|
|
movie news
|
Fri. 03 16. 2007 6:01 AM EDT
Leprechauns, Boxers And Jennifer Aniston: Best St. Patrick's Day Films
'Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,' 'Quiet Man,' 'Field' all make the cut.
by
Shawn Adler
Jennifer Aniston in "Leprechaun"
(
Lionsgate
)
St. Patrick's Day is a time for revelry and debauchery, but what if you're not in the mood to paint the town green? Despite a dearth of holiday flicks, there's no need to follow the rainbow to discover treasured ones. For your viewing pleasure, here
are our favorite pots of holiday gold.
"Leprechaun" (1993)
Before "Friends," before "Bruce Almighty" and before Brad Pitt, a 24-year-old Jennifer Aniston starred in this campy horror flick. Also, Warwick Davis plays an evil leprechaun. Or something. Anyway, a 24-year-old Jennifer Aniston stars.
"The Dead" (1987)
Maybe you're turned off by film about, well, practically nothing but a man's realization that he doesn't know as much as he thought about his wife's past. Hey, we sympathize. But what if we told you that it was legendary film director John Huston's last flick, that it's based on arguably the greatest short story ever written — from James Joyce's "Dubliners" — and that it's as quintessentially Irish as a pint of Guinness? If you don't have goose bumps yet, consider this: The movie follows the story so closely you could totally watch it for your English class and get away with it. (But do your homework, kids).
"St. Patrick's Day" (1997)
Sure, Thanksgiving gets all the credit Stateside, but holiday dysfunction knows no boundaries. In "St. Patrick's Day" a family gathers for the annual feast and to air their personal grievances. A delightful indie, the flick does veer somewhat rapidly into fantasy when matriarch MaryPat Donnelly-McDonough (Piper Laurie) declares that no liquor will be allowed — a situation for which we now offer you the opportunity to make your very own witty Irish joke.
"The Quiet Man" (1952)
Director John Ford (who would go on to win an Oscar for this film) wrote of "The Quiet Man" that, "There is a vague possibility that even the Irish will like it." They didn't. And don't. According to William C. Dowling's "John Ford's Festive Comedy: Ireland Imagined in 'The Quiet Man,' " (If you read only one 10,000-word essay on John Ford this season, make it this one!) resentment for the film continues to this day.
Whatever.
The story of Sean Thornton (John Wayne), an ex-boxer who returns to Ireland after killing a man in the ring, "The Quiet Man" is silly, sure, but somehow perfect nonetheless. And don't even get us started on the Technicolor backgrounds. Seriously. There'll be another 10,000-word essay if you do.
"The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns" (1999)
American businessman Jack Woods (Randy Quaid) must mediate a war between the leprechauns and the fairies when Mickey Maldoon falls for fairy princess Jessica in this fantasy retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" that's as much a feast for the eyes as a plate of corned beef and cabbage after a weary day. One IMDB.com user suggests on the film's message board that "maybe the Bard should have set the play in Eire to begin with, so it could turn out to be rather funny than tragic." For about 15 different reasons, we think that comment is just about the awesomest thing ever written.
"The Field" (1990)
He's best known these days as Hogwarts' Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, but Richard Harris scored one of his two Oscar nominations for his work as Bull McCabe, a farmer put out by an American investor, in "The Field." Remarking on the old man's tragic ending, Harris would later call "The Field" his "King Lear." Uh-oh, somebody better warn that IMDB user.
"Riverdance: The Show" (1995)
No, not really. We're just testing to make sure you're still paying attention.
"Finian's Rainbow" (1968)
Think you can bust a move or two on the dance floor? Think you've got
what it takes to cut a rug with the best of 'em? Youth of America — you just got served ... by a 70-year-old. Directed by then newcomer Francis Ford Coppola and starring a 70-year-old Fred Astaire, "Finian's Rainbow" is an offer you can't refuse: infectious musical numbers, inspired fantasy and, hey, even a little wry social-commentary thrown in for good measure. The story of a man who steals a leprechaun's pot of gold so he can plant it (to help it grow, of course), "Finian's Rainbow" contains our favorite Irish-themed exchange — Finian: "What do you think makes America different from Ireland?" Sharon: "It has more Irishmen?"
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (1959)
Long before he was Bond, James Bond, Sean Connery was McBride, Michael McBride, in this classic Disney flick about an old windbag who one day actually catches a leprechaun (only no one, of course, will believe him). Believe it or not: Connery was offered the role of Bond based on this film, which was a project over 10 years in the making for Uncle Walt. Enchanting, spirited ... it's the perfect way to end your St. Patrick's Day.
And even we'll drink to that!
This report is from MTV News.
|
|
|
