#spring breakers review

[filmfollow-blog]

Spring Breakers -Here is the breakdown in no particular order: booze, bikinis, babes, bongs, boobs, red, neon, guns. And jump cuts. This film tries desperately to be more than it truly is. Don’t expect too much. 5 / 10.

[legallyhipster]

In Defense of Spring Breakers

Now that Spring Breakers is out on DVD/Redbox, I've heard a lot of people say the following things about the film:

"Fucking sucks"

"Worst movie ever"

"Fucking weird"

"What was James Franco thinking"

etc. etc. leading me to believe that this is the most important and most misunderstood movie of the year.

Before I begin my review and defense of the film, here are some quotes from more important and more knowledgable people than I:

NPR: "Spring Breakers is half action comedy, half moral meditation on the sorry state of youth today...It's hard to know exactly what's happening when, which is part of the plan. [Director] Korine is making a statement here."

Huffington Post: "As writer and director, Korine wants us to be appalled and aroused, hypnotized and titillated. He wants to satirize the debauchery of girls gone wild while simultaneously reveling in it."

Richard Roeper: "His choice of music is brilliant. His sense of humor is wicked. And the casting is so spot-on, it's sick." 

I immediately liked the movie, and liked it even more thinking about it after. Its the kind of film that forces you to think actively "Why do I like this? Why do I not like this?" Answering those questions can be uncomfortable for the youth Korine is portraying  What fascinated me even more about it was my peers' reaction to the movie. The people I felt who most mirrored the lifestyle portrayed in the movie seemed to be the ones most vehemently against it. Mirrors, as always, can be terrifying. Korine is excellent at portraying youth culture- so exact he scares the demographic he is representing by forcing us to look at the unspoken base desires that are the currency of our coolness. 

Overall, I think its important for viewers to recognize the themes of attraction and repulsion that Korine puts into play constantly, how literally every aspect of the film does triple duty: highlighting, degrading, and commenting all in one fell swoop. Take the casting, what a brilliant person to cast for the main rapper Alien than James Franco. Appealing as a universally liked actor, repelling as a materialistic rapper with some serious insecurities, all while casting commentary upon themes of violence and sex. Same goes for Disney starlet Selena Gomez: attractive, debased, and a Christian girl struggling against her own sexual desires and peer pressure. 

I think this movie is especially important for young women. The main protagonists are three women, and are portrayed as in full control of their actions throughout the movie. They are never assaulted (sexually or physically) and make us question whether their mastery of men, weapons, and money empower or destroy them. 

Even if you don't endorse the themes, the cinematography is excellent. Sun soaked, hyper color of portrayals of spring break shenanigans are only one step above 90s MTV footage, and the way Korine vacillates between highfi production and iphone-like footage make the experience more visceral and fits in the attraction/repulsion themes. The most talked about scene, where Franco and the girls sing a Britney Spears cover by the beach over a montage of pistol-whipping is, as NPR puts it, "so avante garde its square."

Seriously, if you haven't seen it, please do. Even if you hate it, make sure you ask yourself, "Why?" and you'll learn something about yourself and youth culture in the new millennium. 

[pdxreader]

Review: Spring Breakers - A YouTube-Ready Burnt Offering

Critics across the blogosphere have mostly praised Harmony Korine’s girls-gone-bad, white trashploitation Spring Breakers. Film elitists and lay-movie buffs each have their own theories on Korine’s objective. The loss of religion in today’s pop culture,…

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[bucktom]

I wanted to watch Spring Breakers since I saw stills of girls in bikinis, but Jesus fuck that was the weirdest shit I've seen. Especially the ending. You're telling me that what in a week or two Candy and Brit managed to learn how to shoot, because they obviously still can't hold a gun. And it's not just hitting the target but actually taking someone's life. Not to mention that mafia gang couldn't even shoot one of them, now matter the surprise effect on their side. Somebody would've at least wounded them.. It was a shitty ending. Also Alien dude as a mobster himself released both girls home. Like a mobster would leave loose ends, it would've been more real if he at least killed Cotty and one of the other 2 or both didn't survive the attack. I only liked that the movie went in future then in past and it kept repeating certain scenes it fucked up my brain, but that was good, it gave the sensation of being drunk, or probably on drugs, like you were there as well. Also acting was good. That James Franco dude honestly scared me to hell. If I wrote reviews this would get 2, maybe 2,5 out of 5 stars.

[daltonboettcher]

Spring Breakers (2013)

There’s a really telling moment about halfway through Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers. It takes place during a heavily-armed montage set to Britney Spears’s “Everytime.” It’s funny, the juxtaposition of early 2000s pop ballad with bikini-clad robbery, and the use of indulgently overcranked slow motion really takes us along for the ride. The euphoria hits us much as it would our protagonists. Then there’s a close-up of James Franco with this shit-eating grill-grin on his face—I lost it, unable to keep myself together, bent over with hysteria. But then, before I can even finish my laugh, Korine cuts to a brutal shot of a gun coming down on a victim’s face with blood dripping onto the floor. I stopped laughing. Our spring break bandits didn’t.

