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As film apes life, rain is inevitable in the cinema. Wet weather has driven plot, established a range of moods, and symbolically drenched countless spurned lovers and star-crossed suitors in untold romantic comedies. Thrillers and horror films use dark weather to cultivate a sense of dread – though if you’re going to get murdered, it would be much better to face your doom on a sandy beach, holding a Mai Tai.

With the holidays approaching, my thoughts turn to parties, and the uptick in food and alcohol consumption that goes with the season. I’m girding myself for the onslaught. Drinking can be treacherous for many people, but I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy it over the years. Though technically a depressant, booze usually cheers me up and fortifies me, particularly when confronting a room full of relative strangers.

With Netflix increasingly focused on promoting their robust lineup of original programming, I find myself turning more and more to Amazon Prime for great older titles, often referred to as “classics.”

“There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.”

One way to mitigate the inevitable letdown of fading summer is to look ahead to fall sports. This hit me when I walked into a bar the other night and caught sight of those familiar royal blue Giants jerseys on TV. Yes, pre-season is here, and you can almost feel those cool autumn breezes.

No matter which team you rooted for, the aftermath of the Super Bowl is bound to be emotional, so it’s a good idea to have a soothing movie to segue into once the final whistle blows.

Welcome to the New Year and the ritualistic commitment to making positive change. January is an appropriate time to start fresh, since the year yawns before us with clean, white pages, waiting to be filled with a new life chapter.

The late Deborah Kerr always represented a rare breed of movie actress: a lady first and foremost, who, even when playing women of dubious virtue, exuded an innate sense of class- even nobility.