1) Perks of being a wallflower – A slow dive into Charlie’s life over one year at highschool. It’s an earnest look into the life of a shy teen who would rather . It both celebrates his mindfulness and begs him to live his life too. It never feels like it’s punishing or mocking timid teens, just finding a way to witness an earnest teen life.

2) Superbad – Crude comedy from the comedic writing duo Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. I’m not a big fan of Rogen’s usual comedies, but it helps that Rogen only plays a small role. Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse are great as three awkward nerds trying to get girls and be popular again. It doesn’t travel into normal high school comedy cliches, and finds a line between exploring the uncomfortable teenage sex life, but never going full gross out.

3) Edge of Seventeen – Dark, cringe comedy about a girl on the verge of adulthood. It explores mental health and grief, but it mostly focuses on her self-destructive tendencies and the isolation she feels when shuts her best friend out of her life. It’s funny and heartfelt and accurately captures the embarrassment and awkwardness of being a teen.

4) Juno – Juno centres around a 16 year old girl, Juno, who gets pregnant and all the complications that arise from her life. The film doesn’t seem to take any kind of political and moral stance on Juno’s pregnancy but it’s an emotional and brilliant ride into the life and mind of Juno.

5) The Graduate – Beautiful soundtrack and wonderful story about a man who has to find out what, and who he wants, from life after graduating. He finds himself lost and caught between two women. It’s odd to see a young Dustin Hoffman, but he is a remarkable actor, and this performance is no difference.