Pick of the Week: The Search for John Hughes

I normally stick to broadcast channels and basic cable for my picks, but this week I need to make an exception…

My Pick of the Week is the documentary “Don’t You Forget About Me.”

As the title suggests the documentary is a tribute to the late John Hughes, the director of such 80s classics as “Weird Science,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” which features “Don’t You Forgot About Me” on its soundtrack.

The documentary, which was shot a year before Hughes’ death, features interviews with directors that were inspired by Hughes including Kevin Smith and Jason Reitman; movie critics Richard Roeper and Roger Ebert; and Hughes movie cast members including Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara. There’s even an interview with Jim Kerr, the lead singer of Simple Minds who recorded “Forget.”

Framing all of these great interviews is the search by a group of young filmmakers (the documentary’s creators) for John Hughes himself.

The documentary is engaging, interesting, informative and incredibly bittersweet—especially when some of the interviewees talk directly to Hughes and hope that he’s doing okay.

I won’t give away whether the filmmakers find Hughes or not, but I can tell you that you’ll enjoy the journey…

“Forget” premieres as part of Encore’s “Big 80s Weekend” hosted by Cyndi Lauper. The channel will show “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles,” “Weird Science” and many more 80s classics including “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Vision Quest,” “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Purple Rain.” You can get the whole schedule here.

“Don’t You Forget About Me” premieres Friday, December 25th at 6:40 p.m. and repeats Saturday, December 26th at 3 p.m. on Encore…