Luck o' the Irish
11:44 AM 4/23/10 · Admittedly I didn't know much about this series, actually thought the first one was a different movie, but when I saw the sequel on the shelf I decided to ask if they had the first one too. They only had the original as an unrated special edition, 2 DVD set, but I'm not complaining...
...oh, as I haven't said, the series I'm going on about here is The Boondock Saints.
Even though it wasn't what I thought it was, this movie is fucking badass! Both of them...though the 2nd is more fun but not quite as good. It's still excellent but lacking in some indefinable way. DVD extras on the second discuss this somewhat. Troy Duffy wasn't quite sure what he was doing with the first film but got it nailed down by the second.
Oddly, it had a rawer much more powerful effect when he didn't have a clue.
What we have here are two Irish fraternal twins. They've been together forever, living together, etc. So much so that they're near identical in action if not looks. They're the beloved sons of the neighborhood, the best buds to have at the local pub, and regular attendees at the local church...
...even when on the run.
There's a sense the vigilante angle was lightly observed prior to their getting armed up and hardcore, if in only a lighter degree. Still, the initial thing seems to have stemmed from some of the local Costra Nostra decide to hardline the bar they attend. Initially they kicked the crap out of them but then when they come back for more the brothers take them out.
Big deal with the FBI and the local cops, all organized to track down the brutal killers of the mob guys...when the brothers stumble into the station, bloodied and messed up, claiming self defense. They're declared the local heroes, decide to stay with the cops a bit longer and are sleeping in a cell that night when they are hit with a mutual revelation which makes them think God wishes them to knock off as many criminals as possible.
For the record, there have been actual studies that have given the impression that twins actually do share the same dreams from time to time.
In the first film they take this on with an amazing amount of luck, especially as most of their plans come from popular TV shows; 2nd movie they're inspired by films. The FBI agent that pursues them gradually begins to find himself feeling as they do and wishes he could do the same. They team with one of their best friends, who is an errand boy for the local Don.
In the 2nd film the FBI agent that pursued them died but has been replaced by a femme fatale. They've been gone for years, herding sheep in Ireland, but come back when a copycat uses their modus operandi but not on criminals, apparently to draw them out and they don't disappoint. This time they partner with a whack job who also happens to be from their hometown who figures out who they are and practically begs to join them.
The first film has an odd flow. You see crime scenes first and then flashbacks of what happened. Between each major scene there's a fade to black, which is a little unusual in my film watching experience. Gave it a real Indie feel. By the second film they do much the same but there are no real fades to black which gave it a more constant flow.
I literally watched both movies back to back, with only a bathroom break inbetween. So the differences were a bit more distinct to me than most...maybe.
The thing that really stuck with me, as it always seems to, was the presence of Billy Connelly. I've seen this guy in a tonnage of things but most don't fit the impression I first had of him. Got that from an HBO Comedy Standup deal he did with Whoopi Goldberg. She did a 15 minute bit herself and then presented him for the final 45 minutes as his first American performance. Unfuckingbelievably hilarious! Got it on tape somewhere. The point is was that he was clean shaven with dark red hair and a comedian. I've seen him in a couple comedies since but mostly he's been anything but, not always funny, and always with long and flowing gray or white hair.
It just weirds me out!
You should definitely see both The Boondock Saints & The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day but definitely the first one. I'm kinda hoping for a 3rd sequel! Made a new tag 'genre: vigilantes' which we'll see how it goes, just for this.
There's bloopers on the first one and while they're not on the second, there's a very giggle inducing discussion between Billy Connelly & Troy Duffy well worth watching.
...oh, as I haven't said, the series I'm going on about here is The Boondock Saints.
Even though it wasn't what I thought it was, this movie is fucking badass! Both of them...though the 2nd is more fun but not quite as good. It's still excellent but lacking in some indefinable way. DVD extras on the second discuss this somewhat. Troy Duffy wasn't quite sure what he was doing with the first film but got it nailed down by the second.
Oddly, it had a rawer much more powerful effect when he didn't have a clue.
What we have here are two Irish fraternal twins. They've been together forever, living together, etc. So much so that they're near identical in action if not looks. They're the beloved sons of the neighborhood, the best buds to have at the local pub, and regular attendees at the local church...
...even when on the run.
There's a sense the vigilante angle was lightly observed prior to their getting armed up and hardcore, if in only a lighter degree. Still, the initial thing seems to have stemmed from some of the local Costra Nostra decide to hardline the bar they attend. Initially they kicked the crap out of them but then when they come back for more the brothers take them out.
Big deal with the FBI and the local cops, all organized to track down the brutal killers of the mob guys...when the brothers stumble into the station, bloodied and messed up, claiming self defense. They're declared the local heroes, decide to stay with the cops a bit longer and are sleeping in a cell that night when they are hit with a mutual revelation which makes them think God wishes them to knock off as many criminals as possible.
For the record, there have been actual studies that have given the impression that twins actually do share the same dreams from time to time.
In the first film they take this on with an amazing amount of luck, especially as most of their plans come from popular TV shows; 2nd movie they're inspired by films. The FBI agent that pursues them gradually begins to find himself feeling as they do and wishes he could do the same. They team with one of their best friends, who is an errand boy for the local Don.
In the 2nd film the FBI agent that pursued them died but has been replaced by a femme fatale. They've been gone for years, herding sheep in Ireland, but come back when a copycat uses their modus operandi but not on criminals, apparently to draw them out and they don't disappoint. This time they partner with a whack job who also happens to be from their hometown who figures out who they are and practically begs to join them.
The first film has an odd flow. You see crime scenes first and then flashbacks of what happened. Between each major scene there's a fade to black, which is a little unusual in my film watching experience. Gave it a real Indie feel. By the second film they do much the same but there are no real fades to black which gave it a more constant flow.
I literally watched both movies back to back, with only a bathroom break inbetween. So the differences were a bit more distinct to me than most...maybe.
The thing that really stuck with me, as it always seems to, was the presence of Billy Connelly. I've seen this guy in a tonnage of things but most don't fit the impression I first had of him. Got that from an HBO Comedy Standup deal he did with Whoopi Goldberg. She did a 15 minute bit herself and then presented him for the final 45 minutes as his first American performance. Unfuckingbelievably hilarious! Got it on tape somewhere. The point is was that he was clean shaven with dark red hair and a comedian. I've seen him in a couple comedies since but mostly he's been anything but, not always funny, and always with long and flowing gray or white hair.
It just weirds me out!
You should definitely see both The Boondock Saints & The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day but definitely the first one. I'm kinda hoping for a 3rd sequel! Made a new tag 'genre: vigilantes' which we'll see how it goes, just for this.
There's bloopers on the first one and while they're not on the second, there's a very giggle inducing discussion between Billy Connelly & Troy Duffy well worth watching.