Something of a spiritual sequel to 1982 classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1984’s The Wild Life never saw the same level of recognition but offers plenty of summer’s-end fun. Penned by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous), the Southern California-set coming-of-age comedy/drama follows suburban teens played by Chris Penn, Eric Stoltz, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Lea Thompson, and others as they celebrate the freedom of a young summer. Bananarama provided the title song for a soundtrack that included Van Halen, Prince, Madonna, Billy Idol, and even our own Austin Music Hall-of-Famer Charlie Sexton, for a perfect back-to-school film at the very cool single-screen cinema. – Kat McNevins
Thu., Sept. 5