As the world turns green in a few hours, I thought I’d throw in a few “green” movie recommendations! Firstly, let’s call a spade a shovel! For year’s Ireland has been portrayed as a place with shit loads of cows, green fields and tiny little rural villages with inhabitants that can barely speak coherently. Even movies like the Field, which in its own right is ok, but forget stuff like that! The Ireland of old men arguing in dodgy accents over an acre are long gone. Even The Quiet Man, Jesus Christ almighty, how that movie has held the country back!!! So forget all the diddle dee shit! Here’s a few decent Irish movie’s that are a must watch when the green beer is exiting your nostril’s tomorrow.
Disco Pigs
Starring a very young Cillian Murphy (this was one of his first big breaks) Disco Pigs was shot in Cork and is based on the play by Enda Walsh. Pig and Runt born on the same day in the same hospital are as close as you can get. Through jealousy and mandess Pig (Murphy) can’t contemplate the loss of Runt and goes on a little bit of a bender to say the least!
It’s a bit surreal and quite intense, but definitely worth a watch and doesn’t have any old men talking shit about fields!
The Worlds Hardest Working Band is a wonderful, funny and moving movie. Directed by Alan Parker and nominated for an Oscar in the Best Film Editing Category, The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbite forming a soul band in and around working class Dublin! This has got a wonderful soundtrack and hilarious performances from all involved. And if your not quoting parts of this at the end, there’s something wrong, in particular chips and knickers!
Michael Collins
Written and directed by Neil Jordan, this is a political movie which see’s the big fella playing a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free state, back in a day when old men actually did argue over acres! A powerful performance by Liam Neeson and, for good measure, a very young Jonathan Rhys Myers make an appearance too! Julia Robert’s is a bit dodge in this, but other than her fucked up accent, this another must watch!
The Snapper
Another Roddy Doyle adaptation and another movie that you will quote after you’ve watched it! Another tale of a working class Dublin family where 20 year old Sharon Curley get’s a Roiiiddeee from one of the neighbours. Of course, she gets pregnant and hilarity ensues and continues. Great movie starring the wonderful Colm Meaney and another great Irish flick! Oh and you’ll probably say “Good Girl” too, the next time!
Intermission
A crime caper that goes right or wrong? Who knows! Either way Intermission stars Colin Farrell and Cillian Murphy and thunders along at a ferocious pace and is a thoroughly enjoyable Dublin centric, crime caper! This is also the movie where Colin Farrell sang “I fought the Law”
The General
One of Ireland’s best known gangsters, Martin Cahill had his life brought to the big screen in The General. Directed and written by John Boorman and starring a career best performance from Brendan Gleeson, The General is based on a true story and hits all the right notes, all of the time! One of my favourite Irish movies, and forget looking at the colour version! The original black and white version is where it’s at!
The Butcher Boy
Another Neil Jordan movie shows up here! And quite deservedly so! The Butcher Boy tells the story of Francie Brady, who shall we say, loses his mind to some degree! A tour de force from Jordan, shocking and fantastically entertaining!
I could go on, but there are only so many hours in a Patricks Day for watching movies, drinking and going fighting!!!!
