It's the winter season yet again. For many this time of year fills people with happiness as they imagine playing in the snow and sledding down hills. For others, however, it can be a depressing time filled with constant clouds, dampness, freezing temperatures, and so much ice that it makes traveling anywhere a real chore. I usually find myself in both mindsets during this season and sometimes, for those really bad winter days, I turn to films for my escape. These are just five of the films that I put on to get away from the stinging cold wind and the damp air of the winter season.

1. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'

Watching just one "Lord of the Rings" film is like eating just one Lay's Potato Chip, it's near impossible. However, I am only putting one film in each numbered slot, so I went with the first one. I went with "The Fellowship of the Ring" because I always like the beginning of a story and because we spend most of the first third of this film in the Shire, the home of the hobbits. This area is lush with grass, flowers, and cozy homes built into the land. One could imagine being there; feeling the warm breeze and the sun on your face. Imagine feeling the cool grass between your toes and the crisp smell of vegetation. You imagine yourself joining the hobbits in their parties outside, celebrating with fireworks, ale, dancing and sweets. Whenever I watch "Fellowship of the Ring" in winter I keep wishing spring would just get here already.

2. 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'

This one may seem a bit odd for some people. Why would you pick a creepy movie about cursed pirates and one that takes place during that lovely period of lazy sanitation standards known as the 1700s? The answer to this should be obvious; the location. The film makes the Caribbean look lovely and untamed. When Jack and Elizabeth are trapped on that small island, you almost wish they would never leave. The water looks crystal clear, accompanied by soft sand, shade in the form of beautiful palm trees, and enough rum to have a little party. It's the kind of island that you wish you could buy once you win the lottery. It just looks like the perfect place to set a chair on the beach, lay down, and have a "lazy" afternoon.

3. 'Castle in the Sky'

In all honesty, I could've put any Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli film in this slot (except "Grave of the Fireflies" for obvious reasons) and it would have worked just as well. Almost every Ghibli film knows how to shoot pristine and colorful nature. They know how to make streams look so refreshing that you just want to dive right into them. They know how to make vegetation look so green that it will make you forget about the frostbitten, leafless trees outside of your house. I ultimately picked "Castle in the Sky" because it is one of my personal favorites. I love the simple adventure story and the creative world that the story takes place in. I also love the beautiful blend of technology and nature in the flying city of Laputa. However, I love the wide open and blue skies in this film which makes you forget about the damp and cloudy weather I experience in the Midwest.

4. 'Lilo and Stitch'

If you haven't figured it out by now, the reason I put "Lilo and Stitch" on this list is because most of the movie takes place on sunny Hawaii (what a shock). However, I also put this film on the list due to how those beautiful environments are brought to life in the film. The backgrounds have this very simple and warm aesthetic, almost resembling a watercolor painting. Lilo's home is simple, but cozy. The house is also surrounded by the lush plants and tall palm trees found within inner Hawaii. The beach isn't large and the ocean doesn't appear as grand or epic as it does in other films. The location is small, which gives it a simple and calming vibe. It seems like the kind of place you go to on vacation, but you don't actually do anything. You just stay on the front porch, take in the simplicity of it all, and take a relaxing nap; far away from any real-world troubles.

5. 'Moana'

You should all know why I put this one in the top slot. Imagine the description I did for the marooned island in "Curse of the Black Pearl", now imagine that location throughout the entire movie. If there is one thing that computer animation can capture well is the near photo realism of the Pacific Islands. The sand looks so soft, shiny, warm that you can almost imagine it on the souls of your feet. The water is crisp, clear, and full of colorful fish, plants, and turtles. The islands are large and filled with caves you could explore, hills you can climb to get great views, and a large ocean that feels like it's just waiting to be explored. The film presents a colorfully animated world that's feels better that most beaches in the real world. I know real islands and beaches don't look this perfect, but I really wish they could. I wish I could jump right into the hyper-realized world of "Moana" and never leave. You can really notice the effect it has on you when the film ends; when you look outside, see the cold air and grey clouds and feel bummed out.