Scones. Soda bread. Those cupcakes from Entenmann’s with the shamrocks on top. Beer may be the most popular carb on St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s not the only one. And just like all those carbs, there’s a ton of movies that can fit the St. Patrick’s Day bill too, not just Darby O’Gill and the Little People. (Though that’s a great one for the whole family.) Here’s my list of classics and off-track films that get their Irish on. Sláinte!

* Leprechaun: (Leprechaun in the hood if you’re truly brave) stupid, embarrassing to admit to doing the next day, and weird as hell. Just like the typical St. Pat’s. Jennifer Aniston is still living this one down.

* Once: because who doesn’t want to see this lovely musical again? If you can’t run around the streets of Dublin, at least you can watch others do it. And the songs. The songs!

* In The Name of the Father: Daniel Day Lewis is brilliant as an imprisoned IRA member. For folks who’s taste runs more towards Black 47 than U2. (Oh, and check out My Left Foot for an Irish Daniel Day Double-feature.)

* The Commitments: otherwise known as the movie any sane person adores. Great music, great acting, great God this is going onto my list for the day. (Make it a Barrytown Trilogy day with The Snapper and The Van.)

* Matchmaker: for you romantics out there.  Hollywood tried to make Janeane Garofalo a romantic lead, and nobody bit. Pity, because it it’s a sweet film, and Garofalo should get more credit for this performance.

* P. S. I Love You: okay, while we’re on the love thing, if you’re feeling schmaltzy, this should do the trick. Plus, ain’t nobody hating Gerard Butler.

* The Quiet Man: because what’s St. Patrick’s Day without John Wayne? Actually, I’d add any Maureen O’Hara performance to this list, because I adore her. Looking for sweeping vistas? John Ford’s non-western starring his biggest western star will do the trick. Come for the views, stay for the fantastic on-screen chemistry between Wayne and O’Hara.

* Grabbers: because really, all us ugly Americans can think about when it’s St. Pat’s is where, when, and how to get our drink on. So this movie about aliens that won’t eat you if you’re pissed? Probably the perfect movie for the day.

Either way you choose, have a fantastic day! I’m off to find those cupcakes.