American Beauty (1999)

For his parents, Wes Bentley's character, Ricky Fitts, is a hardworking high school student who works nights for a caterer. If they'd look closer, they might notice that he's a drug dealer who secretly videotapes his next door neighbor (Ghost World's Thora Birch). And yet he still manages to be the most well-adjusted, sympathetic character in this great movie.

Pump Up the Volume (1990)

Mild-mannered high school student by day, pirate radio talk jock by night. Christian Slater starts kids talking in his suburban community and what they say may surprise you. TALK HARD!

Girlfight (2000)

Michelle Rodriguez proves that girls like to pummel people bloody in the boxing ring too, playing a determined young woman who goes after what she wants, even when the world is telling her not to want it.

Rushmore (1998)

The story of a kid who loves school, except for the studying part. Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is involved with everything at his private school including, he hopes, the pretty new teacher.

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Okay, these two are kind of scary. The story of an obsessive friendship that leads to tragedy, with an early performance by Kate Winslet. Directed with great visual style by Peter Jackson, who's helming the upcoming ultra-ambitious Lord of the Rings trilogy.