Greetings neighbors of Winchester.

Thanksgiving has come to pass, and as we partake in the leftovers, we are already chomping at the bit of the countdown which leads us to the feast of Christmas.

Tis the season of being nice to our neighbors, smiling at strangers and cherishing the time spent with loved ones.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas every year, we strive to be the kindest version of our self as we interact with others.

Why are we only focused on being nice and charitable the last month of the year? We should aim to be a positive and charitable force every day.

Fred Rogers knew that was the only way to live and is celebrated on the silver screen in the lauded release of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (2019).

Jaded and serial cynic Esquire journalist Lloyd Vogel, Matthew “The Americans” Rhys is assigned a 400-word profile by his editor on beloved children’s TV show host Mister Rogers (Tom “Forrest Gump” Hanks).

Lloyd ventures to Pittsburgh and observes Rogers in his element yearning to expose the squeaky-clean persona of Rogers as a ruse and that his kindness is TV schtick rather than genuine from the legend.

The two strike up a friendship during the interview and explore what it takes for Lloyd to be a good son to his estranged father Jerry (Chris “American Beauty” Cooper), husband, father and person in and out of the Land of Make Believe.

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” was directed by Marielle “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” Heller with a screenplay written by Micah “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” Fitzerman-Blue and Noah “For All Mankind” Harpster inspired by Tom Junod’s 1998 Esquire article “Can You Say … Hero?”

“Neighborhood” is being praised by viewers, critics, fans and Rogers’ estate because of the care and accuracy Hanks and the entire production aimed for at portraying the special man with his special message that still resonates after all these years.

It is easy to see Hanks and the production will be nominated come Oscar time for his spot on performance and the genuine dedication of completing this film with integrity and perseverance of expressing its positive message amongst the other fare in the cinema at this time.

Mister Rogers taught children and adults empathy, kindness and daily decency in all we do is to be celebrated in all we do.

You may be angry, scared or sad and these emotions are normal.

We must be aware how we act, react and communicate these feelings that make all the difference.

You are special just for being you.

If you can’t get behind Mister Rogers and his lessons of unconditional kindness and love towards each other, you may be the local Grinch living in the ‘hood of Whoville or may be the real-life embodiment of Scrooge.

It’s never too late to change, it only takes a smile.

Be kind, rewind and have film-tastic day neighbor! 

Rick Baldwin is a writer, filmmaker and film/music historian. He is president of the Winchester-Clark County Film Society. Find more from Rick on Facebook. He is on Twitter @rickbaldwin79 and can be reached by email at rickbaldwiniii@hotmail.com.