As we all swelter in the heat of our fab British summer, trying to keep our eyeliner from running while hiding under parasols and slapping on the Factor 50+, I got in the mood to watch a summer movie. Unfortunately most sunshiney films are either romantic slush or coming-of-age nonsense designed to make the viewer 'feel good'. Bleurgh.  So, as I often do, I got to composing a list in my head of gothic, or at least dark, summer-type films suitable for people of a dark persuasion. Fret not, I've compiled a list of winter movies too, in case, like me, you actually miss the chilly season.

The summer list was quite difficult seeing as most gloomy films are, for obvious reason, set in winter or at least at night time. A lot of horror films tend to centre around autumn and Halloween so they were out too. Here's my list, any other suggestions, or comments, gratefully received -

The Lost Boys - An obvious choice. Vampires. In California. On a beach. Throw in Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland and some motorbikes it's got to be the number one goth-in-the-sun movie.

Stand By Me - Ok, technically not that gothic but it's got to be on my list. 4 boys, bored in a small town during their summer vacation, hear a rumour about a fellow school mate gone missing, probably dead. They set out on an adventure to find the body, closely followed by a gang of older lads. Based on 'The Body' by Stephen King, and starring Corey and Kiefer again, it's an oddly dark yet moving film and the perfomance by a young River Phoenix is superb.

Big Fish - Tim Burton does daylight. A fairytale story rooted in reality involving secret forests, a travelling circus, siamese twins and Ms. Bonham-Carter as a witch. Memorable scenes include Danny De Vito as a werewolf and the whole town of aptly named Spectre lit up with fairy lights. The ending always, always makes me blub.

Heathers - I wasn't sure about including this film but it is amazing and involves the raven-haired Winona Ryder and the murder of a lot of cheerleaders and highschool jocks. A black comedy that makes you laugh and gasp at the same time. Christian Slater plays a loveable psycho and together he and Winona take out the 'it' crowd one by one at sunny Westerberg High.

The Burbs - One for the kids really but still one of my favourite childhood films. Tom Hanks is meant to be on vacation and enjoying some time at home but ends up spying on his new Addams Family-style neighbours, The Klopeks, deep in the heart of suburbia. He discovers they are not what they seem and so ensues a comedy with canibals, explosions, a demon dog and Corey Feldman again (a pattern? surely not).

Mad Max 2 and 3 - Who doesn't know these films? Set in desert Australia in a post-apocalyptic future I suppose this is a bit cyber-punk or steam-punk but who cares, it's brilliant. Dust, no water, cage fights and biker gangs with Mel Gibson not being irritating for once. Tina Turner with backcombed hair and chainmail? Genius.

Winter List - not much expalnation needed for these...

Batman Returns - snow, 'that' pvc catsuit as well as trained attack penguins? Job done.

Corpse Bride - stop-motion follow up to Nightmare Before Christmas. Has a very bleak eastern European feel to it's fairytale story.

Sleepy Hollow - set in a forest with a headless horseman. Need I say more? oh ok, and Christina Ricci. I know she's blonde in it but she's still a goth pin-up.

The Crow - obvious? yes. got to be in the list? without a doubt.

30 days of night - not a great movie but set in a small Alaskan town that has a month every year of complete darkness. Enter vampires and watching Josh Hartnett getting eaten makes it a bit fab.

The Thing - classic John Carpenter horror movie set in the Antarctic about a creature in the ice that posses the scientists who discover it. Tagline was 'Man is the warmest place to hide' and the film features some pioneering and graphic special effects.