Cold Night, Comfort Movies:

From Paris to the Dude

I don’t know about you, but lately, my biggest battle has been staying warm. Maybe I’ve just turned into a little old wimp as I’ve gotten older, but I cannot tolerate the cold. And I don’t even live in Vermont, Maine, or Alaska—places that actually get cold. I’m in Delaware, a fairly temperate state. Still, my hands and feet never seem to warm up, and let’s just say I’ve been spending a lot of time hunkered down—writing with fingerless gloves, wrapping myself in blankets, and curling up with some of my favorite movies.

Here are my top five favorites from this past month. Some I’ve watched for the second time, one for the fifth, another for the sixth, and one for the third. Clearly, these films hold up!

1. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

This movie has everything going for it. It whisks you off to Paris with the delightful Mrs. Harris, a London cleaning woman with a heart of gold. She’s been saving every penny to buy a designer dress from Dior, and watching her journey unfold is pure magic. You get to share in her adventure—all for the cost of your streaming service.

2. Stand by Me

This is everything a movie should be: a coming-of-age drama with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters. Hollywood seems to have forgotten that special effects alone don’t carry a film—it needs a strong story. Stand by Me has that in spades.

The film opens with one of the boys, now an adult and a writer, reflecting on his past after learning that one of his childhood friends was stabbed to death. This tragic news sends him back in time, remembering the summer they set out on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. Based on Stephen King's novella The Body, the story follows four 12-year-old friends—played by River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Wil Wheaton, and Jerry O’Connell—on an adventure that ultimately shapes their lives. The acting is phenomenal, and the emotional depth of the film makes it a timeless classic.

3. The Usual Suspects

A crime thriller where nothing is as it seems. Kevin Spacey is riveting in this mind-bending film about deception, identity, and power. The story unfolds through the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, one of the only survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship. As Kint recounts the events that led him and his criminal companions to that moment, a shadowy crime lord—Keyser Söze—looms over the narrative. A must-watch if you love twists and psychological intrigue.

4. The Big Lebowski

A crime movie? Kind of. A cult classic? Absolutely. Mistaken identity, a stolen rug, and bowling—what more could you want? Jeff Bridges is iconic as The Dude, a man with an oddly compelling philosophy: “The Dude abides.” It’s entertaining, hilarious, and surprisingly profound. Plus, the dreamlike dance sequences? Unforgettable.

5. Woman on Top

This movie is a sensual masterpiece. It blends food, passion, and vibrant colors into a romantic comedy that’s both visually and emotionally indulgent. Penélope Cruz stars as a talented chef who leaves her cheating husband and somehow lands her own cooking show. Meanwhile, he realizes what he’s lost and tries to win her back. No spoilers, but this one is worth watching for the aesthetics alone—the food, the music, and the chemistry sizzle on screen.

So that’s my list! What are your go-to comfort movies when you’re curled up under a blanket, trying to keep warm? Let me know in under comments!