Fictional Places I Most Want to Spend New Years Eve:

[This post originally appeared on my Livejournal last year, but I'm finding myself still without concrete plans this December 30th, so it's still applicable! The 2012 edit has added an honorable mention and slightly shifted order. ] 

With a little more than 24 hours until 2012 blesses us with it’s graces, and hardly an idea of where I’ll find myself at the stroke of midnight, I’m finding it’s far less stressful to devote what would be time spent planning to contemplating where I’d be if fiction existed (and I had some great connections).
Without further adieu… The Top 5 Fictional Places I Most Want to Spend New Years Eve:

Honorable Mention: The party from “200 Cigarettes.”

This 1999 film is something like the last call scramble… set on New Years Eve… in 1981. A random assortment of characters (played by what arguably may be one of the best ensemble casts of all time) in New York City wanders about town en route to the same party, experiencing setbacks and misadventures along the way. The party takes place in a mod, expertly decorated apartment and attracts such high profile guests as Elvis Costello. If you’re up for an evening without cover charges or expensive bar tabs, this is one house party that takes the cake.

#5: The Great Northern Hotel from “Twin Peaks.”

A hallmark of the town of Twin Peaks, the Great Northern represented the true essence of the small logging community. Perched on the edge of a scenic waterfall, the hotel captures all of the rustic feel you would expect from a Northwestern lodge. And the owners know how to party! I like to imagine spending a New Years Eve here with a select group of friends donned in Norwegian sweaters, telling stories around a large fireplace while sipping on hot toddies. And there is no doubt they’ve got a wooden barrel style hot tub fit for a nice winter dip. Hopefully you can escape the intrinsic drama of the town while still getting caught up in a little mystery.

#4: The nightclub from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”

Before Indy and a Chinese gangster get into a world class table-breaking rumble , this swanky Shanghai nightclub (smugly dubbed “Club Obi Wan”) has got it going on. The entertainment graces us with a cabaret-style song and dance number (a bilingual “Anything Goes”), champagne bottles are being uncorked left and right, and amid the scurrying of the fight scene, a celebratory shower of balloons drops from the ceiling. If you can avoid the gunfire and subsequent mob panic, this would truly be a classy way to spend your evening.

#3: The Christmas party from “Less Than Zero.”

The 1989 film based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel follows three rich Californian kids (played by Jami Gertz, Andrew McCarthy, and Robert Downey Jr., in a rather true to life role) partying their way through the holidays with a fair share of nose candy. One of the opening scenes takes place at a party my budget can only dream of, complete with a heated pool (filled with floating “icebergs”) surrounded by a makeshift ice skating rink, and walls of televisions. An upstairs bedroom is converted into an igloo, while outside a miniature snow covered mountain range imitates a true winter wonderland…. the perfect picturesque hot spot to dance away the last few hours of the year.

 

#2: Endor - from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi"



According to Star Wars legend, what we commonly refer to as Endor is actually a moon of the giant gas planet of Endor. It is also referred to as the Forest Moon due to its lush redwoods, which would look quite heavenly when accented by white candles, lanterns, or strings of lights. And if the celebration following the defeat of the Empire is any indication, the Ewoks who reside there are one fun-loving species. In the heart of the tree city, you'll have bonfires, music, storytelling, and certainly a great deal of home brew. When you've had enough fun, string up a hammock between some trees in a peaceful grove, or see if you can persuade an Ewok to let you share their treehouse. I'll bet you could even snuggle with one... ultimate pillow!

 

And the winner:

#1: On board the Belafonte — from “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.”

“Let me tell you about my boat,” says Bill Murray’s Zissou, as the camera moves from room to room along a cross-section set. “The Belafonte was a long-range sub hunter during the Second World War… The sauna was designed by an engineer from the Chinese space program, and we keep a Swedish masseuse on staff. ….Here’s where we do all our different science projects and experiments and so on… This is the kitchen… which contains probably some of the most technologically advanced equipment on the ship. Eleanor put together a top-notch research library for us… with a complete first-edition set of The Life Aquatic companion series….This is the observation bubble… which I thought up in a dream, actually.”

I’m a sucker for anything designed by Wes Anderson, and the Belefonte is arguably the best example of this. The perfectly crafted architecture, color scheme, and sense of understated luxury make this the ultimate place to party… second perhaps only to Zissou’s island.

The ship, though falling into disrepair, still echoes of luxury with its spa and once state-of-the-art technology (now with vintage appeal). One of the earlier scenes of the film depicts a post documentary screening party, and the Belafonte is dressed for the occasion in white Christmas lights. On board, an intern/bartender serves what is sure to be only the finest wine to socialites in tuxes and evening gowns, while the Team Zissou crew chills inside on a stylish mid century sofa. And when you’ve had enough of libations and intellectual conversation, you can retire to a quaint room below decks, or get acquainted with the dolphins that swim with the ship. Ideally, the perfect setting for any celebration, and unquestionably first choice on the list of where I’d like to be ringing in the new year.