The condensation on our windows disguised the fact that many of us ostensible Nanooks of the North were forgoing something precious: a summer weekend in Minnesota. The absurd heat-and-humidity wallop should break soon. Meanwhile, stay put and get the shivers from these 10 cool cinematic delights (all readily available on DVD or via download from iTunes, Amazon or Netflix):
"Ice Station Zebra": Brits, Yanks and Russkies battle the elements, one another and some truly mysterious forces at a forlorn and foreboding Arctic outpost. This one gets bonus points for (wait for it) being about the Cold War.
"Dr. Zhivago": Brrrr. The title character (Omar Sharif) deals with heaping mounds of snow in his pursuit of the ultimate Ice Princess (Julie Christie). You might even be able to turn down the air conditioning while watching this one.
"The Shining": Jack Nicholson gets the ultimate dose of cabin fever in a fright-fest that gave us countless indelible moments: "Red-rum," "Heeeeere's Johnny!" and those twins. It edges out "Misery" as the most chilling adaptation of a Stephen King work.
"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back": It begins with a spirited battle on the ice planet Hoth. It ends (does anyone really need a spoiler alert?) with Han Solo being frozen in carbonite and Luke Skywalker learning a cold truth. Outer space is pretty frigid, too.
"Miracle": Kurt Russell obliterates the image of Karl Malden playing favorite son Herbie Brooks in an earlier TV movie about the 1980 U.S. men's hockey team's stunning upset of the Soviet Union (them again!) and gold-medal run.
"Groundhog Day": In snowy Punxsutawney, Pa., weatherman Bill Murray tries to get Andie MacDowell to warm up to him as he relives a single day incessantly. But the real thaw is taking place in his cold, me-me-me heart and soul.
"Happy Feet": So you think you can dance? Well, check out the ice-tapping, hippity-hoppity skills of Mumble, the too-adorable penguin at the heart of this sweet animated saga. For other frozen treats for kids, try "Snow Dogs" or the "Ice Age" movies.
