Our Movie of the Day series is back with a special end of summer theme, which seemed appropriate what with Labor Day approaching and all. Our first end of summer movie is a 1986 coming of age classic directed by Rob Reiner and starring Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell and the late River Phoenix in one of his best performances. The 12-year-old pals hike into the woods to find the body of kid who died, but it's mostly about the rapport between the guys and the protagonist Gordie (Wheaton) who must come to terms with his own brother's death. But for me this movie is all about Phoenix, who shows off just how much potential he had as the sensitive kid with the tough exterior. He's so good he makes us wish he could have lived a little longer to see it realized. It's also worth a look for the great 50's soundtrack and a young Kiefer Sutherland as the creepy Ace, a truly dangerous teenage hood.
Original 1986 Trailer:
