Cinema Blend has a terrific new series called Parental Guidance, the saga of a devoted dad and his 15 year old daughter who’ve agreed to watch some of the dad’s favorite movies together. So far, they’ve watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Ghostbusters.” His description of their reactions to the films is marvelous, and I can’t think of a better way to bond. I look forward to whatever they decide to watch next.
These are some of my favorite movies set in Ireland.
1. The Quiet Man John Wayne plays American Sean Thornton (John Wayne), who returns to in Innisfree, the small, beautiful Irish village where he was born, to buy his family’s old home. He meets fiery Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O’Hara), courts her, marries, her, and then really has to win her as both must learn some lessons about intimacy, pride, and trust. Yes, there are some moments that seem sexist but the underlying story is as glorious as the spectacular landscape and as touching as the endearing characters.
2. The Secret of Roan Inish A little Irish girl named Fiona goes to stay with her grandparents and becomes convinced that her baby brother, whose cradle was carried off to sea years before, is alive and being cared for by Selkies, seals who can transform themselves into humans. This is a quiet film, filled with lovely images that convey the magic surrounding anyone who believes in it. It explores themes of loyalty and commitment to family and following your heart.
3. The Commitments A group of hardscrabble Irish musicians come together to firm an American-style soul band and perform songs like “Mustang Sally” and “Try a Little Tenderness.” Look for future Frames and Once performer Glen Hansard in the group. (Mature material)
4. Once The best song Oscar went to this bittersweet film about an Irish musician (Glen Hansard) who meets a pianist and singer (Markéta Irglová) from the Czech Republic.
5. Millions The Oscar-winning director of “Slumdog Millionaire,” Danny Boyle, also shows his gift for working with children in “Millions,” the story of a young boy who finds a bag of money.
6. My Left Foot Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his portrayal of Christy Brown in this true story of a writer and painter who was paralyzed and could only use his left foot — and of his indomitable mother (Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker).
7. The Secret of Kells This quietly exquisite animated film was a surprise Oscar nominee. It is about an 11th century boy who lives in a monastery run by his stern uncle and the gorgeous illuminated manuscript that changes his life.
8. Circle of Friends Minnie Driver and Chris O’Donnell star in Maeve Binchy’s story of love and friendship in 1950’s Ireland.
9. Hear My Song A fast-talking small-time promoter has to persuade a retired performer to sing again.
10. In the Name of the Father Day-Lewis again, in another true story, this time the story of a father and son who were imprisoned for an IRA bombing. Emma Thompson plays his dedicated lawyer and Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for an Oscar as the father who ends up in prison as well.
And don’t forget Jig, a wonderful documentary about an Irish dancing competition that shows there’s a bit of Irish in all of us.
What movies will you never see on an airplane? Airplane movies! The last thing they want you to think about up in the sky is the risk of disaster. But airplanes are a perfect setting for movies, providing the unities of time and place that have been the foundation of drama from the ancient Greeks to the classics of “locked room” mysteries. A random group of people come together in a confined space and for the time of the flight no one can enter or leave. And being up in the sky is inherently scary. If anything goes wrong, it can be deadly.
The very first Best Picture Oscar winner was “Wings,” barely past the first days of commercial air travel. The early days of movies and the early days of manned flight were made for each other. There were more air battles in WWI movies than actually happened in WWI.
The first Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, “Flying Down to Rio,” had dance numbers on the wings of planes.
Just recently, the Denzel Washington film Flight had one of the scariest plane crash sequences ever filmed, and the wild and very raunchy comedy I’m So Excited! took place on a plane, also with some musical numbers.
There are a lot of movies with airplane scenes, but these are some of the best films that take place almost entirely in a plane.
The High and the Mighty If there’s a problem with the plane, it’s good to have John Wayne in the cockpit.
Air Force One Harrison Ford is the President of the United States, flying back home from a meeting in Russia, when the plane is taken over by terrorist Gary Oldman.
Snakes on a Plane The reception for this film suffered from backlash to the hype, but it is actually a lot of fun.
Red Eye At first, the hotel manager played by Rachel McAdams thinks the cute guy in the next seat (Cillian Murphy) is flirting with her. But then it turns out that her father is being held by his henchmen so that he can pressure her to help him in an assassination plot.
Con Air This ridiculously entertaining film has Nicolas Cage on a prisoner transport plane taking high-risk, extra-dangerous criminals (played by an outstanding cast including John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi) to a new facility. When they say its security system is foolproof, you know things are going to go wrong.
I really enjoyed Alan Zilberman’s list of movies that make men cry on Brightest Young Things. But he left off the one men mention most when the subject comes up. See if you can guess….now get out your handkerchief because here it is.