We may be deep into summer vacation, but this week’s DVD releases include a great chance to revisit Spring Break!
With Spring Breakers, gonzo writer/director Harmony Korine gives us his most mainstream film to date. Okay, it’s no Nicholas Sparks schmaltz-fest, but mainstream compared to Korine’s usual fare (Gummo, Trash Humpers). Four wild teenage girls (including former Disney princesses Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens) head south for Spring Break, and soon meet up with rapper/gangsta “Alien” (a terrifically unhinged James Franco). From there, there is little law-abiding.
Korine has something to say here, and he says it pretty well. Outrageous, courageous, and often very funny, Spring Breakers is worth your time.
When Wednesday Addams decided she was through with family fare, she wasn’t kidding. Christina Ricci followed That Darn Cat – the last of her Disney work – with a slew of riveting, gritty indies including 1998’s Buffalo ’66. She plays Layla, a small town teen willingly abducted by parolee Billy (creepy as ever Vincent Gallo). Another tale of road trips, questionable male influences and the corruption of youth, Buffalo ’66 is a gripping surprise overflowing with fantastic performances. Plus there’s bowling!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiXxJa0Zd1o
Very cool job with comparing Spring Breakers to Buffalo 66 in terms of young actresses shedding their child star persona. I thought Miss Ricci squashed that whole deal when she made The Opposite of Sex
Thanks. Totally agree about Opposite of Sex – between that, Buffalo 66 and Fear and Loathing, she obliterated her connection to Disney. Here’s hoping she returns to form soon!