Rating: Summary: Where the Boys Are Review: "Where the Boys Are" has many things going for it and at the top of that list would be Paula Prentiss who makes her film debut here. In fact, it was her interview in the DVD extras that so enchanted me that it colored the whole film in an even rosier light. She is fun, ebullient, warm, and has nary a bad word for anyone, but she is also so unpretentious and open that it really provided a lot of insight into what it was really like to work on a film, fresh out of college and ironically at a location which she had missed on her own spring break. The film tells the story of a group of girls on spring break in Ft. Lauderdale and the romances they encounter there, but as one reviewer here pointed out, it's not exactly "Beach Blanket Bingo." There's the fun 60's comic side of the film similar to "Beach Blanket Bingo" and other "madcap" comedies of that era, but there's also a deeper side with some serious issues raised about "date rape." The film is fairly well cast and pleasant to watch. It also has a real jazz score and Connie Francis performing and singing the title tune. Additionally, it's easy on the eye with great, candy-colorful costumes; beautiful on-location scenery including a panoramic shot of Ft. Lauderdale in full swing; a silly climax in a fish tank with the whole cast practically getting wet; and some unusual names for characters. All in all, I'd say this one is a keeper and a classic in its own right. It may not be quite an "A" picture, so I didn't give it 4 stars, but it is a really fine film of its kind, mixing breezy, silly, 60's comedy with issues that were going to explode in the coming decade. And the stars are just great. I thoroughly enjoyed all the extras -- not only the wonderful, refreshing Paula Prentiss commentaries, but also a documentary that highlighted both Prentiss and Francis interviews. The film manages to address its heavier issues without having the shift in tone sink the picture in any way, so it's done rather seamlessly. Again, I highly recommend this film and feel it's probably one of the best of the beach flicks.
Rating: Summary: Win A Date With George Hamilton Review: "Where the Boys Are" is an interesting exploration of the mores of the college set circa 1960. The film has the task of juggling it's intention of entertaining but also making a statement about the mating rituals of young adults and I think it succeeds on both fronts. What I also found interesting was how the film approached the topic of date rape without trivializing it. All seriousness aside, though, this is a fun and engaging film that holds up remarkably well. This is made possible by an able young cast(Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, Yvette Mimieux, Connie Francis, George Hamilton, Jim Hutton, Frank Gorshin) who inject the film with vibrancy. Prentiss and Hutton probably come off best with their comic rapport but Hart anchors the film well as it's moral center. Mimieux is moving as the most vulnerable of the group. Francis comes off equally well as a songstress and comedienne. This may sound trivial but the film should interest fans of the "Batman" TV series because it features two villains in it's cast, Gorshin(the Riddler) and Barbara Nichols(Maid Marilyn).
Rating: Summary: Where the Boys Are Review: "Where the Boys Are" has many things going for it and at the top of that list would be Paula Prentiss who makes her film debut here. In fact, it was her interview in the DVD extras that so enchanted me that it colored the whole film in an even rosier light. She is fun, ebullient, warm, and has nary a bad word for anyone, but she is also so unpretentious and open that it really provided a lot of insight into what it was really like to work on a film, fresh out of college and ironically at a location which she had missed on her own spring break. The film tells the story of a group of girls on spring break in Ft. Lauderdale and the romances they encounter there, but as one reviewer here pointed out, it's not exactly "Beach Blanket Bingo." There's the fun 60's comic side of the film similar to "Beach Blanket Bingo" and other "madcap" comedies of that era, but there's also a deeper side with some serious issues raised about "date rape." The film is fairly well cast and pleasant to watch. It also has a real jazz score and Connie Francis performing and singing the title tune. Additionally, it's easy on the eye with great, candy-colorful costumes; beautiful on-location scenery including a panoramic shot of Ft. Lauderdale in full swing; a silly climax in a fish tank with the whole cast practically getting wet; and some unusual names for characters. All in all, I'd say this one is a keeper and a classic in its own right. It may not be quite an "A" picture, so I didn't give it 4 stars, but it is a really fine film of its kind, mixing breezy, silly, 60's comedy with issues that were going to explode in the coming decade. And the stars are just great. I thoroughly enjoyed all the extras -- not only the wonderful, refreshing Paula Prentiss commentaries, but also a documentary that highlighted both Prentiss and Francis interviews. The film manages to address its heavier issues without having the shift in tone sink the picture in any way, so it's done rather seamlessly. Again, I highly recommend this film and feel it's probably one of the best of the beach flicks.
Rating: Summary: The greatest All-American Comedy about college spring break Review: Dolores Hart, George Hamilton, Connie Francis and Jim Hutton portray fun-loving college students searching for relaxation under the Florida sun. The acting and singing in this fine film is a Hollywood treasure.
