"Oh my love, it's a long way we've come." – U2, "The Hands That Built America" ℘℘℘ I'm glad I read Pete Hamill's book Forever before I saw the movie Gangs of New York. While I enjoyed the movie, the real story of the Five Points and the beginnings of New York City, which really was the foundation of what America was to become, is far more interesting. Hamill in his … [Read more...] about First Word: The Hands That Built America
Gangs of New York
Irish Eye on Hollywood
With the hype surrounding Gangs of New York (finally) dying down, Irish moviegoers can begin anticipating a fresh new crop of work by Irish actors and directors. Perhaps the most intriguing new project to look forward to -- Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical tale about Irish immigrants in New York -- is also one of the most frustrating. First of all, the film's name has … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Inspired by what he calls "credit card filmmakers" such as fellow Irish Americans Kevin Smith and Ed Burns, Daniel McCarthy ran up the bill on his pocket plastic to make his crime caper Irish Eyes, which will have its East Coast premiere in Boston on November 23. The saga begins in 1955 in the Irish stronghold of South Boston. On the docks, the influence of the Irish mob is … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood
Hibernia: Film Briefs
Irish-American heartthrob Mel Gibson is rumored to be "very interested" in Wolfgang Peterson's newest undertaking. The director of The Perfect Storm has now set his sights on another nautical adventure – the story of Irish-born Sir Ernest Shackleton and the ill-fated Endurance expedition to Antarctica. Another tale of man vs. nature, with another Irish-American hunk in the lead … [Read more...] about Hibernia: Film Briefs