If you have any clue who these people are, then you can guess our #2 movie. (Flickr/Up Your Ego)

What’s the best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Other than with green beer? That’s right: Irish movies. It doesn’t have to be about the holiday to get you in the mood. And in honor of my parents, who are in Ireland today, I present to you the best Irish-themed movies for your watching pleasure. Go get your Irish on.

5. The Boondock Saints (2000). Believe it or not, this movie was shown in five (that’s FIVE) theaters and ran for only three short weeks, grossing a measly $30,000. This ultra-violent, Boston-set crime thriller about twin brothers (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) as vigilantes was panned by critics but fast took on a cult following. And good news for fans: The sequel, “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day,” comes out in October. Shout-out to @designer_tracyP for the recommendation on this one.

4. Leprechaun (1993). So it’s not really a “good” movie per se, or one of the “best” Irish movies, either…but we couldn’t resist adding this one to the list. And it probably deserves a lower billing, but we wanted you to read after the jump, after all. It’s a “horror” movie that spawned five equally bad sequels (including one called “Leprechaun 4: In Space”), but it’s also one of Jennifer Aniston’s first roles (she runs scared from a leprechaun the entire film), which makes it hilarious. It’s a must-see about those mischievous little Irish fairies, just to reflect on how bad it is.

3. Finian’s Rainbow (1968). A Fred Astaire musical directed by Francis Ford Coppola equals Irish classic gold– no pun intended. Finian McLonergan (Astaire) leaves Ireland with a pot of gold, hoping to bury it and make it multiply, but with a leprechaun following him, trouble ensures. It started as a Broadway production in the 1940′s, and Coppola adapted it for the silver screen in the 1960′s. Today, it remains an Irish classic.

2. The Commitments (1991). The 1987 novel was written by the Irish Roddy Doyle, but it was the film adaptation a few years later that became a critic and fan favorite alike. After all, what’s not to love about a bunch of unemployed Dubliners who start a soul band? It went on to be Golden-Globe-nominated for best comedy or musical, and Oscar-nominated for film editing, but what we most remember is the band’s rousing performance of “Mustang Sally.”

1. The Departed (2006). Hands down, one of our favorite movies ever, and not just for the Irish families and traditions featured heavily in this Boston-based film. Martin Scorsese finally won the Oscar for directing with it– and the movie also won best picture and best adapted screenplay. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, an undercover cop in Frank Costello’s (Jack Nicholson) Boston Irish mafia; to say the plot is thrilling and suspenseful is an understatement. Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Vera Farmiga round out this all-star cast, making this our very favorite Irish movie of all.

]]> http://www.thetakethree.com/2010/03/17/the-five-best-st-pattys-movies/feed/ 2 http://www.thetakethree.com/2010/02/04/not-a-big-movie-person-here-are-five-oscar-nominees-youve-probably-seen/ http://www.thetakethree.com/2010/02/04/not-a-big-movie-person-here-are-five-oscar-nominees-youve-probably-seen/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:45:58 +0000 thetakeonmovies http://www.thetakethree.com/?p=1318

Flickr/Las Valley 702

Oscar season can often be a problem for the non-crazy movie people out there: Those Oscar lovers are such elitists, after all. “Coco Before Chanel,” a film about fashion (and nominated for costume design)? No, you didn’t see it– we know. “An Education,” a 1960′s-coming-of-age story that’s grossed less than $9 million in the U.S.? We know you haven’t caught that one either– yet it’s earned top praise as a best picture nominee. And how about “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”? Despite being Heath Ledger’s true last film, we’re pretty sure you haven’t seen it. And yet it was nominated for not one, but two Academy Awards this year. Who do these movie snobs think they are? You don’t know anything about these Oscar movies, and neither does any other normal person. Makes it feel like the award show isn’t even worth watching.

Don’t worry– The Take Three has come to your rescue. You’ll be surprised to realize that you have in fact seen some of this year’s Oscar nominees. Hmm…makes you think maybe you should tune in on March 7 after all… In the meantime, check out our list of five of this year’s Oscar nominees we’re sure are regular-Joe slam dunks.

