After the Nazi regime conquered Poland, Father Maximilian Kolbe and the Polish people found themselves stuck in Auschwitz, an unrivaled place of cruelty. When a prisoner goes missing, Kolbe and nine other men are forced to starve in a death room until the escapee is found. Being a Catholic priest, Kolbe is moved to take another prisoner’s place. The self-sacrifice of one man inspired countless others to keep fighting and to never give up. 

Be warned — this is not an easy film to watch. Since it is based on real events, the filmmakers didn’t shrink from the horrible things that occurred during this time period, and they pushed the line of violence as far as they could. That said, it was a phenomenal, well-made project for a small studio, with top-notch acting, writing, and overall construction. No expense was spared. 

Kolbe’s sacrifice reminds me of a passage in Romans 5: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5, ESV). Overall, this was an inspiring and moving film for older viewers.

Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past

Rating: TV-Y7 | Platform: Disney+

After training with Jedi Master Bobarian Afol on Alistair Nor, Sig Greebling must face a new menace threatening the galaxy — with his estranged brother Darth Devastator by his side. While not quite as funny or innovative as its predecessor, “Pieces of the Past” is still a really fun time for “Star Wars” fans. 

Dolphins Up Close with Bertie Gregory

Rating: TV-PG | Platform: Disney+

Bertie Gregory and his team look for one of the largest gatherings of marine predators in the world. This is standard fare for an animal documentary. If you enjoy watching dolphins, whales and other marine life in their natural habitat, you will likely find something to appreciate. 

*Zeitgeist is written as reviews, not recommendations.