Ah, spring. It's that miraculous time of the year when the snow melts, flowers bloom and young adults everywhere attempt to make like the birds and the bees. If you take a deep whiff, you can already smell the suntan lotion, the beer-soaked beaches and the girls' tears upon realizing they've just exposed themselves for a lousy T-shirt.
To prepare for all the partying that is coming soon, your humble MTV News movies team has assembled the following list of the best spring-break flicks. Some are set during the annual morals-shedding festivities; others simply possess the spring-break spirit. So let the fun begin, and, to paraphrase a term you'll be hearing soon enough: Show us your flicks!
"From Justin to Kelly" (2003) Look beneath the story of a woman from Texas and a man from Pennsylvania frolicking together in the surf and sun of Miami's spring break, and you might find more than "American Idol" 's attempt to cash in on the forced chemistry between its season-one stars, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini. Maybe there are hidden observations concerning predestination, endurantism vs. perdurantism and string theory — or maybe it's just the worst movie ever made. Either way, watching it with friends and a liberal amount of libido-freeing substances helps quite a bit.
"The Sure Thing" (1985) While everyone remembers "Say Anything," "One Crazy Summer" and "Better Off Dead," too many have forgotten the fourth cornerstone in John Cusack's early-leading-man canon, Rob Reiner's endearing "Sure Thing." College freshman Gib (Cusack) is driving cross-country to meet up with his buddy and a girl he's been told is hot-to-trot; Alison (Daphne Zuniga) is the bookish girl who comes along for the ride so she can see her boyfriend. But will they end up falling for each other? Long before "American Pie," Cusack got the teen-romance "Thing" down perfectly.
"Where the Boys Are" (1960) The original spring-break flick, "Where the Boys Are" (or "WtBR" among us hipsters) sent a generation of early-'60s teens flocking to Fort Lauderdale to land strings of highly desirable beads by lifting up their bloomers (just kidding, Mom). In the flick, four coeds (Connie Francis, Yvette Mimieux, Dolores Hart and Paula Prentiss) break boundaries by meeting men, hitting high notes on the beach and exploring the nuances of "backseat bingo." Be careful not to accidentally rent the remake, "Where the Boys Are '84," which is brought down by its lack of George Hamilton.
"Private Resort" (1985) Long before Johnny Depp became the world's biggest movie star, he got his start as another character named Jack. Paired alongside future "Northern Exposure" star Rob Morrow, the 22-year-old Depp helped make the film what it shamelessly is: a simple sex romp about two teens running wild at a Florida resort. Upon closer examination, "Pirates" and "Private" aren't as far apart as they might seem. Both display Depp's ample charm, cast him as a slapsticky horndog with a mischievous grin and have him running around a beach. Jerry Bruckheimer, however, wasn't smart enough to put a kung-fu-kicking grandma in his movie.
"Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise" (1987) Sure, the first "Nerds" movie is better by leaps and bounds. But if the nerds can storm the beaches of Florida in white socks and pocket protectors and go home heroes, then you and your dorky friends can do the same. Need a place to stay for spring break? With any luck, there are still vacancies at the Hotel Coral Essex.
"Fraternity Vacation" (1985) Long before Tim Robbins was the acclaimed director of "Dead Man Walking," a vocal supporter of politicians like John Edwards and the Oscar-winning star of films like "Mystic River," all he wanted to do was party and get a peek at some naked chicks. If the fact that the baby-faced actor plays a character named Larry "Mother" Tucker doesn't give you an idea of where this movie is willing to go, maybe the presence of angry teen icon John Vernon ("Animal House") will do it. Two rival frats on spring break in Palm Springs compete to see who can get the dream babe, and no, she's not played by Susan Sarandon.
"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" (2006) Basically, it's never a bad idea to watch this movie. But when you're trying to get in the mood for spring break, it's even niiiiiice-er. Although Sacha Baron Cohen's movie isn't technically about spring break, it's certainly there in spirit as he hits the beach in a bizarre male bikini, hops into a Winnebago with a bunch of drunk frat boys and attends a street party that seems gay in every sense of the word. Just be careful that when you hit the beach yourself, you don't try and exclaim "High five!" in a foreign accent — that's so last spring.
"Hardbodies" (1984) Need money to pay tuition? Plop down a few dollars for a "Hardbodies" rental, and inspiration will follow. In this classic '80s flick, three middle-aged dorks recruit a young stud to give them advice on how to pick up SoCal beach babes. Be sure to hold on to all those travel receipts as you make your way down to spring break — after all, you're doing research to start your own business!
"The Real Cancun" (2003) Upon its release, it was hyped as "the first reality feature film." Unfortunately, the filmmakers quickly learned that audiences weren't willing to pay 10 bucks to see "The Real World" on the big screen. Still, "Cancun" is overflowing with college kids hooking up, parties raging all night and Abercrombie & Fitch-model wannabes bringing the drama fast and furious. With any luck, you and your friends will soon be living out the sequel.
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