(Reuters)
I know what you’re thinking: “It’s New Year’s Eve! Parties! Champagne! No regrets! You only live once!"
We get it, we get it.
But taking one year off from a hung-over, unproductive, regret-filled New Year’s Day really isn’t such a bad thing. Instead of shoving elbows with strangers or not-so-mistakenly making out with your ex, why not relax and ring in the New Year with the people that matter … and with the movies that matter?
Check out these classic New Year’s flicks that are perfect to ring in 2013.
Trading Places (1983)
Why on New Year’s?
After “trading places" with each other, homeless hustler Eddie Murphy and wealthy commodities broker Dan Aykroyd plot their payback against “the Dukes,” a pair of conniving brokerage-owning brothers, on a train during New Year’s Eve. They then dupe the Dukes into making the wrong trades when the stock market opens back up after the holidays. Merry New Year!
Your excuse:
To reminisce about the '80s, of course. Murphy and Aykroyd dress up a foe in a gorilla costume before ending up on a tropical island at the end of the movie. A gorilla! ‘Twas a simpler time…
The Godfather Part II (1972)
Why on New Year’s?
After finding out his brother Fredo betrayed the family, Michael walks up to his dimwitted bro at a New Year’s party in Vegas and plants a death kiss upon his lips (talk about brotherly love). It’s Michael’s ultimate power move and I’m assuming Fredo didn’t have the start to the New Year he wanted.
Your excuse:
I know you’ll watch it, and if you don’t, you’ll break my heart.
Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
Why on New Year’s?
Single Bridget starts off the movie at a New Year’s Day “Turkey Curry Buffet” worried that her parents will attempt to set her up with a “bushy-haired, middle-aged bore.”
Your excuse:
If your New Year’s Day starts off with higher hopes, I think you’re doing just fine.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Why on New Year’s?
Not one, but TWO New Year’s Eve moments! The first, Harry invites Sally out to a party so she’s not alone on New Year’s, and the two have their first kiss on a rooftop overlooking the Empire State Building. Aww. The second comes during the climax of the movie, when Harry rushes in to declare his love for Sally, and … !?!?
Your excuse:
If you’re longing to get out of the friend zone, you’re DEFINITELY having what she’s having.
BONUS MOVIE!
New Year’s Eve (2011)
Delightfully not-so-clever rip-off of “Love Actually” featuring every celebrity you’ve ever heard of mixed into dozens of unbelievable scenes all taking place in NYC. It's two hours of pretty people with pretty problems, perfectly timed kisses and a New Years’ Eve you couldn’t relate to even if you tried.
Your excuse:
You'd rather focus on other people's issues than your own. But we still wouldn't recommend it.
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