1. General Thesis
2. What kinds of "categories" does The Boondock Saints fall into?
3. What are the messages about Religion?
4. Is this a movie about Catholics?
5. Are the McManus brothers Heroes or Villains or Saints or Sinners?
6. Conclusion(s)
2. What kinds of "categories" does The Boondock Saints fall into?
- can it fit the classic "revenge tragedy"?
- how it compares with other movies about vigilante justice including its relationship to the retribution model of justice presented in the film
- its status as a "cult movie"
3. What are the messages about Religion?
- it portrays Religion as supporting violence
- it may be argued that it portrays Religious extremism
- it's very "Old Testament" ideology including the sense that God is the stern father, quick to punish the wicked
4. Is this a movie about Catholics?
- the films' use of references to Catholic ritual and symbols
- the film's conflict with Catholic ideology
- use of Irish Catholic stereotypes as a kind of "cultural shorthand"
- how the film fits with historical patterns of how Catholics are presented in film
5. Are the McManus brothers Heroes or Villains or Saints or Sinners?
- use of bible quotations by main characters in acts of extreme violence
- the ethics of vigilantism
6. Conclusion(s)
- the religious symbols/references separate the movie from other vigilante themed movies
- the message is: evil must be destroyed