"And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. We shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

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   Thanks for checking out the first of, hopefully, many installments of Johnny Recommends!  Inxane suggested that I should share the movies I feel are essential in life.  Being a movie buff, I love all types of movies - from foreign films ("Seven Samurai") to goofy films ("Army of Darkness").  Tonight, I offer you Troy Duffy's 1999 release, "Boondock Saints."

   "Boondock Saints" is an action/vengeance movie with a religious cherry on top.  The story follows the adventures of the Connor (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) MacManus, Irish-Catholic twins from Boston.  These two religious brothers are forced into action when the Russian mafia infiltrates their local pub.  A barfight ensues, ending with Connor lighting a Russian's ass on fire.  Of course, this does not go over well with the Russian mafia, and the brothers are awoken the next morning with guns pointed at them.  Instinctually, they dispatch with the Russians (interestingly involving a toilet) and hide from the police.  The murder scene is investigated by the local, bumbling detectives.  The man with the plan, Detective Greenly, comes up with interesting theories as to what actually happened.  Greenly, played by Bob Marley (not that one), works well as a comic relief throughout the film.  The local PD is interrupted by the Feds, namely Agent Smecker (brilliantly casted with Willem Dafoe).  This is the man that makes this film.

    The MacManus' turn themselves in after getting medical attention.  The cops aren't sure what to do with them.  They killed the Russians, but in self defense.  Not to mention the men they killed WERE mafiosos.  They have nothing to hold them on so they are released, but not before they have an awakening in their cell.  They want to destroy all that is evil so that the good can thrive.  This is a nicely shot scene where they both lift their heads out of bed as water drips onto their foreheads (baptismal). 

    They return home and set out to fulfill their divine destiny, judge the wicked.  Of course, being working men, they rely only on what they have seen in movies to deliver justice.  The body count builds, a public outcry is never heard, and a homosexual FBI agent secretly roots for them.  So begins the story... 

     Now, why would I suggest this movie to you?  It's great in a bad way.  I know it sounds like something on the USA or TNT networks that starts around 1 AM, but it is way deeper than that.  The brothers are constantly arguing and fighting with each other, bringing about comedic situations amist very serious situations.   The supporting cast is mostly nobodies, but fulfill their purpose well.  The Boston Police detectives are simple and the butt of most of Agent Smecker's jokes.  There are some fantastic shootout sequences and twisted narrative play by a very unhinged Smecker.  The brothers say a prayer for those they judge (see above).  They are the great anti-heroes, standing for Truth (Veritas) and Justice (Aequitas). 

    While I do love the action and the parody of action movie cliches, what really impressed me on this film was how it made me feel about justice.  These men are criminals!  This is what Smecker is torn on.  His job demands him to apprehend and prosecute the brothers.  But.....there's always a but....but, the men they kill are not innocent.  They do what the American justice system has failed in.  They take out the trash.  They provide a speedy trial with a swift execution.  This movie, if you are like me, will leave you wondering if the MacManus brothers are good.  What side will you fall on?

     Thanks for reading Johnny's Recommendations and do check out the film.  If you have any questions, comments, or recommendations of your own that you would like to see me review, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Big shout out to 2k for giving me a space to fill and a place to play.  Thanks and enjoy!

JohnnyNoSound