I apologize that I did not make it out to the theaters to watch something new and that I could not find anything on the streaming services that was remotely appealing and new. I tried watching a murder mystery on Netflix called “Brazen” and it was so inept that I turned it off within 15 minutes.

Hey, I’m old and I don’t want to knowingly waste my time on crap.

Yes, yes, I know there is plenty of new stuff on streamers such as Prime, Disney+ and HBO Max, but I do not want to replace the cable TV bill I eliminated with a series of monthly charges for these services.

Yes, I’m cheap.

I will readily admit that during these months of sub-freezing temps that I delve into my movie collection for what I call “comfort food movies.” Just like hearty simple dishes appeal not only to your palate but also to your soul, there are films that do the same – at least for me.

I thought I would share some with you in the hopes that if you’re in the same situation, you turn to your library for comfort.

The following films are in no particular order and generally are watched at least once a year. Many of them are available online through streaming services or on YouTube, and, of course, on DVD and Blu-ray.

“While the City Sleeps” (1956): Fritz Lang directed this tight, fast-moving film about a media mogul charging his department heads with finding the “Lipstick Killer,” a serial killer plaguing the city. There’s a great cast that includes Vincent Price, Thomas Mitchell, Dana Andres, Ida Lupino and George Sanders.

“The Big Lebowski” (1998): The Coen Brothers’ shaggy dog story is a great example of a near plotless movie that nonetheless is incredibly entertaining. Jeff Bridges excels as “The Dude,” an ambitionless hippie type who is trying to solve a mystery of sorts. The Dude abides.

“Miller’s Crossing” (1990): Again, the Coen Brothers, and this time they tell a compelling tale of crime bosses operating in a city in the late 1920s. Gabriel Byrne is the definition of a wise “wise guy,” while Albert Finney is actually sympathetic as the crime lord who is seeking to reclaim his turf. The film has marvelous 1920s slang that makes the dialogue pop.

“Ed Wood” (1994): Tim Burton’s biopic about the low budget filmmaker doesn’t stick to the facts all the time, but Burton does present the spirit of Wood and his upbeat obsession with making movies. Martin Landau won an Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi, although I have to say the real Lugosi did not use profanity. That info came from two people who knew and worked with the actor.

“Sherlock Junior” (1924), “The General” (1926), “The Navigator “(1924): I adore Buster Keaton and these three films are among his best. Yes, they are black and white, and yes, they are silent. Put your prejudices aside and watch these classic comedies.

“Five Star Final” (1931): Edward G. Robinson stars as an editor of tabloid newspaper in New York in the early 1930s. His publisher wants more sensationalism and Robinson gives it to him, much to his regret. Watch for Boris Karloff as an unscrupulous reporter who disguises himself as a pastor to get people to reveal their secrets.

“The Adventures of Captain Marvel” (1941): The first live-action depiction of a comic book superhero is my favorite serial. I fell in love with this when I was a kid and have interviewed two of the production’s stars.

“Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor” (1936), “Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves” (1937), and “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp”: The work of the Fleischer Studio is one of my principal passions of my life, and my first book about the studio and the animated cartoons it produced will be out later this year. These three-color 20-minute productions were beloved by audiences in the 1930s, for good reason, as they are wonderful examples of the art of animation.

“Metropolis” (1927): Fritz Lang’s epic science fiction film was severely cut by its studio after its first showing, and it took decades for archivists to find and restore this seminal example of the genre. Well worth seeking out, and when you do make sure it’s “The Complete Metropolis” released in 2010.

“Horse Feathers”: I love the Marx Brothers and this 1932 comedy set at a floundering college run by Groucho is a treat.

Compiling this list has made me want to re-watch each of these films, so I have to take a week off just to do that. Stay warm and enjoy good movies.