Rating: 
Summary: History Lesson
Review: This movie is a telling reenactment of an event that is ignored. How many people know what U2 is singing about it thier similarly named song?
Rating:
Summary: A day to remember
Review: When I saw that a movie called "Bloody Sunday" was playing at a local theater, my first thought was, "Oh, that's the U2 song." I knew it referred to a Northern Ireland civil rights protest where shooting broke out, but the song was basically the extent of my knowledge of the event. Once I decided it would be an interesting movie to see, I tried to avoid reading anything about what happened, in an attempt to go into the film with an open mind, to be completely receptive to director Paul Greengrass's vision. I saw the movie, and left the theater shocked, saddened, enraged, and bewildered, but with the firm impression that I had seen a truly remarkable film.The movie is shot documentary-style, with many quick cuts and fade-outs to black to end a scene. It took a while to get used to this modus operandi, which at times seemed choppy, disrupting the flow of the movie. But as you lose yourself in this film the style makes sense and seems less obtrusive. The acting is superb, lead by James Nesbit as protest organizer Ivan Cooper. And while it is fairly certain where Greengrass believes the blame for the tragedy lies, the film at least makes an attempt to explain the scenario from the British military's point of view. But instead of merely looking to reveal "who started it?", what should be taken from this view of events is that tensions were so elevated on both sides, that it took comparatively very little action to set off large-scale and vicious reactions. Such is the madness of war, which is basically what unfolded on the streets of Derry that day... Greengrass's camera leads you right into the middle of this battle, from start to finish. The results are visually and emotionally jarring; the you-are-there feeling is intense. And at the end, almost as a reward for making it through the film, you are treated to a live version of U2's famously haunting song. It is a travesty that this film was not nominated for (and chosen as) Best Foreign Film at this year's Oscars- supposedly an airing on European TV made it ineligible. Hopefully it will be honored in some other manner. "Bloody Sunday" is far from an uplifting movie but is definitely an important one, and nothing less than a marvel of modern filmmaking.
Rating: 
Summary: fuel for the twisted IRA fire
Review: While an overview of what happened in 1972 and a well-made film, this film will also serve to needlessly add fuel to the fire for the misinformed Irish-Americans that feel support for the terrorist of the IRA and Sinn Fein are somehow 'patriotic.' What happened in 1972 has SO little to do with the true Irish problem as it exists today- which is Irish Catholics vs. Irish protestants and engrained hatred of each other. Supporting the IRA and Sinn Fein does NOT promote peace or loyalty to Ireland, it promotes and endures the civil war going on their between two extremist groups. The supporters of the IRA and Sinn Fein in America (thankfully a dwindling group) shouldn't flatter themselves to think that anyone in the UK has an interest in keeping Northern Ireland. It's a major, draining inconvenience to the British who sadly still need to remain there at the SPECIFIC REQUEST of the Irish Protestants who are entitled to protection from becoming a Socialist state and total eradication from Ireland simply for being Protestant. Call it what it is- preventing the IRA's Final Solution....
Rating: 
Summary: Appalling glorification of terrorists
Review: While movies like this are made and applauded, how does anyone expect "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland to cease, let alone war in any country? It is incendiary, not completely truthful, and glorifies terrorists. People think the IRA are 'freedom fighters'. So, does that make Al Queda the same? THINK, people, THINK! How is violence for one situation acceptable, when not for another? NO violence is acceptable. This movie is schmaltzy, badly made, and caters to the more emotional amongst us. Try watching "An Everlasting Piece". It is amusing, wonderfully written, acted, and directed. It doesn't take sides, yet shows a realistic, gallows humor look at the appalling conditions of "The Troubles". And who the heck am I to have such an opinion? Just someone who was born in Belfast and grew up during all this. Make it go away! Stop glorifying terrorists!
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