Spring Breakers is the latest cinematic outing from controversial film maker Harmony Korine. In Spring Breakers four college girls (Vanessa Hudgens plays Candy, Selena Gomez plays Faith, Ashley Benson plays Brit and Rachel Korine aka Harmony Korine's wife plays Cotty) grow tired and bored of their empty college campus and so decide to head off to Spring Break. Unfortunately, even with all the money they have saved they are still tragically short of the dough needed to live it up in SoFlo.....what's a girl to do? Why, don ski-masks, grab some water pistols and hammers and rob a restaurant of course! Before you can say YOLO, the four are livin the good life in St. Petersburg (in bikinis that they wear for the course of the whole film). It isn't long though until their apartment complex is raided for drugs and the four are arrested. Without the cash to post bail, the girls' party seems to have come to an abrupt halt. Right when things seem the darkest, a seemingly heaven-sent (this is where I try to suppress a giggle) benefactor in the guise of a wanna-be gangsta/rap artist named Alien (played with a gleeful, child-like joy by James Franco) comes to the rescue and bails the girls out, inviting them to shack up with him and in the process bringing them into his deadly, dangerous, crime-filled life.
The four lead actresses all do a pretty great job here, nailing the brainless idiocy that I've often run into around sexed up/boozed up party girls, while managing to incorporate some great bi-polar traits into their characters. One second they're singing and dancing, and the very next they are re-enacting their classic heist in a parking lot immediately after which they dance joyfully off screen ...it's very off-putting and makes you shift a bit in your seat. It's hard not to smile with them, until suddenly you find that you are scared of them. Selena Gomez as Faith is probably the most well-balanced out of the four and definitely the most innocent and naive. She is a goody, religious girl that wants to go to Spring Break to experience something new and find out who she is (isn't that why all kids do drugs and go crazy?). She claims that she never wants to leave SoFlo once she arrives, but as soon as the cotton candy and bubblegum start to crust and bleed she is the first to bail. The scene where she breaks down is great acting on Gomez's part, you really believe her when she cries. There's not much personality among the other three to be completely honest. Candy, Cotty, and Brit are all deranged, party-going, sex-loving, dirty girls that appeared to be turned on by violence, booze, and drugs. Quite possibly one of the sweetest things about Spring Breakers is that these girls are clearly not aware of the power they wield when they fire off guns like they are toys. They have no idea what they are really doing, and this brings an innocent and naive but even more dangerous quality to them.
James Franco turns in what is quite possibly his best and most enjoyable performance yet as the weird but surprisingly lovable Alien. He is completely unrecognizable here, and he throws himself into his wacky role with such gusto, go-for-broke-ness that you can't help but love his character. Just about every line out of his mouth is instantly quotable ("I'm the motha-fuckin Death Star", "Look at my shit!", "Spring break fo' evah"). He's not just funny though, he is also surprisingly sincere at times. He really does care about these girls, he means it when he calls them his "motha-fuckin soul mates" and his "mermaids". In what is quite possibly hands-down the best scene in the film, he tries to bear his soul to them by singing a heart-felt and hilarious rendition of Everytime by Britney Spears, who he considers an "angel" and an "underrated artist". The girls (wearing ridiculous looking pink ski-masks and toting guns) go all giggly and dance and twirl around with their guns like wanna-be ballerinas, which then cuts to a montage of them robbing various people and even beating the snot out of a few of them. When Alien sings the song, it's clear that he means every word he sings, but we laugh any ways mainly out of the ridiculousness of the situation but also because HE'S BEING SINCERE (kind of hard to believe, but hey, it's kind of sweet...and silly). James Franco should definitely get a Best Supporting Actor nod for his role here, he is absolutely fearless.