Rating: Summary: Don't Be Mislead By Superficial Reviews Review: Don't be mislead by superficial reviews of a supposedly superficial movie. This is a movie for everyone who ever went someplace else to find himself. A group of teen-aged girls go on a road trip to Ft. Lauderdale to spend Spring Break. On the way, they join some guys who are doing the same thing. As each of them finds peace with his or her own personal dilemma, they emerge as adults ready to face adult obligations. They will have problems, even big ones, but you can see that because they know more about themselves and each other, they will be able to face their futures with wisdom and courage. Everyone, and I mean, everyone in the cast performs beautifully. The film is funny, moving, insightful, and entertaining and I haven't changed my opinion since I first saw it when I was a lost teen. Maybe I'm getting more out of it than the author intended, but this film will make you care about the characters and feel good about the future, your own and everyone else's.
Rating: Summary: Girls Night Out Review: Four college girls go to Fort Lauderdale for spring break because it's where the boys are. They all meet some boys, but their experiences are all very different. This movie is a prime example of showing how easily girls fall in love, and how often boys expect girls to be "easy". This is classified as a comedy, but I think there's more drama in it than comedy--although there are some funny parts! A great movie that shows the pros and cons of casual dating.
Rating: Summary: Before "Sex and the City" there was... Review: Four young ladies(one a bit more of a trollop than the others)looking for love without sacrificing their personal identities--part comedy, part "serious" drama. Sound familiar? WHERE THE BOYS ARE could have been the mould HBO used to create its hit series SEX AND THE CITY. But the year is 1960, so the language is not so rough and the sex happens off screen. I was pleased with how well this almost 45-year-old movie has held up (for the most part). It has some of the big-studio hallmarks (like the way women's wardrobes happen to coordinate nicely with the colors of the rooms they just happen to be in at the moment). But the lead actresses--Dolores Hart, Yvette Mimieux, Paula Prentiss, and Connie Francis--are very appealing. This was Paula Prentiss's first picture (she provides a commentary track that is more gushy and nostalgic than informative), and her star quality is evident. Their male counterparts--George Hamilton, Jim Hutton, and Frank Gorshen--are less magnetic, but at least they don't wreck the movie. While you might want to pass on the commentary track, don't skip the featurette with Prentiss and Francis sharing their memories. (Dolores Hart, by the way, is now a mother superior at a convent somewhere in Connecticut. Hmmmm?) A fine film, still enjoyable these many years later.
Rating: Summary: A classic, especially in Winter Review: Funny! Funny! Fun! Gotta see this one. Put a couple of inches of sand down on the living room floor, spread out a beach towl and enjoy.
Rating: Summary: A Great Old Time Chick Flick! Review: I admit that I am a fan of old time movies and this one counts as one of my favorites. It takes me back to my younger years and that bittersweet time of finding the right guy with whom to start a relationship with. Four young girls decide to use Spring Break from college to take advantage of the sun and excitment of Fort Lauderdale. Dolores Hart and Paul Prentiss do a fine job as the Beauty/Brains "responsible" girls while Yvette Mimmiuex plays the fresh stars in her eyes, new to the scene girl. She soon learns the hard way that there are decent guys out there and not so decent. Connie Frances plays a athletic-type girl just looking for someone to ask her on a date and charms everyone with her terrific voice and comedic comments. Catching some sun and having the time of their lives, the girls learn many things about themselves and their new found independence. While this movie is not like the movies of today, it still leaves you with a smile and a sigh. Something all us girls can relate too! The movie sets remind me of times when my friends and I could not wait to get to the beach to catch a tan and check out the guys! Pat on some tanning oil, grab your favorite swimsuit, and round up your girlfriends for some movie fun in the sun.
Rating: Summary: A Great Old Time Chick Flick! Review: I admit that I am a fan of old time movies and this one counts as one of my favorites. It takes me back to my younger years and that bittersweet time of finding the right guy with whom to start a relationship with. Four young girls decide to use Spring Break from college to take advantage of the sun and excitment of Fort Lauderdale. Dolores Hart and Paul Prentiss do a fine job as the Beauty/Brains "responsible" girls while Yvette Mimmiuex plays the fresh stars in her eyes, new to the scene girl. She soon learns the hard way that there are decent guys out there and not so decent. Connie Frances plays a athletic-type girl just looking for someone to ask her on a date and charms everyone with her terrific voice and comedic comments. Catching some sun and having the time of their lives, the girls learn many things about themselves and their new found independence. While this movie is not like the movies of today, it still leaves you with a smile and a sigh. Something all us girls can relate too! The movie sets remind me of times when my friends and I could not wait to get to the beach to catch a tan and check out the guys! Pat on some tanning oil, grab your favorite swimsuit, and round up your girlfriends for some movie fun in the sun.
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