In Bruges

The Hobbledehoy’s Top 10 Irish Films

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By Michael Stevenson

St. Patrick’s Day during a Covid Lockdown requires a good fil-um or three. I’ve seen each of these many times. Which are your favorites?

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022 directed, written, and co-produced by Martin McDonough)

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star as two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship. Featuring a brilliant supporting cast, that included Kerry Condon as Siobhán and Barry Keoghan as Dominic (both nominated for Academy Awards) and a minature donkey named “Jenny” who will steal your heart.

In the clip below, Siobhán sympathetically rejects Dominic’s proposal.

“Ryan’s Daughter” (1970 David Lean)

– Critics hated it, the cast hated each other. David Lean was so traumatized by the experience, he didn’t make another movie for 15 years. I love every fame, especially the ones featuring the Dingle shore. 

“In Bruges” (2008 Martin McDonough)

– Great performances from Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, and Ralph Fiennes. McDonagh’s dialogue is raw ferfucksake, but very funny and sometimes poetic.

“I Went Down” (1997 Paddy Breathnach)

– This hilarious road movie was my first taste of actor Brendan Gleeson, who might be the best actor in the world.

“The Quiet Man” (1952 John Ford)

– On my first trip to Ireland, a bank teller in Dublin told me I spoke “just like John Wayne.” Though not true, this remains the best compliment I’ve ever had. Bless her.

“The Commitments” (1991 Alan Parker)

– Maybe not the best of Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy books (I loved “The Van”), it is certainly the best film adaptation mainly because of the amazing musical performances by a truly great soul band created for the film.  

“The Magdalene Sisters” (2002 Peter Mullen)

– Excellent film on the subject of Catholic Church abuse in Ireland. Be prepared to become very angry.

“In America” (2002 Jim Sheriden)

– Beautiful biographical story of Sheriden’s immigration from Ireland to NY’s Hell’s Kitchen in the sixties. Two sisters age 6 and 11, Emma and Sarah Bolger, acting for the first time, steal the movie.

“Into the West” (1992 Mike Newel)

– Mystical story of Irish gypsies on the run and a magical horse named Tir na Nog. I’ve always liked Gabriel Byrne, too. 

“The Butcher Boy” (1997 Neil Jordan)

An Irish “A Clockwork Orange,” complete with Sinead O’Connor as the Virgin Mary (Sinead sings a great version of the folk song of the title.) Very disturbing.


“Finian’s Rainbow” (1968 Francis Ford Coppolla)
Despite the talents of Fred Astaire, Yip Harburg, and Francis Ford Coppolla – this thing was a mess. Still, worth it if only for Petula Clark who is terrific. How are things in Glocca Mora?


Honorable Mention:
The Guard, Waking Ned Devine, Once, The Field, The Snapper, The Crying Game, My Left Foot, Cal, In the Name of the Father, Secret of Roan Inish, Philomela, The Van, The Boxer, Hear My Song, The General.

Colin Farrell names the only “perfect” movie in cinema history

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Colin Farrell, himself part of some absolute bangers, names the one film that he views as flawless. Read more about the movie and its significance.

By Jacob Simmons

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Colin Farrell, but he’s managed to navigate a string of potential career-enders and come out the other side as a respected and sought-after actor. Long before donning a fat suit and putting on a questionable mob accent, the Irishman was delivering standout performances in critically acclaimed films. In Bruges, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The North Water, The Banshees of Inisherin—all beloved by legions of devoted fans. But has Farrell ever made a ‘perfect’ movie?

Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell

 

According to the actor himself, he hasn’t. That’s because, in his eyes, there’s only one ‘perfect’ movie, and he’s not in it. When speaking with Rotten Tomatoes about some of his favourite films, Farrell gave some great answers. Back to the Future, Some Like It Hot, and Lawrence of Arabia all came up, but he reserved his highest praise for Bruce Robinson’s definitive black comedy, Withnail and I.

“Oh man, is there a funnier and more poignant film that captures the anarchic irreverence of that period?” he posited. “It’s just perfect, from start to finish, in my book. Ridiculously quotable with mad, perfect performances across the board. Richard E Grant is pure genius, but everyone in the film gives amazing and hilarious and heartbreaking performances. Again, I think loneliness and isolation, and a desire to belong play big parts in this one. The story is as much a love story between the two leads as anything, with a very sad break-up of sorts taking place at the very end, with Withnail left out in the rain.”

Released in 1987, the film tells the story of Withnail (Grant), a spiteful, hard-drinking, out-of-work actor who blames all his problems on anyone but himself. He and his friend Marwood (Paul McGann), who is credited by some as the eponymous ‘I’, end up at the country estate of his eccentric uncle (Richard Griffiths), where the limits of their friendship are tested.

