Video Vault: It's a good time to watch ‘The Ice Storm'

It seems appropriate, given this week's weather, to recommend Ang Lee's 1997 drama, "The Ice Storm." Not only does it end with frozen rain, downed power lines and hazardous driving conditions, but the emotions of the characters are so chilly they make the wintry climate seem balmy by comparison.

The film takes place over Thanksgiving 1973 and includes many hallmarks of the era: arguments about Nixon, rebellious kids, swinging suburbanites and extremely tacky fashions. It also features an amazing cast: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, a pre- "Lord of the Rings" Elijah Wood. a pre- "Spider-Man" Tobey Maguire and even Katie Holmes, pre- "Dawson's Creek" and long before she was Mrs. Tom Cruise.

It's not a happy film by any means, so if you're looking to sit back and soak up some holiday cheer, I'd stick with "A Christmas Story" But if you want some serious drama - and some serious bell bottoms - "The Ice Storm" is your movie.

Will Pfeifer writes about new DVDs on Tuesdays and older ones on Sundays. Contact him at 815-987-1244 or wpfeifer@rrstar.com.