In no particular order, here’s a list of movies either based in Ireland or with an Irish connection.
The Snapper
The Guard
28 Days Later
Disco Pigs
The Actors
My Left Foot
Millers Crossing
In Bruges
Happy St.Patricks Day to everybody, no doubt the fighting, drinking and sheep molesting is starting. On the off chance that you’re not partaking in some mutton molestation today…or painting yourself green here’s some extras on the above selections from the crew here at The Movie Bit.
Vic:
For some vintage Colm Meaney (and his finest performance comes in Parked)and even if it is quite brief, some vintage Brendan Gleeson, check out The Snapper. Based on the Roddy Doyle, this is nothing but pure hilarity about pregnancy. And speaking of Brendan Gleeson, that dude has been in everything from Braveheart to Artificial Intelligence, but one of his finer moments has to be in The Guard. Cillian Murphy also gets a mention here, besides the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight movies, and Inception, some of Murphys earlier work also is well worth a watch, including Disco Pigs and 28 Days later.
Ger:
The Actors starring Michael Caine, Dylan Moran and Michael Gambon. Set in Dublin a pair of struggling actors hatch a plan to steal some money of a group of unorthodox Irish gangsters. Great plot, brilliant performances and an absolute and somewhat unknown Gem of an Irish Movie.
My Left Foot. Daniel day Lewis and Brenda Fricker. Poignant, funny and genuinely heart warming movie. Of particular note is the remarkable performance of Hugh O Connor who plays Christy as a young boy coming to terms with his condition. Entertaining movie which will seem very dated compared to today's society and a definite must see. Great performances all round, an important movie in Irish Cinema.
Tom:
Millers Crossing. Not really that Irish, being written and directed by two Jewish brothers, but features a fantastic performance by one of the best actors, Gabriel Byrne, this isle has produced. Also, Albert Finney firing a tommy gun to the strains of "Danny Boy" always reminds me of home, no matter where I am.
Rob:
My favourite Irish film wasn’t filmed in Ireland. It wasn’t even made by an Irishman. What it does have, however, is two of the most prominent Irish actors working today from a brilliant screenplay infused with a sense of humour which could have only originated from the mind of a man deeply influenced by that bitterly dark, Gaelic wit.
Martin McDonagh’s ‘In Bruges’.
Chloë: So what do you do, Raymond?
Ray: I... shoot people for money.
Chloë: [smiling] What kinds of people?
Ray: Priests, children... you know, the usual.