The cinematography by Benoit Debie and film editing by Douglas Crise is fantastic. We get plenty of close-ups (mainly of the crotch and butt area) of women's bikinis, close-ups of women's breasts, transitions via gun sounds, some looping dialogue, and some great atmosphere and pacing is established as well. Korine said in an interview on The AV Club that he wanted to "Make a film that looked like it was lit with candies, like we were lighting it with Skittles or Starburst Fruit Chews...I wanted you to be able to feel like you could touch it or lick it." I'd say that he succeeds here, even though it's not all candy colors, there are also parts that feel like bright, multi-colored vomit....a lot of the film feels dirty and grungy, and I LOVED it!!!
The score here by maestros Skrillex and Cliff Martinez is just about perfection. I'm surprised no one thought about mixing these two artists together before now. Skrillex's Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites is the anthem for Spring Breakers, and the title of the song also nicely sums up the film as well. They are a perfect match for the film, and Skrillex actually steps it up here, delivering something that I've never quite heard from him before. I'd say that it would make for a great buy on ITunes and it fits the film perfectly, capturing the dark edges, longing, and sadness found within the film.
Korine has several things to say in Spring Breakers, and he's not exactly subtle in the way he goes about saying it....mainly by some somewhat too on-the-nose dialogue. Yes, the script isn't all great and the narrative structure isn't particularly strong. The film flashes back and forth between scenes with flashy montages, fast edits, and looping dialogue interspersed between. The whole thing is clearly meant to be representative of a music video. Korine said that he wanted the film to be like a drug trip...well, once again congratulations Korine...you have succeeded brilliantly. Spring Breakers resembles a mix between a music video, a drug trip, and a dream turned nightmare.
Spring Breakers is a film that neither condones nor condemns ( it's also NOT about the loss of innocence or corruption of innocence). It feels like Harmony Korine traveled to Spring Break and brought his camera along for the ride, showing us what he found there. It all feels very real. The great irony about Spring Breakers is that it's really not about Spring Break at all, but is instead about the Spring Break Generation, or Generation Y as most call it. The film paints a fairly accurate portrait of this generation and Korine is making a comment about this generation here. Spring Breakers is about a generation that was raised on MTV and the promise of Spring Break. It's a generation that wants it all and none of the responsibilities that come with it. It's a generation that hasn't been able to really define itself. The kids of this generation (myself included) are lost, they long for something....anything and since TV says party's, drugs and sex is the way to live that's what they want. There are no villains in this film, only victims. Alien was told by TV and culture that he should want to be a gangsta, that he should want to be bad....so he follows that sermon and turns himself into that. The Television and culture tells Candy, Cotty, Brit, and Faith that they should want to party, fuck, drink, and snort....so they do. Each of these characters (except for two) decide in the end that they never want Spring Break to end (even when it has already clearly ended and most have gone home), and they go to some pretty dark places to keep their dream alive and it changes and morphs them. What are the consequences of this type of lifestyle, is it worth it in the end? Alien says they are living the American Dream....and in a sad sort of way, they are.
Spring Breakers is bubblegum pop cinema mixed with trashy MTV inspired goodness that actually has some substance to it and isn't all surface. To quote another underrated artist, "it's the best of both worlds". The result is something that's equal parts enjoyable and uncomfortable. Spring Breakers is a challenging, raw, gritty, sad, sexy, scary, disturbing and real film. It's a film that keeps you alert, awake, and shifting in your seat for the duration of its run time. While definitely not for everyone, I still think that everyone should see this since it's actually kind of important. Spring Breakers is sure to stay with you, whether you want it to or not.
4.5 STARS
BONUS NOTES
Harmony Korine is indeed a perv.
Each of the girls is mighty yummy in their bikinis, even though only Rachel Korine and Vanessa Hudgens take theirs off. (There are also various extras that take it off for the camera)
The perfect film to eat Skittles while you watch.
Would make a great double feature with Project X, though the 2 films are more different than they are similar.
The first 20 minutes is pure Spring Break, after this though the film gets considerably darker and more intense.
