Spring Breakers

[Monicker 3,035]

Now, i haven't seen it yet, but i'm a longtime fan of the writer/director Harmony Korine (his movies Gummo and Mister Lonely are two of my all time favorites), and i've been devilishly anticipating, since i first heard about the project about a year ago, seeing teenagers by the droves walk out of the theater within the first 20 minutes. From what i've seen, already, as was expected, a lot of people (who were obviously going to the movie to watch Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens shoot guns and act "slutty") are saying that it's the worst movie they've ever seen. I guess i shouldn't be too surprised that the film has not been talked about at all in the context of its auteur director. It's like he is completely detached from the movie. And i have yet to hear almost anything about this movie from his fans or usual followers. It's just all been a big hype machine and talk of Disney stars in bikinis, James Franco as a thug, and spring break debauchery. When i first heard about the project i realized it was going to be one of the greatest stunts pulled by a director in recent film history, a big budget act of trolling, and an ingenious, highly calculated ruse to get kids looking for a spring break escapist movie to go to a "slow" art house film. Again, i haven't seen it yet, but it's clear that there was an intention from the very beginning to craft a comically misleading discrepancy between the trailer/promotion/marketing of the movie and the film itself. You don't have to know anything here other than the fact that this is a Harmony Korine film. 

 

I just read this, which is simultaneously hilarious and sad: 

 

the hype machine has worked quite a number of “Spring Breakers”, raising anticipation to a fever pitch. The film’s distributor, A24 Films, made the savvy decision to wait until spring break itself kicked off to bring the film into wide release, which very quickly proved a lucrative strategy: its opening weekend, when it played a handful of theaters in only New York and Los Angeles, broke records for per-theater numbers, outgrossing Korine’s last film in a single day, and the combined sum of every movie he’s ever made by the end of the weekend.

 

Anyway, this is my way of saying i'm excited to finally see the film. Let's just hold a little spot here for those of us who will eventually watch it and want to talk about it, eh? 

[Baby V Alex 2,859]

I'll watch it 4 Vanessa and the Britney Spears segment tbh

 

But I keep thinking that the movie is a rip-off of a movie about cheerleaders who need money and then they steal it from a bank

 

 

I'm surprised that you'll see a movie with Selena Gomez on it

 

And this movie took back Vanessa to the studio, so I'm in heaven

 

[Limelight 4,709]

I want to watch it but online, not going to pay for it. For whoever watched it, are there dem boys too or only boobs and girl butts?

[TrailerParkDarling 5,699]

I couldn't help myself from reading the spoilers and now I really want to see it in theaters, if not for the story to see the reactions of other ppl in the theater. Won't say anything too revealing but I'm not sure how to feel about what he was trying 2 say with the movie...kind of genius the way it was marketed though

[evilentity 13,348]

When i first heard about the project i realized it was going to be one of the greatest stunts pulled by a director in recent film history, a big budget act of trolling, and an ingenious, highly calculated ruse to get kids looking for a spring break escapist movie to go to a "slow" art house film. Again, i haven't seen it yet, but it's clear that there was an intention from the very beginning to craft a comically misleading discrepancy between the trailer/promotion/marketing of the movie and the film itself. 

Ha, if that's the case, the marketing completely backfired on me. I'd actually be interested in seeing a slow art house film, but the ads made this film look like complete trash. In fact, the only reason I checked out this thread was the absurdity that you of all people would start a thread about this movie. I really hope this film is just a massive exercise in trolling as you suspect. I find Kaufman-esque audience antagonism hilarious.

[Hellion 993]

I checked out this thread was the absurdity that you of all people would start a thread about this movie.

 

Right? Totally expected this to be a Baby V thread. 

[Baby V Alex 2,859]

 

Right? Totally expected this to be a Baby V thread. 

 

True, I mean all the signs are there, Vanessa Hudgens + Britney Spears.

Monicker is stealing my thunder  

[Monicker 3,035]

In fact, the only reason I checked out this thread was the absurdity that you of all people would start a thread about this movie.

 

Ha, i figured some of you would be puzzled.

 

 

I really hope this film is just a massive exercise in trolling as you suspect. I find Kaufman-esque audience antagonism hilarious.

