My Theory (Spoilers)

Here's my theory: you can come up with wild theories for every full length movies if you try hard enough. Even for movies like Birdemic and the Room. I can theorize that Birdemic is a film that explores how modern culture is destroying the natural world around us. I can also theorize that the Room is about the complexities between individuals who struggle to find their path in life while maintaining their integrity. Still, those theories won't change the fact that Birdemic and the Room are two completely idiotic movies that fall into the "so bad, it's entertaining" category.

Unlike Birdemic and the Room, Cold Weather falls into the "so bad, it's a boring waste of time" category. Random theories such as "this is a bro/sis relationship movie" and "it's a movie about saving Doug from boredom movie" don't change the fact that the characters are so dull and underdeveloped that no one cares about their relationships. This movie has been categorized as a mystery/suspense movie, not a relationship movie. All these wild, random theories that you guys put out won't change the fact that this movie utterly failed to be engaging to the vast majority who saw it.

Here's my theory: the untalented Aaron Katz no future in moviemaking. Neither as a major director or on the indie scene. He'd be way more successful opening a taco stand.

My sig: why do almost all movies on imdb have a "worst movie ever!" thread?

This piece of crap movie would have beeen better off if they followedsome of your speculation on what the mvie is about.

A complete waste of time movie.

Ok, I just watched this the other night, and in searching around for perspectives on it I found this thread. I think this theory is very plausible and I'm going to watch it again with it in mind. Going from the director's other work it does seem a mystery/thriller type film is not in his style. Also, the fact that we never see what is in the briefcase at the end lends support to your theory. The contents of the briefcase are unimportant as the whole mystery plot is merely a means to re-engage Doug in his love of forensic science. You are correct in saying that Doug gets plenty of help with the "clues", whenever he is off track one of the other 3 characters helps him back onto it, for example Gail pointing out the website address on the flyer. I agree that Gail has orchestrated the whole thing in order to draw Doug back into forensic science, which is clearly what he loves, as evidenced by his desire to be a detective like Sherlock Holmes. He even buys a pipe and tobacco in order to emulate Holmes and thinks it will assist with solving the case. I think she is motivated by wanting him to get him out of thinking that the ice factory is all he can do. We know they are close siblings, there is a lot of love between them, so it makes sense for her to do this. It would not have been hard to co-opt Rachel and Carlos.
So, kudos to you kcbergeron, on an insightful analysis and I like your theory a lot. I remember going to see a Michael Haneke film, "Cache", at the cinema. It too is a mystery that ends without resolution. On the way out I overheard people saying what a piece of *beep* it was. Haneke is known not to spoon-feed his audience, but plenty of people still expect it, and react badly when left to draw their own interpretations. I think a lot of people expected a clear resolution with 'Cold Weather', hence a lot of angry posts on these boards. FWIW I have seen the Transformers films which seem to be raised a lot on this message board. They are tremendous fun but suit an entirely different purpose.
Thanks!