As a film major here at SMU, I really should tell you about all the Oscar nominations or hidden gems from Movie Trading CO. There are just so many interesting, quality films that you need to see before you die.
But I’m not going to do that.
I mean, who wants to sit down and watch a silent, psychedelic film about crazy people who just open their eyes wide a lot and speak in weird sentences? No one. Especially not when you’re going on Spring Break. The plane ride to Seaside, LA, Colorado, Cabo, or even the hotel that is your home should be spent watching funny, low-concept beach films that make you forget about technique, form, narrative, metaphors, exams, homework…shall I go on?
This list of movies is exactly what you need to check out of school and check in for your get-away flight. (Warning: these may be a bit more chick than flick)
“Blue Crush”
You can almost feel the sand in your bottoms as the stunning Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) trains for a Hawaii surf competition with her three best friends. While dealing with the trauma of a near-drowning incident, her on-screen heart throb, Matt (Matthew Davis), has us swooning. A classic beach bum flick, “Blue Crush” is like that trashy beach read you just can’t put down.
“Endless Summer”
Yeah, okay I know it’s literally 92 minutes of cool surfing footage, but what better way to mindlessly think about the beach than watching this movie. Plus the soundtrack is totally rad. A low-budget labor of surfer love, Bruce Brown’s documentary follows two young boarders, Michael Hynson and Robert August, as they encounter waves and locals around the globe—from Hawaii to California to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti.
“Hot Tub Time Machine”
For you brave souls venturing North, here is the mother of all mindless comedies set in the snow. A malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born. Buckle up and get cozy, because this crazy cast will have you ready to get off the plane and into the snow in no time.
“Aquamarine”
A bit of a chick flick, but always a goodie. This miss-queenie-tweenie-fourteenie will always get us girls in the mood to sit on the beach with our besties. Starring the timeless JoJo as well as Emma Roberts and Sara Paxton, Aquamarine takes us back to the better days of Junior High where mermaids still existed and everyone wanted a Raymond (and still do).
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”
One of America’s shining dingiest comedies, FSM is simply meant to send you off wee-wee-weeing all the way home. Even if your humor is the witty Oscar Wilde type, it’s hard not to laugh at Peter doing yoga. And who doesn’t love Mila Kunis?
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”
Another major chick flick, both the original and sequel are unforgettable adventure stories. And the best part- Blake Lively! Once you look past the fact that the target audience is for pre-teens who wear friendship bracelets, The Sisterhood will forever hold a place in your heart…and jeans. Don’t try to deny it, we all wanted a pair of jeans that fit as well as those. And our own Kostas.
“Jaws”
Well, duh. These films are in no way classics nor are they necessary in terms of education, but they’re practically perfect in every way for the mindless plane ride to whatever adventure you are embarking on this Spring Break. Stay safe and Cowabunga!
