It’s that time of year, you know, the one where people actually embrace and celebrate the passage of time as opposed to, well, fearing it and feeling strangely old, out of shape and, quite possibly, hung over (all that comes on New Year’s Day). People get together, bang pots and pans, watch fireworks, start small kitchen fires, drink champagne, make new friends, reconnect with old friends, leave sloppy text messages and voice mails for misunderstandings and mistakes that took place in the previous 364 days. Oh, and of course, we all watch Zombie Dick Clark hail in the New Year in Times Square with the aid of a giant, Technicolor, electronic globe that descends down like a slow-motion Daft Punk set.

So, for those in the mood to experience the annual festivities vicariously, or perhaps those that need a little televisual inspiration to get their New Year’s Eve on, here is the list of—without hyperbole—the best New Year’s Movies (that don’t involve Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Sandra Bullock or Renee Zelwegger) in the history of humanity:

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Chances are you’ll be spending some time with video games tonight as you ring in the New Year. We’re guessing that amidst the periodic peek at what’s happening in New York and the occasional snack and beverage, there will be a whole lot of video gaming going on. What better way to bid farewell to 2008 and welcome in 2009? The obvious contenders will be party games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Lips, Dance Dance (insert version here), and anything on the Wii.

Xbox Live folks can dress up for the occasion, with a variety of new clothes for their avatar. The fellas may sport:

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