Wild Mountain Thyme

Wild Mountain Thyme

Likely Story etc.

11 December 2020

Romance

DVD
B-

This movie has charm, humor, and lovely scenery, but I'm not sure if the story (adapted by director John Patrick Shanley from his play Outside Mullingar) entirely works.  I wanted to love it but ended up just liking it.  Still, on this project, that's nothing to complain about.

Waking Ned Devine

Waking Ned Devine

Tomboy Films etc.

15 September 1998

Comedy

DVD
B-

I saw this in the theater and enjoyed it, and it holds up pretty well at home a quarter century later.  The story is slight and it's never hilarious, but I liked spending time in the tiny village with the gorgeous scenery and the oddball residents.  Kirk Jones wrote and directed, seven years before Nanny McPhee.

Song of the Sea

Song of the Sea

Cartoon Saloon etc.

6 September 2014

Animation, Fantasy

DVD
C-

I didn't really care for the look of the film.  Tomm Moore directed and co-wrote.

Pilgrimage (2017)

Pilgrimage (2017)

Screen Ireland etc.

13 July 2017

Historical Drama

DVD
D

Considering this is definitely not my kind of movie, I didn't hate it.  Brendan Muldowney directed.

Ondine

Ondine

Little Wave etc.

18 February 2010

Drama?

DVD
C

I might like this better if it actually were a fantasy, but it just didn't quite click for me.  Neil Jordan wrote and directed, and it's definitely more watchable than his Byzantium or Interview with the Vampire.

Miss Julie

Miss Julie

Columbia TriStar etc.

7 September 2014

Historical Drama, Romance

DVD
D+

An unappealing triangle (although I like Samantha Morton in some other roles, like Sophia in the 1997 miniseries of Tom Jones), uninterestingly shot.  Liv Ullmann directed, and adapted the Strindberg play.

The Lobster

The Lobster

Element Pictures etc.

15 May 2015

Sci-Fi, Comedy

DVD
C-

I could see how this might be funny if it weren't so listless, but it almost felt like the listlessness was the point.  Yorgos Lanthimos directed and co-wrote.

Kisses

Kisses

Focus Features

21 November 2008

Drama

DVD
D+

Child abuse in modern Ireland.  Lance Daly wrote and directed.

Kings (2007)

Kings (2007)

High Point

21 September 2007

Drama

DVD
D+

Depressing.  Tom Collins (no relation to the drink I assume) directed and co-wrote.

The Journey

The Journey

IFC Films

5 May 2017

Historical Drama

DVD
C

Peace talks in Northern Ireland.  Nick Hamm directed.

In America

In America

Fox Searchlight Pictures

January 2003

Drama

DVD
C

I found this story too downbeat to go beyond the first quarter hour, although I can see why it got praise and awards.  Jim Sheridan directed and co-wrote with his daughters Naomi and Kirsten.

Guardian of the Ancient Shadow Crown AKA Guardians of the Crown AKA The Shadows

Guardian of the Ancient Shadow Crown AKA Guardians of the Crown AKA The Shadows

Studio Unknown

13 July 2014

Children's, Fantasy

DVD
C

Odd but better than expected story of a little boy who might be the guardian, and the ice queen who wants the crown.  This is based on George MacDonald's fairytale, and adapted by director Colin Downey.

Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa
Sony
25 September 1998
Historical Drama
DVD
B-

I saw a pretty good local stage production of this a few years, and I find this a pretty good big-screen adaptation.  The performances are for the most part solid and I like the touches of humour.  That the film never becomes magical is OK.  Pat O'Connor directed.  I've tagged the cast that I recognized, even if some, like Kathy Burke from the previous year's Tom Jones miniseries, aren't exactly household names.

Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday
Paramount
25 January 2002
Historical Drama
DVD
C

A day-in-the-life for many people who live in Derry, North Ireland on 30 January 1972.  Paul Greengrass directed and wrote the screenplay based on Don Mullan's book Eyewitness Bloody Sunday.