Star Trek (released May 8). Four Oscar nominations, for sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects and makeup; #7 highest grossing film of 2009. It was a kitschy idea, making a movie out of a 1960′s television show that only ran for three seasons. But with Trekkies the world over, it worked. Hotties Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Eric Bana, along with a pre- “Avatar” Zoe Saldana, turned nerdy sci fi into one of the summer’s first blockbusters.

Up (released May 29). Five Oscar nominations, for animated feature film, music (original score), best picture, sound editing and writing (original screenplay); #4 highest grossing film of 2009. With a U.S. gross of $293 million, Pixar won big last year with “Up”– second only in the studio’s history to “Finding Nemo.” But box office success aside, it’s truly a sweet film that adults and kids alike will enjoy. And believe it or not, it stands a chance of winning the coveted best picture Oscar this year.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (released June 24). One Oscar nomination, for sound mixing; #1 highest grossing film of 2009. Yes, the highest grossing film of 2009, but guess what else? The “Transformers” sequel is the tenth highest grossing movie in all of U.S. box office history. Clearly Megan Fox draws a crowd, and most likely during the summer of 2009, she drew you, right to the theater.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (released July 15). One Oscar nomination, for cinematography; #3 highest grossing film of 2009. This is number six in the beloved HP franchise, and some even think it might be the best one yet. We’ve got one more book to go, which will be made into two films, so you have time to see Harry on the big screen if you haven’t yet…but we’re pretty sure you have.

The Blind Side (released November 20). Two Oscar nominations, for best picture and actress in a leading role; #8 highest grossing film of 2009. Who doesn’t love a touching sports drama? Not only did “The Blind Side” give Sandra Bullock the biggest opening weekend of her career, it’s the highest grossing sports movie of all time (we’re not counting “Forrest Gump” because frankly, it shouldn’t count). This one’s also up for best picture this year, and better yet, it’s still in theaters. So just in case you haven’t seen any of the movies on our list, you’ve got time to hit up at least this one before March’s Academy Awards…now get watching!

The Take Three

Flickr/aboutsaffron

Today is November 30, and that means we here at The Take Three made it through National Blog Posting Month in one piece! We’re not going to say it was easy, because frankly, it wasn’t. And we’re not going to say it was good timing either, because with j-school graduation upon us, frankly (again), it wasn’t. But we made it through, dammit, and from time to time, we even had some thoughtful words to share. Here, a look back on our favorite November posts. And here’s to you, NaBloPoMo: May we not see your face again for at least 11 solid months.

Flickr/Martin de Witte

Your favorite reads: At a theater near you (Nov 9)
“Vanity Fair” in hand; Conan appearance, check (Nov 17)
“New Moon” brings hope to Twilight franchise (Nov 21)
Get your George Clooney on (Nov 23)
“2012″: Not the end of the world for Cusack’s career (Nov 29)

5. “Hello, Clarice…” (The Silence of the Lambs, 1991). Who could forget Hannibal Lector’s disturbing tone, greeting Clarice Starling from his jail cell? Anytime you want to freak your friends out late at night, it’s this line, Jack Nicholson from “The Shining” or Chucky. Except if you use this line, you’ve got it wrong. But never fear– Ridley Scott made up for it in his 2001 sequel “Hannibal” and included the misquote for the longevity of pop culture.
Actual quote: “Good evening, Clarice.”

4. “Do you feel lucky, punk?” (Dirty Harry, 1971). Clint Eastwood was the man in the 70′s, and let’s face it– he’s still the man and proved it just last year in “Gran Torino.” There’s no denying him. And over the years, it’s probably been easier to simplify his famous “Dirty Harry” quote so it would roll off the tongue just a bit easier. But know your Clint Eastwood, and know your movie quotes.
Actual quote: ”You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya punk?”

3. “Why can’t I quit you?” (Brokeback Mountain, 2005). Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams and Jake Gyllenhaal were all nominated for Oscars in this famed flick, but it was director Ang Lee who took home the gold. Perhaps even more famous than its crude and silly tag line as a “gay cowboy movie” was Gyllenhaal’s end-of-movie one-liner, thinking back on his life and his love.
Actual quote: ”I wish I knew how to quit you.”

