Gettin' a little Irish

So in honor of today's "holiday," St. Patty's Day, I decided to do a blog about movies with Irish-esque themes. I figured I should post before I begin to claim an Irish heritage (my family is mostly French and German) and commence drinking like an Irishman. Three cheers for green beer!

As I was walking from my drama class, I heard a car drive by blasting The Boondock Saints theme song (yes, I've recently chatted about this movie, get over it). Instantly recognizing the wonderful song, which was played during my high school graduation commencement ceremony, I did a triumphant fist pumped and exclaimed "yes!" The people surrounding me, mostly sorority girls, just gave me confused looks. How do they not know the song?!? I mean seriously people. You disappoint me.

Moving on to another Irish movie, 2006's Best Picture, The Departed, focused on the Boston police and what else? The Irish mafia! Personally, I don't think this picture was Scorsese's best. Although I'm happy the Academy finally got over itself and gave him the Best Director Oscar he so deserved, I think he was cheated far too many times before. With songs like "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" on the soundtrack, I think The Departed made everyone feel a little more Irish. I'll blog about my favorite Marty picture another time, but here's a clue: "And though I can fight, I'd much rather recite. That's entertainment."

Speaking of Marty, he directed another movie with some Irish themes. 2002's Gangs of New York focused on the conflict brewing between Irish immigrants and the so-called Native New Yorkers during the Civil War. The opening scene features a very cool song titled "Shimmy She Wobble" (I bought the soundtrack), in which Liam Neeson as Irish 'Priest' Vallon, marches his comrades to engage in a bloody battle with Daniel Day-Lewis' Bill "The Butcher." One of my favorite things in the entire movie is a picture of an American flag with the words "Native Americans Beware Foreign Influence" on it. Ironic isn't it? I'm starting to see a trend here with Marty and all things Irish (he's definitely not Irish).

So it seems not only are there some awesome Irish themed movies, but they always have sweet Irish music. Oh and I can't forgot Disney's made for TV movie, The Luck of the Irish. What a winner.