John Hughes (2) (1950–2009)

The material is great, but huge swaths of the 2005 paperback reprint have been completely re-typeset and just look wrong.

A lovely holiday go-to that rewards each additional viewing with subtle details. For example, when someone steals Neal's taxi at the beginning, there's a quick close-up on a shower ring floating in a puddle. The end goes just a little over-the-top with its heartwarmingness, but by then the comedy's been witty and biting enough to make up for it.

The classic story of a teenage boy who takes an unauthorised day off school and gets involved in increasingly risky behaviour. Some slapstick, some situational humour, and some tension as we wonder how long it will take them to be 'caught'. Some poignancy, too.

Different from most of the films we see, but very well done and recommended to older teens and adults.

A prime example of 1980s Hollywood, with violence and cruelty masquerading as comic farce. The premise and scattered moments of clarity between characters (not particularly in character, based on the caricature that came before) offer a glimpse into what distinguishes a John Hughes film from the rest.