2. “Play it again, Sam.” (Casablanca, 1942). Ah, “Casablanca”…one of the greatest movies of all time– or at least according to AFI. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a must on your to-watch list, and has many famous quotes, including “Here’s looking at you, kid,” “Of all the gin joints in all the towns…” and “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Those have all seemed to stay accurate over the years, but not this one– number two on our list of outrageous movie misquotes.
Actual quote: “You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!”

1. “Luke, I am your father…” (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980). We don’t know about you, but we grew up saying “Luke, I am your father” into a fan…but maybe that was just Chris Farley’s influence in “Tommy Boy.” When The Take Three sat down last summer to watch all six “Star Wars” movies in tandem– like all good movie watchers must do at some point– we were more than a little surprised that this, arguably the most famous of all movie quotes, was in fact…WRONG. Don’t believe us? Follow your destiny and see for yourself below. 
Actual quote: ”No. I am your father.” 

1. Chicago Film Race 2009. Live in Chicago? So do we. Beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, August 14, you have the opportunity to create a short film– in just 24 hours. The registration fee is $115, but the winner walks away with $40k in cash and prizes. Sounds like a good deal to us.
2. NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships. So you’re not a director. What about trying your hand at writing? NYC Midnight runs great writing contests all the time, and participants all get professional feedback, even if you don’t place. The early deadline for this contest is August 13, and the entry fee is only $39. 
3. Festivus Film Festival. If you’ve already got movie making in your blood, it’s time to start entering contests. Festivus is in its third year, and winning films will be screened in Denver in January 2010. The standard deadline is September 25, so get cracking.
4. Filmmaking Frenzy Fantastic Fest. This one’s easy. Create a 30-second film featuring a child and a monster, and make sure the last word is “fantastic.” The top movies will be screened September 24 through October 1 at Fantastic Fest, and your film just might get viewed by a movie industry insider. Entries are due August 16. 
5. Scr(i)pt Magazine’s writing classes. Not quite ready to enter a contest? Take a writing class first. Scr(i)pt Magazine, owned by the screenwriting software giant Final Draft, has a page on its website dedicate to screenwriting classes around the country. Take one today, and Oscar just might be in your future.

Recent buzz about Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe potentially joining the cast of the upcoming “MacGruber” movie got The Take Three thinking about how often Lorne Michaels really hits the mark when adapting “Saturday Night Live” sketches into films. With over a dozen produced since 1980′s “The Blues Brothers,” even “SNL”-diehards are bound to admit there are more than a few bombs in the mix. Here, we come up with five– and only cheat a little– worth a watch.

• “The Blues Brothers” (1980). John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are classic icons of “SNL” yesteryear, and that makes it at least a little poetic that “The Blues Brothers” was the first film “Saturday Night Live” put out there. And, John Landis as director, to boot. Who knew?
• “Wayne’s World” (1992). Before Austin Powers and Shrek, Mike Myers did his thing as Wayne Campbell, coming to you live from his parents’ basement in Aurora, Illinois. And seriously, who can argue with a sketch Madonna actually paid attention to?
• “Coneheads” (1993). So…maybe this doesn’t belong on a top five best list, of any sort. But we did get the Red Hot Chili Peppers’s “Soul to Squeeze” out of this film, and for that alone, the summer of 1993 was a worthwhile one. At least Jane Curtin got in on some of the action, too.
• “The Ladies Man” (2000). When Tim Meadows left “Saturday Night Live” after a hilarious 10-year run, viewers were not disappointed with the movie version of his famed Leon Phelps. A seriously funny movie based on a seriously funny sketch, “The Ladies Man” is worth a viewing if you’ve never seen it.
• “MacGruber” (2010). Okay, so it hasn’t technically been released yet. But with previous sketches starring Shia LaBeouf as his son (video above), and Richard Dean Anderson (yes, the real MacGyver) as his famous dad, there’s at least potential with this one. Give it a chance– especially if Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe really do take the plunge.