 

I didn't mean to imply that the movie itself is just, to use your phrase, an exercise in trolling, just the marketing/trailer. It's a Harmony Korine film. With Disney actors. And James Franco. And Gucci Mane. Called Spring Breakers. Shot on location in Florida. On Spring Break. Therein lies the absurdity (to those who are familiar with Korine and his previous work). But i don't think he wasn't serious about making the film and that he was only trying to antagonize a misled audience. I think he set out to create a film that reflects certain aspects of our culture back at us in a grotesque, exaggerated way--hence the well-known actors he chose (one reviewer argues that the movie would not have worked without this cast) and the decision to shoot on location with real life spring breakers--and so a perfect opportunity was taken to market the movie in a manner that complements what i think might be the movie’s purpose. I'll let you know after i watch it probably this weekend

 

As a point of reference, watch the trailer for his directorial debut, Gummo from 1997, which was one of my favorite movies for many years, and i still hold dear to me (though his 2007 film Mister Lonely is more in line with what i look for in a movie these days, and it was also where i think he fully develops a unique film language). At any rate i’ve always considered the Gummo trailer to be one of the very best movie trailers; it’s like a short film in itself. As you watch it, keep in mind that this is the same writer/director--it might help you see the absurdity, curiosity, and appeal in the idea of a polarizing, uncompromising, singular director, the likes of Terrence Malick, Werner Herzog, and John Cassavetes, who have all heavily influenced him, making this movie Spring Breakers.

 

 

[Cinnamon Girl 75]

i think we all need to be a fan of the movie cause chuck is friends with ashley benzo   

[Nevada 132]

I just watched this & I can say it's easily one of the best films I've ever seen.

 

The soundtrack was great too, the scene where they're singing "Everytime"   

Edited April 9, 2013 by Nevada

[SunsetTwist 119]

just saw the film last night in theaters and it blew me away. it was my first korine film, so i'd be interested to hear how people with more knowledge of him would rank it within his body of work, but i will be dissecting it for a long time. i don't want to say too much for the sake of not spoiling, but i think that it says a lot of different things but it all boils down to an important statement about youth culture/desensitization/gen-y (that's what we are right?)

 

the cinematography and soundtrack were brilliant imo, franco was fab and vanessa hudgens was that b*tch. and having seen it, ita w tpd that the marketingwas genius. and the casting for that matter. the only way i think it could've been more iconic is if ashley tisdale was cast in place of benson. her and bbv, the idea of it slays me.

[Matt 984]

hope it's ok to bump this thread but i saw this film over a month ago, and it blew me away.

 

     I definitely believe Spring Breakers is Korine's most fully realized project, and I am a big fan of his too. Going in, I had feelings as to what to expect, but really - this film was haunting madness. He has a knack for portraying lifestyles in a scary way. It was really captivating, every shot, it was mesmerizing up until the very last moments, where I was left haunted. The ending shot is going to probably be one of my favorites of the year (next to the ending shot of Park Chan-Wook's Stoker). The cinematography definitely helped bring the film to such a powerful level in my opinion, every shot was littered with this candy neon color that illuminated some of the darkness, but left so much to be discovered. It reminded me of that movie Havoc in some ways, of course much better. I really loved the repetition; of sound, image, it really brought forward an emptiness to what these girls really desired most. And the ending sequence, jeez, I couldn't look away - it was so f*cking perfect. My sister and I were the ones who saw it, my sister thought it was stupid, as did most of the people who left the theater according to their chatter. But since I've seen it, I've found myself having to defend it to nearly every single person I talk to about it.

     I'm not a fan of James Franco, but I definitely think his performance - which was great - was a crucial aspect to the brilliance of this film, alongside the marketing and all else. I also thought Selena Gomez was really good, mostly because of that scene where she was crying about being uncomfortable. I also adored the rest of the cast and their repetitive yearnings for a spring break always slipping off their tongues. The Everytime sequence is perfect also. This film's a masterpiece in my opinion. It's going to rank in my top 5 for the year without a doubt. 

[Monicker 3,035]

Matt! It’s nice to have you back . I’m glad to see a cinephile such as yourself praising Spring Breakers as much as you did. I’m especially glad that you singled out the last shot and that it impacted you so much. That last shot, man. I’m still thinking about it. It’s not hyperbole when i say that it's one of the very best last shots of any film i’ve ever seen.

 

Gosh, i can just go on too long about this movie. And i think i'll do that because i have nothing better to do at this hour...

 

 

 

I consider this movie essential viewing for many reasons--skip that Gatsby tripe and watch this instead! --but at the very least simply because there's really no other movie like it, and that’s saying a lot considering its director. 

 

I saw it twice, each time having had a very different experience, and liked it even more the second time around. The first time i saw it alone in a mostly empty theater with people who were either confused by it or disliked it and didn't "get" it. The first viewing affected me a lot more on an emotional level. The second time i saw it in a packed Brooklyn theater with my girlfriend and five of her friends and there was just a very different energy in the room. For example, the hilarious opening sequence, which i love, was met by a lot of laughter from the audience, but during my first viewing the audience just sat there in a matter-of-fact silence. I found it more over the top the second time. I also noticed a lot more, especially things dealing with the distortion of time throughout the film (particularly in the last few scenes), what Korine has referred to in interviews as "liquid narrative." He has continually stated that he wanted this movie to feel like a drug experience, and i think he succeeded in that. But i think the very heavy use of repetition is one of the aspects that confuse/annoy a lot of the film's audience. If you go to any youtube video related to the movie, 95% of the comments are from people saying it’s the worst movie they’ve ever seen, ha. The movie deals a lot with disassociation and a kind of disconnect from reality--Spring Break for the four girls is like a spiritual experience--but it seems that’s mostly lost on the average movie goer. I think when most people go to the movies they get too caught up with believability, and this film purposely employs a lot of absurd pretenses that make one question its reality. 

