I don’t want to rub it in, but while much of the country has been suffering through the icy grips of winter, we here in Texas have been maxing and relaxing (people still do that) in glorious, 74-degree weather. While you huddle in your igloo or whatever you people in the Midwest and Northeast live in, we’ve been enjoying cookouts, lounging on patios, and obnoxiously telling our out-of-state friends about the nice weather.
But even we in the Promised Land are still affected by the seasons (it’s not southern California, after all), and today is cold, rainy, and miserable. So I thought I’d share some of my favorite movies to watch when I’m stuck inside due to inclement weather, zombie uprising, or general laziness. I suggest adding a few to your Queue to get you through the rest of winter (which should be another week or so for us — ha!). Most of these are epics, because that’s normally what I crave when I’m trying to avoid cabin fever.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
If you live in an area with 3-5 months of inhospitable winter, you might as well watch a movie that lasts that long. That’s why I recommend running through the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings movies. That should keep you busy into the spring.
The Godfather Trilogy
Another selection based on sheer lengthiness. But it also happens to include two of the best movies ever made. I like to pretend the third one doesn’t exist, but if you’re going to be stuck inside anyway, you might as well watch all three.
Star Wars Trilogy
Last trilogy, I promise. But if you haven’t seen the original trilogy in a while (or even if you have), it’s a great choice for a rainy/snowy/lazy day.
Tombstone
Fun Personal Fact: I met the guy who plays the doctor while he was in the same play my friend was in. He was really nice, and generously fielded my weird questions about the movie. Yes, it really is raining only in the foreground in the climatic scene where the Earps are attacked. And that really is a fake leg you see when Wyatt and his love interest are riding horses together (so she appears to ride sidesaddle).
Almost Famous
Just because it’s my favorite movie.
Spaced
If you like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and you haven’t seen this Brit-com, then you’ve made some bad choices in your life. I highly recommend it.
Aliens
One of the few instances where I liked the sequel even more than the original. Game over, man!
Spaceballs
Along with epics, I generally like old school comedies on rainy days, especially anything by Mel Brooks.
Army of Darkness
Because it’s a classic. Yes, it is.
