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Teenage dramas have existed for as long as teens have been drumming up drama in schools and colleges. In the ’60s, there were Because They’re Young and Where the Boys Are. The ‘70s had American Graffiti, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever. The genre exploded in the ‘80s with movies like Dead Poets Society, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And the ‘90s gave us The Basketball Diaries, Rushmore, 10 Things I Hate About You, and American Pie. But I think the movie that paved the way for stuff like Gossip Girl, Young Royals, 13 Reasons Why, Elite, Class, Euphoria, Maxton Hall, Hierarchy, and Untamed Royals was the cult classic, Cruel Intentions. It had adult actors playing high schoolers. It was filled to the brim with the risque stuff. And there was a lot of backstabbing and drugs involved. Since this particular subgenre of teen dramas is all the rage now,...

After a generic DVD run and Blu-rays released outside the U.S. market under the name Ragman, Synapse Films has answered the prayers of many horror-metal fans with the recent 4K release of 1986’s Trick or Treat. Having “No Wimps” and “No False Metal,” this film is considered by many to be the quintessential heavy metal horror flick, partially thanks to a perfectly apropos soundtrack provided by the band Fastway.

After constantly being harassed by the cool kids at his high school, Eddie Weinbauer aka “Ragman” finds solace in listening to the music of his idol Sammi Curr to get through the abuse. Not only is he a famous heavy metal star, but Curr is also an alum at Eddie’s high school where he became an outcast-made-good into metal stardom. And this is why Eddie feels a faux bond and extreme idolization for Curr since he believes they share the same origin story,...

Two personal, stylish, and distinctive films celebrate major birthdays this month: “Risky Business” turned 40 August 5 and August 1 marked the 50th anniversary of the release of “American Graffiti.”

Two other personal, stylish, and distinctive films also celebrate their blockbuster success this August: “Barbie,” which is now $1 billion worldwide and counting, and “Oppenheimer,” which just crossed $600 million.

August is generally known for providing the dog days of summer box office. It’s the end of the road, kids are going back to school. There’s no time for a blockbuster to stretch its legs and no one’s in the mood for anything weighty. The current studio release calendar bears out that logic with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” “Gran Turismo,” “Blue Beetle,” and “Strays.”

“Apocalypse Now”Courtesy Everett Collection

History tells us it doesn’t have to be that way. Among the smarter films...