It’s as if Brit and Candy (Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens) have no conscience. The inner switch that flipped and told me, “this isn’t funny anymore,” doesn’t exist in them. They’re on a self-serving crusade, seeking out the next big thrill with a thirst for pleasure and an ignorance of consequence.

The same cannot be said for their two friends. Though it takes awhile for Cotty (played by the director’s wife, Rachel Korine), a brush with death finally flips her switch. For Faith (Selena Gomez), it comes much earlier. Gomez is surprisingly emotive as she convey’s Faith’s discomfort and unease with the way the group’s spring break is turning out. It’s an identifiable feeling, having one’s conscience kick in, and she’s instrumental in voicing what the audience has likely already begun to suspect.

Underneath cinematographer Benoît Debie’s glamorous, neon-hued representation of spring break runs an ominous undertone. Douglas Crise and Adam Robinson’s context-defying editing also suggest a propensity for peril. And it’s quite possible that the combination of these two elements best define Spring Breakers. It’s a provocative and hypnotic experience.

Still, there’s more at work beneath the surface. (Korine himself has mentioned the concept of “surfaces” being integral to Spring Breakers.) By bookending the film with gratuitous shots of spring break debauchery, one gets the sense that Korine is taking a derisive shot at the college-aged generation. Brit and Candy and their unbridled pursuit of selfish fun are analogous to today’s YOLO-mantric youth.

Note the pseudo-philosophy Korine has written in. In a phone call to her mother, Brit contemplates, “I think that’s the meaning of life, to just be happy and have fun.” In contrast with Faith’s earlier wish of pausing life and living in the moment forever, Brit’s ideology seems downright ludicrous. While Faith was aware that she was wishfully thinking, Brit genuinely believes that her philosophy is sound. She’s convinced that the way of life she’s discovered is sustainable. Korine’s commentary is scathing.

By the film’s conclusion, it’s plainly obvious that Brit and Candy have no misgivings. Even Franco’s Alien, fearless and feral throughout, reaches a point of humane doubt. "Are we really going to do this? Are we really going to do this?" His invitation to exit the highway of decadence repeats like a well-advertised rest stop. For Brit and Candy, there’s no getting out of the fast lane. From Korine, the suggestion might be, “grab a map.”

3/4

[surprisebitch]

Rating: ★★★★★ ★★ (7/5 stars)

when i rate it a 7. that means i fucking love it and it's a forever favourite as 7 is my lucky and fave number. that was the best.

*dont worry, no spoilers ahead. all mentioned here were shown on the trailer. i suggest you read this if you wanna know what to expect and if you really are willing to pay a ticket.*

tip, if you wanna watch the movie because you think it is not serious like Hangover, Project X, American Pie. don't. because you will end up disappointed if you are just gonna watch this to see shallow fun. BUT if you wanna see an artistic film and appreciate indie films. then go see Spring Breakers. one of the best indie films out there. this film is real serious (but funny at some points) but it is very dark. and if you are a straight (or lesbian) you will definitely enjoy this lool. and the reason why it is rated 18 is very legit. from the country i came from, the Philippines, i doubt they will show this because it will be rated X there. i actually doubt they will show this in Asia or other countries asides UK and USA but i do hope they push it worldwide cause this film is a must-see. but yeah, it is really explicit. some say it is real porn and some say it is soft porn. in my opinion, If Porn is level 5, this is level 4. haha. (they do not show penises, but they show sex scenes and these are not suggestive. i honestly think these actors and actresses did it tbh and the camera just doesnt show it. there is no way you can fake those sex scenes.) trivia, this movie was actually intended to be only released on DVD but because of the publicity it got, they decided to push into cinemas and best decision ever not to mention it is a big blockbuster everywhere.

17 and under are not permitted but I'm 17 btw, got through the cinemas, well, they still asked how old I was but they bought it. I LOOK 18. Hehe >:) ;) it's rated 18 BECAUSE NO LIMITS. TITS, everywhere, everytime, on the fucking screen, zoomed, sex, sex, drugs, cocaine (vanessa and ashley sniffing coke on tits and men sniffing on them omg) alcohol, bongs, everything. 

