We at TMFF hope you all had a fantastic Christmas alongside your loved ones! Since we already offered our list of favourite Christmassy films last year around this time, we now decided to do the same for the upcoming celebration – New Year’s Eve! So, in case you want to get in the mood for champagne and fireworks, here are 7 classic films that are (partly) set around New Year’s celebrations.
1. Ghostbusters II (1989)
Vigo the Carpathian, a 16th century Transylvianian entity trapped in a painting in the Manhattan Museum of Art, comes to life and plans to take over the world. Or at least New York to begin with. And, most notably within our context, he can achieve this right at the turn of the year. So, even on NYE, who you gonna call?
2. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
This underrated gem from the early Coens often goes unnoticed. It’s funny in a trademark Coen bros style, features Tim Robbins in one of his best ever performances, contains some great pieces of music and captures the absurdities of entrepreneurship and the business world in a nutshell. Also, the climax takes place on New Year’s Eve.
3. The Godfather Part II (1974)
During your lifetime, you may envounter certain people who will tell you that The Godfather Part II is better than the first one. Avoid these people, and never trust them again. Having said that, Part II is still an excellent crime drama that unfolds in two separate acts, one a prequel and one a sequel to the original classic. In the latter arc, Michael Corleone delves into Cuban politics, and one really important plot point occurs on New Year’s Eve.
4. Ocean’s 11 (1960)
2018 spelled a change of direction for the Ocean’s series, featuring no more Clooney but instead an all-female main cast. However, it’s easy to forget the fact that the early 2000s trilogy is not the original material – the honour goes to a 1960 film starring both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Here, a team of WWII Airbourne division veterans is selected for a one-night casino hit. You can easily guess what night we’re talking about.
5. Boogie Nights (1997)
I would include a Paul Thomas Anderson on any list if I could – it’s not always possible, but I am happy to do it this time. Boogie Nights’ main setting is the Golden Age of the Californian pornographic industry of the late ’70s and early 80s – and one turning point in the film is the New Year’s Eve party of 1979/1980.
6. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
When asking film lovers what their favourite Roman Polanski film is, you’re likely to get a wide range of answers – which serves as proof to what a great director the Polish filmmaker is. One of the standouts with most votes will likely be Rosemary’s Baby. Delving into subjects such as paranoia, occultism and religious rituals, it’s one of the best psychological horror films I’ve seen to date, and something does happen on New Year’s Eve.
7. Under Suspicion (2000)
Based on the French film Garde a Vue (1981) and starring Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman and Monica Bellucci, Under Suspicion is a thrilling crime drama that should satisfy your yearning for the genre around this time of the year. Mainly because, surprise surprise, it starts of with a New Year’s party address in Puerto Rico.
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