1) The Commitments (1991) - An entertaining, comic film about turning an Irishman's love of Motown and Soul Music into the founding of The Commitments, billed as "The World's Hardest Working Band," directed by Alan Parker.
2) Michael Collins (1996) - Irishman Liam Neeson stars in this historical tale set in 1916 about the founding of Ireland, the roots of the Irish Troubles and the Irish Republican Army. A good but not flawless narrative film version of this slice of history and an engrossing film. Directed by Neil Jordan, who also did "The Crying Game."
3) The Quiet Man (1952) - This is the classic Hollywood view of Ireland and the Irish, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and directed by the great John Ford, best known for his classic Westerns starring John Wayne. It was shot in Ireland with Irish extras, and it was for years the quintessential Hollywood Irish movie.
4) Bloody Sunday (2002) - Director Paul Greengrass does a documentary like recreation of the fateful North Ireland confrontation that became known as Bloody Sunday, which sparked the violence of the modern Irish Troubles. A serious, gritty film, it captures the emotional impact of the event by using as extras some of the people who were actually there for the massacre. The hand-held, documentary style makes you feel as if you are watching the actual news footage.
5) Excalibur (1981) - Director John Boorman's fantasy-like, Irish-made version of the legend of King Arthur shows off beautiful Irish scenery and is filled with talented Irish actors, including Liam Neeson in his first featured film role. Directed by Boorman on a shoestring budget yet it looks great.
6) My Left Foot (1989) - Daniel Day-Lewis' break-out role as Irish artist Christy Brown who was born with cerebral palsy yet learned to paint and write with his only controllable limb, his left foot. Like many Irish films, it is both funny and inspiring.
7) The Dead (1987) - Director John Huston's last film, based on a story by great Irish author James Joyce, starring the director's daughter Angelica Huston. A dream-like, gripping, art house style gem of a film.
8) Waking Ned Devine (1998) - When the residents of a poverty-stricken Irish village discover that someone in their midst has won a fortune in the lottery, the race is on to find the winner and part him from some of those winnings. This film is hilarious, with some wonderful visual gags and snappy, witty dialog.
9) The Butcher Boy (1997) - Director Neil Jordan's dark-humored, surreal, Sweeney Todd-like tale of a disturbed Irish boy, with a depressed mother and alcoholic father, who talks to a vision called Our Lady, played by Sinead O'Connor. An odd yet surprisingly funny art house film.
10) Breakfast on Pluto (2005) - In a new twist on a common theme, director Neil Jordan bring us another off-beat film, a dark comedy tale of a Candid-like transvestite against the backdrop of the Irish Troubles. The film stars Cillian Murphy and Liam Neeson.
Go Green Weekend !
Spread the spirit of St. Patrick's Day with this cute and funny ecard.
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Fun 'N Cheer Weekend !
A cute ecard to wish your friends/ family/ dear ones a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day Weekend.
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