This is one of my favorite black comedies of all time, and it definitely deserves to be on a list or ten. This cast could not be any better, and man, does Bruce Dern give the performance of a lifetime. I think I quote this movie more than any other.
When Joe Dante tackles themes similar to Rear Window in The 'Burbs, it's a pretty insane affair. Young Tom Hanks, still in his comedy rant phase (not a bad thing), wants a stay-at-home vacation, but soon falls under the spell of the neighborhood gossip as he and his neighbors start acting like children vis-à-vis the street's "haunted house", or in this case, the dilapidated structure home to eccentrics who may or may not be ghouls. Dante has a lot of fun having his cake and eat it too, remonstrating the characters for having too much imagination and time on their hands, but also requiring us to question whether these strange neighbors really are up to no good. But this really works on the merits of its comedy. It's not just a case of funny premise, funny dialog or funny slapstick (and Hanks is definitely underrated as a physical comedian), Dante is, like Edgar Wright to name what I propose as a pretty direct descendant, a comedy DIRECTOR. So there are tons of throw-away gags, background bits, and amusing uses of camera work and sound design. A lot of fun. And what a neat cast!
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 11 of 11
annoyedleek
This is one of my favorite black comedies of all time, and it definitely deserves to be on a list or ten. This cast could not be any better, and man, does Bruce Dern give the performance of a lifetime. I think I quote this movie more than any other.Siskoid
When Joe Dante tackles themes similar to Rear Window in The 'Burbs, it's a pretty insane affair. Young Tom Hanks, still in his comedy rant phase (not a bad thing), wants a stay-at-home vacation, but soon falls under the spell of the neighborhood gossip as he and his neighbors start acting like children vis-à-vis the street's "haunted house", or in this case, the dilapidated structure home to eccentrics who may or may not be ghouls. Dante has a lot of fun having his cake and eat it too, remonstrating the characters for having too much imagination and time on their hands, but also requiring us to question whether these strange neighbors really are up to no good. But this really works on the merits of its comedy. It's not just a case of funny premise, funny dialog or funny slapstick (and Hanks is definitely underrated as a physical comedian), Dante is, like Edgar Wright to name what I propose as a pretty direct descendant, a comedy DIRECTOR. So there are tons of throw-away gags, background bits, and amusing uses of camera work and sound design. A lot of fun. And what a neat cast!gismar
perfecthalcain
A pleasant watchnowhereman136
i really would like to see a sequel with Cory Feldman's character.BigAwesomeBLT
Same feeling as Beetlejuice or one of The Adams Family movies. Happy, comfortable watching and a great cast.Chris Goodwin
one of my favs for sure. Shame it's not on a list!Sephiroth
That kid next-door's a meatball.annya
(removed by mod: please post in English)tjennis
Very underrated comedyMrE2Me
One of my favorite comedies, I wish this was on a list. Bruce Dern gives a truly hilarious performance.