I've learned a lot about conflict through the years: through personal relationships, through raising children, and through church leadership situations. But this lesson in conflict, brought to you by Sesame Street (featuring Robin Williams and the Two-Headed Monster), is one of the best that I've ever seen.

(via 22 Words)

The Czechs are amazingly good at making animated children's entertainment.

Our family's introduction to Czech animation was through a DVD that we were given, entitled "Het Molletje" ("The Little Mole"). We later learned that this series of animated films was originally produced under the name "Krtek" ("The Mole") in the former Czechoslovakia, starting in the 1950s. The stories are almost wordless -- mostly just music and sound effects, so language is not an issue -- and they follow the adventures of this little cartoon mole and other woodland creatures who get into all kinds of interesting situations. To give you a little taste of this series, I found a clip on-line from one of my favorite episodes, where the forest gets razed to make way for an urban development:

The rest of this episode is equally delightful; but unfortunately, I can't find the rest of it in embeddable form. If you can ever figure out a way to watch this episode -- or any of the installments of Krtek that you might be able to find -- I would highly recommend it. It's enjoyable entertainment for both children and adults, from all different cultural backgrounds.

Later on, our family was introduced to another Czech series which the Dutch call "Buurman & Buurman" ("Neighbor & Neighbor") -- but which is apparently entitled "Pat & Mat" ("Check and Checkmate") in Czech. It's a stop-motion animation series (as opposed to the more classic style of animation employed by Krtek), but it's equally well-done. These two characters use a bit more of the spoken word than Krtek, though it's still remarkably easy to follow. Our children are especially crazy about "Buurman Buurman" -- laughing their heads off at their antics. Yet again, I often find myself laughing right along with them. It's another great series that I would highly recommend.

I'm glad that we've been exposed to these sources of entertainment, since we've been living in Europe. Honestly, I wonder why these series never made their way over to North America. Growing up, we were able to enjoy things like the Smurfs (from Belgium) and Voltron (from Japan)... But never Krtek or Pat & Mat. Could it be because Americans were worried about the show's potential Communist influences (which would be very ironic, since the old Communist regimes also worried that these shows were too critical of their government!)? That's actually my best guess, but who knows? At any rate, if you've never had the chance to see these shows for yourself, I would highly encourage you to Czech them out (sorry, I just couldn't resist the pun!).

I wouldn't exactly call it a "Top Ten" listing of my rank-ordered all-time favorite films... Nevertheless, I've kept my listing to ten items, and they are all among my personal list of constantly evolving "favorites."

About a Boy

To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Hugh Grant; however, in this film, he seems ideally suited for his role as the self-centered drifter/playboy who finds meaning and purpose in reluctantly-accepted relationships with other people.  The story in this film is very powerful and entertaining (in general, I find that I enjoy movies with a strong plot and sense of story), and the message of the film seems very appropriate for our times.  In a lot of ways, I think the Church could learn from films like this (isn't every home group kind of like the grouping of people in the living room in the closing scene?).

I also enjoy the technical ways in which the film was put together.  There's a curious sense of visual irony that I find fresh and innovative.  Also, the music in the film is well-chosen and complementary to the story that's being told -- not to mention the fact that the editing is executed with a sense of rhythm and musicality.  I don't want to sound too technical or film-critic-ish... but there's something about my background in videography that gives me a deeper appreciation for "About a Boy."  The technical side of things considered together with the story-telling side of things is what makes this film one of my favorites.

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Band of Brothers

I can scarcely think of a story more compelling than that of the men of Easy-Company, of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army in the Second World War.  And while this film series easily stands on its own merit, there are a number of reasons why the story in "Band of Brothers" appeals to me in a deeply personal way.

I distinctly remember my first exposure to the Band of Brothers -- watching the first several episodes projected onto a bed-sheet in the cozy confines of "the Zolder" back in my first days in Amsterdam.  I remember the smell of the freshly sanded and treated wood in the Zolder... I remember the taste of the popcorn that had been slightly burned in the microwave... and most of all, I remember the men with whom I watched the film.  Without being too corny or clichéed, we were like our own "Band of Brothers," trying to establish a spiritual "beachhead" for a church in central Amsterdam.  The film really resounded with our experience.  And even to this day, I can relate many of my most profound personal experiences in Amsterdam church-planting to parallel experiences by the soldiers in the "Band of Brothers" series.

Please be advised that this film contains intense scenes of graphic violence and offensive language.

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Beyond the Gates of Splendor

This documentary follows the consequences of a 1950s mission to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a stone-age Indian culture in the jungles of Ecuador.  It follows up on the events recorded in a book called "Through Gates of Splendor," which has undoubtedly been one of the most influential books in my life (playing a role in my choice of careers, my decision to move continents, and the name for my first-born son).  Half a century after the martyrdom of five American missionaries, it is absolutely astounding to see what has happened in the decades since that time.

I especially appreciate the fact that the documentary is executed with a sense of professionalism and integrity.  Such a subject matter as this is highly susceptible to inducing a campy Christian film that would so easily be relegated to the campy Christian culture of the United States.  And yet, because of the degree of cinematic integrity, this film holds appeal for a wide variety of people.  The story is bound to impact anyone who sees it and hears it.

As a side note, there are significant portions of interview footage taken of my great-uncle Frank Drown, who just so happened to lead the search team into the jungles that January when the five American missionaries turned up missing.  His accounts of that experience are absolutely gripping, even now, so many years after everything happened.

