New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and a time for hope. Almost everyone will stay up waiting for the first day of the New Year to arrive. For those not attending parties or other holiday events, it becomes time to settle in for a good movie while waiting for the clock to turn midnight. Whether spending the night with a glass of wine or cuddled up with someone special on the couch, a New Year’s Eve favourite is surely to be found in this heart-warming collection of movies.
The Blind Side
Based on a true story, The Blind Side is a heart-warming modern day fairy tale about a young teenager named Michael Oher and his rise from hardship and loneliness to family and fame. Michael Oher, a homeless African-American, is adopted by the Tuohys, a comfortable white family who helps him find his full potential through love, nurturing and care. The Tuohys welcome Michael into their home and family as a stranger but soon realize he is dear to their heart and they cannot imagine life without him. Oher works hard to graduate and signs with Ole Miss to become an All-American offensive left tackle. This feel good movie offers hope and restores faith that there are still good people in the world, thanks to writer and director John Lee Hancock, and actors Sandra Bullock, Quentin Aaron, and Tim McGraw who all do a wonderful job.
The Bucket List
A movie that will fill the heart with emotion, ‘The Bucket List’ is about two men who meet at a hospital after they are both diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. A friendship is born almost instantly and grows stronger as they take cancer treatments. Together, they decide to complete a list of things they wish they’d done before they die. Written by Justin Zackham and directed by Rob Reiner, ‘The Bucket List’ leaves people considering their own lives and how to avoid regret, creating a wonderful movie moment for New Year’s Eve. Actors Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson do an outstanding job, making this movie a beloved favourite.
Awakenings
Another movie based on a true story, ‘Awakenings’ is about Dr. Malcolm Sayer who takes a job in a Bronx psychiatric hospital. Put in charge of several comatose patients, Sayer causes them to respond to stimulation. Sayer is allowed to give a new drug to one patient named Leonard Lowe who has not spoken since childhood. Miraculously, Lowe begins to recover and encourages Sayer to administer the new drug to the other patients as well. The exceedingly talented cast includes Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro, Julie Kavner and John Heard. This is definitely a New Year’s Eve pick, reminding everyone that it is possible to make a difference when hope seems fleeting.
Notting Hill
For those who enjoy a good love story, ‘Notting Hill’ is about a rather unsuccessful William Thacker, a bookstore owner, and Anna Scott, a famous actress. Their paths cross twice before Thacker takes Scott back to his apartment where a kiss is exchanged. Anna and William form a special relationship but being an average Joe with a movie star proves to be difficult. One of Robert’s well-known lines from the movie includes, ''The fame thing isn't real, you know. And don't forget: I'm also just a girl. Standing in front of a boy. Asking him to love her.'' Starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, written by Richard Curtis, and directed by Roger Michell, this movie offers hope that love finds people in the most unusual circumstances and that is possible for a normal guy to find an exceptional woman.