I can't get Everytime out of my head now.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
CHARLIE BARTLETT MAKES SMALLS WONDER IF HE COULD BE A PSYCHIATRIST
Charlie Bartlett is the story of bight, charismatic 17 year old Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) who yearns for popularity since that's what high school is all about (no really, it is!). In his attempts to gain the respect and love of his high school's student body, Charlie becomes the self-appointed shrink of the school and soon everyone is popping pills like candy. Principal Nathan Gardner (Robert Downey Jr.) is almost immediately a bit nervous about Charlie, but his distrust soon turns into a strong dislike when Charlie starts dating his daughter Susan (Kat Dennings). With his boss breathing down his back and Charlie's popularity booming, Principal Gardner is going to have to make a decision.
Anton Yelchin has always been one of my favorite up-and-comers, and he shines here as the kind-hearted if not a bit mischievous Charlie. I don't know what else to say about Yelchin here except that he did a superb job (as always) and that his character was well developed, super likeable and three dimensional. Robert Downey Jr. is great as always as principal Nathan Gardner, who is torn down the middle about Charlie. He sees that Charlie is trying to do the right thing, but Charlie is undermining his authority and not to mention he's getting a little too close to comfort to his daughter, Susan. Kat Dennings is hot as Susan, Charlie's love interest and Principal Nathan's daughter. She is also well built and three dimension (like every other lead character here). Dennings does a great job, and I could ogle her tits all day, even when they are fully clothed.
Charlie Bartlett is a great, clever, and endearing coming of age tale that has some cool pearls of wisdom hidden within. Every actor here does a fantastic job, and it's always fun to see Yelchin and RDJ go toe-to-toe. Charlie Bartlett is a film made for the ADHD Generation, and as such it succeeds with style, wit, and humor.
4.5 Stars
Anton Yelchin has always been one of my favorite up-and-comers, and he shines here as the kind-hearted if not a bit mischievous Charlie. I don't know what else to say about Yelchin here except that he did a superb job (as always) and that his character was well developed, super likeable and three dimensional. Robert Downey Jr. is great as always as principal Nathan Gardner, who is torn down the middle about Charlie. He sees that Charlie is trying to do the right thing, but Charlie is undermining his authority and not to mention he's getting a little too close to comfort to his daughter, Susan. Kat Dennings is hot as Susan, Charlie's love interest and Principal Nathan's daughter. She is also well built and three dimension (like every other lead character here). Dennings does a great job, and I could ogle her tits all day, even when they are fully clothed.
Charlie Bartlett is a great, clever, and endearing coming of age tale that has some cool pearls of wisdom hidden within. Every actor here does a fantastic job, and it's always fun to see Yelchin and RDJ go toe-to-toe. Charlie Bartlett is a film made for the ADHD Generation, and as such it succeeds with style, wit, and humor.
4.5 Stars
Saturday, March 16, 2013
FOR A GOOD TIME, SMALLS PRESCRIBES SIDE EFFECTS
Girls are crazy, drugs are complicated, and Jude Law is awesome.
In Side Effects, Dr. Jonathon Banks (Jude Law) finds his life crumbling at the seams when he prescribes hopelessly depressed Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) a new anti-depressant by the name of Ablixa. Unfortunately, the drug seems that it may have a few bugs as Emily winds up brutally murdering her husband (Channing Tatum), claiming she has no recollection of those events afterwards and is shortly placed in a mental ward. Running out of people to blame, the finger is inevitably pointed at Dr. Banks who soon finds himself out of a job and his family life on the rocks. Desperate to reclaim his life, Dr. Banks decides to investigate the murder and finds that there may be more to this case than meets the eye.
Jude Law easily proves that he is a force to reckoned with as Dr. Jonathon Banks, the sympathetic psychiatrist that the film centers around. He is a good doctor, one who cares about his patients and really does want to help them. Law does the whole backed into a corner thing incredibly well, as everybody seems to be out to tear the poor guy down. I was on his side for the whole film (it's really hard not to like this guy...he's just so nice), and it's fun to see him first reactively lash out in an attempt to protect himself, and then buckle down as he decides to use his brains and surprisingly apt detective skills to solve his problem. He is a great character here, and he once again shows that he is indeed a versatile actor.
Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a fantastic bitch here, as Dr. Victoria Siebert, Emily's old psychiartist that may hold the key to this complex puzzle. She seems to be leading the charge against Dr. Banks, for whatever reason and it's clear that she won't stop until his life is in ruins. She is a fairly complicated character here, and Jones pulls it off easily, seeming to enjoy being a meanie.
Rooney Mara is superb as always in the role of apparent victim Emily Taylor, but is she really as innocent as she seems? Mara has several roles to play here, and she pulls all off with a professional ease, never once showing the audience her real hand. She is heart-breakingly beautiful as ever in the film, and it's hard not to sympathize with her character at first....her life seems to have been destroyed by forces beyond her control. Of course, if things really are as they seem is the big question here and naturally all is answered by the end of this film.
Side Effects is a smart, well-crafted thriller that is twisty and fun as hell. It starts out as a thriller about the pharmaceutical industry, turns into paranoid thriller, then becomes a detective thriller before finally bringing all three of these together as the truth is finally revealed (Trust me, you WON'T see this one coming). It's rare to see such a great film being released so early in the year, but already Side Effects has become one of the best films of 2013. It's smart, well-crafted, superbly acted, and not at all what it appears to be. It's a fun ride that I would gladly take again. If this really is Steven Soderberg's last theatrical film, he chose to go out on a high note. If you like your thrillers classy and smart, then Side Effects fits the bill.
4 STARS
In Side Effects, Dr. Jonathon Banks (Jude Law) finds his life crumbling at the seams when he prescribes hopelessly depressed Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) a new anti-depressant by the name of Ablixa. Unfortunately, the drug seems that it may have a few bugs as Emily winds up brutally murdering her husband (Channing Tatum), claiming she has no recollection of those events afterwards and is shortly placed in a mental ward. Running out of people to blame, the finger is inevitably pointed at Dr. Banks who soon finds himself out of a job and his family life on the rocks. Desperate to reclaim his life, Dr. Banks decides to investigate the murder and finds that there may be more to this case than meets the eye.
Jude Law easily proves that he is a force to reckoned with as Dr. Jonathon Banks, the sympathetic psychiatrist that the film centers around. He is a good doctor, one who cares about his patients and really does want to help them. Law does the whole backed into a corner thing incredibly well, as everybody seems to be out to tear the poor guy down. I was on his side for the whole film (it's really hard not to like this guy...he's just so nice), and it's fun to see him first reactively lash out in an attempt to protect himself, and then buckle down as he decides to use his brains and surprisingly apt detective skills to solve his problem. He is a great character here, and he once again shows that he is indeed a versatile actor.
Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a fantastic bitch here, as Dr. Victoria Siebert, Emily's old psychiartist that may hold the key to this complex puzzle. She seems to be leading the charge against Dr. Banks, for whatever reason and it's clear that she won't stop until his life is in ruins. She is a fairly complicated character here, and Jones pulls it off easily, seeming to enjoy being a meanie.
Rooney Mara is superb as always in the role of apparent victim Emily Taylor, but is she really as innocent as she seems? Mara has several roles to play here, and she pulls all off with a professional ease, never once showing the audience her real hand. She is heart-breakingly beautiful as ever in the film, and it's hard not to sympathize with her character at first....her life seems to have been destroyed by forces beyond her control. Of course, if things really are as they seem is the big question here and naturally all is answered by the end of this film.
Side Effects is a smart, well-crafted thriller that is twisty and fun as hell. It starts out as a thriller about the pharmaceutical industry, turns into paranoid thriller, then becomes a detective thriller before finally bringing all three of these together as the truth is finally revealed (Trust me, you WON'T see this one coming). It's rare to see such a great film being released so early in the year, but already Side Effects has become one of the best films of 2013. It's smart, well-crafted, superbly acted, and not at all what it appears to be. It's a fun ride that I would gladly take again. If this really is Steven Soderberg's last theatrical film, he chose to go out on a high note. If you like your thrillers classy and smart, then Side Effects fits the bill.
