I've seen your first four recommendations, and they all rocked! Other modern greats are 'Hunger', 'Calvary' and 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'. I'm not big on animation so I'm extra complimenting 'Wolfwalkers' for being excellent (same director did well with 'Song of the Sea'). I'm looking forward to the miniseries 'Say Nothing'.
Thanks for reading! Yes, for sure! I love "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" and almost included it on my list. I also enjoyed "Waking Ned Devine" too, but I haven't seen it in years.
Those were just the first 2 that popped in my mind when I saw your post. You know what’s a good one, (and I’m trying to focus on movies made in the last 30-35 yrs)- “Veronica Guerin” was a great movie.
I’m not a big Martin McDonaugh fan (he’s a little too in love with trying to sound like a Gaelic Tarantino); but the short film he made called “Six Shooter” is very good. Also the Paul Greengrass version of “Bloody Sunday” is a HARROWING watch.
I kinda liked “71”, but thought it could have been a little tighter.
Well, I just saw an excellent documentary about Brendan Behan entitled “A Hungry Feeling” on Kanopy, which is free if you’ve got a library card from a participating library.
A good collection of groups. I have one small gripe about the origins of Kneecap. It was a favourite form of retribution used by the IRA on collaborators. British policemen were the Royal Ulster Constabulary. BTW Belfast was the best place to get knee reconstruction.
I’ve been watching The Quiet Man on St. Paddy’s day since I was a child. My mother always had it on when WOR-TV (Channel 9 in NYC) ran it each year in honor of that day. A true classic!
I realize this may seem sacrilege but I’ve found The Quiet Man to be an odd mix of tragedy and farce. But not the same as something like Billy Wilder’s comedy-drama “The Apartment” (1960), which was a lot more subtle and satirical. I found “Once” (2007) a much more satisfying Irish picture. But good article.
Thanks for reading my post and Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you like the movies "Trainspotting," "Purple Rain," and "8 Mile," then I think you'll like "Kneecap." But, if those aren't your kind of movies, then you probably shouldn't watch it. Also, I read about the older lady who made all those sweaters for "Banshees" too. I thought that was pretty cool.
Thanks for reading and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Yes, I know - it is sad the way Padraic is treated by Colm in the film, and I think that's one of the reasons why the movie turns so dark later on in the story. Colm could've handled things in a much better way. Also, Colm never stopped to think about Padraic's feelings or how cutting him off would affect Padraic either. It's no wonder poor Padriac began to "act out" (for lack of a better term).
I loved “Brooklyn” when I watched it in theaters at the Virginia Film Festival! It was an incredible movie and it was very resonant for me as a college student who only recently began my first semester at the time. Eilis is a fantastic character and her story is wonderful to watch. I even briefly considered trying to become an accountant myself after watching her progress in the movie!
I also really love “The Secret of Roan Inish” and “Widows’ Peak” - great movies about Ireland and set in Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🍀🇮🇪
Thanks for reading my post! It's great that you love "Brooklyn." I recommend reading the original novel too. There are some slight differences between the book and movie. The book is also very well written. Also, you may be the only other person I've met who has seen "The Secret of Roan Inish." I like that movie a lot too (it almost made my list!)
We’re the smallest fan club in the world for “The Secret of Roan Inish”! One other person in this script group I’m in has also seen it, so that makes three of us. 🦭🦭🦭
It’s such a charming fantasy movie and I feel like I gotta get a DVD copy to make sure that I can show it to other people I know! It fits so well with movies like “Aquamarine”, “A Little Princess”, “The Secret Garden”, “The Indian in the Cupboard”, “Fairy Tale: A True Story”, “Matilda”, “Arthur and the Invisibles”, and “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. Even “Spy Kids” comes to mind, since it’s such a great adventure movie! 🍿
Yes, you're right. I read somewhere that the big scene in "The Secret of Roan Inish" was done by creating mechanical seals. I always thought that was interesting.
It’s number 1 and 3 for me, Jim! The Commitments was a coming of age film for me, being a musician and all. That film made a big impression on me at the time. Great music, and the lead singer’s voice was great. Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Thanks for reading my post and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too! I also played in bands when I was younger, so "The Commitments" also made a big impression on me at the time too.
Thank you for such good documentation. You do much for the literary world.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reading my post. I'm glad you enjoyed it - these are all great movies!
I've seen your first four recommendations, and they all rocked! Other modern greats are 'Hunger', 'Calvary' and 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'. I'm not big on animation so I'm extra complimenting 'Wolfwalkers' for being excellent (same director did well with 'Song of the Sea'). I'm looking forward to the miniseries 'Say Nothing'.
I also like "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" and "Hunger" are both two of the most intense films I've seen. Thanks for reading my post!
"I'd have married you years ago if it wasn't for the pigs." 🐖
It's McDonogh, isn't it?
“The Wind that Shakes the Barley”.
“Waking Ned Devine” is good too.
Hi E. Lewis,
Thanks for reading! Yes, for sure! I love "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" and almost included it on my list. I also enjoyed "Waking Ned Devine" too, but I haven't seen it in years.
Those were just the first 2 that popped in my mind when I saw your post. You know what’s a good one, (and I’m trying to focus on movies made in the last 30-35 yrs)- “Veronica Guerin” was a great movie.
