Episode Details

“John Hughes, and really all of best 1980s teen movies, were saying that the stories of teenagers are the stories of all of us. They have the same human need and longing that the stories of adults have.” —Kevin Smokler

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf discusses classic coming-of-age films with Kevin Smokler (@Weegee), author of Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ’80s Teen Movies.

The discussion themes, cultural references, and time-codes that outline this expansive conversation are as follows:

Kids having adult adventures movies

[2:30 – 17:00]

Links:

• Stand By Me (1986 film)
• Different Seasons, by Stephen King (book)
• Rob Reiner (film director)
• Season 4 of The Wire (TV season)
• David Simon (TV writer-producer)
• Boyz in the Hood (1991 film)
• John Singleton (film director)
• “12 Great Coming-Of-Age Movie Final-Scene Songs,” by Rolf Potts

Emblematic teen movies

[17:00 -45:10]

Links:

• Breakfast Club (1985 film)
• John Hughes (filmmaker)
• Sixteen Candles (1984 film)
• Long Duk Dong (Sixteen Candles character)
• Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (Simpsons character)
• Hari Kondabolu (standup comic)
• How to American, by Jimmy O. Yang (memoir)
• Fresh Off the Boat (TV show)
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982 film)
• Say Anything (1989 film)
• Cameron Crowe (writer-director)
• John Mahoney (actor)
• Ione Skye (actress)
• Heathers (1989 film)
• Daniel Waters (screenwriter)
• Riot grrrl (feminist punk movement)
• Dead Poets Society (1989 film)
• Dylan Kussman (actor)
• Norman Lloyd (actor)
• Carpe Diem (Dead Poets Society Latin aphorism)

Quirky teen fantasy movies

[45:10 -1:06:10]

Links:

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986 film)

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