‘Riccione’ is like an Italian vacation

Bummed about having to scrap those summer vacation plans?

Here’s a virtual pick-meup — “Under the Riccione Sun,” a fizzy Italian romp that goes down like an icy limoncello on a sweltering Tuscan afternoon.

The import debuted recently but befalls the fate of numerous Netflix titles, getting lost in the shuffle of new releases. It’s hardly a classic, but its breezy, carefree escapism feels like a gift in a world gone mad.

Set in a northern Italy tourist magnet, it gathers an attractive cast playing attractive 20-somethings searching for friendship and romance on the beach and at a tony nightclub. All the characters in this enchanting bit of fluff are likable and have some baggage. It’s like a contemporary take on the old Annette Funicello-Frankie Avalon beach party flicks, with a little more sex and the occasional F-bomb tossed in. There’s also no breaking out in song per se, but there is a concert at the finale.

Jovial and as expendable as a hotel beach towel, it’s a guilty pleasure done right. DETAILS >> out of 4; available on Netflix.

“FORCE OF NATURE” >> Derivative and campy, director Michael Polish’s thriller is stuffed with as many cliches as its 91 minutes can take. Cory Miller’s screenplay is a Category 4 howler, throwing in a hurricane, an art heist, a hungry critter cooped up in a room and a grouchy, sexist and racist ex-cop (Mel Gibson!) who refuses to leave his apartment. Emile Hirsch — another actor with a tarnished reputation — and Kate Bosworth co-star. For all its baggage, “Nature” delivers little more than predictable chum. DETAILS >> ; available on various platforms.

“FOUR KIDS AND IT” >> Why would Matthew Goode, Paula Patton, Russell Brand (OK, maybe that one is not so surprising) and Michael Caine sign up for this loosely adapted version of a beloved kiddie series? The terrible promo poster with an E.T. clone made it seem even less promising. But this British production turns out to be as sweet as pineapple upside down cake. An ages-old sand critter (voice of Caine) anchors this love story that draws together a white British family and a Black American family. It’s a tad too long, but it’s quirky, fanciful and will appeal to kids and parents. DETAILS >> ; available to rent, stream or buy on various platforms.

“THE TRUTH” >> Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of cinema’s best storytellers even if this, his latest, mostly flits around the charms of its lead star, the divine Catherine Deneuve. The “Shoplifters” director delves into the tale of a tempermental star (Deneuve) tailoring her memoir to keep her image intact. That modified history peeves her daughter (Juliette Binoche). Ethan Hawke costars as Binoche’s husband. The two actresses make “Truth” a mighty tasty affair even though I craved a more substantive meal. DETAILS >> ; available Friday on various platforms.