Much has been written about the movie, which has its fair share of famous fans, particularly about the relationship between the two central characters. Much has been over whether or not Withnail and Marwood are secretly in love with each other or if the former’s affection is unrequited by the latter. The ending scene that Farrell mentioned, in which Marwood leaves his old roommate after finding work, is often cited as confirmation of this. However, it has to be said that Grant prefers the theory that Withnail is too self-obsessed to be in love with anyone but himself.

 

Even after decades in the limelight and countless other excellent roles, Withnail continues to be Grant’s most enduring and celebrated character. The film is one of the most popular cult movies around (if that’s not too much of an oxymoron), with fans going out of their way to find new ways to celebrate. There’s even an accompanying drinking game; drink every time Withnail does. For the love of God, do not attempt this yourself. You will not survive.

Somewhat surprisingly, Farrell has never co-starred with Grant in anything. The two actors would be a perfect fit for each other, and Farrell would most certainly be up for collaborating with a hero of his. If any casting directors are reading this, you know what needs to be done.

Source: Colin Farrell names the only “perfect” movie in cinema history

The Hobbledehoy’s Top 10 Irish Films

by

By Michael Stevenson

St. Patrick’s Day during a Covid Lockdown requires a good fil-um or three. I’ve seen each of these many times. Which are your favorites?

“Ryan’s Daughter” (1970 David Lean)

– Critics hated it, the cast hated each other. David Lean was so traumatized by the experience, he didn’t make another movie for 15 years. I love every fame, especially the ones featuring the Dingle shore. 

“In Bruges” (2008 Martin McDonough)

– Great performances from Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, and Ralph Fiennes. McDonagh’s dialogue is raw ferfucksake, but very funny and sometimes poetic.

“I Went Down” (1997 Paddy Breathnach)

– This hilarious road movie was my first taste of actor Brendan Gleeson, who might be the best actor in the world.

“The Quiet Man” (1952 John Ford)

– On my first trip to Ireland, a bank teller in Dublin told me I spoke “just like John Wayne.” Though not true, this remains the best compliment I’ve ever had. Bless her.

“The Commitments” (1991 Alan Parker)

– Maybe not the best of Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy books (I loved “The Van”), it is certainly the best film adaptation mainly because of the amazing musical performances by a truly great soul band created for the film.  

“The Magdalene Sisters” (2002 Peter Mullen)

– Excellent film on the subject of Catholic Church abuse in Ireland. Be prepared to become very angry.

“In America” (2002 Jim Sheriden)

– Beautiful biographical story of Sheriden’s immigration from Ireland to NY’s Hell’s Kitchen in the sixties. Two sisters age 6 and 11, Emma and Sarah Bolger, acting for the first time, steal the movie.

“Into the West” (1992 Mike Newel)

– Mystical story of Irish gypsies on the run and a magical horse named Tir na Nog. I’ve always liked Gabriel Byrne, too. 

“The Butcher Boy” (1997 Neil Jordan)

An Irish “A Clockwork Orange,” complete with Sinead O’Connor as the Virgin Mary (Sinead sings a great version of the folk song of the title.) Very disturbing.


“Finian’s Rainbow” (1968 Francis Ford Coppolla)
Despite the talents of Fred Astaire, Yip Harburg, and Francis Ford Coppolla – this thing was a mess. Still, worth it if only for Petula Clark who is terrific. How are things in Glocca Mora?


Honorable Mention:
The Guard, Waking Ned Devine, Once, The Field, The Snapper, The Crying Game, My Left Foot, Cal, In the Name of the Father, Secret of Roan Inish, Philomela, The Van, The Boxer, Hear My Song, The General.

10 Best British Gangster Movies Ever

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The Hobbledehoy notes the omission of 1997’s absolutely marvelous  gangster flick I Went Down directed by Paddy Breathnach and starring Brendan Gleeson, Peter McDonald and Michael McElhatton.

True, I Went Down is Irish not British, but the same can be said for In Bruges, which is on this Top 10 list. But who cares about rules anyway? Certainly not gangsters!

Nobody does gangster movies quite like the Brits, eh? The origins of the British crime thriller go back almost 75 years, though the genre truly picked up speed in the late 1960s, with the following three decades in particular serving up a slew of quintessential British gangster romps.

From comedy-laced capers to more serious, unexpectedly character-driven thrillers, these are the ten most influential genre entries that have been copied, parodied and homaged over the years – often successfully, but more often not – and set the groundwork for an entire film industry in of itself.

See all 10 movies at: 10 Best British Gangster Movies Ever