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Big Fish

This film demonstrates great story-telling, with a kind of mythical dimension to the scenes depicted.  It's the story of a young adult discovering the intricate details of his father's past life -- separating truth from tall-tale, fact from fiction, and deciphering the code of not just those details that make up his father's life, but his own life as well.  You've got to see the film for yourself in order to completely get it.  But I really enjoy the story in this film.  It's well-written, well-acted, well-directed, and well-executed... I might even name it my favorite film put out within the last five years.

Especially at the end of the film, there is an incredible array of emotions that are stirred up as you watch the death of the father -- and you're really brought into the film, experiencing the scenes along with the other characters.  I was actually weeping at the end of the movie, the first time I saw it (which is not a very common experience for me).  It's a truly beautiful film.

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Crash

I had heard a lot about the movie "Crash" before I ever got a chance to watch it for myself -- and to be honest, I was expecting a bit of a let-down upon my own viewing... But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the film was every bit as meaningful and compelling as I had been told.

One of the things that I really like about the film is that it attacks the issues of racism and ethnic tensions with a sense of honesty and integrity.  It doesn't come at the issues from a high-horse sense of utopian society... It doesn't type-cast any of the players into being wholly evil or wholly benificent... It shows these social tensions for the highly complicated issues that they truly are.  And one comes away from the film wondering about its application for one's own life.  Even though Los Angeles can so often seem like a world away, the problems are brought to life in such a way that makes sense to Californians and Ohioans and Amsterdammers alike.

Please be advised that this film contains graphic violence, semi-explicit sexual material, and highly offensive language.

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Hoosiers

This is one of the most classic portrayals of Midwest American culture that I have ever seen.  If you want to experience a bit of a sense for what it feels like to live in Ohio, or Indiana, or Illinois (the part of America from which I originate), this film should supply you with a surprisingly accurate depiction of the visual landscapes, the cultural values, and the subtle-though-varied personality traits of the people (which is pretty remarkable, considering that the story is set back in the middle of the 20th Century).

Of course, I should mention that it's a sports film, too (a really good, authentic sports film -- with an uncharacteristically believable portrayal of one of my favorite sports).  This actually fits right in with Midwest American culture -- and it in no way takes away from the plot and character development of this excellent film.  Gene Hackman also delivers what I consider to be his all-time greatest performance in his role as the coach of the Hickory Huskers.

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Garden State

I had heard about this film (and its soundtrack) for quite some time before I was actually able to get a look at it... but even with all of the "hype" given by friends and acquaintances, I was impressed with "Garden State."  I appreciated its story, its humor, and its artistry.

I still don't understand how a 29-year-old guy (Zach Braff) could be given the budget (indpendent film though it may have been) to write, direct, and star in his own film -- along with producing the entire film's soundtrack.  I'm a bit envious, actually... But "Garden State" really shows the benefits that can come from such a unified vision for a project.

Please be advised that this film contains very offensive language and some relatively mild sexual content.

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The Shawshank Redemption

If I'm ever asked for my favorite all-time movie, my standard answer is "The Shawshank Redemption."  It's a well-produced film with quality acting -- but the story is what really makes the film.  Its central message is a valuable one, and the story is told in such a way that you can never expect exactly how the plot will resolve itself (unless, of course, you've seen the movie before!).  From start to finish, it's a very powerful film.

An interesting side-note of this film is that it was primarily shot in my "hometown" of Mansfield, Ohio (I actually grew up in Shelby -- just a short distance north of Mansfield -- but I've found it's easier to call the more well-known Mansfield my hometown).  "Shawshank Prison" is actually the Old Mansfield Correctional Institution -- just a short distance away from my father's current workplace.  This personal association is not my reason for recommending the film so highly -- but it's a fun side-note!

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Spanglish

The thing that I really enjoy about Spanglish is its depiction of the tension that comes about from living between two cultures.  Even though the film itself portrays what it's like to be Mexican while living and acclimating to life in the United States -- it could just as easily be describing life as an American living and acclimating to life in the Netherlands.  So many issues -- from the differences between first-generation immigrants and their second-generation immigrant children... to the tension between wanting to become the same as "everyone else" while simultaneously wanting to maintain those parts of one's culture that makes one unique... to the comical perspective on a host culture -- are dead-on accurate.  It's remarkable, really.

I also enjoy the character development in this movie.  The two leads prove to be characters of strong integrity and nobility -- while being far from one-dimensional or clicheed.  While a lot of the films recommended in this space are pretty heavy -- this one manages to stay light-hearted (while still successfully avoiding being turned into fluff).  A good date movie...

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March of the Penguins

If I were not working in full-time ministry (and, well... if I were not married with small children as well), I would be a documentary producer -- preferably working on a project like "March of the Penguins."  Ever since I was a small child watching Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" -- I've loved nature and documentary.  Subconsciously, I believe this is why I pursued a university education in Telecommunications (with an emphasis in Video Production) -- and even today, I can sometimes wistfully wonder about "what might have been..."

Nevermind the fact that my career path took a different turn than what I had anticipated -- and nevermind the fact that even if I did stay in the Telecommunications field, documentary production would not likely be stable enough or lucrative enough to support a family -- if I were in that field, I would want to be producing films like "March of the Penguins."  It's got a great story, some amazingly innovative footage, and it shows one of the true wonders of God's Creation.  If you haven't already seen this Academy Award winning feature documentary, I would highly recommend it.