppola’s darker sequel is arguably a better successor than its predecessor. The Corleone Family is at the height of their power, which makes their internal fall that more devastating and harrowing to watch. The betrayal and intrigue emerge at a New Year’s Eve party in Cuba as Michael discovers a horrific secret about his brother, Fredo. The scene culminates with one of the most memorable movie lines as Michael kisses Fredo and says, “I know it was you Fredo. You broke me heart. You broke me heart!” This is the perfect New Year’s film for someone going through family dysfunction and possible Congressional hearings.

1. Strange Days (1995): James Cameron was white hot. Come to think of it, Cameron has not been white hot from 1999 to 2006, and that was because he was not making movies. This film is based on a James Cameron script, directed by his third ex-wife – Kathryn Bigelow, and produced by his second ex-wife – Gale Anne Hurd. Basically, an awkward family reunion for Iron Jim. The story focuses on Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), a dealer of a psychedelic drug and a murder conspiracy he finds himself in as the end of the Millennium draws near. Angela Bassett plays his love interest, confidante, and security as he searches the streets of Los Angeles amidst the chaos. Tom Sizemore, Juliette Lewis, Vincent D’Onofrio, William Fichtner, and Kelly Hu all make appearances in this neo noir / sci-fi film hybrid.

Nobody saw this film upon its release, but it has found new life on cable television and developed a minor cult following. Overall, it is an overlooked gem from the 1990’s that features excellent performances, a well paced plot, and some interesting portrayals of the then near future. The perfect film for anyone looking for new adventures and truth in the upcoming year.

Enjoy the list and Happy New Year.