John Hughes: R.I.P.

John Hughes died on 6 August from an apparent heart attack while taking a walk outside his home in Manhattan.

Even though he had a string of incredibly successful movies for more than fifteen straight years, John Hughes(imdb) will always be known as the maestro of 80's teen movies. Films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off tapped into teen angst like no other films have been able to do since.

What most people don't know or remember, is that Hughes films were not just teen movies. He is also the writer behind such hits as the three Vacation movies starring Chevy Chase, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, She's Having a Baby (my favorite), The Great Outdoors, and of course, Uncle Buck. All of which happen to be fine adult comedies. Then in the 90's he struck pure box office gold with Home Alone and its sequels, and he is even behind the Beethoven franchise, albeit under a pseudonym.

So while we mourn the passing of a man who seems like a personal friend, let's celebrate his life by watching one of his great films, and having a laugh.