Hey folks, this is a post I wrote way back in 2010 when it was extremely cold outside.  And since I’m freezing my ass off at the moment here in the dead of winter, I thought it would be a good time to resurrect it.

As Winter keeps rearing it’s ugly head I keep finding ways to keep warm without blasting the heat too much. But I tell ya it’s getting harder and harder.  I don’t want to do it but that thermostat is gonna touch 72 pretty darned soon.   Right now it’s clocking in at 70 but wind gusts practically destroy my office window.

So since we’re already at the fireplace nights and roasting marshmallows stage, why not curl up and watch a movie that takes place in the kind of weather we’re all protecting ourselves from?

Here are seven solid movies that take place in freezing weather….

The Ice Storm

Set during Thanksgiving weekend, 1973, in New Canaan, Connecticut, “The Ice Storm” concerns two archetypal, suburban families who appear to be living an idyllic lifestyle. Under the surface, however, deep-rooted malcontent is festering. It’s not that the movie is about cold weather or is really supposed to be in the cold, I just think the cold made for a much more interesting setting.

Mystery Alaska

Fun story of an ice ridden town in Alaska whose only solace is to watch the “Saturday Game,” a pond hockey game played by select members of the community. Their lives become interesting when they get a visit from the New York Rangers. Well told story and just a cute movie overall.

Fargo

This Academy-Award winner is one of the best from the Coen Brothers — a snowbound noir set in the frozen mid-west. Just the crunch of snow under boots is enough to make you want to sip a cup of cocoa and double up on scarves! And how about that chase scene? Ugh. The cold just bites you!

Doctor Zhivago

This classic epic about the Russian Revolution from Davide Lean is winter on steroids — frozen lakes, fur coats, and a palace encrusted in ice. This movie also features Obi-Wan Kenobi and one of cinema’s finest mustaches. You really can’t argue with that.