I’m not a big Martin McDonaugh fan (he’s a little too in love with trying to sound like a Gaelic Tarantino); but the short film he made called “Six Shooter” is very good. Also the Paul Greengrass version of “Bloody Sunday” is a HARROWING watch.
I kinda liked “71”, but thought it could have been a little tighter.
Well, I just saw an excellent documentary about Brendan Behan entitled “A Hungry Feeling” on Kanopy, which is free if you’ve got a library card from a participating library.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for reading! That sounds interesting - I'll check it out.
A good collection of groups. I have one small gripe about the origins of Kneecap. It was a favourite form of retribution used by the IRA on collaborators. British policemen were the Royal Ulster Constabulary. BTW Belfast was the best place to get knee reconstruction.
That’s ok.
Hi Wayne,
Thanks for reading my post. I didn't know that about the origins of kneecap - thanks for the information!
Impetuous! Homeric!
I did. Thank you. Hope you did as well.
I’ve been watching The Quiet Man on St. Paddy’s day since I was a child. My mother always had it on when WOR-TV (Channel 9 in NYC) ran it each year in honor of that day. A true classic!
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for reading! I hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day :)
I would offer Calvary, Sing Street and Once.
All three are terrific, from meaningful to sweet to indie music gem.
Hi Mike,
I agree! I love those three too - next year, I'll have create a longer list :)
Hi Robert,
Thanks for reading my post! Those are all great Irish movies too!
I realize this may seem sacrilege but I’ve found The Quiet Man to be an odd mix of tragedy and farce. But not the same as something like Billy Wilder’s comedy-drama “The Apartment” (1960), which was a lot more subtle and satirical. I found “Once” (2007) a much more satisfying Irish picture. But good article.
Hi Red Wood,
Thanks for reading! Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" is a great film and one of my favorites. And, "Once" is a lovely film too - it almost made my list.
Great illuminating article!
Hi PM,
I'm glad you liked it - Thanks for reading! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
You sold all of these very well--I had no interest in Kneecap until I read your review.
I remember watching a special look on the knitted sweaters in Banshees. They were all made by one older woman from the area and look very comfortable.
Hi RosTy,
Thanks for reading my post and Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you like the movies "Trainspotting," "Purple Rain," and "8 Mile," then I think you'll like "Kneecap." But, if those aren't your kind of movies, then you probably shouldn't watch it. Also, I read about the older lady who made all those sweaters for "Banshees" too. I thought that was pretty cool.
Thank you! I haven’t seen those other films either, actually. I have heard of them, though, so that’s a good visual! Thanks :)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
While 'Banshees' had some amusing moments, I mostly found it sad that Padraic couldn't understand why his friend wasn't anymore.
Hi WS,
Thanks for reading and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Yes, I know - it is sad the way Padraic is treated by Colm in the film, and I think that's one of the reasons why the movie turns so dark later on in the story. Colm could've handled things in a much better way. Also, Colm never stopped to think about Padraic's feelings or how cutting him off would affect Padraic either. It's no wonder poor Padriac began to "act out" (for lack of a better term).
Great picks! I’m also a big fan of “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” and “Hunger.” Two darker films, but tackling important periods of Irish history.
Yes! I love those films too, especially "The Wind That Shakes The Barley." Ken Loach is one of my favorite directors. Thanks for reading!
I loved “Brooklyn” when I watched it in theaters at the Virginia Film Festival! It was an incredible movie and it was very resonant for me as a college student who only recently began my first semester at the time. Eilis is a fantastic character and her story is wonderful to watch. I even briefly considered trying to become an accountant myself after watching her progress in the movie!
I also really love “The Secret of Roan Inish” and “Widows’ Peak” - great movies about Ireland and set in Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🍀🇮🇪
Hi Kodi,
Thanks for reading my post! It's great that you love "Brooklyn." I recommend reading the original novel too. There are some slight differences between the book and movie. The book is also very well written. Also, you may be the only other person I've met who has seen "The Secret of Roan Inish." I like that movie a lot too (it almost made my list!)
We’re the smallest fan club in the world for “The Secret of Roan Inish”! One other person in this script group I’m in has also seen it, so that makes three of us. 🦭🦭🦭
It’s such a charming fantasy movie and I feel like I gotta get a DVD copy to make sure that I can show it to other people I know! It fits so well with movies like “Aquamarine”, “A Little Princess”, “The Secret Garden”, “The Indian in the Cupboard”, “Fairy Tale: A True Story”, “Matilda”, “Arthur and the Invisibles”, and “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. Even “Spy Kids” comes to mind, since it’s such a great adventure movie! 🍿
Let me add votes for Secret of Roan Inish and Once. Very different films, but both beautiful and heartfelt.
Hi Rayna,
Thanks for reading my post! Yes, I agree both of these films are wonderful. Maybe I should've made my list longer so I could have included them.
Yes, you're right. I read somewhere that the big scene in "The Secret of Roan Inish" was done by creating mechanical seals. I always thought that was interesting.
That reminds me of Bruce the shark, from “Jaws”. 🦈 At least the seals were friendlier at Roan Inish! 🦭
It’s number 1 and 3 for me, Jim! The Commitments was a coming of age film for me, being a musician and all. That film made a big impression on me at the time. Great music, and the lead singer’s voice was great. Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Hi Erik,
Thanks for reading my post and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too! I also played in bands when I was younger, so "The Commitments" also made a big impression on me at the time too.