Tribute to zeitgeist of the ‘80s teen

Though he retreated from Hollywood in the early 1990s to home and family in Chicago, John Hughes really never left popular culture. And for good reason. During the 1980s, he was one of the titans of film comedy as both a writer and director with a particular affinity for exploring the complex world of the teenager. His death of a heart attack in August at 59 left his legion of fans feeling as if they’d lost a bit of their youth.

They can get a little of that back Friday through Wednesday as the American Cinematheque pays homage to the influential auteur. Kicking it off at the Egyptian Theatre with a double bill of Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald will be 1984’s “Sixteen Candles” and 1985’s “The Breakfast Club.” Scheduled for Saturday are 1986’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and 1985’s “Weird Science.” In between films, “Bueller” performers Edie McClurg and Jeffrey Jones will discuss Hughes. Sunday’s programming features 1987’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” and 1986’s “Pretty in Pink,” both directed by Howard Deutch.

The retrospective moves to the Aero Theatre on Wednesday with a double bill of slightly more grown-up fare: 1987’s “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” and ‘88’s “The Great Outdoors,” directed by Deutch, who will appear with McClurg between films. www .americancinematheque.com.

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Resnais featured

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens its October film programming Friday with “The Classic Films of Alain Resnais,” which ends Oct. 17. The 87-year-old Resnais, whose latest film, “Wild Grass,” was at Cannes in May, burst onto the cinematic scene in 1959 with “Hiroshima Mon Amour” and followed that two years later with “Last Year at Marienbad.” The series will show six features and five shorts in chronological order in new 35-millimeter prints on loan from France. Unfortunately, “Hiroshima” isn’t available for screenings in North America due to rights issues.

But “Marienbad” is available and will screen Friday. Rounding out the bill are the shorts: “All the World’s Memory” from 1956 and 1958’s “Le Chant du styrene.” Scheduled for Saturday is 1963’s “Muriel,” also with Seyrig, and the 1955 short “Night and Fog.”

Rainer shorts

Los Angeles Filmforum celebrates Yvonne Rainer, beginning Sunday at the Egyptian Theatre with five of her early shorts, including “Volleyball.” She will discuss her work at most screenings. www.la filmforum.wordpress.com.

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susan.king@latimes.com

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THIS WEEKEND

“The Invention of Lying” A down-on-his luck man becomes the only one in the world who can lie, leading to unforeseen consequences.

“More Than a Game” Documentary looks at LeBron James’ winning high school basketball team.

“Paranormal Activity” A young San Diego couple chronicles the visits by a demon into their home.

“The Providence Effect” A documentary account of Paul J. Adams III and the inner-city Chicago school he founded and helped succeed.

“A Serious Man” A physics professor in 1967 tries to cope as his life spirals out of control.

“Whip It” A small-town misfit discovers her talent for Roller Derby.

“Zombieland” A mismatched pair of survivors finds friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies.

Also:

“A Beautiful Life”

“Brief Interviews With Hideous Men”

“In Search of Beethoven”

“Lord Save Us From Your Followers”

“Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2”

“Yuri Gagarin Conspiracy: The Fallen Idol”