**off topic but kinda relevant** Actually, my dad and I had a conversation. yeah, i watched it with dad. it will be awkward if i was with mom and dad. but my dad is more open-minded and mom will never understand and appreciate this and she will probably bash it. so I asked if he enjoyed the film he said, "well, i'm a guy. there is a reason all boys enjoyed this film. now i am asking you, were you aroused?" i said "no. haha! i didnt feel a thing. nothing. seeing all those girls naked on screen, nope." then he said, "well that just proves it then. haha"  haha so yeah, i'm gay okay so your argument saying that i only enjoyed because of tits is invalid already :P this movie is a gay test tbh. if you got through this without getting a boner, you're gay as fuck. tmi but that is the truth. But then, there is a legit reason why this film is critically acclaimed.

Kudos to the director, Harmony Korine.  Cinematography, unique and fucking colourful and beautiful. Everything is so vivid!! It's like a fantasy film but it's reality. And it is true, the film is not in chronological order, many scenes are repeated and i believe the reason is to remind the people the nature and theme of the movie, spring break, they keep on repeating some scenes in between scenes as it progresses but these scenes do not have a story but just footages of people on Spring Break in Florida and yes, explicit indeed. it is very artistic and really hipster! But fuck, if this gets out of DVD, i'm gifing everything! EVERYTHING IS GIFABLE!  Story is SHOCKING. and funny too at some points LOL James Franco's scene, everyone was laughinggg!!! he gave two guns a blowjob oh my god, and vanessa and ashley held it to him like penises i was laughing everyone was. (i dont think this is a spoiler anyway and if you wanna see how James does it then watch lol. i think he is bi after this) i did say that i did not get aroused but as a gay guy, that now that... is.. well.. kinda arousing tbh. okay what, i mean, James Franco is cute.. (not in this movie) but in real life, if he can.. oh well. omg Heather Morris makes a cameo appearance btw if you watch Glee. haha. Selena Gomez was heartbreaking. Rachel Korine, the director's wife, unbelievable that the director was alright seeing his wife topless and doing it. The threesome scene of Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson and Franco. yup, in a swimming pool, naked (though there nipples are not really bare on camera but their sides can be seen and their butts and legs and yeah so they were naked when they shot this obviously. Ash and Nessa, they kiss, it's lesbian+straight sex tbh haha). i think Selena was topless at party scenes too but it did not show. she was looking back or it must not be her. but Rachel's character Cotty was the one who appeared in scenes mostly as bare. but yeah, after this, you will never remember High School Musical and Wizards of Waverly Place even Pretty Little Liars! They definitely proved that they can carry adult roles. Innocence gone. Ashley and Vanessa (Brit and Candy) They were like twins but i fucking love their characters; most badass of all. and is it just me, but they kinda embodied Britney Spears.. especially because one of the character's name is Brit and both are blonde. 

WATCH THIS AND SEE HOW THE GIRLS PARTY HARDD!!! THE MUSIC!!! OH MY GOD!!! FROM START TO FINISH! FUCKING GOOD! Dubstep, Skrillex, Nicki Minaj, BRITNEY SPEARS 2X! (yes i am a britfan) BABY ONE MORE TIME.. AND EVERYTIME, THEY PLAYED THE WHOLE SONG. and what is so brilliant, they incorporated a lullaby-like song to scenes that are not mellow. Ellie Goulding, perfect closing. wow, best music. i am downloading the music. sooo good.

the story and plot is SO FUCKING GOOD! and brilliant! mindfuck tbh. i think there is a deeper meaning to it and maybe i will post an analysis when the DVD is out. it is actually pretty symbolic. and unbelievably, this movie has a moral and a good and important message. and the story is shocking. true, really shocking film of the year. This movie PERFECTLY presented the TOXIC AND DARK SIDE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. This movie has no limits and this movie perfectly presented what may happen if you do not set limits. Spring Break is the dream of every college student and one of the most peak events of a teenager and if that is spring break then (can i go now haha). but in this case, this is the very wild out of boundary side of spring break and the outcome was scary reality.. but then, that was the point of the film. it presented the dark side of the dream. Most shocking film and unexpected film of the year. So true.

I really can't believe those people who say this movie sucked. it's one of the most well-thought and creative films ever. they just cannot appreciate artistic and deep films. or like i said, they expected it to be trashy and shallow fun. sorry not sorry but this is a Harmony Korine film so it is more satirical and ends on a very serious note. i have never seen cinematography this unique. I really hope this film gets nominated for an Academy Award for best visual effects, cinematography, music and directing. I honestly think this is the most smart and formulaic teen movie. it speaks so much volumes.

best movie ever!! THE ENDING WINS!!!! So epic and shocking. I fucking love it! It's like a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. And the credits wow, that was glorious. I cant wait for the DVD and i will watch it again. ♥

Spring break forever bitches!!! ♥ Xxxxx

[vintagewonderlandwall-blog]

'Spring Breakers' Questions the American Dream in Neon Colors (via VTG Wonderland)