 

I've noticed that the movie seems to have fallen into a weird gray area that’s alienating to a lot of different audiences for different reasons. I think for a lot of the more “savvy” crowd who weren’t going to the movie just to watch Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, the movie didn’t have a clear enough commentary. But i appreciate that. I like that, as with all of Korine's other films, there is no heavy-handed preachiness, which would have been far too easy to do with a movie like this. As he’s said in press conferences, why do you need a filmmaker to tell you that murder is bad? I like that he's both celebrating, condemning, and just observing these cultures, this world. It’s ultimately about a feeling, a certain tone. He’s turning genres and tropes on their head while the movie is still immersed in those very genres and tropes (which, of course, is part of where the brilliance of the last shot lies). There’s a certain self awareness that comes through, which works with the bit of self awareness that James Franco brings to his character and performance. 

 

By the way, Matt, that Selena Gomez scene you referred to was sprung on her like 15 minutes before they shot it. She had no idea they were gonna do it, as Korine intentionally kept it from her. So that’s her real reaction on camera, she was genuinely scared being there in that location--which was a real place that Korine found just the way you see it in the movie.  

 

I really didn’t know anything about these girls before this movie (except for Rachel Korine), but i like them, i think they’re cool, especially Selena Gomez. These  actresses could have so easily used this movie and its publicity as nothing more than a calculated career move, as so many others in their position have done, but, after watching pretty much every interview with the cast, it really seems that they genuinely believe in the movie and really got it. They've all taken every opportunity to go out of their way to mention Harmony Korine by name and sing his praises as a filmmaker. That is really commendable in my book, and for that, in addition to how well they did in the movie, i have a great deal of respect for them.  

 

 

 

 

 

it was my first korine film, so i'd be interested to hear how people with more knowledge of him would rank it within his body of work

 

I recommend Mister Lonely, Gummo, and Julien Donkey-Boy in that order. I haven’t seen Trash Humpers yet so i can’t comment on that one. I still think though that Mister Lonely is his most fully realized project where, even more than any of his other movies, he really develops a unique film language. The movie has its own internal logic that dictates a very different world and kind of reality.

 

If i had to rank his films it would go:

 

Mister Lonely

Gummo

Spring Breakers

Julien Donkey-Boy

Kids (which he only wrote, not directed) 

[SunsetTwist 119]

 

I recommend Mister Lonely, Gummo, and Julien Donkey-Boy in that order. I haven’t seen Trash Humpers yet so i can’t comment on that one. I still think though that Mister Lonely is his most fully realized project where, even more than any of his other movies, he really develops a unique film language. The movie has its own internal logic that dictates a very different world and kind of reality.

 

If i had to rank his films it would go:

 

Mister Lonely

Gummo

Spring Breakers

Julien Donkey-Boy

Kids (which he only wrote, not directed) 

 

thanks for answering! i'll check them out. i'm very nervous about gummo from all that i've read about it. i can handle a lot of things and have forced myself to develop a strong stomach as a film studies major/enthusiast in general, but the bit about the kittens really puts me off pressing play on it.

[Hundred Dollar Bill 21,805]

I'm not very film-saavy, but all I've heard about this movie has interested me. I've personally heard from some friends that it sucked, waste of time, etc. but tbh I think they're airheads anyway. Thinking about how ignorant people can be.. i'm getting irritated thinking about it lol. I want to see this movie though! I hope I "get" it. 

[FROGGO 2,806]

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/78949291.html

[Baby V Alex 2,859]

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/78949291.html

 

I didn't watch the first one LOL but that idea sounds interesting

[jess9715 156]

Just finished this movie for the first time. It scared me more than any horror film I've seen, in a good way I think... I couldn't look away throughout the whole movie. It was great.

 

Need to watch it again after I've gotten some sleep

[elllipsis 1,441]

5 more days until I own the Blu-ray.

[Monicker 3,035]

5 more days until I own the Blu-ray.

 

Oooh, let us know how the bonus features are! I really want to see them, but i'm gonna wait until my library gets the DVD. If this "remix" reconstructing of the film entirely from unused footage is really going to happen, i wonder if and how that is going to affect what deleted scenes/outtakes are included in the bonus features. I really, really want to see outtakes from this movie. I know that during filming they attached Harinezumi cameras on top of the cinema cameras but that seems pointless since it's virtually the same shot/angle that was being shot on film, and i am not a fan of the Harinezumi aesthetic. There's a video for James Franco's new band Daddy (with vocals from Smokey Robinson, haa) that is comprised entirely of this footage. I wasn't really into it. I want to see actual unused 35mm footage. And lots of behind the scenes. I live for that shit.