As I type this, it’s Africa-freakin-hot in NorCal. We’re talking triple-digits hot. This summer has been stifling damn near everywhere in the U.S. at one time or another. And while it’s a dry heat (we former East Coasters can tell you that the lack of humidity makes all the difference), it’s still quite uncomfortable. Like many folks, I have various tactics I employ to deal with hot weather. Stay inside, drink lots of water, watch movies set in snowy climates…oh? You don’t do that? Allow me to offer a few suggestions that may make you feel a little less overheated.

Dr. Zhivago – An obvious choice. Nothing like seeing Omar Sharif with ice in his mustache, standing in the middle of an abandoned house while a blizzard rages outside, pining for a lost love. And that house! There aren’t many women who would be seduced by a winter wonderland that’s INSIDE the house.

Darling, I love what you’ve done with the place.

Dead of Winter – Few people seem to remember this movie from the mid-80s. It was a great thrilled with Roddy McDowall and Mary Steenburgen. Lots of snow in this one, but you’ll be too freaked out to notice.

The Shining – Again, an obvious choice. But such a great one. Big old hotel in the middle of the mountains in winter, a writer going crazy. Remind me to never agree to be a caretaker of a big old hotel, even if I do have a successful novel or two under my belt.

What happens to writers when they don’t listen to their editors. Or their agents.

Fargo – Of course I had to include Fargo. How could I not? The Coen brothers weave such fantastic tales full of humor, wit, drama and chaos. For this one, they added a lot of snow. And some ice too.

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up in the wood chipper.

A Simple Plan – Another fantastic thriller with lots of the white powdery stuff. I don’t mean cocaine, dammit. Pay attention.

Or until you find $4 million out in the middle of the woods.

 What are your favorite movie chillers?