Review: "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" Gives Its Audience a Nice, Warm Hug

Scene from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Over the past few years, it has been argued that public access TV icon Fred Rogers was a radical. Despite being a homely man known for his kindness and sweaters, he presented complex ideas to a young audience that others may consider too mature or even inappropriate. These themes included war, death, and divorce among others and presented a discourse that helped to prove that what the world needed wasn't to shield children from problems but help them understand and accept their emotions in healthy ways. It was the stem of an idea that inspired director Marielle Heller to tackle the power of Rogers' words in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, cast impeccably with the nicest man in Hollywood himself, Tom Hanks, playing a man perceived to have no reason to despise. The results get to the heart of why audiences love Mr. Rogers, but it's nothing revelatory. It's a decent film that shows the power of understanding with warmth, but it lacks anything regarding any further depth of character that could make it a satisfying character piece.

A Look at Academy Award Nominations That Make Me Happy

Scene from Little Women (2019)

With the recent announcement of The Academy Award nominations, many have already taken to the internet to give criticism for what they have done wrong. Oh, Jennifer Lopez didn't get a nomination for Hustlers, or Greta Gerwig missed Best Director for Little Women. They're all fair criticisms that help prove why the Oscars have remained such an important part of film discourse. However, there is something else to highlight from these crop of nominees: the positive. Yes, for as much as they "got wrong," The Academy got a lot right and introduced a variety of things to be excited about. The following is a quick rundown of nominees that personally make me happy, or come as a pleasant surprise. While there's more that I liked, these are the pleasant surprises that make the season all the more worth supporting year after year.

The First Trailer for "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" Welcomes Tom Hanks with a Good Feeling

Sene from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It's that time again. It's the point where Tom Hanks returns to play a noble cultural icon whose intentions are pure of heart. In recent years, this has included Walt Disney (Saving Mr. Banks) and Captain Sullenberger (Sully) among others and reflects what the actor is best at. Hanks is someone who appears genuine in every performance, and once again with Fred Rogers, it appears like he's stuck his name in the ring for Best Actor yet again. Director Marielle Heller's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a biopic on the famous PBS host that is looking to cheer everyone up in the first trailer. While it's not quite as heartwarming as the real thing, it does seem like another time to be reminded of Hanks' gifts for sweetness.