It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget...
if only they could remember.

Starring: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey, Joey Lauren Adams, Milla Jovovich, Shawn Andrews, Rory Cochrane, Adam Goldberg, Sasha Jenson, Marissa Ribisi, Michelle Burke, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"All I'm saying is that if I ever start referring to these as the best years of my life - remind me to kill myself..." - Pink

Why watch this? It's a walk down (my) memory lane with a killer soundtrack.

Plot Summary: A group of Austin teenagers celebrate their last day of high school in 1976 by seeking out parties, cruising the town's central hangout spots, and engaging in classic end-of-year traditions. As the sun sets, the younger students navigate the challenges presented by the older seniors while various cliques search for the biggest and best keg party of the night. The intersecting lives of these high schoolers and recent graduates capture the anticipation of growing up and the freedom of a single, memorable summer evening.

Dad's Preview: Like other films regarding school hijinks, such as American Graffiti (1973) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), this coming-of-age story captures the late 1970's with all the off-kilter, bong-filled honesty it deserves. Alcohol use was standard fare, and pot was just coming into its own as a recreational drug. This was before MTV when happiness was a cool hard rock song blaring on your Camaro's 8-track. There were heads, jocks, brains, band nerds, poindexters, and teasers. A few were cool. The rest, however, didn't know what the hell they were doing, or where they were going. This film captures all that and more. It features many young stars destined for fame. I do have to say, any soundtrack featuring classic rockers like "Fox on the Run" and "Love Hurts" is gonna resurrect some old, fun memories.

Alphaville, Detour Filmproduction; Gramercy Pictures