JohnDoe
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John Doe's 13 Favourite Irish Themed Films
Top Irish Films to nurse that St Paddy’s Day Hangover
John Doe takes his hat off to the happy Go Lucky Land and the films that embrace the Culture.
It’s the morning after St Patrick’s Day here in America and John Doe is struggling to see the world through blood shot eyes. Regretting downing that 15th pint of Guinness at 3am, the leprechaun inside his head relentlessly pounds on the side of it's wretched pot of gold. JD had big plans for today, but now all he wants to do is lie on the couch and indulge in some shamrock cinema.
So in honour of the day that past and the green, green land that patron saint of Ireland loved so much, here are Johnny’s Top 13 Irish themed motion picture pleasures. (In no particular order)
The Coen Brother’s Millers Crossing(1990)
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Marcia Gay Harden, Steve Buscemi
The exquisite Tommy Gun scene set to "Danny Boy" from Miller's Crossing
John Huston’s The Dead (1987)
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Dan O’Herlihy, Donal McCann, Donel Donnelly
John Huston's final Directorial effort is a sumptuos adaptation of the james Joyce novel.
Carol Reed Odd Man Out (1947)
Starring: James Mason, Cyril Cusack, Robert Newton, Dan O’Herlihy
James Mason stars in this hunted man masterpiece from the Director of The Third Man
John Ford’s The Informer (1935)
Starring: Victor McLaglen, Preston Foster, Margot Grahame, Heather Angel
The opening ten minutes of The Informers tells of an IRA man looking for redemption in Dublin, 1922.
Jim Sheridan In The Name of the Father (1993)
Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Emma Thompson, Nye Heron, Anthony Brophy
Daniel Day Lewis is caged in this politically charged protest film.
Tony Luraschi The Outsider (1980)
Starring: Sterling Hayden, Patricia Quinn, T.P McKenna, Niall O’Brien, Craig Wasson
John Boorman The General (1998)
Starring: Brendon Gleeson, Jon Voight, Adrian Dunbar, Paul Hickey, Angeline Ball, Sean McGinley
Brendon Gleeson and Jon Voight at play in an Ordinary Decent Criminal way.
Paul Greengrass Bloody Sunday (2002)
Starring: James Nesbit, Allan Gildea, Mary Moulds, James Hewitt
Bloody Sunday relives history with Paul Greengrass' breakout film.
John Ford The Quiet Man (1952)
Starring: John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Ward Bond, Victor McLagen, Barry Fitzgerald, Joseph O’Dea
John ford's love of the Irish countryside is apparent throughout the film. John Wayne plays a guilt riddled boxer who flees to Ireland in hopes of never fighting again.
Phil Joanou State of Grace (1990)
Starring:Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Ed Harris, Robin Wright Penn, John Turturro, Burgess Meredith, John C Reilly
The on form cast embrace their Irish-gangsters-in- New-York personas.
Mike Hodges A Prayer for the Dying (1987)
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Alan Bates, Bob Hoskins, Liam Neeson, Alison Doody
A dodgy trailer that at least gives you an idea what A Prayer for the Dying is about.
Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges (2008)
Starring:Colin Farrell, Brendon Gleason, Ralph Fiennes, Elizabeth Berrington
Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson get the laughs and our sympathies In Bruges
Troy Duffy’s The Boondock Saints (1999)
Starring:Willem DaFoe, Billy Connolly, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus
The city of Boston and its Irish heritage are never far from mind in this cult vigilante caper.
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psychocinemapath
I'm reluctant to see Boondock Saints, for the simple reason that Troy Duffy has such a bad rep. Of course, judging a film solely because the director may be a jerk is not the sign of a serious filmgoer. I suppose I'll get around to it, if it's on your list.
Film & TV on DVD
I have heard mixed opinions on The Wind that Shakes the Barley and didn't get round to seeing it. I don't mind Cillian Murphy so i should probably give it a chance. Thanks for the Recommendation.
Don't expect a masterpiece with Boondock Saints, its a tongue in cheek excursion into the Boston-Irish underground of crime. Heavy handed message too that is clumsily conveyed, but worth it for fun scenes of scripting and some great performances. Willem DaFoe is obviously given free reign and holds the screen hostage with his pleasure in the job.
The doco Overnight was rather tragic to watch, but supposedly done with selective editing for that Michael Moore effect. Entertaining glimpse into the egos and temptations of the industry.
Dreams in Digital
Some I haven't seen, so maybe I can use my springbreak on those!
Although I really found The Boondock Saints to be a masterpiece
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Boondock Saints is a guilty pleasure for me that had to be on the list for its humourous characters and snappy quips.
Again , thanks for the comments, look forward to more.
Horrorphile
I was going to suggest Gregory's Girl, then realised it was a Scots movie.
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That doco 'Overnight" was supposedly quite one sided and obviously had falsehoods due to him making a sequel.
I have no doubt Duffy is an arrogant douche but obviously he brings films in around budget and on time.
Gregory's Girl, great film.
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