This New Years Eve, instead of fighting the crowds on Sydney Harbour to watch the fireworks, or heading out to yet another holiday party, why not curl up with a good movie. We’ve even gone to all the trouble of selecting the very best film scenes featuring NYE as a backdrop.
Go get that popcorn, make yourself comfortable and watch some of the best cinematic New Years celebrations committed to celluloid. Then let us know if you agree or not, by commenting below, or on Facebook page & Twitter.
5. Strange Days (1995) directed by Kathryn Bigelow
A dystopian thriller set during NYE at the turn of the 2000 millenium.
Lenny Nero (played by Ralph Fiennes) can’t stop obsessing over his ex-girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis). His best friend Lornette (Angela Basset) is tired of the constant drama Nero brings to her life, dealing hardcore porn filmed with ‘S.Q.U.I.D’ (a type of memory recorder that allows the viewer to experience sight, sound & touch). Things turn sour when Nero inadvertently comes across a conspiracy involving cops, politicians, Faith (his ex) and a snuff film.
The final and best scene shows Nero & Lornette chasing down the bad guy in Times Square, right as the millennium count down is taking place. The pair share a kiss, and it’s one of the best ever captured in celluloid.
It’s long, passionate and is the pay off you’re hoping Lornette deserves; you can’t help but think Lenny has become a better man.
And hey, what’s NYE without a little kissing.
4. Boogie Nights (1997) directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
NYE parties usually are filled with drink, laughter, bad behavior but rarely murder-suicide.
In this scene porn director Little Bill (played by William H. Macy) is desperately looking for his porn star wife throughout the party. When he finally finds her, in a side room having sex with another, he calmly walks outside, retrieves his gun from his car and during the countdown shoots them both.
The entire scene is done in a single tracking shot, Macy is chilling as we see him walk back into the party to kill two people, with a resolute determination and almost peaceful disposition.
3. Poseidon Adventure (1972) directed by Ronald Neame
It’s NYE, you’re on a cruise ship with other party goers celebrating. The ship is hit by a tidal wave and is capsized, what do you do? You hope that you’re Gene Hackman and that there’s a huge Christmas tree nearby so you can hack your way to freedom – rescuing survivors as you go.
As far as disaster films go, this had it all, emotion, loss, heroism and Ernest Borgnine.
2. The Godfather II (1974) directed Francis Ford Coppola
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is not happy.
Aware of a traitor’s presence hiding within his family, Corleone’s search had been unfruitful. That was until Fredo (John Cazale) opened his big mouth and accidentally let it slip that he was the rat.
That big mouth got a kiss he wasn’t expecting- “I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.”
1. When Harry Met Sally (1989) directed by Rob Reiner
Arguably the best romantic comedy on film, this classic take on love and friendship stands the test of time.
The scene finds life-long friends, Harry and Sally, finally professing their love to one another, as the countdown takes place. It starts with Harry (Billy Crystal) sauntering up to a very well dressed Sally (Meg Ryan) and saying: “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and the thing is…I love you”. Sally just doesn’t believe him. Harry goes on to declare his love, listing all of the things he loves about her.
It’s one of the most memorably romantic scenes on film and is the reason we’ve given When Harry Met Sally our number one best New Years Eve scene ever.
“I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
It just makes you want to sigh (or throw up, but hey, it is NYE after all).
Have a brilliant evening and for 2016 –
May the Seed of your Investor Grow Fat in the Belly of your Project.
Feature image: Sydney Harbour celebrations (image: ©Matt Sinclair).
