Director Rob Reiner (Misery, When Harry Met Sally) deftly adapted the Stephen King novella The Body, about a group of young friends in 1959 that come together on a quest to find the missing body of dead boy reported in the local paper. The leader of the pack Chris (River Phoenix) emerges as the voice of reason as the group grapples with psychological elements of insecurity, courage, and loss of innocence. The boys also must stand their ground against a local gang led by Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland) as they figure out how to let authorities in their town of Castle Rock know the body has been located. This film was a major launching pad for the late River Phoenix as well as Wil Wheaton and Kevin O’Connell. PCFF 2017 guest Richard Dreyfuss provides the wise narration. — Jaime Mendez

Rated: R