My online friends and family, I am wishing you the warmest of sentiments and the kindest of thoughts as I greet you on this final evening of April. As I begin this entry, I lament the rapidly passing days of 2016, which is leaving us with no choice but to anxiously await the looming summer season. With our impending summer, our local movie theaters will welcome a barrage of sunny season blockbusters that will likely wow with dizzying action, unimaginable special effects, and tasty action stars fit for consumption. However, I would like to pay homage to the lighter cinema fare, the films with heart that leave you smiling and remind you how sweet life can be.

The wondrous city of angels has wickedly created my latest addiction: free movie screenings. Having had the pleasure of recently seeing screenings for two warm-hearted movies, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (Nia Vardalos, please make a movie every year!) and Mother’s Day, the latest feel good from directing legend Garry Marshall (in Rachel, er, Jennifer Aniston I trust!), I left the theater both times with an irrefutable grin and a warm fuzzy feeling that I would love to bottle and sell. These sugar-coated films, though not the stuff of Oscar nominations and critical acclaim, were uplifting and filled with not only humor but heart, sentiment, and warmth, which is what Hollywood is often sorely lacking. In an entertainment world where violence is rampant, plots are dark and stormy, and melodrama is the name of the game, a saccharine film that aims to make moviegoers simply feel good is, in my humble opinion, a beautiful thing.

Now for those of you reading this who are also avid film lovers or simply movie enthusiasts, don’t mistake me. I love a thoughtful drama, sinfully dark comedy, or action laden popcorn flick as much as the next person, and Hollywood certainly has a place set for all of these genres at the table. But for the movies that tend to be a bit fluffy and of the ‘lighter weight’ variety (think certain comedies, romantic comedies, or family-oriented movies that are light in tone and may include a predictable plot or an overly idealistic happy ending), this entry is to pay tribute. I liken these feathery films to comfort food or a good pop song: they are intended to provide a nostalgic or sentimental feeling, simple satisfaction, and pure enjoyment.

The obvious truth we all know and try to forget is that life is hard. Our extraordinary ordinary lives can at times be heartbreaking, sad, and distressing. As such, I propose after a stressful time at work, a squabble with a loved one, or a no good-very bad day, you let the ‘light’ in with your favorite high-spirited movie that never loses its whimsical charm after 300 viewings, or perhaps take a chance on a new movie that may leave your heart soaring and reaching for the Kleenex (but you know, in that good way). If you do, I promise I won’t tell. After all, we have to get our happy on in any way we can, so while these lighter fare movies may give you a toothache from being so sugary sweet, I say indulge and savor the sweetness…and don’t forget to schedule a regular cleaning with your dentist : )