Gentleman Jim

Here's another old black and white movie with a strong Irish theme. It's about the early days of boxing in the 1890s and banker Errol Flynn switches to boxing. There are references to the 'old country', a strong Irish family, and a fight against the English champion. The boxing scenes are too brief though but the movie is well above average. Because it's a Warners production the cinematography is top notch and there are loads of supporting actors. Most people have little time for these old movies but this title is far superior to recent Irish boxing pictures such as Strength and honour or The boxer. Next to John Ford, Raoul Walsh was the most 'Irish' of the old-school Hollywood directors.

CHEERS BRAZIL!

Shoot the cabbage reaches yet more corners of the globe. This week it's South America and Brazil are the latest country to acccess this blog. Cheers!

Gentle gunman

Confusing and sometimes bizarre black and white IRA movie. Made in the early '50s but set a decade earlier it's about an IRA bombing campaign in England during World War 2. Then the action switches to Ireland and the usual clichés result. There's the mother who wants her son to leave and not come back; the IRA member (John Mills) who's considered a traitor;and a truly bizarre rant between two middle-aged men (one Irish, one English). Anyone who has seen the cricket fanatics Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne arguing in the older movies will be immediately reminded of this pair. What's really strange is that the movie appears to be some kind of propaganda comedy to discourage the IRA from bombing England! The rest of the movie is competent, has a famous cast, and is confusing. Yes, it is better than Anton!

MAN OF ARAN OUT ON DVD!

Good to see this movie is now out on DVD. Considered by some to be a documentary Shoot the Cabbage considers this film to be a fiction feature. So a future review here awaits!

GENTLE GUNMAN OUT ON DVD!

Good to see this IRA movie from the '50s is finally out on DVD. Must get a copy soon. Can't be any worse than Anton?

FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY POSTS!

Yes, the world's best Irish-film blog now has 450 posts! People in China, Korea, United Arab Emirates, and other far-away countries have read this blog. It will continue too - reviewing every possible Irish movie there is, passing comment on the rubbish our Film Board funds, bringing notice to forgotten Irish acting talent, and making observations on the state of Irish cinema. For the most accurate, honest, and non-biased opinions on Irish cinema read Shoot the cabbage!

ALL GOOD CHILDREN OUT ON DVD!

Good to see the recent Irish-themed movie All good children has got a DVD release. Must buy a copy soon.

IRELAND'S GREATEST ACTORS: PATRICK MAGEE

Memorable Northern actor from the '60s. Famous titles include: Dementia 13, Servant, Zulu, Seance on a wet afternoon, Masque of the red death, King Lear (also appeared in a later TV version), Clockwork orange, Barry Lyndon, Chariots of fire, and Monster club.

Philadelphia here I come

Based on the famous play this is an impressive film about emigration. The last day before he heads off to America McCann meets his friends and locals. The ending is poignant as he gets on the TWA plane and it's relevant once again. Best scene has him saying to a young doctor that he's getting out while the rest are staying. The rest of the movie has uneven lighting but an interesting premise where McCann talks to his inner self. One of many American Film Theatre productions which has now gotten a DVD release.

DON'T APOLOGISE TO THE IFTAS!

Seems one of the award winners (The pipe) made fun of the esteemed Academy by criticising their €300 admission fee while on stage. Seem to recall seeing that happen and it was funny! Now the academy want an apology? What the fu*k? What kind of wan*ers demand an apology? Seems they take themselves too seriously the IFTAs do. Here's an awards ceremeony that's not even a decade old, failed to recognise one of the most successful features of recent years (Once), and also failed to recognise the recent Oscar-nominated short The crush. The IFTAs are a joke. Everyone knows this except themselves. F**k the IFTAs!

WHY NO REVIEW FOR AS IF I AM NOT THERE?

Strange that the world's best Irish cinema blog has no review for the award-winning feature As if I am not there? What's going on? Well the explanation is simple. Shoot the cabbage only reviews Irish-THEMED films. That means films either set in Ireland or about Irish people abroad. As if I am not there is about as Irish as Tony Cascarino. But it was funded by our Film Board? So what! So was Cracks. But it has an Irish director? So what! So did Teenage mutant ninja turtles. But it won an IFTA for Best Film? So what! They could hardly give it to Perrier's bounty could they? So now you know!