6. The Irish Film Cannon…Minus One

Come home from a day of corned beef and beer and marathon the shite out of some of these great Irish and Irish-American films…

Blown Away (1994)
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tommy Lee Jones, Lloyd Bridges, Forrest Whitaker, Suzy Amis, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Director: Stephen Hopkins (Predator 2, The Reaping)
Most people forget about this 1994 action flick, probably because it came out during the Speed phenomenon. It revolves around newly married and near-retirement Boston bomb squad ace James Dove (the always on-point Jeff Bridges), whose crew is being systematically taken out by IRA bomber Ryan Gaerity (Tommy Lee Jones in a scene-chewing performance), a man from Dove’s past. Thrilling action sequences, a salty performance from Lloyd Bridges and a U2-heavy soundtrack make this a really good sleeper film. Also, The Dude sporting a Bahston accent is pretty cool, too.

Boondock Saints (1999)
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Willem Dafoe, David Della Rocco, Ron Jeremy
Director: Troy Duffy
Okay, this isn’t Citizen Kane, but what Boondock Saints is, is a blood-and-guts, run-and-gun, smart-alecky, over-the-top action thriller that has captivated the hearts and minds of college students across the U.S. Laced with bucket of bullets and blood, Roman Catholic quotations and in-your-face swagger to it, it’s hard not to love it. Its cult status is the stuff of legend, and if you haven’t seen this film leave the hype and your brain at the door — both may get in the way of you enjoying a fun movie. And hey, it’s Norman Reeds pre-Walking Dead.

Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day (2009)
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Julie Benz, Peter Fonda, Judd Nelson
Director: Troy Duffy
For years, we heard the rumors of a Boondock sequel, and in 2009 it was finally delivered. All Saints Day is in no way as good as the original film, and that’s probably due to the legend that grew over the past 10 years about the film. But when all’s said and done, All Saints Day it’s still a helluva good time. The blood and bullets fly as fast and as furious as the booze and foul language, which is always enjoyable in my book. However, it lacks the bare-knuckle appeal and originality the first film so proudly displayed a decade prior, substituting “messages” about manhood, which are a way over the top and unnecessary.

The Fighter (2010)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee, Mickey O’Keefe
Director: David O. Russell (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees)
Mark Wahlberg’s passion project about boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward is the only film on this list that isn’t a crime drama. What this film is, is one of the best movies you’ll watch about boxing. Yes, it’s up there with Rocky, Cinderella Man (supremely underrated) and Raging Bull — and it’s all due to the acting. Wahlberg, Adams, Leo and Bale in particular, give career performances. Bale’s performance as Dickie Ecklund is one of the best supporting actor performances in recent cinematic history. Yes, even better than the late Heath Ledger’s Joker. The boxing sequences are as hard-hitting as the Boston-based family drama.

Gangs of New York (2002)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Stephen Graham, John C. Reilly
Director: Martin Scorsese
Three words: Daniel.Day.Lewis. His portrayal of Bill the Butcher is one of the most brilliant, consuming and charismatic performances ever to grace to the silver screen, second only to his own performance in There Will Be Blood. Of course, Leo’s no slouch here either and neither is the brilliant supporting cast, highlighted by Irish actors Liam Neeson and Brendan Gleeson.

Michael Collins (1996)
Starring: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, Alan Rickman, Stephen Rea
Director: Neil Jordan
If Gangs of New York is all about Daniel Day-Lewis, Michael Collins is all about Liam Neeson. Watching the stoic, intense and always awesome Neeson give speeches in a town square sends chills down your spine. If you’re an Irish history buff this is a good piece to enjoy. Alan Rickman’s Eamon de Valera is also another reason to check this film out.

Patriot Games (1992)
Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Bean, Anne Archer, Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Phillip Noyce
Probably one of Harrison Ford’s last great movies (The Fugitive being his last). Here, Ford debuts as CIA analyst Jack Ryan, who has become a reluctant hero after defusing an IRA attempt to assassinate a British noble. All seems well and good, but a rogue IRA maniac (the excellent Sean Bean) is hellbent on taking Ryan and his family out as payback for killing his little brother. Featuring an awesome “night vision” sequence, this is a tough, masculine action flick that is definitely worth watching.

The Town (2010)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Slaine, Chris Cooper, Pete Postlethwaite
Director: Ben Affleck
The Town proved that Ben Affleck is not only “back” as an actor, but his work as a writer and director are nothing to joke about. His attention to detail, down to casting South Boston natives as extras and bit players (as he did in Gone Baby Gone) is impeccable. His manipulation of sound, editing and color is also amazing. However, it’s the down-and-dirty action and the crackerjack dialogue (most of which is delivered by Oscar-nominated supporting actor Jeremy Renner) is where Affleck’s script and direction work the best. This is a must-see.

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