9. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Brutal, unsexy honesty. That's what separated Fast Times at Ridgemont High from the gaggle of raunchy teen comedies popping up around it during the early part of the 80s. While a movie like Porky's or Revenge of the Nerds would have presented the scene of Phoebe Cates walking out of the pool and unhooking her swimsuit top as a blissful moment of sexual awakening for the movie's "heroes," Fast Times chooses to pull the ol' bait-and-switch, pulling the rug out from underneath the fantasy and completely betraying Judge Reinhold's moment of gratification. Amy Heckerling, who would go onto direct another biting classic in the genre, directed Cameron Crowe's screenplay with a heavy hand and an unflinching voyeurism. She's willing to expound on the virtues of sex, drugs, and rock and roll that remain the quintessential trifecta of teen life, but she's unafraid to present them in a less than glamorous light. It's a smart, balanced look at what it means to come-of-age. And that requires a frank touch, a few tender moments, and yes, a whole lot of immature humor. Oh...and SPICOLI, you guys!