4 STARS
Friday, March 1, 2013
SMALLS LOVES LO
Lo is an extremely different kind of Rom-Com. It's gruesome, bizarre, and completely unique. In Lo, sad-sack Justin (Ward Roberts) loses the girl of his dreams April (Sarah Lassez) when she is forcibly dragged to hell by demon Jeez (Devin Barry). Devastated, angry, and desperate, Justin summons a demon named Lo (Jeremiah Birkett) to help him rescue her. As their quest drags on, Justin realizes that there may be more to April than meets the eye.
I really hate calling this film a rom-com, I feel that labeling this film as such is doing the film a great disservice. However, at the end of the day Lo is indeed a rom-com but it doesn't feel like one, after all....how many rom-coms deal with demons, torture, and hell?
Most actors do a pretty great job here. Ward Roberts as Justin is likeable and pathetic (exactly as he should be....though he does pull an Ash from The Evil Dead a bit too often), Sarah Lassez as April is hot and quirky, and Devin Barry as Jeez is surprisingly wacky for a demon. By far though, the best character and the main reason to see this film is Lo. Jeremiah Birkett is simply fantastic as the titular demon. He's funny when he needs to be, extremely likable, and also manages to be pretty scary at some points. You never know whose side he's really on or what his real game is and that's one of the reasons you just can't take your eyes off him. He is a joy to watch and is absolutely awesome.
The makeup and effects for the demons are pretty good too, managing to be pretty gruesome and disgusting. This film definitely does not shy away from the darker aspects of the story as well, a plus. That said, the film does try to balance things out by throwing in some real wackiness that at times just doesn't gel with the rest of the film (like a demon musical number and a bickering couple that has been condemned to be tortured in hell for all eternity).
Lo is a refreshingly different kind of film. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything quite like it, and how often can you say that about a film these days? While some of the comedy is just too wacky, most of the film works really well due to a great core story and the titular character of Lo. What's more, it actually has some genuine emotion and a fantastic and satisfying ending as well. I'm happy to say that Lo is a real winner. Seek this film out and watch it, I'd bet you will be glad you did.
4 STARS
I really hate calling this film a rom-com, I feel that labeling this film as such is doing the film a great disservice. However, at the end of the day Lo is indeed a rom-com but it doesn't feel like one, after all....how many rom-coms deal with demons, torture, and hell?
Most actors do a pretty great job here. Ward Roberts as Justin is likeable and pathetic (exactly as he should be....though he does pull an Ash from The Evil Dead a bit too often), Sarah Lassez as April is hot and quirky, and Devin Barry as Jeez is surprisingly wacky for a demon. By far though, the best character and the main reason to see this film is Lo. Jeremiah Birkett is simply fantastic as the titular demon. He's funny when he needs to be, extremely likable, and also manages to be pretty scary at some points. You never know whose side he's really on or what his real game is and that's one of the reasons you just can't take your eyes off him. He is a joy to watch and is absolutely awesome.
The makeup and effects for the demons are pretty good too, managing to be pretty gruesome and disgusting. This film definitely does not shy away from the darker aspects of the story as well, a plus. That said, the film does try to balance things out by throwing in some real wackiness that at times just doesn't gel with the rest of the film (like a demon musical number and a bickering couple that has been condemned to be tortured in hell for all eternity).
Lo is a refreshingly different kind of film. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything quite like it, and how often can you say that about a film these days? While some of the comedy is just too wacky, most of the film works really well due to a great core story and the titular character of Lo. What's more, it actually has some genuine emotion and a fantastic and satisfying ending as well. I'm happy to say that Lo is a real winner. Seek this film out and watch it, I'd bet you will be glad you did.
4 STARS
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